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Russian President Putin's new limo makes debut ahead of 2017 production

What's the best way to ignore an international money-laundering scandal that's allegedly revealed your link to $2 billion in off-shore accounts? Why yes, you get a new car. While information from the so-called Panama Papers is still being uncovered, Russian President Vladimir Putin's new Russian-made ride has been unveiled. Unlike US President Barack Obama's Cadillac-badged Beast, Putin's Kortezh will be available to any Russian that has the means. A total of 5,000 will be built in four different styles – limo, sedan, SUV, and minivan – although only 200 will roll off production lines next year, Sputnik News reports. Deliveries are expected to start in late 2017, while assembly will carry on through 2020, the Moscow Times reports. Commerce and Industry Minister Denis Mantrurov confirmed that Porsche has been brought in to help develop the Kortezh's powertrain. Whether that engine ends up being the turbocharged V12 we reported on way back in October 2014 isn't clear, though. Regardless of what's sitting under that long hood, we're betting it's going to be extremely powerful. Putin will likely take delivery of the Kortezh in 2017. Related Video:

Porsche close to fix for 911 GT3 engine fires

It looks like 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 drivers might actually get to drive their cars again soon. Reports of fires affecting the track-ready Germans first began about a month ago. Then, a few days later, the automaker confirmed two of the five alleged blazes and said owners shouldn't drive their cars until further notice. Porsche then went so far as to offer to pick up the GT3s and transport them to the nearest dealer until the problem was identified and a fix was found. Finally, there appears to be a repair.
"We know the reason and the problem-solving measures. We're testing them," said Porsche CEO Matthias Müller to Bloomberg. The technical fix will be released to owners shortly.
The recall affects all 785 GT3s that have been sold so far, but there have been no reported injuries caused by the fires. When it first announced the safety campaign, Porsche said: "Internal studies to determine the cause of the engine damage have not been completed yet."

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: