Photo: CAR Magazine

A second source is confirming our report from two weeks ago that Porsche is developing a “717” battery electric vehicle similar to Tesla’s Model S. CAR Magazine is strapping on its “me-too” pants and boldly saying that, yes, Tesla might be onto something and Porsche is exploring the space.

While many articles online will document the technical details that are under consideration, we want to focus on an aspect that no one else is talking about: form.

The original design of the 911, one of the most iconic in automotive history, was based on the rear placement of the engine. All vehicles are structured around the placement of the engine. So when you add in topographic battery pouches and electric motors, can you still be a Porsche?

Obviously, any new designs have to connect with existing design language. No one is going to buy a Porsche that looks like a Prius. However, Porsche engineering excels when form follows function. Letting the engineers push the constraints of the body to the limit is how we got class-leading vehicles like the Macan and Cayman GT4.

The Porsche 717 will be grounded upon Volkswagen Group’s MSB architecture, the spiritual successor to the popular MQB platform that delivers outstanding results in the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf GTI, among others. The MSB frame will also support the Panamera Mk2 and new Bentley Continental.

Those are hefty cars, however, and the 717 is supposed to be smaller than the Panamera. The Panamera is already, at its heaviest, 200 lbs. lighter than the Model S. Porsche will also be able to draw resources from QuantumScape, a California battery-innovator that is partially owned by Volkswagen. QuantumScape is working on solid state batteries that provide three times the range of the lithium-ion batteries that Tesla uses.

While this battery technology is not ready yet, the 2018 or 2019 launch date of the Porsche 717 leaves some time. All this geek trivia will feed into Porsche’s designers, along with a constant stream of Red Bull, or whatever German engineerss drink. Will they have the license to create something truly iconic, nearly 60 years after the 911 originally appeared?

We hope so. The engine changes provide an opportunity to do so. We wonder, however, if pressure from its Volkswagen owners to continue being a profit center will outweigh the chance to be risky and historic. Ironically, the smash financial success of the Macan might prevent Porsche from being hungry enough to go for greatness.

Seize this opportunity to snap up a used Porsche in North Carolina by visiting our showroom. Enjoy life!

The post Will the Porsche 717 Electric Sedan Change Porsche’s Design Language? appeared first on Leith Porsche Blog.

We have felt the tremors. Across the Atlantic Ocean, deep in the heart of Germany, a fissure in the earth’s crust is emerging:

We are hearing discussion of an all-electric Porsche sedan.

Now, to be clear, we’ve already heard tell of a sedan being considered. It was supposed to arrive in 2018 or 2019. It was supposed to come in diesel, gasoline or hybrid versions. It was supposed to be called the Pajun. And it was supposed to have an all-electric version as an option only.

However, Tesla’s P85D has grabbed a lot of attention lately with videos of people aghast over its acceleration. It is being talked about as the fastest stock sedan available. And it’s cementing Tesla as a major player in the high-end automotive space.

No one knows for certain what Stuttgart will decide but German magazine Auto Motor und Sport has been the first to report this new item under consideration. An electric-only car would be a huge departure for Porsche that would force a rethinking of how Porsche does pretty much everything.

Vastly important to this plan will be the state of battery technology. Many automakers are planning future electric models based on a range of the low-to-mid 200 miles. However, the more that automakers order batteries, the less expensive those batteries will become. Falling battery prices increase the likelihood that more R&D money will pour into the tech, which could increase the range.

Interestingly, Tesla’s forthcoming “if-you-build-it-they-will-come” battery gigafactory in Nevada will only survive if other automakers begin to place orders, as well (either that or a lot of people will have to start ordering Teslas). It could very well be that Porsche and other automakers will depend on Tesla for batteries just as Apple and other phone makers depend on Samsung to manufacture their CPUs.

In any case, we’ll keep you updated if Porsche’s interest in EVs intensifies. As the pre-eminent Porsche retailer in Cary, we welcome all questions.

The post A 250-Mile Electric-Only Porsche Sedan Could Arrive in 2018 appeared first on Leith Porsche Blog.

So you’re on the way out to your car, dressed for work, briefcase in one hand, coffee in the other. It’s been a rough morning and you’re leaving five minutes late, so you’re thinking about possible shortcuts you could take. It’s also been getting progressively colder, and today you can see your breath as you get in the car and turn it on. Then you’re greeted with the last thing you want to see: the low tire pressure indicator.

