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New European charging network will offer speeds up to 350 kW

It's about to get easier to fast-charge your electric vehicle across Europe thanks to four major automakers working together in a new joint venture. BMW, Daimler (Mercedes-Benz), Ford, and the VW Group (Audi and Porsche) have all signed a Memorandum of Understanding to install about 400 DC fast charging sites in Europe. As you may know, there are different types of fast chargers, but the ones that this group is talking about installing will be able to charge an EV in much less time than other stations. That's because these chargers will offer power levels of "up to 350 kW." Compare that to what's generally considered the current gold standard, the Tesla Superchargers, which have rates of up to 145 kW and a statement not that long ago from a Ford exec that suggested that 150 kW chargers would be the new normal. Of course, the Tesla chargers use the company's proprietary connector and the new network the JV is setting up will use the CCS standard. The first new stations will go up in 2017 and those 400 sites are just the beginning. A joint statement by the JV says that EV drivers will "have access to thousands of high-powered charging points" by 2020 along highways and main roads. "The charging experience is expected to evolve to be as convenient as refueling at conventional gas stations," the companies said. While not every electric vehicle will be able to take advantage of the 350 kW charging rate, the companies involved would be silly to build the infrastructure without vehicles that can handle that kind of energy flow. The JV says it would welcome participation from other automakers and will cooperate with interested regional partners. Related Video: News Source: Daimler Green Audi BMW Ford Mercedes-Benz Porsche Volkswagen Electric fast charging

Porsche 718 Cayman gets new turbocharged engines

When Porsche revealed the new 718 Boxster, it appeared a matter of time before the Cayman would receive the same treatment. That time has come. The Cayman is like the 718 Boxster, but with a fixed roof, and both models are now aligned under the same number plate. The biggest change over the outgoing Cayman is the arrival of turbocharged power. In place of the 2.7- and 3.4-liter atmospheric boxer sixes in the previous model, the new 718 Cayman offers a choice of turbo fours: a 2.0-liter unit in the base model good for 300 horsepower, and a 2.5 in the S version with 350 hp on tap – just like in the latest Boxster. Smaller, both the new turbo engines bring increases of 25 hp over the naturally aspirated engines they replace. Torque goes up along with it – by 67 pound-feet in the base model to 280, and by 37 lb-ft in the Cayman S to 309. The extra muscle translates to a 0-to-60 time as low as 4.5 seconds for the 718 Cayman, or 4.0 flat for the 718 Cayman S, with top speeds clocked at 170 and 177 miles per hour, respectively. Of course, there's more to the new 718 coupe than what can be found under the engine bay. Porsche has retuned the suspension, tightened the steering rack, widened the rear wheels, and enlarged the brakes. It's all wrapped in new bodywork and operated from a refreshed interior. US deliveries are set to commence in November, with prices starting at $54,950 (including the destination fee) for the base model and $67,350 for the S model. Those are just starting points, with key options like the Sport Chrono pack, torque vectoring, and active suspension promising to inflate those figures as rapidly as the new Cayman will cover ground. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Poised for precision: The new 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman Mid-engine sports coupe with new turbocharged flat-four cylinder engines and enhanced suspension Atlanta, Georgia. Today Porsche announces the new 718 Cayman models. Following the debut of the new 718 Boxster, the new 718 Cayman complements the roadster in the mid-engine model line-up. This third generation of the mid-engine sports coupe has a more striking and athletic appearance, and for the first time, the coupe is priced below the roadster. The new turbocharged flat-four cylinder engines from the 718 Boxster power the 718 Cayman, making the power output identical for both models.

Gooding's Pebble Beach auction tops $128 million in sales

While the million-dollar cars are now packed up for Monterey Car Week, the auction results keeping rolling in. Gooding & Co. set a two-day company record by moving over $128 million in beautiful classics during the event. Of the 115 lots that sold, three brought over $10 million, and 26 more went for over a million. In a surprise to no one, a Ferrari led the way when a 1961 250 GT SWB California Spider sold for $16.83 million. That was a new single-lot record for the auction house. In a close second place, a 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Speciale previously owned by famed auto designer Nuccio Bertone went for $16.5 million. Rounding out the top three, a 1982 Porsche 956 that won Le Mans in 1983 cleared $10.12 million. Porsche also grabbed fourth place with a 1960 RS60 going for $5.4 million, and rounding out the top five was a 1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series II Coupe for $5.1 million. Check out the gallery above for a look at many of the beautiful vehicles in the sale. While the press release below lists the top sellers, you can check out the prices and info for all of the lots on Gooding's website, here. Gooding & Company's Two-Day Pebble Beach Auctions Realizes More Than $128 Million 3 cars sell above $10 million, 26 cars above $1 million New auction records broken for Ferrari and Porsche Pebble Beach, Calif. (August 17, 2015) – Gooding & Company, the official auction house of Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance®, realized more than $128 million at its Pebble Beach Auctions this weekend, resulting in a two-day sales company record. During the two-day sale, the auction house sold 115 of 129 lots, an 89% sale rate and their highest ever average price of $1,113,896 per car. During the auction weekend, an impressive 26 cars sold over the $1 million mark including three vehicles over $10 million. World records were broken as new market standards were set for Ferrari and Porsche, including a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider (sold for $16,830,000), 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Speciale (sold for $16,500,000), Le Mans-winning 1982 Porsche 956 (sold for $10,120,000), 1960 Porsche RS60 (sold for $5,400,000), 1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series II Coupe (sold for $5,087,500), and a 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort (sold for $1,732,500). David Gooding, President of Gooding & Company: "New bench marks were set and our company hit a new record for highest two-day sale.