SpeedART Goes Extra Wide with New Porsche Cayenne Titan EVO-XL 600

Even though the Essen Motor Show sounds like a more appropriate event for a tuning proposal like the Titan EVO-XL 600, the crew at SpeedART has decided to unveil its latest offering for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne at the Geneva Motor Show this March. If the Cayenne Titan EVO-XL looks familiar, that"s because it"s wider-body version of the Titan EVO (hence the XL in the name).

The body kit includes a front bumper, rear bumper, a bespoke roof spoiler and extra wide fender flares with matching side skirts. A set of massive 23-inch forged alloy wheels with 315/25 ZR23 tires work with a lowering kit to complete the new look. SpeedART also has a variety of customizations available for the Cayenne"s interior, ranging from carbon shell-type seats to a multi-media-unit with iPad and iPod-docking-station.

The German tuning firm provides a standard power kit for the Cayenne"s 4.8-liter V8 turbo engine comprising of an ECU tune and a modified exhaust system with an optional switch to control the exhaust note, which help lift output from 500HP and 516 lb-ft to 600HP and 627 lb-ft. SpeedART said it is currently developing a stage two kit that will push output up to as much as 700-horsepower.

Porsche Cayenne V6 Diesel Receives Power Boost and Aero Kit from Techart

Following its debut at the Geneva Salon earlier this year, Porsche tuning specialist Techart has released new details on its souped-up Cayenne V6 Diesel. The German company"s comprehensive tuning program for Stuttgart"s first-ever production diesel model covers everything from engine and chassis conversions to interior and aerodynamic styling upgrades with buyers being able to buy Techart"s Cayenne as new or add the kit to existing vehicles.

Beginning with the engine, Techart"s power kit boosts the output of the Cayenne"s 3.0-litre diesel from 240HP to 290HP while peak torque rises from 550Nm to 630Nm (465 lb-ft) at 2,200 rpm, with more than 500Nm being available from around 1,100 rpm to beyond 4,000 rpm.

The tuner claims that while 0 to 60mph sprint time drops from 8.3 seconds to 7.7 seconds, CO2 emissions and fuel consumption on the combined cycle remain unchanged at 244g/km and 30.4mpg UK (9.3lt/100 km or 25.3mpg US) respectively.

For cars fitted with air suspension, Techart offers a new suspension control module that lowers the vehicle, reducing roll and further improving aerodynamics. The Cayenne Diesel rides on new 21-inch alloy wheels fitted with Michelin Diamaris 4X4 XL 295/35 R21 tires.

Complementing the chassis and engine upgrades, is a full aero kit with a front panel with a deeper front spoiler, side skirts and a new rear apron with an integrated diffuser.

The package also comprises of headlight and tail lamp trims, twin double oval exhaust pipes, a three-spoke TECHART sports steering wheel with a Porsche airbag, and interior trim upgrades that include light-weight aluminum pedals and footrest and leather edged luxury logo floor mats.

Buyers can also opt for 22-inch body color wheels shod in 295/30 R22 Continental tyres, an Aero or Turbo-look bonnet, plus numerous interior options ranging from individual trim components to customized leather upholstery.

In the UK, the Cayenne Diesel with Techart"s Aerokit 1 package that includes the exterior and interior upgrades is priced as new from ?53,000 ($85,500 or ?61,500) while adding the engine updates rises the price to ?55,500 ($88,700 or ?63,900.

For customers that already own a Cayenne Diesel, the Aerokit 1 can be fitted from ?15,000 ($24,200 or ?17,500) and the 290HP engine kit from ?2,500 ($4,000 ?2,900).

Porsche Considering Diesel-Powered Cayenne and Panamera Models for the U.S.

Porsche officials are exploring the possibility of adding diesel variants to the company"s North American lineup to help meet the growing demand for fuel-efficient cars. On sale in Europe since early 2009, the Cayenne diesel could be one contender for the job and may be followed by the Panamera with a diesel engine and a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.

?We are discussing internally if we should introduce the Cayenne diesel in the U.S. this year. Also a Panamera diesel is an option?, said the brand"s sales and marketing chief, Bernhard Maier.

Beside the diesel version, Porsche is also currently selling the Cayenne S Hybrid with the two variants accounting for 30 percent of the model?s total sales worldwide.

