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Porsche employees take pay cuts so they can build Mission E

Porsche's 13,000 workers in Zuffenhausen, Germany, agreed to work more and at adjusted wages to ensure that the factory can build the production version the Mission E electric performance sedan. Their sacrifices could save the German sports car maker several hundred million euros, according to Reuters. The Zuffenhausen site was possibly in danger of losing the Mission E because workers there receive higher wages than Porsche's other factories. The specific savings from these concessions reportedly include increasing the workweek by one hour to 35 hours and eliminating portions of pay increases between 2016 and 2025. Porsche didn't officially confirm the precise cuts, but a spokesperson told Reuters: "Employer and employees have jointly drawn up measures that have led to the decision of producing the Mission E model at Zuffenhausen." Porsche plans to invest about $768 million into the Zuffenhausen factory over the coming years. That money will help create over 1,000 new jobs and will build a new paint shop, assembly plant, and upgrade the engine factory to produce electric motors. The expansion will also allow the company to move all production of the Cayman and Boxster to Zuffenhausen by August 2016 rather than the current strategy of outsourcing some of the models' assembly to Osnabruck, Germany. The Mission E should enter production by 2020, and Porsche Executive Board Chairman Dr. Oliver Blume promises it to be the "most sophisticated model in this market segment." The concept at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show offered a glimpse at the next-gen technology by presenting a swoopy EV sport sedan with all-wheel drive and a total of 590 horsepower from two electric motors. Porsche claimed the concept could reach 62 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds and go nearly 311 miles on the European testing cycle.

Recharge Wrap-up: Porsche 918 Spyder named Robb Report Car of the Year, cheap E85 in MN

Robb Report has named the Porsche 918 Spyder as its 2015 Car of the Year. The luxury lifestyle publication chose the powerful hybrid for being "the rarest, fastest, quickest, and most groundbreaking production Porsche ever," says Robb Report automotive consultant Robert Ross. About 140 judges were involved in the decision, which was announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week. Read more at Robb Report. Samsung SDI brought four new batteries to the Detroit Auto Show. One is a 120-Ah battery with a range of over 300 kilometers (186 miles). A second is interoperable between plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles. A third is a compact hybrid battery that offers smaller packaging without losing capacity. The fourth is a low-voltage system meant to replace or work alongside lead-acid batteries and improve fuel economy. Read more at The Korea Economic Daily, or in the press release below. A relationship between a Minnesota ethanol producer and retailers means cheap E85 for customers. The DENCO II ethanol plant began blending its own E85 fuel in 2011, and now sells directly to 45 gas stations. DENCO II sets the pricing for the fuel, and has been running a promotion for certain retailers to sell E85 for about a dollar cheaper than E10 gasoline. That promotion includes a Cenex station in Alexandria, MN selling E85 for just 85 cents per gallon. The result has been success for both the producer and gas stations, with customers having more cash to spend on retail goods when they go inside to warm up. Read more at Ethanol Producer Magazine. Samsung SDI, targeting the North American market with automotive batteries and high-tech materials ? Display batteries and materials for automobiles at NAIAS from January 12, 2015 ? Introduce high capacity battery cells providing 300km driving distance per charge ? Present Non-Painting Metallic Material, the winner of SPE Automotive Innovation Award ? Samsung SDI, the world-leading material and energy solution provider introduced automotive batteries and engineering plastic materials targeting the North American market at the Detroit auto show. Samsung SDI showed off automotive batteries for electric vehicles as well as advanced materials for the interiors and exteriors of conventional vehicles at the 2015 North American International Auto Show.

Porsche Macan Turbo gets a Performance Pack, because more power is better

The entire Porsche Macan lineup is turbocharged, but the Turbo (with a capital T) is the fastest, most powerful model. And now, thanks to a new Performance Package, the Macan Turbo solidifies its role as the benchmark. With the package, the Macan Turbo's twin-turbo 3.6-liter V6 gets bumped up to 440 horsepower (40 horsepower more) and 442 pound-feet of torque (an increase of 36 pound-feet). The increase results in a zero to 60 mph time of 4.2 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds quicker than the regular Macan Turbo, and a higher top speed of 169 mph, up five mph. The Macan Turbo was already quicker than its competition, but the new pack increases the performance gap between the Audi SQ5, Mercedes-AMG GLC43, and BMW X3. Opting for the Macan Turbo with the Performance Package also adds a lower suspension, upgraded brakes, and the makes the Sport Chrono Package equipment standard. The Performance Pack also adds more options, including 21-inch wheels similar to the Porsche 911 Turbo's, LED headlights, and various trim that can be finished in black. The interior also gets a sportier touch with the addition of Alcantara touches and carbon-fiber pieces. The Macan Turbo with Performance Package is available now for $87,495 – or $10,445 more than a base Macan Turbo. As we said in our first drive of the Macan Turbo, it's an impressive machine. So while the Performance Package makes it even better, that's a lot of money for a slight increase in performance. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Porsche Macan Turbo with Performance Package News Source: PorscheImage Credit: Porsche Porsche Crossover SUV Luxury Performance porsche macan porsche macan turbo