Around this time of year as the temperature is dropping, you won’t be alone. Why does your tire pressure drop when it gets cold, and why is that a cause for concern? We have some answers.

Checking your tire pressure is already something you ought to do on a regular basis. For every month that passes, your tires lose about 1 psi through natural air seepage. Beyond that, they will also lose or gain another 1 psi for every 10°F change in temperature. Simple physics explain this phenomenon. The compressed air in your tires is a gas which expands when heated and condenses when cooled. That’s why tire pressure goes down when the weather gets colder.

It’s important for you to stay on top of this because underinflated tires will:

• Decrease your vehicle’s fuel economy
• Cause imprecise handling
• Wear unevenly along the edges of the tread
• In the worst case, overheat and fail at highway speeds

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, some 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries a year are the result of under-inflated tires. At the same time, the US Department of Energy claims Americans waste more than a billion gallons of gasoline while driving on under-inflated tires.

Some people are lucky because their cars will now automatically monitor tire pressure and tell them when it’s getting low, but if your car doesn’t have this feature, you’ll want to check about once a month, or at least before you go on a long trip. The best time to check is first thing in the morning when your tires are still cold (both from ambient temperature and from not being driven on in the past several hours). That will give you the most accurate reading. You can consult your car’s manual for the recommended tire pressure for that make and model.

For more information on tire pressure, you can visit the following links:

“Tire Safety and Maintenance” – AAA Exchange

“Air Pressure, Temperature Fluctuations” – TireRack.com

Now is a great time to check, well in advance of any holiday traveling you might have planned. If you do find that your tire pressure is too low, we encourage you to visit us at Leith Porsche where our tire experts can remedy your low pressure woes and get you back on the road again.

The post How Cold Weather Affects Tire Pressure and Performance appeared first on Leith Porsche Blog.

Reliability is not something that people associate with German cars. We can attest that when people learn that we drive a Porsche, after the initial register of surprise and admiration fades, they crack slow, strangely-pleased smiles and utter the inevitable question, which usually goes something like, “Sure it’s fun, but I’ll bet maintenance costs kill you though. That’s how they get you, right? It’s never cheap owning a Porsche!”

Actually, no.

The 2014 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study was released this week with intriguing results. When new vehicle owners measured whether they experienced any problems in the first 90 days of ownership, Porsche had the lowest score among any brand across all sizes, segments, prizes and classes.

It’s the honeymoon! No one wants to buy a brand-new car and bring it back with the new car smell to the dealership after hearing the engine make a funny noise. Nearly every new car comes with a warranty to cover that sort of thing, but it’s the principle that matters.  No one wants to have second thoughts or buyers’ remorse, and certainly not if you bought a Porsche.

Photo: J.D. Power

As the chart shows, with Fiat having the worst score of 206 problems for every 100 new cars sold, and 116 as the industry average, Porsche clocked in below all competitors with a whisper-quiet 74. Jaguar took second place with 87 and Lexus was tagged for third with 92.

The study noted that the most problematic area for new cars was not engines or braking but new-fangled technologies like voice-recognition. Despite running more code than most computer operating systems, automakers continue to be stymied when trying to do simple tasks that most smartphone and consumer electronics makers specialize in.

The report named the Porsche Panamera as the most problem-free model for 2014.

The post Porsche Aces Reliability Study from J.D. Power for Two Years appeared first on Leith Porsche Blog.

As you might have noticed from our recent test drive review, Porsche has an impressive plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in the Panamera S E-Hybrid. It’s a full-size Panamera with impressive road times and many premium touches from the top-of-the-line Panamera Turbo S, and is capable of reducing your carbon footprint by several toes, maybe even the whole sole.

One of the S E-Hybrid’s top competitors is the Tesla Model S. Tesla is an interesting new company from California that has worked hard at making electric vehicles more accepted in the U.S., so we thought it would be entertaining to do a side-by-side comparison of the two vehicles.

In physical terms, the Model S and the Panamera are no more than 1.5” different in any given dimension, and only 30 lbs. separates them in the weight (the Panamera is lighter).

Price and acceleration can be evaluated at the same time; there are three trim versions of the Model S ($87k, $94k and $111k) and one of the Panamera S E-Hybrid ($99k). The Panamera’s 5.2 second 0-60 mph time is quicker than all but the $111k version of the Model S.

For handling, it depends where you want your center of gravity. The Model S’s use of the battery in the floor creates an elevated feeling of floating on air. The S E-Hybrid uses the same suspension as the Panamera Turbo S.

In terms of customization, those three trim versions of the Model S are as far as you can go in personalizing the Tesla. Porsche, on the other hand, offers thousands of permutations in features, colors, materials, fabrics, equipment and personalization.

The cockpits reveal radically different philosophies. The Model S favors an open, minimalist ethic that relies entirely on a massive 17” touchscreen display. This frees up interior space and makes a clean look. The Panamera uses single-function button groups. The advantages here are keeping the driver’s eyes on the road and getting to the function you want without multiple layers of interface.

With materials we recommend sitting in the vehicles. Tap on surfaces to determine their solidity. Stretch out to check cabin space. Use your smartphone to measure seat cushion depth. Close the door and listen. How well-insulated is each car?

Service is pretty easy to compare. Tesla has a little less than 30 regional service facilities. The company can dispatch a member to pick up your car (for $100) and give you a loaner, while the drive back to the regional facility and begin the diagnostic process. Porsche has 189 licensed dealerships in the country.

And finally, charging time. As a purely electric vehicles, the Tesla has a range of more than 200 miles. The plug-in hybrid electric Panamera has a range upwards of 600 miles. If fully depleted, the Model S takes at least 8.5 hours and at most 80 hours to recharge, depending on the charging station’s technology. At most, the S E-Hybrid takes 8.5 hours. Or, you could just drive using gasoline. With the Model S, when you’re empty, you’re really empty.

So there you have. Think we left anything out? Have anything to contribute? How have you found the Model S and/or S E-Hybrid? Let us know.

The post Panamera S E-Hybrid vs. Tesla Model S Comparison appeared first on Leith Porsche Blog.

During our visit to Leith Porsche, we discovered how so many people came to pronounce it “Porsh”. The exhilarating acceleration of these cars makes you breathless, and the “ah” sound is whisked away quicker than the cars that once idled in the neighboring lane at the stop light. Before we go on, let us clarify that this description doesn’t fit only the Boxster, every model we drove off the lot performed with Autobahn-readiness.

2014 Panamera S e-Hybrid

Okay, don’t panic. We had the same thought: a hybrid Porsche? It must be some diluted version of a sports car lucky enough to boast the iconic branding of German precision. Wrong. This sedan-in-name-only balks at glacial rush hour speeds and sates itself by devouring the road with a 3.0-liter V6 engine that generates 416 horsepower and 435 ft-lbs. of torque.

The e-Hybrid simply helps you leave others “in the dust” with greater fuel efficiency. In fact, we were able to reach 74 MPH purely with the electric motor and uncompromised acceleration. A complex drivetrain affords you the discretion to utilize the electric motor and engine as a pair or individually.

… More on that later…

Upon first approach of the Panamera S e-Hybrid, there is no distinction between it and the pure-gas Panamera S models. Bulky curves, a sleek roof, a broad base, and an expertly designed rear diffuser are enough to allow “hybrid” to float into the ether of your memory, rendering it an irrelevant descriptor.

As writers, we were immediately struck by the color scheme of a green that appeared in multiple places – almost like a subtle theme as that found in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Each of us will deduce our own interpretation of what it may signify.

The neon green appears as an outline on the exterior branding, on the calipers, on the analog clock’s arms, and on the meters’ needles. We won’t corrupt your thoughts by injecting ours, but we’ll ask you to think on it.

At the rear of the car, there is a hatch that opens with ease and closes with the mere push of a button. The Panamera S e-Hybrid we took for a test drive just arrived, so it still had the boxed-up charging station and bag of “goodies” for its eventual owner. It is here, near the hatch, that you can find two ports: one on the left for electric charging; one on the right for gas fuel. As you walk around the hatch, be sure to furtively glance – don’t want to appear too excited – at the exhaust pipes that will soon roar a beautiful note for you.

Now it’s time to get behind the wheel.

You approach the door and open it. Much to your surprise, it stops in the exact spot you released it and doesn’t swing back on you. That is thanks to German engineering, creating magnetic doors that can be placed into any position. In the finely manufactured leather bucket seat, you close the door beside you. It sounds as solid as the interior looks. The cabin is as sculpted as the exterior with curves and angles that are as athletic as the car’s performance. Each piece is solid, including the steering wheel, dash, and pedals. Everything about this car speaks to its engine’s strength, like the active musculature of a Pitbull.

