This 1980 Porsche 928 Two Door Coupe (stock # 30862) on 2040-cars

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Porsche 918 Spyder could lap the 'Ring even quicker [w/video]

Porsche had a lot to crow about at the Frankfurt Motor Show last week. Not only did it debut the new 50 Years edition and Turbo versions of the 911 and the new hybrid and diesel versions of the Panamera, but while unveiling the final production version of the new 918 Spyder, it revealed the record lap it set around the Nürburgring.
The 918 Spyder's 6:57 lap time makes it the fastest street-legal production car ever to lap the Nordschleife and the first to break the seven-minute barrier. But the driver who clocked the time thinks it can go even faster.
That driver was Marc Lieb, who has won the Nürburgring 24-hour race four times, making him something of an expert on the subject. In speaking with Australia's Drive TV, Lieb suggested that they could get even more out of the car, as you can hear for yourself in the video below.

Automakers not currently promoting EVs are probably doomed

Okay, let's be honest. The sky isn't falling – gas prices are. In fact, some experts say that prices at the pump will remain depressed for the next decade. Consumers have flocked to SUVs and CUVs, reversing the upward trend in US fuel economy seen over the last several years. A sudden push into electric vehicles seems ridiculous when gas guzzlers are selling so well. Make hay while the sun shines, right? A quick glance at some facts and figures provides evidence that the automakers currently doubling down on internal combustion probably have some rocky years ahead of them. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is a prime example of a volume manufacturer devoted to incremental gains for existing powertrains. Though FCA will kill off some of its more fuel-efficient models, part of its business plan involves replacing four- and five-speed transmissions with eight- and nine-speed units, yielding a fuel efficiency boost in the vicinity of ten percent over the next few years. Recent developments by battery startups have led some to suggest that efficiency and capacity could increase by over 100 percent in the same time. Research and development budgets paint a grim picture for old guard companies like Fiat Chrysler: In 2014, FCA spent about $1,026 per car sold on R&D, compared with about $24,783 per car sold for Tesla. To be fair, FCA can't be expected to match Tesla's efforts when its entry-level cars list for little more than half that much. But even more so than R&D, the area in which newcomers like Tesla have the industry licked is infrastructure. We often forget that our vehicles are mostly useless metal boxes without access to the network of fueling stations that keep them rolling. While EVs can always be plugged in at home, their proliferation depends on a similar network of charging stations that can allow for prolonged travel. Tesla already has 597 of its 480-volt Superchargers installed worldwide, and that figure will continue to rise. Porsche has also proposed a new 800-volt "Turbo Charging Station" to support the production version of its Mission E concept, and perhaps other VW Auto Group vehicles. As EVs grow in popularity, investment in these proprietary networks will pay off — who would buy a Chevy if the gas stations served only Ford owners? If anyone missed the importance of infrastructure, it's Toyota.

The holidays are coming and this Singer Designs book is great

None of us should expect to get one of Singer's beautifully reimagined Porsche 911s for the holidays, but a new book titled One More than 10: Singer and the Porsche 911 at least lets you give, or receive, some sensational photos of them. The 275-page book tells the story of Singer founder Rob Dickinson and what inspires him to put so much effort into making 911s even better. The opinions of auto writers and industry personalities accompany Dickinson's tale, but the lavish photography is the true highlight. Based on the preview photos in the gallery above, the shots perfectly capture the company's machines from all the best angles. Former Autoblogger Michael Harley co-authors the book. There might still be time to order the $85 book for a friend (or yourself) in time for the holidays because the publisher guarantees delivery by Christmas for the first 200 of them. Dickinson will also sign copies at the Petersen Museum's re-opening preview day on Dec. 6. The publisher will also offer 100 copies of a limited edition for a hefty $911. These will come in a custom display case from Singer's craftspeople, and they'll include exclusive artwork. SINGER VEHICLE DESIGN EXCLUSIVITY MAY NOW BE MORE ATTAINABLE AS POINT OF ENTRY BEGINS WITH BACKGROUND STORY "One More than 10: Singer and the Porsche 911" New Book – Perfect Holiday Gift for Porsche 911 Fans PR Newswire, LOS ANGELES – November 10, 2015 As the world continues to take notice of a little restoration shop in Southern California that has provided a re-birth of sorts to old and tired Porsche 964s, many have come to believe the ability to enter the inner circle of Singer Vehicle Design was well beyond reach. However, as the holiday season draws upon us, there's one pathway to ownership within a less limited perspective that enthusiasts just may find easier on their pocket-book too – that being the release of the background story of the impeccable craftsmanship within Rob Dickinson's "re"imagination of Porsche 911s and the launch of his book "One More Than 10: Singer and the Porsche 911" currently available at www.singervehicledesign.com on a pre-order basis, as well as through publishing house Stance & Speed at http://www.stanceandspeed.com/automotive-books/one-more-than-10-singer-and-the-porsche-911.