2004 Porsche Boxster S Special Edition Convertible 2-door 3.2l on 2040-cars

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Updated J.D. Power APEAL study shines on VW Group, Chevy

J.D. Power has just revealed the results of its 2013 APEAL Study, which looks at which brands have the most appealing cars based on sales figures, dealer inventory, brand loyalty, transaction and trade-in prices. The study was revamped for 2013, and places a larger focus on the new tech and infotainment options available to customers. All told, study participants gauged their vehicles on 77 different attributes, delivering a score out of a 1,000 points.
The Volkswagen Group had the greatest success of any corporation, topping the APEAL rankings with the Audi Allroad, Porsche Boxster, Porsche Cayenne, VW GTI and Passat. Chevrolet had the highest number of awards for a single brand, though, with the Avalanche, Sonic and Volt all taking home a prize.
The best brand overall was Porsche, which scored 884 out of a possible 1,000 points. The top Japanese brand was Lexus with a score of 847, while the top American brand was Cadillac, at 841. The best mainstream brand was Ram, which received a very respectable 817. The industry average for this year's study was 795, with 16 brands, all of which were mainstream, falling below the average.

Porsche Cayman GT4 speeds back into view

We're all familiar with the succession of numbers that follow the letters GT on a hard-core Porsche 911: the GT1 that was Stuttgart's Le Mans contender in the late 90s, the GT2 that packs turbochargers but without the Turbo's all-wheel drive and excess weight, and the naturally aspirated GT3 that's the enthusiast's choice. But a GT4? That's something new, and exactly what Porsche has in store.
Spied testing in Germany once again is the upcoming GT4 version of the Porsche Cayman, set to supersede the existing GTS and take the place of the previous Cayman R at the top of Porsche's junior sports car range. This latest batch of spy shots doesn't show us much more than the last crop, but gives us a much clearer view at what promises to be the most hardcore Cayman to date.
As you can see, the Cayman GT4 packs a much more aggressive aero kit and rolling stock than any version we've seen to date. It's got a lip spoiler, big air dam and GT3-style vent in front of the hood, deep air scoops along the flanks, a set of spindly alloys packing oversized brakes, a diffuser with twin central exhaust tips around back and a rear wing that's likely to be replaced with a sleeker unit before the GT4 reaches production.

NFL draft recruits to get Porsche 911s for fastest 40 times

It's fair to say the NFL Combine is a big deal for players entering a draft. Their future quite literally comes down to a series of drills. You a defensive tackle? Better rock out on the bench press. Hoping to be the next great wide receiver? Your vertical better be awesome. And what of the running backs? Well, few drills match the importance of the 40-yard dash. That particular drill will have a renewed importance not just for the RBs, but for other skill positions at this year's Combine, as the three fastest times will be gifted a shiny new Porsche 911. Adidas is offering up the three cars, which ESPN reports are valued at about $83,000 a piece. That means these new recruits won't be rolling around in a Turbo or GT3. They will, however, sport a questionable sense of design, as the German shoe company has fitted a cheetah print, which is meant to match one of the company's new trainers. You can check both the car and the shoe out above. NFL fans, meanwhile, should feel free to head into Comments and let us know who you think will take home a new 911. Related Video: