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Porsche updates 919 Hybrid racer for 2015 season

Porsche's grand return to the elite level of global endurance racing showed mixed success in its first year. The company did score one victory in the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship season during the race in Brazil but finished in third place overall among the three factory manufacturers. Porsche is hoping for a few more wins in 2015 and is releasing its first shots of the updated car to achieve those triumphs when things kick off in April. The team's racer is still called the 919 Hybrid, but Porsche promises this second-generation version is a "comprehensive evolution" compared to last year. The most obvious change is the redesigned front end where the styling now features a simple horizontal intake running across the front (compare to 2014, below). The nose area also now flares out to the windshield. The side grows a more complicated look, though, with a series of fins just behind the driver compartment. Porsche isn't divulging many details about anything different under the skin. The 2015 919 is still propelled by a 2.0-liter turbocharged V4, and an electric motor powers the front wheels. There are also two energy recovery systems. In addition to the previous challengers from Audi and Toyota, Porsche has one more competitor in the factory ranks this season. The Nissan GT-R LM Nismo is rumored to be a radical departure from the rest of the field with an engine possibly located in front of the driver. Read the German brand's very brief release about the updated 919 Hybrid below and click through the gallery to see how it looks. Track debut for 2015 Porsche 919 Hybrid Stuttgart. Extensive testing with the second generation of Porsche's Le Mans prototype will begin on January 18, on Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit. As scheduled, this marks the start of the 2015 motorsport season for the Porsche Team. The new Porsche 919 Hybrid has already had its roll-out on the Weissach test track. As a next step, there will be several performance and endurance tests before the WEC season opener on April 12 in Silverstone, Great Britain. The new Porsche 919 Hybrid is a comprehensive evolution of the successful car that made its debut in 2014. It will feature the same innovative drivetrain concept consisting of a 2-litre V4 turbocharged petrol engine, an electric motor powering the front wheels, and two energy recovery systems. The new generation car had its first roll-out on December 15, 2014.

Porsche revisits the 911's dirty side with rally history film

It might not be a coincidence that there are rumors of Porsche revealing a safari version of the 911 at April's Beijing Motor Show, just as the Dakar Rally is about to begin. Adding fuel to the dusty desert fire is a just-released official video of Jeff Zwart driving the Porsche 953 that Jacky Ickx drove to victory in the 1984 edition of the race.
In the video, the seven-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb winner talks about how he grew up with the 911; it wasn't only the car he learned to drive in, it was his choice of racecar no matter whether the course was tarmac or the dirty stuff.
You can decide for yourself if these recent events are mere coincidence while you enjoy the 953's exhaust note in the video below. If you've got the time to see the 953 during its race-conquering drive and find out what the ersatz Paris-Dakar Rally used to be, we've also included a broadcast of that 1984 race below as well. Fast-forward to 19:44 to see the Porsches cross the open dessert and 29:09 to watch one of them tackle the dunes.

Pick up your Porsche in Atlanta, get free track time

Want to pick up a new Porsche from the factory? That's an option, but you have to fly out to Germany and then have your car shipped back Stateside. If that sounds like too much globetrotting, Porsche Cars North America is now offering the next best thing at its new US headquarters. It even includes some extras you don't get with factory delivery. The company's New Vehicle Delivery program allows customers to order a new Porsche at their local dealership and then pick it up at the Porsche Experience Center at One Porsche Drive in Atlanta. After touring the facility, customers get acquainted with their new cars with help from an expert then lap the on-site test track for an hour and a half and grab lunch at the company's gourmet Restaurant 356. The best part is, unlike the many options Porsche offers, PEC delivery adds nothing to the price of the car. You will, of course, have to cover the gas to get back to wherever you and your car live. Porsche has already kicked off the program. The first participant, Tracy Blumenthal, came out from California to pick up her new Cayenne S E-Hybrid. As a special bonus for being the first customer, former Le Mans class winner David Donohue took her for a ride in the 918 Spyder. Sounds like a pretty good day, if you ask us, especially when you get to go home with a new Porsche at the end. Related Video: Porsche Launches New Vehicle Delivery Program at Experience Center in Atlanta April 25, 2016 Atlanta, Georgia. Porsche Cars North America has launched its New Vehicle Delivery program at the Porsche Experience Center (PEC) in Atlanta. The program enables customers to place a factory order for a new vehicle through any authorized Porsche dealer in the U.S. and take delivery directly from the experiential destination, located at One Porsche Drive in Atlanta. California forensic accountant and attorney Tracy Blumenthal was the first official customer to participate in the program today when she picked up her new Cayenne S E-Hybrid sport utility vehicle. "We are thrilled to launch the New Vehicle Delivery program as another premium offering at our Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta," said Andre Oosthuizen, Vice President, Marketing, for Porsche Cars North America.