2011 PORSCHE Boxster S Black Edition

Click Thumbnail to download (size 1600 x 1200 pixels)

The Porsche Boxster S Black Edition combines the timeless appeal of the classic open-roofed roadster with a powerful engine and dramatic styling. Just 987 will be available worldwide, each one finished in black and with a range of special features that accentuate the driving dynamics and muscular appearance of the two-seater sportscar.

As is typical of a Porsche sportscar, at the heart of the Porsche Boxster S Black Edition beats a flat-six 'boxer' engine. Mounted in front of the rear axle behind the seats, the 3.4-litre six-cylinder engine is similar to that fitted to the Boxster S, with direct fuel injection for greater power and efficiency. In the Black Edition its output is 320 hp - 10 hp more than in the Boxster S. The revised engine reaches its rated power at 7,200 rpm, the Boxster S power pack at 6,400 rpm. Peak torque of 370 Nm - boosted by 10 Newton metres - is available at 4,750 rpm.

This increase in output and power equals more dynamics, and the Porsche Boxster S Black Edition underpins its leading position with a superior driving performance. With its standard six-speed manual transmission, it accelerates from 0-62 mph in 5.2 seconds, a tenth of a second faster than the Boxster S. This extra performance has not been achieved at the expense of fuel economy, however, for the Porsche Boxster S Black Edition contents itself with as much fuel as the Boxster S: 28.8 mpg Combined (NEDC).

As a consequence of the low centre of gravity provided by the flat-six engine, the Boxster chassis delivers an impressive level of agility. A decisive contribution to the enhanced driving dynamics of the Porsche Boxster S Black Edition is the particularly lightweight ten-spoke design alloy wheels, previously fitted to the Boxster Spyder, and which save 5kg overall. These are fitted with 235/35 ZR 19 tyres on the front axle and 265/35 ZR 19 on the rear.

When fitted with the seven-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch gearbox, dynamics and efficiency are raised even further. This shortens acceleration times from 0-62 mph to 5.1 seconds, and in combination with the Sports Chrono Package Plus with launch control this can be lowered further still to 4.9 seconds. In comparison with the manual transmission, the intelligent gear shifting strategy of PDK lowers fuel consumption to 30 mpg Combined (NEDC) and, more significantly, reduces the CO2 emissions to 221 g/km; placing the Porsche Boxster S Black Edition in vehicle excise duty Band K.

The colour concept of the Porsche Boxster S Black Edition is consistent in every detail. The model lettering painted in black on the rear luggage compartment lid identifies the Black Edition as much as the embossed Black Edition model designation on the side of the fabric hood. The roll-over bars are painted in black, together with the rear side air intake grilles and the twin tailpipe of the exhaust system.

The black theme of the exterior is continued inside. The stainless steel door entry guards feature the "Black Edition" model lettering in black. The standard, three-spoke Sport Design steering wheel has a black leather rim. The trim strips of the dashboard and of the gear shift lever or PDK selector are painted in black. The dials on the instrument cluster are black, as are the partial leather seats with the Porsche emblem embossed in the headrests. A bespoke badge on the glove compartment lid further identifies each Black Edition.

Comfort and convenience is also enhanced for the Porsche Boxster S Black Edition with standard features including anti-dazzle interior and exterior mirrors with integrated rain sensor, cruise control and a climate control system. The Porsche Communication Management (PCM) including satellite navigation module is also standard. In addition, the universal audio interface offering MP3 player compatibility and Bluetooth mobile phone preparation are also standard. The Sound Package Plus creates an impressive audio experience, and standard Bi-Xenon headlamps with dynamic cornering lights and LED daytime running lights ensure safety on dark roads.

Upon request, the Porsche Boxster S Black Edition can be individualised even further with other options. For example, the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) is an option as well as the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and the adaptive sports seats with memory function.

The Porsche Boxster S Black Edition goes on sale in the UK and Ireland from March 2011 and is priced from £47,426. Included in the purchase price is the invitation for customers to explore the dynamic attributes of their Boxster and develop their own skills behind the wheel, courtesy of a Driving Experience Programme at the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone.

2011 PORSCHE 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0

Click Thumbnail to download (size 1600 x 1200 pixels)

Porsche AG will enter the Nürburgring 24 hour race on June 25, 2011, with a more advanced version of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid. The priority for this latest edition was improvement of efficiency through the targeted optimization of hybrid components, which also resulted in a 20 percent weight reduction. Version 2.0 of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid is intended to achieve the same lap times as its predecessor but with less fuel consumption.

The general layout of the hybrid was adopted from the previous model. A portal axle with two electric motors drives the front wheels and supplements the four-liter - depending on the balance of performance classification - approximately 470 hp, six-cylinder boxer engine at the rear. The output of both electric motors has increased from 60 to 75 kilowatts each. For bursts of multiple seconds at a time, drivers now have almost an additional 200 hp at their disposal with the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0. Depending on the programming, this power is automatically activated through use of the throttle pedal. Moreover, pilots can manually call up this extra power, for instance when overtaking.

The electric flywheel accumulator, with its rotor spinning up to 40,000 rpm and storing energy mechanically as rotational energy, is now housed with the other hybrid components in a carbon fiber safety cell on the passenger's side.

At first glance, the new GT3 R Hybrid is clearly distinguishable from the previous model. Thanks to the optimization of the hybrid system's high voltage components, the large louvers in front of the rear fenders were no longer necessary. This reduces drag and also lowers fuel consumption. All in all, the weight of the vehicle decreased from 1,350 to 1,300 kilograms.

