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Porsche on the waiting list for Tesla Roadster

Electric vehicles... they're so hot right now. And none are hotter at the moment than the Tesla Roadster, which looks positively sublime in Very Orange paint. Even Porsche, the longtime purveyor of some of the world's best sporting hardware, is interested in the little electron powered machine. In fact, rumor has it that the German automaker is much more impressed with Silicon Valley's first ever sports car than it is with the lithium ion-powered E-Ruf electric 911. Is it too slow; too heavy; too expensive? Nobody knows for sure outside of Stuttgart's engineering offices, but we do know that the German automaker has placed an order for a Tesla Roadster of their very own for closer scrutiny. We'd imagine that the EV's dissection could offer some enlightening revelations to Porsche, rumored to be hard at work on an electric sportscar of its very own. Considering Porsche's recent history with other automaker's wares, this could get very interesting.
posted : 11/28/2008 @5:07:29 PM
Road and Track tests battery-powered E-Ruf 911

We only heard about the latest modified Porsche from Ruf about a week and a half ago when the tuner unveiled its new E-Ruf via press release. Apparently we weren't the first to learn of the all-electric 911, as Road & Track has already driven it and just published its first impressions, including details about the car's inner workings that were previously unknown. Unlike most Ruf Porsches, the E-Ruf hasn't had its internal combustion engine boosted to within an inch of its life. It doesn't even have an ICE. Instead, the staff in Germany have ripped out the boxer 6-cylinder, back seat and fuel tank. The back seat area and front trunk have been stuffed full of lithium-ion batteries and an electric motor's been bolted to the stock 6-speed gearbox. Turns out that the E-Ruf is very different from other high-profile EVs like the Tesla Roadster in some interesting ways, but you'll have to click through to Road and Track to find out exactly why and what it means for the future of EVs.
posted : 10/22/2008 @10:40:41 PM
RUF's electric Porsche breaks cover

Rumors of RUF's impending electric Porsche were true, except that the actual vehicle is based on a Porsche 911, not the Cayman as previously reported. Powered by a three-phase electric motor that offers about 200 horsepower along with an impressive 480 lb.-ft. of torque, the eRUF Model A can reportedly hit 60 miles per hour in under seven seconds and can reach a top speed of 160. Power comes from a lithium iron phosphate battery pack, which produces 317-volts and 480-amps and is made up from 96 individual cells. A full charge takes a rather long 10-hours, and regenerative braking is included in the package allowing for a range of up to 180 miles. From the outside, you'd never really know that something was different about this 997, except that it doesn't produce that soul-stirring flat-six sound. This is still just a concept and its specifications are subject to change. We can be sure, though, that this isn't the last electrically-powered sportscar set to hit the market.
posted : 10/15/2008 @7:45:56 PM
Ruf developing all-electric Porsche Cayman

Despite the fact that Lotus seems to have the inside line on electric sportscars, longtime Porsche tuning firm Ruf has chosen the Cayman for its new electric supercar. Comparisons to the Tesla Roadster are sure to come up, and we're happy to oblige. Compared to the latest Tesla drivetrain, the Ruf is expected to debut with a bit less overall power (150kW compared to 185kW) but will have considerably more twisting force (650Nm versus 375Nm). In other words, if the Ruf were a hatchet, the Tesla may be a scalpal, so to speak. A lithium-ion battery pack of unknown output will provide power to the motor. We don't yet know if the Ruf will sport multiple gears, but it seems distinctly possible in order to attain its planned top speed of around 125 miles per hour. We'd bet that any comparisons between the two electric sportscars will end at price, as the Ruf is sure to command an even heftier sum than the $100k Tesla Roadster. We'll find out next month what that price is and if it's worth it. Uh never mind... of course it'll be worth it.
posted : 10/3/2008 @6:48:52 PM
Swiss Missile: Sportec SP750 Porsche 997 GT2

Porsche enthusiasts will undoubtedly count the 997-generation 911 GT2 as one of the most extreme supercars ever to roll out of Stuttgart – right up there with the 959 and the Carrera GT. But where there's speed, there's always room for more speed, and the Swiss aren't about to stay neutral on this matter. Switzerland-based Sportec has just released its latest offering: the SP750. The tuning firm is known for producing seriously fast Porsches – including the 997 Turbo-based SP580 and the record-chasing SPR1 and SP600M Cayenne – and has put some serious effort into carrying on this legacy with the new SP750. Modifications to the GT2 – already very blitzschnell in its own right – are available in four increments, starting with the 600-hp Stage 1 and topping out with the full-on 750-hp Stage 4 kit, which includes new turbos, a revised ECU, titanium con-rods, a free-flowing exhaust and new camshafts, air filter and clutch. To control all that extra power, Sportec is also offering an upgraded brake kit with six-pot calipers and 350-380mm discs, plus a retuned suspension complemented by a revised aero kit and 20-inch rims. We'd hope the huge Swiss flag on the roof, which has become a hallmark of Sportec's creations, is optional. While it may protect the car from aerial bombardment, the planes would actually have to catch the car in the first place.
posted : 9/2/2008 @5:49:45 PM
GM adds 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on certified used vehicles

