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How the 2016 Porsche 911 Carrera S falls short of perfection

We know Harry Metcalfe loves a good Porsche 911. After all, he's shown off his personal 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo and 993 GT2 replica in previous videos. However, he can't seem to muster so much passion for the forced induction engine in the 2016 911 Carrera S. The chassis impresses him, but in Metcalfe's latest clip, he explains why he's not a huge fan of the new powerplant. Before any actual driving, Metcalfe takes a thorough walk around the new car where he goes to the unusual trouble of using a magnet to show which parts are steel and which are aluminum. Remember, though, this is a 911. So, this latest refreshed model, just like all previous remodels, isn't all that aesthetically different from the previous version. So, Metcalfe's real focus here is on how it drives. He comes away with mixed impressions. Metcalfe loves the 2016 911's handling, especially the directness from the rear-wheel steering, but he isn't in love with the new engine. At least with the seven-speed manual, he complains of turbo lag below 3,000 rpm. He also misses the direct throttle response from the previous naturally aspirated unit and doesn't think the turbocharged mill's fuel economy is very impressive. Take a ride with Metcalfe to get the full experience and intriguing take about the biggest change in more than a decade for the iconic 911. If you can't get enough Porsche-flavored goodness, click here for our own First Drive report on the quintessential sportscar. Related Video:

2015 Porsche Macan Turbo

I knew it was a softball question, but I asked it anyway. It's pretty standard for automakers to offer up some examples of competitors when they invite the media to drive a new vehicle for the first time. If not stated outright, it's just as standard for some journalist to query about the competitive set as soon as the Q&A begins. I knew full well that Porsche believes it has a valuable new niche to itself with the 2015 Macan (and especially with the Macan Turbo), but I wanted to hear the answer to the competitor cars question anyway.
Porsche CEO Matthias Müller didn't hesitate for a second to respond. With a half-smirk appropriate to an executive that is about to launch the (very probably) most profitable and best-selling product in his brand's lineup he chuckled, "Of course, I could be arrogant and say this car has no competitors..."
Arrogant? Well, the grinning Müller certainly didn't give off a humble vibe as he proceeded to count down a list of German and British utility vehicles from various classes that are clearly behind the pace of the Macan in either looks, luxury, or sporting prowess - Range Rover Sport, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLK among them.

Porsche Panamera gets new diesel in time for Frankfurt

Diesel may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Porsche, but in the European market - that vital one which Porsche calls home - diesels are indispensable. Particularly when you're trying to extend beyond niche sports cars and into the mainstream luxury sedan market as Zuffenhausen has with the Panamera. In fact, diesels account for 15 percent of Panamera sales worldwide (even though they're not offered Stateside), so to keep oil-burning customers happy, Porsche has announced a series of upgrades.
Set to be unveiled in the flesh at the fast-approaching Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Panamera Diesel packs 300 horsepower. That's 50 hp (or 20 percent) more than the model it replaces, significantly dropping the 0-62 sprint from 6.8 seconds to 6 flat, and raising top speed from 152 miles per Autobahn-crunching hour to 161. While they were at it, Porsche's engineers also fitted the rear differential with torque vectoring (previously reserved for gasoline-burning models) and retuned the transmission and suspension.
You can delve into the press release below for all the details - including the new model's improved towing capacity! - but the reality, for better or worse, is that the Panamera Diesel isn't offered here. So if you've been celebrating Labor Day (or even Labour Day, for our friends to the north) like we have, don't go looking for it at your local dealer, who will have only a Cayenne Diesel to show you instead.