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Paul Walker's father sues Porsche

Porsche will reportedly face another wrongful-death suit in connection with the death of Paul Walker. This latest suit, according to USA Today, was filed by the late actor's father and the executor of his will. In the suit, Paul William Walker III claims that the Porsche lacked the safety equipment that could have saved the life of his son, actor Paul William Walker IV. The case dates back almost two years, to the day when Walker and his associate Roger Rodas were traveling in a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT. Rodas lost control of the car, which struck a lamppost and two trees on Hercules Street in Santa Clarita, CA. A fire erupted after the crash and both Rodas and Walker (who was riding in the passenger seat) were killed. The ensuing investigation determined that unsafe speeds were at fault, however grieving members of the deceased victims' families have launched a series of lawsuits – including several directed against the German automaker – in the aftermath. Walker's father previously sued the Rodas' estate over the ownership of a collection of cars estimated to be worth some $1.8 million. Meanwhile Rodas' widow Kristine has also filed a wrongful death suit against Porsche. And just this past September, Walker's 17-year-old daughter and heiress Meadow filed another wrongful death suit, also against Porsche. In response to the latter, Porsche spokesman Calvin Kim wrote to Autoblog: "As we have said before, we are very sad whenever anyone is hurt in a Porsche vehicle, but we believe the authorities' reports in this case clearly establish that this tragic crash resulted from reckless driving and excessive speed." This latest lawsuit filed by Walker's father alleges that the Carrera GT should have been equipped with stability control, reinforced doors, and a breakaway fuel line – features that, the plaintiff asserts, could have saved his son's life. According to USA Today, Porsche recently claimed in court that the vehicle in question had been modified and improperly maintained. Those factors could have led to the accident that claimed both Walker's and Rodas' lives. Walker was an actor who made his debut in television before appearing in movies like Varsity Blues, The Skulls, and Flags of Our Fathers. He will perhaps be best remembered, however, as the star in the Fast and Furious series – the most recent installment of which was completed posthumously with the help of his brothers and computer animation. The California native was 40 years old.

Porsche needs more people for Mission E

In an effort to get the all-electric Mission E on the road, Porsche is hiring an additional 400 people – on top of the 1,000 it previously hired – to work on the production and development of the vehicle. The majority of the new employees will work at the automaker's plant in Zuffenhausen, which is located close to Stuttgart, Germany, while others will focus on e-mobility, vehicle connectivity, and other related fields. In addition to hiring these new employees, Porsche is also looking for roughly 100 IT specialists, 50 creatives, and 70 more apprentices as part of an industry-wide push, though the Mission E is still four years away from going into production. In an interview with Australia's Drive, August Achleitner, product director for the 911, revealed that the automaker does not have any current plans to put an electric 911 on to the road. "Right now it wouldn't make sense in our opinion to offer an electric 911, or hybrid version, because there are so many disadvantages of such a concept with this narrow layout of a 911," stated Achleitner. While the automaker is currently not interested in creating an electric 911, Achleitner believes that vehicle could become a possibility in the future – 10 years into the future. Achleitner points towards a lack of demand for an electric 911 as another hindrance to the vehicle. Achleitner's comments go directly against what Lutz Meschke, a board member at Porsche AG, stated earlier this year. In March, one of Porsche's official Twitter accounts claimed that the automaker would offer a hybrid version of every model in its lineup, including the 911. Porsche never released any specific dates on when its mass hybridization project would begin, as the automaker uses the term "near future" to describe its plans. Related Video: Featured Gallery Porsche Mission E Concept: Frankfurt 2015 View 37 Photos News Source: Drive, PorscheImage Credit: Copyright 2015 Drew Phillips / AOL Green Hirings/Firings/Layoffs Porsche Coupe Electric Sedan porsche mission e porsche mission e concept

Porsche boss admits Panamera's style is offputting

"There have been some small mistakes and we will do it better. For example the design could be better." - Matthias Mueller.
The design of the Porsche Panamera has been divisive, to say the least. Pretty much any Porsche with four doors was going to draw the ire of enthusiasts, but the fast-back-style roofline, prominent curves and seemingly never-ending hood have particularly irked some brand loyalists.