Porsche reveals environmentally friendly Cayenne and Boxster RS60 Spyder in Geneva

Dubai-Cairo-Stuttgart /

After the positive impact at last years' Frankfurt Motor Show, Porsche plans at this year’s Geneva Auto Salon to show off again an environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient range of automobiles.

The show, staged this year between March 6 and March 16, is traditionally used to reveal the most significant trends for the automobile season ahead, while this year the focus will clearly be on the 'green' and environmentally friendly cars.

On the Porsche stand the automobiles on display will range from a prototype of the future version of the extra efficient Cayenne Hybrid through to the Porsche RS Spyder.


The Porsche RS Spyder is the most successful race car in the American Le Mans Series, achieved its eight overall victories in 2007 using the environmentally friendly E 10 fuel, containing a mixture of 10 per cent by volume bio-ethanol.

What’s more, all second generation Cayenne models are powered by new especially fuel-efficient engines with gasoline direct injection. And these engines use up to 15 per cent less fuel.

Expected for delivery by the end of the decade, the new Cayenne Hybrid should see a 30% increase in fuel efficiency. That means that Porsche, often accused by environmentalists for not wanting to make fuel consumption improvements to their vehicles, will put an SUV on the market getting roughly 26 miles per gallon / app. 9 litres per 100 km/h.

But it was not just environmental concerns that led Porsche to create this vehicle. They claim that their full-hybrid design is more fuel efficient, and provides the driver with better acceleration than the current Cayenne.

"As both efficiency and performance can be improved on the Cayenne with this system, it is the best fit for Porsche," a release from the company said.
Porsche positioned the electric motor directly between the combustion engine and the transmission, allowing the electric drive-train to be more compatible with the Cayenne platform.




A new onboard computer, dubbed "Hybrid Manager", constantly analyzes 20,000 different pieces of information to give the Cayenne Hybrid the best possible performance.

Several different features in the car have been tweaked to help decrease fuel consumption. Air conditioning will now run on electric power, and a vacuum pump will be used in the braking system. Electro-hydraulic steering not only helps reduce use of fuel, but it also provides solid handling, according to the company.

Porsche also plans to make their hybrid technology available on the Panamera four-door Gran Turismo. The Panamera will be released in 2009, and the hybrid version should come out about a year later.


In the sports car sector Porsche is using the Geneva Auto Salon to reinforce with the new Boxster RS 60 Spyder which has its Swiss trade fair premiere, and the 911 Turbo Cabriolet and the 911 GT2 Porsche’s decades-long experience in constructing light, efficient and therefore also fuel-efficient automobiles.


In its distinctive design, features and philosophy, the Boxster RS 60 Spyder echoes the classic motorsport era of the 1960s, and in particular the success of Porsche sports cars during that period.

After countless class wins around the circuits of Europe and America, in 1960 the Porsche Type 718 RS 60 Spyder beat competitors with much larger engines to score its first overall victory in the 12 Hours of Sebring in Florida, USA, one of the most prestigious long-distance sports car races, courtesy of Hans Herrmann and Olivier Gendebien.

The new Boxster RS 60 Spyder reflects the sporting character and design purism of that successful mid-engined two-seater sports racing car. The RS 60 Spyder is based on the acclaimed Boxster S model, but differs significantly in terms of its performance and features.


Externally, the RS 60 Spyder is distinguished by a unique front spoiler and 19-inch diameter Porsche SportDesign alloy wheels, which spacer plates have moved outwards purposefully in the wheel arches.

A modified sports exhaust system combined with dual tailpipes increases engine output to 303 bhp as well as adding further definition to the car’s appearance. Completing the sporting orientation to the driving experience is Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) which adds further dynamism to the Boxster chassis.

Distinctive GT Silver Metallic paintwork is accentuated by the contrasting natural leather interior in Carrera Red. The roof is also finished in red. As an alternative, there is also the choice of Dark Grey natural leather in conjunction with a Black roof. The tail light clusters are also finished in red.


Inside, door trim strips made of stainless steel proudly bear the “RS 60 Spyder” model designation. The leather interior trim is further distinguished by a textured surface on the centre sections of the sports seats and the centre door linings, and this also extends to the steering wheel rim and handbrake lever.

Completing the sporting ambience is a bespoke gear lever. Complementing the exterior appearance, the faces of the instrument dials have a GT Silver Metallic finish and with this model not having the usual hood over the instrument cluster, the large central rev counter and the two circular dials on either side bring something of the flair of a racing car to the cockpit.



