Porsche's Panamera lineup is poised to expand as the company is reportedly working on a new diesel variant as well as a high performance GTS.
Although little is known about the Panamera GTS, it is expected to be positioned above the Panamera Turbo. This means the GTS will likely boast more than 500 horsepower, which should enable it to beat the 4.0 second 0-60 mph time of the Panamera Turbo. The GTS is also expected to ditch the Turbo's heavy air suspension system, in favor of traditional coil springs.
According to Autocar, Porsche is also considering a diesel-powered Panamera. If such a model were to be built, it would likely adopt a modified version of the Cayenne's 240 bhp 3.0-liter V6 or the Audi A8's 322 bhp 4.2-liter V8.
More details of the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG have been released. The car is the top-of-the-range model and features certain equipment that other E-Class models don't. Most important of these and the one that makes it stand out is the 6.3-litre (6208 cc) V8 engine that has remained naturally aspirated. Its maximum rated power is 386kW (525hp) and peak torque is 630Nm mated with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission from the SL 63 AMG. Incidentally the power figures of the two über Benzes are now matched. The conventional torque converter has been done away with in favour of a wet start-up clutch. Three changing modes can be actuated; Controlled Efficiency, Sport, and Manual. The latter is the more fun option where the driver changes gears using either the paddles behind the steering wheel or the gear lever itself.
Mercedes-Benz says the E 63 AMG will accelerate from 0 - 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds and top off at an electronically limited speed of 250km/h (155mph). Stopping power can be assisted by the optional ceramic brakes. Lightweight forged 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with size 255/35 R 19 tyres at the front and 285/30 R 19 at the rear are fitted. Other differences include an AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid, a roller blind for rear window, Nappa leather appointments for the seats, the top section of the dashboard, the beltlines, the door armrests as well as the centre console and door centre panels.
AMG has chosen to use a new speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering system for more direct responsiveness. It helps when cornering hard, helped by the newly developed AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension, but is comfort-friendly too when the suspension system is in comfort mode. Thus the day-to-day usability of the car is not compromised by its high performance abilities. Even the ESP can be personalised, from "on", to "sport" to "off".
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 will be the official launch date of the Car Seat Poncho Blog. In this blog, I plan to share what's going on "behind the scenes," like:
Factory visits
Photo shoots
Important safety news
New styles and color/fabric choices
Safety-community events, like KIDZ or LifeSavers.
And of course, upcoming sales and coupons!
To start things off, I'm having a Crazy One-Day Sale on Tuesday, July 28th. Become a subscriber to the Car Seat Poncho Blog BEFORE midnight, Sunday, July 26th and receive a unique, one-time use coupon code for 50% off your purchases on the 28th.
Let's get started! Sign up today, by clicking on "SUBSCRIBE TO" at the end of this post or on the FOLLOWERS icon immediately to your right (in the light green area). Be sure to forward this to other safety-minded friends and colleagues (see the little ENVELOPE with an arrow?).
Feel free to post about this to your birth boards and other forums, too. Heck, do you think we can hit 100 subscribers by the 28th?
