1985 Porsche 911 on 2040-cars

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Aston Martin renames Vantage GT3 after Porsche throws hissy fit

Porsche has a long history of using the name "GT3" for its hardcore, naturally aspirated 911 models, and that means it's certainly not going to share it with the likes of Aston Martin. See, it seems the arrival of the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show didn't sit well with Stuttgart, which opted to lawyer up. According to Goodwood Road and Racing, attorneys from both sides of the Channel have been in discussion for months over the issue, with Porsche arguing it's been using the GT3 name since 1999, and that makes it theirs. Aston, though, argues that the FIA GT3 racing series makes the name fair game for road cars. Moreover, the Brits point out that the alphanumeric was in use well before Porsche got its mitts on it – GRR rightly points out the Lotus Esprit GT3 hit the streets three years before the 996 GT3. And while we're on the subject, Bentley has its own GT3, but we're guessing its status as one of Porsche's siblings means its immune to this kind of squabbling. Rather than getting into a knock-down, drag-out courtroom brawl with one of the Volkswagen Group's prized brands, though, Aston has taken the high road. The company will rechristen both the road-going Vantage GT3 and Vantage racer as the GT12. While Porsche is no stranger to aggressively protecting what it views as its closely held vehicle names, we have to admit, it seems like Aston actually has something of a case. Do you think the Brits were right to settle and change the Vantage's name, or should they have taken the fight to Porsche? Have your say in Comments.

Porsche Mission E set for launch by 2020

Porsche will bring the Mission E electric sedan to production by 2020. The company's board just gave the thumbs up for further development of the vehicle on Dec. 4. "Even in a greatly changing motoring world, Porsche will maintain its front-row position with this fascinating sports car," Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, chairman of the supervisory board of Porsche AG, said in the model's announcement. The Mission E debuted at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show as a long-slung sedan in a mix of aluminum, steel, and carbon-fiber reinforced polymer. The concept featured two permanent magnet synchronous motors with over 590 horsepower, all-wheel drive with torque vectoring, and four-wheel steering. Porsche claimed that the model could reach 62 miles per hour in less than 3.5 seconds and offer a 500-kilometer (310.7-mile) range on the European testing cycle. Plus, the brand alleged the vehicle could lap the Nordschleife in less than eight minutes. The concept version also boasted an 800-volt charger to provide 80 percent of the range just 15 minutes after the driver plugged it in. We won't know for some time how much of this cutting-edge tech will actually arrive on the production version, but building the Mission E will coincide with 700-million euros ($765 million) in updates to the Porsche factory in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. In the coming years, the company will upgrade its engine factory to assemble electric motors. The automaker will also add a new paint shop, assembly plant, and enlarged body shop there. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Green light for Mission E The first 100% electrically powered Porsche is on its way. It will be launched at the end of the decade. The supervisory board of the Porsche AG today gave the green light for the Mission E project. Mission E, Concept Car, Press Conference IAA , Frankfurt, 2015, Porsche AG With the Mission E project, Porsche is continuing to back sustainable growth. In Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen alone more than 1,000 new jobs are being created. The company will be investing around 700 million euros in its main site there. Over the next few years, a new paint shop and a new assembly plant will be built. The existing engine factory is also being expanded for the production of electric motors. In addition, the existing body shop is being enlarged.

Touring Italy in a classic Porsche will have you feeling continental

It's hard to believe there was a time when a Porsche 911 didn't come to market with 400 horsepower. But as the latest video from Petrolicious reminds us, with this video of a 1968 911T, owned by Donato Maniscalco, that time wasn't so long ago.
You might think, being a distinguished man living in Italy, Maniscalco would be more enthused by a Ferrari, Maserati, or Lamborghini, but in reality, it was always Porsche that enamored the Italian as a boy. And it was that passion that led him to purchase the glorious 911T he's seen tossing about in this video.
Maniscalco goes into detail about what makes the old 911 such a legend, while also mentioning how he and the car participate in classic rallies and races. There's also some typically beautiful footage of the Italian countryside, as well. So take a look below for the latest video from Petrolicious.