The plush driver’s seat has three memory presents, which save your seat, steering wheel, and side-view mirror adjustments, as well as radio stations. Your front-passenger may also save three settings for seating preferences. In the rear of the cabin, extra passengers enjoy tremendous spaciousness in both length and width of the vehicle. A wide center armrest provides ample space. Deep set, narrow windows lend an almost aeronautic feel.

As your eye scans the captivating landscape of the interior, it absorbs the gorgeous black and silver trim that covers the dashboard, center console, and bevy of controls throughout the cabin. A shallow design of the dash puts you closer to “the action” for a feeling of absolute control. The adjustable steering wheel is home to paddle shifters in case you decide to find a track or enjoy more spirited driving.

In the driving cluster, amid the standard meters and gauges, there is a rounded screen that displays trip information, fuel consumption, navigation, and infotainment controls. This may be manipulated through a miniscule wheel embedded into the steering wheel. That screen may be utilized if you don’t care to look at the incredibly crisp touchscreen LCD display in the center of the dashboard.

Remember when we wrote “… More on that later…” about the engine?

Turn the key to wake the Panamera S e-Hybrid from its slumber. It growls, ready to feast on asphalt.

There is a multitude of factors that contribute to this car’s superior handling. Perfectly executed design in the frame, including a generous rear diffuser, provides downforce that grips the road with unmatched strength. Through twists and turns, and an enticing round-a-bout, the Panamera S e-Hybrid deftly capered like an artful ballroom dancer. Not a single body roll disrupted the pleasure of driving this car.

The robust suspension intimates no imperfections of the road, creating a perfectly tranquil cabin. Only the throaty timbre of the exhaust overwhelms the light, whispery air slicing over the car. A gentle brush of the accelerator melts the dashed lane markings into a continuous white line. Cresting and rounding the small hills on our path washes sunlight across the dash, and we chased after it each time it faded. As we turned into the dealership, our arms suddenly felt heavy – a precursor to the pangs of disappointment. Hands still clutched tenaciously to the steering wheel, it felt wrong to let the experience end.

We want to thank Robert Brooks, our congenial Porsche Brand Ambassador, for the time and effort he spent in showing us the capabilities of the 2014 Porsche Panamera S e-Hybrid. He provided thorough explanations of the vehicle and engaged us in beneficial conversation, but he also sat silently for us to focus on the experience. It was an exhilarating test drive, and we have a greater understanding of the enthusiasm people, like Robert, possess for this brand. It would be a disservice to yourself if you did not stop by Leith Porsche in Cary to live what we’ve so passionately written.

The post Our Panamera S E-Hybrid Test Drive Review appeared first on Leith Porsche Blog.

As we look back at 2013 for Leith Porsche, it’s apparent that it was a year of many cool things. To check what Porsche’s been most excited about, we combed through their Facebook page from January to December and selected the most newsworthy, interesting and just plain awesome moments of the year. Therefore we give you: the top four Porsche moments of 2013.

1. The 50^th anniversary of the 911

You knew this was going to be on here. The 911 is an iconic design, as evidenced by the Porsche by Design exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Art this year. Ever since Ferdinand Porsche made his initial sketches in 1959, the idea of what a roadster should be was irrevocably altered.

2. The Porsche Macan

New times demand new vehicles, and Porsche designed a sports car to meet the moment. It’s compact, well-muscled, uses all of Porsche’s collected knowledge of what it means to drive, and what needs to be present in a vehicle. The result is astonishing, and like any Porsche once you get behind the wheel you understand immediately.

3. Code of the Curve app

Not to be left in the shadows is the Cayman, the pure racing car in between Boxster and 911 that is all about focusing on one goal: the road. To make this more interesting, a new app tracks every curve you navigate in day-to-day driving so that you can earn badges and build high scores to compete with fellow enthusiasts. Totally awesome.

4. The new Panamera Turbo S

This is one of those videos that makes you grab the nearest pair of headphones, preferably a pair with heavy drivers that can handle the low tones that only come from eight cylinders. Some cars fade into the background with their exhaust note. This is one that punches you in the chest.

So there you have it! Think we missed something? Comment and let us know what you think Porsche’s big moments for 2013 were. We hope you enjoyed our picks, and we look forward to seeing you in 2014. Happy New Year!

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