Volkswagen forces Porsche to kill the Cayenne And Panamera

Now that Volkswagen AG is set to buy 49 percent of porsche AG, we’re going to see some major changes in Porsche’s product lineup.

According to report by UK’s CAR Magazine, Volkswagen will end up killing the Porsche Cayenne SUV - and even more surprisingly - the recently introduced Panamera four-door sedan. The report says that Porsche will eventually be forced to discontinue the Cayenne and the Panamera after their product cycles are complete seven years from now.

“VW Group has plenty of SUVs and saloons [sedans] — it doesn’t need Porsche to build them,” says the report.

While that may be music to the ears of true Porsche lovers, under Ferdinand Piech Porsche will be sharing at least one platform with a future Volkswagen. Think along the lines of the production Bluesport Concept.

2010 Porsche Panamera:

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Gemballa Mirage Evolution

With the GEMBALLA BODY-CONCEPT, the Mirage GT looks like it is planning to enter the Le Mans 24-hour race. The most conspicuous change to the front are the additional air intakes on the new front spoiler. In addition, GEMBALLA embellished the component with a spoiler lip. The bonnet has also been replaced. In the area between the wheel housing and door GEMBALLA has replaced the standard side panels with its own mudguards, with reshaped openings which blend harmoniously with the original design. Down below, new side skirts lend the vehicle a muscular line. They also come with a cooling vent for the breaks at the rear. One thing is certain! The racing look is enhanced by the new rear skirt, with its aerodynamically optimised mid section for more downforce on the rear axle.

The lion's share of the extra downforce over the production-line vehicle is due to the mighty GEMBALLA rear wing that adorns the rear of the car. For better slowing, it comes with an brake-flap in the middle - like the kind seen on the Bugati Veyron - which snaps up when the brakes are applied. The roof line of the GEMBALLA Mirage GT also starkly differs from the standard Carrera GT. The front section of an airbox has been integrated into the new GEMBALLA hardtop. This ends in an air duct that runs along the back of the tailgate installed by GEMBALLA and supplies the power-enhanced V10-engine with more air to breathe.

With the GEMBALLA body kit, the Mirage GT fits perfectly into the starting line-up of any FIA-GT race. Not least also because of the materials used by GEMBALLA - all parts of the body of the Mirage GT are made of carbon fibre; a material common in the world of racing.

The GEMBALLA Mirage GT also sports a high-tech pair of "shoes". GEMBALLA fits the three-part rims, with their fully-milled spoke wheel centre front (9.5 x 19�) and back (12.5 x 20"). Excellent road holding is guaranteed on the front axle by 265-35 R 19 tyres and on the rear axle by 335-30 R 20 tyres.

The motor sports look created on the outside thanks to the carbon components is resumed in the interior. GEMBALLA has restyled the central console, which likewise consists of this high-grade material. This is joined by countless other carbon components, such as, for example, the door cladding. GEMBALLA has also integrated a multimedia touch-screen information system into the central console. In addition, the passengers' senses of sight, smell and touch are also spoilt by the finest leather and luxury carpets. The modified steering wheel allows the driver to keep a strong grip on the reins of the GEMBALLA Mirage GT.

The Mirage GT is an impressive example of GEMBALLA's capability, and represents high-end tuning at its best. The cost of the comprehensive conversion, which can only be carried out by GEMBALLA, starts from EUR 229,800.

