2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo on 2040-cars

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Autoblog Minute: UAW and FCA avoid strike, Clarkson teases new show

FCA avoids a worker strike, a former Top Gear host teases us with a picture from Amazon's new car show, and Toyota predicts autonomous cars by 2020. Autoblog senior editor Greg Migliore reports on this edition of Autoblog Minute Weekly Recap. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] FCA avoids a worker strike, a former Top Gear host teases us with a picture from Amazon's new car show, and Toyota predicts autonomous cars by 2020. I'm senior editor Greg Migliore and this is your Autoblog Minute Weekly Recap. A UAW strike of FCA was avoided thanks to a zero-hour tentative agreement reached this week. Worker concerns that were renegotiated in the new [00:00:30] deal include adjustments to the two-tier wage scale, health care costs, and production outsourcing. Now check-in with Autoblog as we update our reports on this evolving story. Shooting began on Amazon Prime's new automotive show starring the former Top Gear crew. That's Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. Now Clarkson threw out a tweet from day one of filming on location at Algarve Motor Park in Portugal. The picture features the show's [00:01:00] three stars and crew posing with the holy trinity of hyper cars. That's a McLaren P1, a Ferrari LaFerrari, and a Porsche 918 Spyder. This Prime show is being called Gear Knobs though the name is unofficial. Now if a tweet is any indication of what we can expect, who cares what it's called this is gonna be awesome. (Eds Note: Clarkson tweeted Friday that the show will not be called Gear Knobs.) Toyota predicts drivers could be obsolete on highways as early as 2020, with technology dubbed the Toyota Highway Teammate or THT. Toyota is using a modified [00:01:30] Lexus GS to show what this is capable of. THT is already able to create a driverless freeway car that's capable of changing lanes, making passes and taking curves. Plus, it can keep safe distances from other vehicles. Toyota is currently testing this on Tokyo's Shuto Expressway. Those are the highlights from the week that was. Be sure to check out my full recap this Saturday. And I'll have some added insight on the BMW M4 GTS. For Autoblog, I'm Greg Migliore. [00:02:00] Show Logo Autoblog Minute is a short-form video news series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals.

Former Porsche CEO Wiedeking indicted over VW takeover bid

Do you recall the failed efforts by Porsche to take over Volkswagen? According to a Bloomberg report, former Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking (above) and ex-CFO Holger Haerter have finally been charged with market manipulation over the exercising of options as part of the German sportscar manufacturer's ill-fated attempt to take over the much larger VW. That failed bid eventually resulted in the reverse coming true - VW swallowing Porsche.
The charges leveled by Stuttgart prosecutors come after a three-year investigation centered around allegations that Porsche execs made a concerted effort to increase the company's share in VW to 75 percent in preparation for a hostile takeover. Porsche had previously told its investors on at least five occasions that it had no intention to buy VW.
Portions of the investigation have subsided, according to prosecutors, citing an inability to prove certain improprieties with a "necessary degree of certainty." The number of charges is down to 5 from a previous 14 counts regarding "information-based market manipulation."

Porsche introduces Boxster and 911 Black Editions

In case choosing which Porsche to buy weren't challenging enough, the German automaker has announced a new special edition to make it even more so - particularly for people who like the murdered-out look. Called the Black Edition, it's being offered on the 911 and Boxster. As you might have guessed, the principal defining feature is the black on black color scheme, with metallic black paint available as an option. But it also comes bundled with otherwise optional equipment as standard. Both versions come from the factory with heated seats and auto-dimming mirrors as well as embossed headrests, unique sill plates and a Sport Design steering wheel. The 911 version also includes 20-inch wheels, dynamic LED headlights, front and rear Park Assist, reversing camera and Bose audio. It's based on the standard 3.4-liter model with 350 horsepower and is available in rear- or all-wheel drive and in coupe or carbio form. The Boxster Black Edition likewise starts out with the base 2.7-liter, 265-hp model, and upgrades with its own set of 20-inch wheels, wind deflector, bi-xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control, navigation, upgraded audio and park assist. Porsche dealers in the US are now taking orders on the Black Editions, with deliveries set to commence at the end of July. Pricing range from $59,100 for the Boxster and $88,800 for the 911 Carrera, ratcheting all the way up to $104,600 for the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet (all prices excluding the $995 destination charge). Show full PR text Exclusive editions of 2016 Porsche Boxster and 911 Carrera in classic color combination In elegant black: Porsche 911 Carrera and Boxster Black Editions Atlanta. Porsche has created a special model of the 911 Carrera and Boxster: the Black Edition. The combination of black exterior and interior emphasizes the timeless, classy elegance of each sports car. As the name indicates, Black paint is standard, while Jet Black Metallic is available as an option. Standard equipment on the 911 Carrera and Boxster Black Edition models has been enhanced in regards to the wheels, headlights, and sound system while additional equipment has been included such as the Sport Design steering wheel, door sill guards with Black Edition logo, heated seats, auto dimming rear-view mirrors, and the headrests are embossed with the Porsche Crest. The 911 Carrera Black Edition is based on the standard model with a 3.4 liter flat-six engine developing 350 hp.