Bringing the diesel-powered Cayenne to the States, which is the brand?s biggest single market, could give sales a further boost, after global Porsche deliveries rose by 27% to more than 97,000 units in 2010.

?We expect the diesel and hybrid share to grow further in 2011?, Mr. Maier said.

Citing inside company sources, Autonews Europe reported that the new Panamera variants are expected to be introduced before summer in Europe and could make their world debut at this year?s Geneva Motor Show in early March.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: ANE

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Porsche Considering Car Production in China or the United States, says the firm?s CEO

Future Porsche models may be made in factories in China or possibly the United States, according to a report from Focus Magazine citing the firm"s Chief Executive Officer Matthias Mueller.

?This year, we are going to discuss whether to start assembly in Asia or North America", Mr Muller told the weekly news magazine. ?The main thing is that the car has "Engineered by Porsche" on it. Where it is produced is no longer so important,? he added.

The upcoming baby Cayenne SUV model, named Cajun, could be one of the first models to be built outside of Porsche"s factories in Leipzig, in eastern Germany and Stuttgart, in the west.

The German publication said that China is a more likely possibility than the U.S., given that the VW Group already builds the Audi Q5, which will form the basis for the Cajun, at its Changchun plant in northeast China.

The magazine also quoted Mueller as saying that Porsche"s medium term goal is to sell as much as 200,000 cars and SUVs per year.

Source: Focus via AFP

*Opening Photo: Sketch of current generation Cayenne SUV

Gemballa Returns with Tornado Tuning Package for the New Porsche Cayenne

German tuning specialist Gemballa has announced a comprehensive package of goodies for the Porsche Cayenne called Tornado. This is the company’s first creation since former CEO and founder Uwe Gemballa was found dead in South Africa, after allegedly being involved in a money laundering scheme with a wanted Czech felon.

Starting with the bodykit, most tuners apply carbon fiber body panels by bonding them to modified factory steel pieces. However, this method doesn’t lighten the car and according to current Gemballa CEO, Andreas Schwarz, it’s not the way these materials should be used. "Carbon-fibre is a high strength, low weight structural material that needs to be used honestly, and not just for decoration", Mr. Schwarz said.

Consequently, Gemballa went on and replaced most of the steel panels as well as many plastic parts on the Cayenne with carbon fiber equivalents. As a result, the company claims it has shaved a total of 70 kg or 154 lbs over the standard car, while retaining all security-related features, like side impact protection bars.

The Tornado boasts a modified front bumper with enormous air intakes that channel air to the brakes and are flanked by vertical LED daytime running lights. The wheel arches have been significantly widened, increasing overall width to 2.05 meters (81 inches). Many of the lightweight panels were left exposed, creating a sharp contrast with the white paintjob. At the back we can find rounded tail-lights, complementing the design of the four exhaust tips.

Huge 22-inch alloy wheels shod in 205/35 front and 335/30 rear tires, round up the exterior updates.

Gemballa doesn’t go into details when it comes to interior modifications, simply stating that these are still in development and will be "characterized by both elegance and functionality".

As far as power is concerned, Gemballa is working on a Stage Two engine conversion for the Tornado, which will increase peak output to 700 hp and 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) of torque, through turbocharging. Upgraded Brembo brakes accompany the power boost.

The Tornado will have a limited production run of only 30 units. Full specs and pricing should follow soon.

By Csaba Daradics

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Topcar jumps on the Porsche Cayenne Tuning Bandwagon with Vantage GTR 2

Topcar might be a newbie in the industry, but the Russian tuning firm is churning one proposal after the other. Following a display of project cars at this year"s Essen Motor Show, the company has unveiled its latest package in the form of the Vantage GTR 2 for the latest Porsche Cayenne.

Limited to 50 units, the package overhauls the SUV"s looks with a full bodykit comprised of carbon Kevlar and carbon fiber components, including front and rear bumpers, bonnet, ultra-wide wheel-arches and a rear diffuser. New two-tone black and white alloy wheels complete the exterior make up. Furthermore, the Moscow-based tuner offers multiple performance upgrades with the output ranging from 550 to 750 hp.

By Csaba Daradics

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