Now that leasing seems to be going through a slow phase-out, shoppers looking for a good deal on a newish vehicle may take a harder gander at certified pre-owned models. GM realizes this and has responded by ambushing customers increasing the warranty coverage on the CPO models for all of its brands, minus Cadillac which has its own program. The new warranty stands at 12-months or 12,000 miles and begins when the CPO purchase is made -- an increase of up to nine-months over the previous guarantee. Being a "bumper-to-bumper" warranty, everything excluding wear items like tires and brakes are covered for manufacturing defects. The powertrain warranty remains: five years or 100,000 miles from when it was sold as new. GM hopes that this increased coverage has a corresponding effect on its CPO sales. What's more, the automaker also believes that this action will have a desirable effect on its vehicle's residual values.
posted : 9/2/2008 @3:18:05 AM

Certified used Lamborghinis coming soon to a dealer near you

Some folks out there simply refuse to buy a new automobile off the showroom floor. They cannot bring themselves to fork over the funds for an item that depreciates in value so quickly after pulling away from the dealer's lot. The world of certified used cars arose for these frugal minded individuals. Certified used cars offer sufficient warranty coverage, enough miles on the odometers to assure that they are not lemons and little to none of the instant investment nose dive. Now Lamborghini is joining the ranks of manufacturers offering pre-owned vehicles through its dealership network so wealthy super tight wads can feel a little bit better about splurging for a Lambo. This will also make it easier for those who have to be seen in the latest and greatest to trade up from old to new models.

The program begins in July and extends to all Gallardo and Murcielago models through a network of 31 authorized dealers. To be certified, however, the vehicle must meet a list of criteria. The car must have seen less than 22,000 miles with all maintenance fully documented. It also must pass a 150-point inspection performed by the dealer. Any non-OEM equipment (wings, stereos, Gumball 3000 decals) will not be accepted as they do not meet the required standards.

posted : 6/19/2008 @10:43:34 PM

Lexus, Chrysler to join GM in adding CPO fleet to eBayWay back in February, General Motors announced it would be listing all of it Certified Pre-Owned vehicles on eBay Motors, and it took until now to actually make that happen. To go along with GM, Chrysler and Lexus have also joined up, with eBay Motors making a special section of its website specifically for CPO vehicles. The new site, which can be found here, went live yesterday and is sponsored exclusively by Lexus. It's also provided at no cost to any dealer looking for another outlet to advertise its inventory.

A quick check of the new hub shows that both eBay's classic auction-style listings and regular classified ads are listed together. The site's search functionality allows users to find vehicles located near their zip code, meaning it should prove awfully easy to find that brand-spanking-used Chrysler Sebring you've been foaming at the mouth for.

posted : 6/16/2008 @9:27:18 PM
eBay Find Of The Day: Whoa. Caddy with a pool

For the automotive collector looking for something truly unique, here it is; a rolling staph infection. This car is a convergence of worst-ofs compounded by a customization apparently overseen by Huggy Bear. 1980s front-drive Cadillacs might be charitably described as bargains, though the first repair bill for the grenade masquerading as an engine called the HT4100 will change the adjective to worthless. How much would you pay for a cast-off Caddy with a hot tub in back, a beak cribbed from an '80 Grand Prix, and a bleak future in terms of appreciation? The reserve has yet to be met at $2500, and we wonder what unrealistic number the seller's decided upon. Why would you even do this? It reminds us of a Steak-Ums commercial from the late '80s or early '90s with a separated at birth premise, but we doubt this car has any showbiz history. Likely, it's just a curiosity, possibly the result of a coked-up customizer without any good cars to use. Hey, it was the '80s, what more can you say?
posted : 4/15/2008 @2:47:49 PM
Ford confident in quality, improves certified used vehicle warrantiesFord is confident enough in the improved quality of its vehicles that the automaker is increasing the warranty on its Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Vehicles. Under the old warranty terms, the powertrain was covered for six years or 75,000 miles; starting last week the powertrain coverage was upped to six years or 100,000 miles. Ford has also seen fit to add a three-month or 3,000-mile comprehensive warranty along with 24-hour roadside assistance to their CPO cars. In reality, this new extended warranty coverage brings Ford level with other manufacturer's powertrain CPO warranties, placing them smack-dab between rival GM's five year or 100,000 mile warranty and Honda and Toyota's seven year or 100,000 mile coverage. Chrysler's CPO coverage extends for eight years but only up to 80,000 miles. All of these brands also match Ford's new comprehensive coverage. As Ford's higher-level brand, Lincolns will get a six-year/100,000 comprehensive limited warranty.
posted : 4/10/2008 @12:48:40 PM
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