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Next-gen Porsche 911 may include plug-in hybrid version

According to Auto Express, there's a plug-in hybrid Porsche 911 on the way, and it could arrive as soon as the introduction of the next-generation car. At the Detroit Auto Show, the UK outlet spoke to 911 product line director Dr. Erhard Mossle, who said the Stuttgart automaker was "working on different solutions" for the next iteration of its most iconic car, and, "of course, we are discussing plug-in solutions for the 911, but there are a lot of things to solve with packaging in the car and other things to solve. It will maybe be in the next generation, yes." "When we see the 911," he said, "we see the plug-in hybrid as a performance car." Since we just saw the introduction of the turbocharged powerplant in the 911 Carrera last summer, we can expect a wait of at least four years for the next powertrain evolution. Mossle said that any 911 PHEV would remain a sporty proposition and likely retain the flat-six engine, which would give more prestige than the four-cylinder 718 (Cayman and Boxster) yet still be able to satisfy emissions regulations. Mossle is echoing the comments made by Oliver Blume, chairman of the executive board at Porsche, at the Detroit show when Blume said the production version of the Mission E concept would be a sports car that happens to be electric. As far back as 2009, in fact, Porsche has been openly discussing an electric 911, the caveat even then being that it has to perform like a Porsche while providing decent range. In the middle of 2014 it was reported that the carmaker might make a 700-horsepower 911 Turbo S hybrid, by the end of 2014 it was reported that the automaker wouldn't make a 911 hybrid. A year after that first report, a 911 hybrid was back on, using the E-Hybrid system supposedly dismissed six months before, and then last November we got spy shots of a 911 with a supposed PHEV port. But with its Mission E work, and being designated to lead the Volkswagen Group's R&D into performance hybrids, a battery-boosted 911 might finally make sense. Related Video:

Rough seas delay salvage operation for burning ship carrying luxury cars

LISBON — Rough waters forced authorities on Wednesday to postpone a salvage operation for a ship packed with luxury cars that have been on fire for a week in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a port official said. With teams unable to board the Felicity Ace, heavy tug boats sprayed water to cool the vessel, which is carrying around 4,000 vehicles, including Porsches, Audis, Lamborghinis and Bentleys. Lamborghini of America CEO Andrea Baldi told Automotive News that there were dozens of pre-sold Lamborghinis aboard, mostly the Urus SUV. But also some Huracans and Aventadors, the latter of which have ceased production. The ship's 22 crew members were evacuated last Wednesday, the day the fire began. Some of the vehicles are electric, and their lithium-ion batteries have made the fire very difficult to extinguish, port officials have said. Joao Mendes Cabecas, the captain of the nearest port on the Azorean island of Faial, said the blaze had lost its intensity — probably because there was little left to burn. Salvage teams hoped to board the ship, which is is adrift around 170 km southwest of the Azores near Portugal, to assess its condition and start preparing it for towing, the Portuguese navy said in a statement on Tuesday. The navy took photos of the ship that showed a gaping hole at least four decks high, with burn marks running the length of the ship. It is unclear if the vessel will be towed to the Bahamas or Europe. Cabecas told Reuters bad weather prevented the team from boarding the ship. Waves as high as 2.5 meters battered the coast of Faial on Wednesday, Portugal's weather agency IPMA said. The salvage team was expected to be flown to the ship on a helicopter belonging to the Portuguese air force, which will decide on Thursday if the operation can proceed, Cabecas said. Ship manager Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd (MOL) said in a statement on Tuesday the vessel was still on fire but stable, and that no oil leak had been reported so far. It did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the cause of the fire. Insurance experts said the incident could result in losses of $155 million.   Weird Car News Audi Bentley Lamborghini Porsche

Porsche 911 GTS gets Rennsport Reunion Edition

Porsche is taking over Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca this weekend to celebrate Rennsport Reunion V. In addition to some beautiful cars on display, it's giving the brand's superfans something extra special by unveiling the 911 Carrera GTS Rennsport Reunion Edition there. Limited to only 25 examples, they're exclusively for customers in North America. As the model's name implies, this special edition is mechanically based on the 430-horsepower 911 GTS, and gets a manual gearbox and PASM Sport Suspension. Porsche Exclusive then applies special styling bits to each one. For the exterior, paint is a custom shade called Fashion Grey, with black-and-red decals applied to the hood, roof, decklid, and doors. To complete the fashionable look, gloss black adorns the radio antenna, around the LED headlights, the lower part of the mirrors, and 20-inch Sport Classic wheels. The interior offers some sportiness with carbon fiber dashboard trim, a SportDesign steering wheel, and 18-way Adaptive Sport Seats Plus. A little extra flash comes from Carmine Red for the seatbelts, tachometer and much of the stitching. As a nod to the event, a Rennsport Reunion V logo is also on the center console lid. With such a low production run and a price of $149,330 with the $995 destination charge, this is a way to proclaim a serious passion for Porsche. Related Video: PORSCHE 911 CARRERA GTS RENNSPORT REUNION® EDITION DEBUTS IN MONTEREY 25/09/15 Special edition model limited to 25 units worldwide built by Porsche Exclusive Atlanta, Georgia. In honor of the fifth Rennsport Reunion®, Porsche has unveiled a special edition of the 911 Carrera GTS at this year's gathering at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The Rennsport Reunion Edition is limited to 25 units worldwide and will be sold exclusively in North America. Built by Porsche Exclusive, the Rennsport Reunion Edition is based on the 430 hp 911 Carrera GTS. The limited edition production model is painted in the custom color Fashion Grey. Decorative black and red decals cover the front hood, the roof, and the rear decklid. The driver and passenger doors are decorated with black and red decals featuring the PORSCHE logotype. 20-inch Sport Classic wheels painted in high-gloss black give the Rennsport Reunion Edition a very striking appearance. The lower exterior trim of the side mirrors as well as the satellite radio antenna are also finished in high-gloss black. LED headlights in Black including PDLS Plus complete the black accents on the exterior.