engine	Modified V10 w/Low Compression Pistons
position	Mid Longitudinal
aspiration	Twin Turbochargers
valvetrain	DOHC 4 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed	Sequential Multi-Point Fuel Injection
displacement	5733 cc / 349.8 cu in
bore	98 mm / 3.86 in
stroke	76 mm / 2.99 in
power	484.7 kw / 650 bhp @ 8000 rpm
hp per litre	113.38 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	471.01 bhp per tonne
drive wheels	RWD w/ASR 5.7, LSD
body / frame	Carbon Fibre Body over Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plasitc Frame
front brakes	Internally Vented & Cross Drilled Ceramic Composite Discs w/6-Piston Calipers, ABS
f brake size	400 mm / 15.7 in
rear brakes	Internally Vented & Cross Drilled Ceramic Composite Discs w/6-Piston Calipers, ABS
r brake size	400 mm / 15.7 in
front wheels	F 48.3 x 24.1 cm / 19 x 9.5 in
rear wheels	R 48.3 x 31.8 cm / 19 x 12.5 in
front tire size	265/35ZR19
rear tire size	335/30ZR20
steering	Rack & Pinion w/Power Steering
f suspension	Double Wishbones w/Inboard Springs & Dampers
r suspension	Double Wishbones w/Inboard Springs & Dampers
weight	1380 kg / 3042 lbs
front track	1612 mm / 63.5 in
rear track	1587 mm / 62.5 in
length	4613 mm / 181.6 in
width	1921 mm / 75.6 in
height	1166 mm / 45.9 in
transmission	6-Speed Race-Sourced Transaxle
gear ratios	Not Available36:1
top speed	330 kph / 205.1 mph
0 - 60 mph	3.8 seconds
0 - 1/4 mile	11.4 seconds

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Schuppan 962CR

Built with Japanese backing, Le Mans-winning driver Vern Schuppan created his very own street-legal Porsche 962. These cars were built as a tribute to his victory at the 1993 Le Mans behind the wheel of a Porsche 956. Since then, the Porsche 956 and its 962 IMSA-spec have become one of the most successful prototype racecars in history, claiming over 130 victories.

Specific details on how the Schuppan cars came about are quite rare. Supposedly five or six examples were built by Modena Cars in High and complied with either Japanese or German safety laws. Each car was entirely new since Schuppan manufactured his own chassis and body based on 962 designs. The only Porsche-sourced component was the engine which was the same used in 962C North American IMSA car, that is, the air-cooled, 3.3 liter, twin turbo version.

The price amount was recently modified from 2 500 000. Karl Ludvigsen wrote in his book, Porsche: Excellence was Expected, that the price was 195 million yen which would have amounted to 1.5 USD in 1994. In either case, the 962CR, when new, was one of the most expensive cars ever produced.

After payment failed to arrive when two cars were shipped to Japan, Schuppan was forced to declare bankruptcy. The 962CR remains as the only car Vern Schuppan has ever made.

engine	60 Degree V12
position	Mid Longitudinal
aspiration	Natural
valvetrain	DOHC, 4 Valves per Cyl
displacement	7291 cc / 444.9 cu in
bore	91.5 mm / 3.6 in
stroke	92.4 mm / 3.64 in
power	536.9 kw / 720 bhp @ 6700 rpm
hp per litre	98.75 bhp per litre
drive wheels	Mid Engine / RWD
front brakes	Vented Carbon Fibre Discs w/6-Pot Calipers, Hydrualic Assist, ABS
f brake size	381 mm / 15.0 in
rear brakes	Vented Carbon Fibre Discs w/4-Pot Calipers, Hydraulic Assist, ABS
r brake size	356 mm / 14.0 in
front wheels	F 45.7 x 26.7 cm / 18 x 10.5 in
rear wheels	R 45.7 x 31.8 cm / 18 x 12.5 in
front tire size	295/35 ZR18
rear tire size	345/35 ZR 18
steering	Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist
f suspension	Double Wishbones w/Push-Rod Acuated Coil Springs, Shock Absorbers, Anti-Roll Bar
r suspension	Double Wishbones w/Push-Rod Acuated Coil Springs, Shock Absorbers, Anti-Roll Bar
wheelbase	2670 mm / 105.1 in
front track	1665 mm / 65.6 in
rear track	1594 mm / 62.8 in
length	1855 mm / 73.0 in
width	1950 mm / 76.8 in
height	1100 mm / 43.3 in
transmission	6-Speed Sequential w/Paddle-Shift Operation
gear ratios	3.235:1, 2.097:1, 1.560:1, 1.231:1
0 - 60 mph	3.6 seconds

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