Photo credit: newsroom.porsche.com

It’s been nearly five months since Porsche took home 1^st and 2^nd place in the 24 Hours of LeMans endurance race in the 919 Hybrid. Since then, Porsche has taken home 1^st place in each of the last four World Endurance Championship races, and second place in three of them. Their last race in Shanghai secured their championship title in the series, meaning they could place last in the final race and still win overall.

The World Endurance Championship races function under the same rules as 24 Hours of LeMans, but are 6 hours instead of 24. The World Endurance Championship is a new race held by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). Seven of the eight races have already taken place, with the final one occurring on November 21^st at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Porsche’s dominance in the endurance format is unquestionable. The 919 Hybrid and the Porsche team have been at the top of the races more times than not, and the other teams are more than 70 points behind. We couldn’t be more proud to be associated with the 2015 World Endurance Champions.

We hope Porsche will continue to race at their same intensity in their last event. We’d love to see a complete shut out in the WEC, which is well within Porsche’s grasp. If you’re interested in seeing what car will be speeding around the tracks, check out the video below of the 919 Hybrid that has been winning all the races.

If you’d like to know more about the 919, make sure to check out our article on its LeMans victory, or give us a call at Leith Porsche. We’d also love to hear from you on Facebook, so feel free to reach out to us there.

The post Porsche Can’t Be Beat: The Winning Streak Continues in the World Endurance Championship appeared first on Leith Porsche Blog.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the oldest active sports racing event in the world. It’s a non-stop 24 hour race often referred to as the “Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency” – An ultimate test of speed, economy, and reliability. Each year, motor companies put together their best vehicles for the challenge, and this year, Porsche took home their 17^th 1^st place win.

Photo credit: Wallpaperup.com

They also took home 2^nd place. It has been 17 years since their last victory, but their resurgence as the top contender was an aggressive one. Early on Porsche set the bar high for competition by breaking the record track time in the first qualifying race. Porsche’s 919 Hybrid stole the show and finished two laps ahead of Audi’s best car, which finished 3^rd, and one lap ahead of the other Porsche 919.

The Porsches were outfitted with a 2.0L Turbo V4 engine – The lowest liter engine in the race, and the only V4. They trounced many of the most anticipated challengers, like the Nissan FT-R LM Nismo, by more than 150 laps. Overall, most of the cars racing in the LMP1 division were hybrids, and those that weren’t suffered.

Photo credit: Wallpaperup.com

Speaking of hybrids, Porsche is finally ending production on the 919’s supercar cousin, the 918 Sypder. We’re sad to see it go – what will compete with the McLaren F1 now? Well, we’re not sure yet, but Porsche is definitely hiding something up their sleeve. They’ve yet to reveal their 918 replacement, but we can’t wait to see what the future holds. Perhaps a street legal Porsche 919? One can only wish.

The win at 24 Hours of Le Mans is a further testament to the quality of engineering at Porsche. Speed, strength, efficiency, durability – Porsche. They’ve got what you want in a car, and they can help you get behind the wheel when you’re ready. One of our knowledgeable associates will get you up to speed on the car, so you can get up to speed in the car. Just contact Leith Porsche and set up a time to come out and experience these racing legends for yourself.

The post Porsche Makes 24 Hours of Le Mans Look Easy appeared first on Leith Porsche Blog.

RWD 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4

It’s seemingly self-explanatory. Rear-wheel drive powers the back wheels and all-wheel drive powers all the wheels – you get the picture. Still, while the basic differences between these two drive types are evident in the name, many of us may not be clear on their strengths and limitations. In this post we will explore and compare two common drive types: rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Hopefully by the end, you will have a better idea what each type has to offer, and which one is right for you.

Rear-Wheel Drive

For years, front wheel drive has been a luxury and performance brand standard. As a rule, most high performance and luxury vehicles like those at Porsche are rear-wheel drive. This is because RWD offers superior braking, handling, and acceleration when compared to FWD vehicles. The key to their improved performance lies in weight distribution. Rear-wheel drive vehicles transfer the power from the front engine, to the back wheels using a drive shaft. During acceleration, some of the car’s weight shifts to the rear which increases the traction of the powered wheels. Still, the engine weight over the front wheels adds enough traction in all four wheels to improve braking and handling for RWD cars. RWD cars are also very tough and simple. They don’t have multiple differentials like all-wheel drive cars, and they can take more abuse as a result.

If you’re looking for a sporty ride, this wheel drive will not steer you wrong. However, RWD cars do not deal with slippery conditions as well as AWD cars do. In fact, they’re known very well for their lack of expertise on harsh terrain. Remember to take it easy in bad conditions and follow the rules of the road no matter what car you’re in.

All-Wheel Drive

AWD 2016 Porsche Macan

All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles combine the traction benefits of rear-wheel and front wheel drive into a powerhouse of stability and performance. Every all-wheel drive system is different, but they all transfer the power of the engine to all four wheels at once, using multiple differentials to compensate for differing wheel speeds. AWD is always activated, and therefore it is always reaping the traction and handling benefits. These cars are known for their quick acceleration, all weather handling, safety, and reliability in low-traction situations.

On the downside, AWD weighs more, costs more, cuts down on the fuel efficiency, and reduces the space in your vehicle. You’ll always pay more for an AWD vehicle and you’ll continue to each time you refill, but for a balance of speed, reliability, and handling, the AWD stands alone.

Choosing Between the Two

As with any vehicle, you have to weigh the pros and cons of your purchase. Take a look at your lifestyle and be realistic about what you want to do with your ride. Are you aiming for speed and handling only at a lower cost, or would you rather spend a little extra for a safe and fun car that’s got some power behind it? Make your decision based off what is going to work best for you. If you have any questions about our RWD and AWD car models, feel free to get in touch with us or come by Leith Porsche and experience the difference for yourself!

The post AWD vs RWD: Which is Right For You? appeared first on Leith Porsche Blog.