On September 12th, 1963, Porsche unveiled the original 911 at the Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany. Actually, 901 was its internal project number, but Peugeot protested on the grounds that in France it had exclusive rights to car names formed by three numbers with a zero in the middle. So, instead of selling the new model with another name in France, Porsche changed it to 911. Production began in September 1964.
The first generation weighed 1,080 kg and stood 4,163 mm long. It could reach 200 km/h thanks to a 128-hp, flat-six engine. Styling was the work of Ferdinand Porsche's son.
Despite a tepid initial response by consumers, the Porsche 911 went on to become one of the most iconic and successful cars of all time, both on the road and the track.
To celebrate 50 years of 911 production, Porsche this week unveiled in Frankfurt a 911 50th Anniversary Edition limited to 1,963 units, 50 of which will be sold in Canada.
The McLaren MP4-12C CAN-AM enjoyed its first track time in North America today at Autodrome St-Eustache. Naturally, Auto123.com was on hand to capture the action.
Inspired from the GT-3, McLaren's new supercar is motivated by a 3.8L twin-turbo V8 engine that cranks out 630 horsepower. It costs around $600,000.
Ferrari officially launched the new 458 Speciale at the opening of the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show.
This car is even more powerful than the 458 Italia thanks to a naturally aspirated, 4.5L V8 engine that produces 597 horsepower. In fact, it's the most potent V8 ever built by Ferrari. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes three seconds.
Tipping the scales at 1,290 kg, the Ferrari 458 Speciale is equipped with moveable front and rear flaps and lateral skirts for aerodynamic efficiency. A new electronics system called Side Slip Angle Control (SSC), developed by Ferrari, helps improve stability control.
The Ferrari 458 Speciale boasts many other technological innovations for the most demanding buyers, who look for an exceptional driving experience.
Volkswagen's Andreas Mikkelsen holds a slender overnight lead of Rally Australia after the opening two stages on Thursday evening.
The Norwegian was fastest on the first pass of the Super Special in downtown Coffs Harbour - run as SS1 - and second on the second (SS2) to hold a 0.9sec advantage over Citroen DS3 driver Kris Meeke. Mikkelsen's Volkswagen team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala is third, 0.5sec behind Meeke.
Andreas Mikkelsen (Photo: VW)
It is the first time that Mikkelsen has led a WRC rally, but it was a close call after he clipped a barrier with the left-hand front corner of his Polo R on the second loop. The water, sprayed on the dry earth sections to keep the dust clouds down, made conditions unexpectedly slippery for many of the WRC crews.
Cheered on by grandstands full of spectators, crews tackled the tight and twisty mixed surface test in pairs with headlights blazing.
Drivers' championship leader Sebastien Ogier ended the day fourth, and looking forward to Friday, when the action switches to the twisty gravel roads south of Coffs Harbour.
Mikko Hirvonen is fifth, with Thierry Neuville sixth and Mads Ostberg - who complained of bad understeer - seventh.
Unveiled earlier this week at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse will be limited to 50 units worldwide, and only 15 of those will be sold in North America (three in Canada).
Pricing for the yellow-only supercar is set at $259,100 USD.
As a quick reminder, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse uses a 570-horsepower V10 engine to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 10.4 seconds. Top speed is rated at 320 km/h.
Former Formula 1 driver, Robert Kubica crashed his Citroen DS3 RRC when testing for the Rally Poland, round of the FIA European Rally Championship.
Kubica's LOTOS-sponsored Citroen suffered extensive, but repairable damage in Tuesday's crash. Both Kubica and co-driver Maciej Baran were luckily uninjured.
Here is a video of the accident that happened on a very small gravel road.
Volkswagen AG wants to join Honda Motor Co. in selling compressed natural gas-fueled cars in the United States, but first it wants the U.S. government to help get more CNG pumps at fueling stations.
Ford didn't breach pricing contracts with commercial truck dealers, a Cleveland jury found in the retrial of a case that previously resulted in a $2 billion judgment against the company.
A majority of workers at Volkswagen's assembly plant in Tennessee have signed cards favoring the union's representation in creating a German-style works council at the plant, the Associated Press reported, citing a top union official.
RMand#8217;s London auction sold a total of $34,085,045 in classic and antique cars during its two-day sale at Battersea Park. The company auctioned 120 cars with more than 90 percent selling through.
Ford today named Steelcase CEO James Hackett and John Lechleiter, CEO of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company, to the automaker's board of directors.
A Japanese auto supplier executive was charged today in federal court with price fixing and bid rigging for speed-sensor wire assemblies his company sold to Toyota for vehicles made in the United States and elsewhere.
ALG, citing high incentives, recent price cuts and a potential glut of models, has cut residual values for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and conventional hybrids in its latest residual value guide -- chief among them the all battery powered...
Just back from a 1,300 mile round trip to the Frankfurt IAA, Glenn Brooks bids farewell to a car that impressed him with its combination of relaxed high speed cruising, great handling and exceptional economy - the Vauxhall Astra 2.0 BiTurbo.
Just back from a 1,300 mile round trip to the Frankfurt IAA, Glenn Brooks bids farewell to a car that impressed him with its combination of relaxed high speed cruising, great handling and exceptional economy - the Vauxhall Astra 2.0 BiTurbo.
Just back from a 1,300 mile round trip to the Frankfurt IAA, Glenn Brooks bids farewell to a car that impressed him with its combination of relaxed high speed cruising, great handling and exceptional economy - the Vauxhall Astra 2.0 BiTurbo.
Just back from a 1,300 mile round trip to the Frankfurt IAA, Glenn Brooks bids farewell to a car that impressed him with its combination of relaxed high speed cruising, great handling and exceptional economy - the Vauxhall Astra 2.0 BiTurbo.
European economic crisis? Hah! This place is nothing like Detroit circa 2009 -- 10, when the ravages of the Great Recession made Cobo Hall look like a scene from a clearance sale. On the contrary, there was a bumper crop of new sheetmetal in Frankfurt. The Germans led the way with their huge, separate halls displaying entry-level to ultra-luxury cars and crossovers. Audi constructed a purpose-built, temporary stadium in the space BMW used to own and designed its "upside-down city" with ceiling mirrors to double display its cars. BMW responded with a stand that looks like an Apple superstore, complete with a raised track for i3 demo rides. Picking the hits and misses here are deputy editor Joe DeMatio, executive editor Todd Lassa, associate editors David Zenlea and Greg Migliore, associate web editor Evan McCausland, and the critic every car designer respects and fears, our automotive design editor, Robert Cumberford.
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