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Porsche to only build next Panamera in Leipzig?

Manufacture of the next-generation Porsche Panamera could be moving, if a report from Reuters is true. The current-generation Panamera range has its bodies welded together and painted at a Volkswagen facility in Hanover before being shipped to Leipzig where final assembly takes place.
According to Reuters, Porsche is looking to cut VW out of the equation and focus production of the Panamera in Leipzig. While this could cost 800 of the 14,300 workers at Hanover their jobs, it's not entirely clear what Porsche stands to gain by the move. It recently invested 50- million euros (about $680 million at today's rates) on a paint and body shop for its Leipzig factory, ostensibly so the facility could have Macan production underway by that car's spring 2014 on-sale date. If the facility was also designed with next-generation Panamera production in mind, then Porsche's decision to put all of its eggs in one basket could make a lot of sense. It currently ships the semi-completed Panameras from Hanover to Leipzig, a distance of around 160 miles by road, and presumably it's a costly and time-consuming process.
The Leipzig factory produced 27,000 Panameras last year, although it's unclear just what its production capacity really is. Besides the Panamera and the upcoming Macan, the factory also builds the Porsche Cayenne.

Matt LeBlanc nearly runs over cameraman during Top Gear shoot

Matt LeBlanc almost caused a bad start to the new season of Top Gear when the former Friends star narrowly avoided running over a cameraman. The new host reportedly needed to take a few hours off afterward to get his head together, according to The Mirror. An unnamed Top Gear insider tells the British tabloid that the near tragedy happened while filming in South Africa last month. During a break in the action, LeBlanc decided to take a drive in a Porsche that the show was reviewing. What he didn't realize was that a cameraman was laying on the ground shooting static footage sports car. Another cameraman saw what was happening and got LeBlanc's attention to avert the crisis. "It was one of those instances where, if the tracking man and Matt had reacted even a few seconds later, it could have been really serious. Both of them appreciated what a lucky escape it was," the source told The Mirror. While everyone was okay, the incident reportedly left LeBlanc upset. He needed to take a few hours off to regain his composure and checked to make sure the cameraman wasn't injured. Top Gear announced LeBlanc as a new cast member in February, and welcomed him with a drive in a convertible Reliant Robin, which wore a Stars and Stripes paint scheme. The show's recent trailer highlighted more of LeBlanc's trip, and the car definitely had some problems. Top Gear returns in May to televisions in the UK. There's no word yet on a US premiere date. News Source: The MirrorImage Credit: Neil Mockford / Alex Huckle / GC Images Celebrities TV/Movies Porsche matt leblanc

Porsche 918 Spyder officially priced from $845K, Weissach package $84K more

Porsche has released official pricing for its entire lineup of 2013 models, which just happens to include the upcoming 918 Spyder hybrid supercar. The 795-horsepower advanced-technology-lab-on-wheels is now officially confirmed to have a starting price of $845,000 in the US, which is the exact amount we were told earlier when we had the opportunity to ride shotgun in some 918 Spyder pre-production test vehicles.
What we didn't know at the time was the cost of the Weissach trim package, which is a high-performance upgrade to the standard vehicle that includes the deletion of some interior amenities and addition of lighter-weight carbon fiber appointments, magnesium wheels, flame-resistant upholstery, racing belts and aerodynamic aids - it's meant for track-going folk who intend to use their 918 Spyders as God, country and manufacturer intended.
All told, the Weissach package should drop the 918 Spyder's curb weight by some 80 pounds, while also lightening your wallet of an additional $84,000 - the car's MSRP with the Weissach package is $929,000. These prices don't, however, include destination charges, which, for something like the very limited edition 918 Spyder (only 918 will be made), could very well cost considerably more than your average Porsche.