"We've collected a great deal of information from our races on the Nürburgring, at the ALMS race at Road Atlanta, as well as from the ILMC race on China's Zhuhai circuit. The data was invaluable for the further development of our racing laboratory," says Hartmut Kristen, head of Porsche motorsport. "The emphasis of our work was on improving efficiency. That means we want to keep the lap times consistent with 2010 but use less energy, hence less fuel. In this way, we support future developments of road-going, sporting hybrid vehicles."

The cockpit of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid has also been completely revised. Most of the displays and controls have moved to the steering wheel. Drivers can operate the rest of the functions via backlit buttons now situated on the centre console. Priority was placed on the ergonomics and the clear layout for pilots - particularly in darkness.

The new Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid is a perfect example of the 'Porsche Intelligent Performance' philosophy, a principle found in every Porsche - more power on less fuel, more efficiency and lower CO2 emissions - on the race track and on the road.

2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe

Click Thumbnail to download (size 1600 x 1200 pixels)

The hearts of sports car aficionados with an eye for beauty and a thirst for luxury and innovative technology will beat a little faster with the arrival of the new BMW 6-Series Coupe. The third generation of the top-class Coupe sees premium carmaker BMW adding another intoxicating chapter to its decades-long tradition in the production of exclusive dream cars. The new BMW 6-Series Coupe impresses with its irresistible design and inspires with even sharper driving dynamics than its predecessor, noticeably optimised comfort levels and extra space. This is the only car in the segment to offer the combination of top-class sporting ability, exclusive touring comfort and a 460-litre (16.24 cu. ft) luggage space. Also on board to deliver the BMW 6-Series Coupe's signature driving experience are a range of innovative driver assistance systems and BMW ConnectedDrive infotainment features. The new car therefore meets the highest - not to mention the broadest - expectations of driving pleasure in a large, premium 2+2-seater in incomparable style.

Its unmistakable design language gives the new BMW 6-Series Coupe an aura of athletic elegance. The sweeping bonnet, short front overhang and set-back passenger compartment team up with a 74-millimetre increase in body length (4,894 mm) over its predecessor and a 75-millimetre longer wheelbase (2,855 mm) to create the hallmark proportions of a BMW Coupe. Meanwhile, the extra width of the new car - it is now 39 millimetres wider (at 1,894 mm) thanks to its increased track width - makes for an exceptionally powerful stance that emphasises its impressive roadholding. All of which ensures that observers are struck by the car's dynamic forward-surging presence and promise of majestic driving ability the moment they set eyes on it. The faithful reflection of the car's character in its exterior styling is given particular appeal by the lines running along the full length of the body and its harmoniously curved surfaces. The inspiration for these design features was the natural movement of waves. In the same way as water is parted by an object in flowing water, the car body's shaping lines fan out from the BMW badge on the bonnet to both sides of the body.

2011 FORD Mad Max Concept

Click Thumbnail to download (size 1600 x 1200 pixels)

Ford Australia, in partnership with TopGear Australia magazine, has unveiled not one, but two spectacular new Mad Max Interceptors.

The 21st century concepts have been designed by Ford's designers for TopGear Magazine Australia to help celebrate the revival of the Mad Max action movie genre.

It is more than 30 years since Hollywood director, George Miller's original Mad Max movie - starring Mel Gibson and a jet black Ford XB coupe-based Interceptor - hit movie screens around the world.

Ford Australia's Melbourne-based Asia, Pacific and Australia Design Director, Chris Svensson, jumped at the chance to design a new Interceptor and has since thrown the full weight of Ford Australia's Research Centre behind the project, with stunning results.

"Our entire team was very excited to be involved in this after-hours project and they approached it with a great deal of enthusiasm - even those that were too young to remember the first Mad Max movie," Svensson said. "We had a special screening of the original movie so they could understand it."

Led by chief designer passenger cars Asia, Pacific and Africa, Todd Willing, the team created several way-out concepts that pay homage to styling cues from the original XB Coupe Interceptor.

Out of the concepts two have been chosen by the magazine to feature in the April issue of TopGear Australia magazine, on sale now, because they take body design, power sources and weaponry to a futuristic level.

TopGear Australia magazine readers will be invited to vote on which design Ford should take to the next level.

The winning car will be turned into a clay model, and then a scale version, which is expected to be revealed later this year.

The two competing designs - by designers Nima Nourian and Simon Brook - are limitless in their imagination, technology and weaponry. Among the weaponry is an industrial-strength "taser" mounted to the bonnet to zap bad guys on bikes straight off the road.

Other futuristic movie features include a titanium-lined body shell to interrupt police scanners and wheels with extendable spikes to shred enemy vehicles.

Nourian said his design paid tribute to the 1970s Interceptor, but also drags the car into the future.

"There are some great scenes in the first movie with high-speed chases and clashes with the bad guys, and I thought I'd take that one step further," he said. "So instead of having weapons and machine guns, we've got an industrial strength taser that'll zap cars dead and out of the way.

Brook's car was equally threatening. "During high-speed pursuits, the wheel's inner spokes on my design would pop out and start ripping up other cars," Brook said. "They'd do some serious damage to other people's vehicles."

Brook's design takes cues from the current FG Falcon but advances it further into Armageddon-land, while adding touches of the retro Interceptor as well. "I wanted to keep it clean and aerodynamic in its essence, but still brutal and tough."