Further features include the windscreen surround finished in black, as well as the centre console, the seat backrests and the roll hoops all finished in GT Silver Metallic and thus harmonizing with the seat belts also finished in Silver.

Reflecting its model designation, the Boxster RS 60 Spyder is limited to 1,960 examples, each one proudly bearing a silver-colored plaque on the lid of the glove compartment.

Market launch of the new Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder is starting worldwide in March 2008. Including 19 per cent VAT and country-specific requirements, the retail price in Germany is Euro 63,873, the base price Euro 53,500



Top Performance in the 911 GT2:
The 911 GT2 is the new top performer in the 911 model series. Through its striking design with extra-large air intake scoops at the front and the characteristic rear wing, this fastest of all models in the 911 series clearly demonstrates its supreme performance right from the start, before even setting off.

Indeed, these design and streamlining features so characteristic of the 911 GT2 give the car an exemplary drag coefficient of Cd = 0.32, together with downforce on both the front and rear axle.

Available only with a manual six-speed gearbox, the 911 GT2 supersports accelerates to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 329 km/h or 204 mph.



Two turbochargers for extra power:
The power unit of the new 911 GT2 is based on the flat-six already featured in the 911 Turbo, with two exhaust gas turbochargers using variable turbine geometry (VTG) providing the requisite supply of air. Maximum output of 530 bhp (390 kW) from this 3.6-litre boxer engine comes at 6,500 rpm, peak torque is 680 Newton-metres (501 lb-ft) maintained consistently over a wide speed range between 2,200 and 4,500 rpm. And with the car's unladen weight being just 1,440 kg or 3,175 lb, the power-to-weight ratio is 2.72 kg or 6.00 lb per horsepower.

The new 911 GT2 is likewise the first production sports car from Porsche to feature a Launch Assistant enabling the driver to set off with optimum performance and ensuring simple handling at all times.



To activate the Launch Assistant, all the driver has to do is press down the throttle in full with the car at a standstill, the appropriate gear in mesh, and the clutch pedal pressed to the floor. Then the system will automatically set engine speed to exactly the right level, the driver's only task then being to take his foot off the clutch as quickly as possible in order to accelerate the car with maximum speed and power.

In this process PSM Porsche Stability Management prevents the car from “twitching", with the full power of the engine being transmitted smoothly to the road.




Rear-wheel drive on the 911 GT2 comes with an asymmetrical limited-slip differential maintaining a locking factor of 28 per cent under power and 40 per cent in overrun.
Porsche's new supersports runs on 19-inch wheels combined with specially developed tires measuring 235/35 at the front and 325/30 at the rear. Tire pressure, finally, is supervised and maintained by sensors in the tire pressure control system also featured as standard.

Specially set-up PASM damper system and upgraded PSM:
The chassis and suspension of the new 911 GT2 is based on the chassis of the 911 GT3, while at the same time the entire set-up is approximately 25 millimeters or 1.00" lower and firmer than on the 911 Carrera.


PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management featured as standard on the new 911 GT2 has also been modified accordingly, with somewhat firmer and tauter damper action in the Normal mode, as opposed to an extra-firm and taut suspension in the Sports mode suited ideally for use on the race track.

The new 911 GT2 comes as standard with PCCB brakes featuring ceramic brake discs. The exceptional features of this brake system include in particular a very fast response, enormous stability against fading, superior safety reserves, and low weight.



Compared with grey-cast-iron brakes of the same size, PCCB reduces unsprung masses in the car by approximately 20 kg or 44 lb. Yet another innovative feature developed by Porsche's engineers for the new 911 GT2 is PSM Porsche Stability Management specifically tailored to the new model: Giving the driver the option to deactivate various components, this special driving stability system meets the demands of even the most sporting and dynamic motorist.

To set up the system to his specific requirements, all the driver has to do is press two buttons in the front centre console: Pressing the SC OFF (SC: Stability Control) button, the driver deactivates lateral dynamic control. By additionally pressing the SC+TC OFF (TC: Traction Control) button, the driver also switches off longitudinal dynamic control, while the ABS brake system remains active at all times.




Even under today's more exacting environmental constraints, the optimal power to weight ratio of these automobiles (the relationship between the weight of the car and its performance) ensures ultimate driving dynamics coupled with the ultimate driving pleasure.

We are eagerly waiting to test-drive those promising performance cars soon in order to give our readers a complete and honest verdict next to the numbers we just described here.