Earlier this month, Porsche was once again named Top Prestigious Luxury Brand. Included in that press release were some interesting demographics regarding the income and net-worth of the average Porsche owner. Specifically, it mentioned an average income of $349,000 per year and an average net-worth of $3.7MM. Now, I know a lot of Porsche owners do fall within that range (and many far above it.) However, I believe there are just as many other Porsche owners who don’t fit in that range and in fact are far below it. Here is what I want to know:
Is the Price of Gas Effecting Your Driving Habits?
Is your Porsche your daily driver? Or, is it a toy (and possibly one of many) that comes out only to play or visit the track? Regardless of your income, net-worth or answer to my question about your Porsche being your daily driver, I’m curious as to the impact the price of gas is having on your decisions when it comes to your Porsche and even your normal driving habits. Where I live, premium fuel is now well north of $4.00 per gallon and still climbing. My Porsche is just a toy and as a result, my driving habits with it have not been affected. I still use it the same amount of time and put the same mileage on it regardless of gas prices.
However, I have noticed that I’m starting to economize a little in my daily driving. My wife has started to take our sedan for errand runs vs. our SUV. I have started to drive our mid-size convertible (which gets about 7 or 8 more MPG than our larger sedan) more often. Just yesterday, we planned an entire outing of errands around the fact that we were going to be out and about versus having to drive back and forth to the mall more than once. This is new territory for me and didn’t even realize I was doing it until I stood back and really thought about it.
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Has the price of gas changed the way you drive?
I’ll run this poll for a couple of weeks and then post up the answers in a new post. I can’t wait to see what people have to say and how they vote
Every Porsche is a bit unique in that they have their own set of distinctive features and quirks that we as owners come to know and love (or hate) over time; the Porsche 993 is no exception. I’ve assembled below, from various sources, a list of the features about the 993 (some well known, others not so much.) If my list isn’t complete, or you think something is incorrect, please let me know.
Top 10 Quirks about the Porsche 993
By removing the intermittent wiper relay you can park your wipers on the passenger’s side of the windshield. The only cost is your intermittent wiper feature is disabled.
Porsche designed a completely new dashboard for the 993. The 1965-style dash was retained because Porsche was still in dire financial straights during the development phase (1991-1992.)
Narrow-body 993s came standard with 16″ alloys, which makes the stock “SUV” ride height even more silly looking. Almost all 993s upgraded to the 17″ wheels.
If you want to stop your rear spoiler from flapping up and down continuously, just depress it once in the up position when the vehicle exceeds 10mph.
The mirrors on the car are not symmetrically positioned.
The steering wheel is slightly off center relative to the drivers seat.
The roof line and luggage compartment is not only identical to the 964′s , but remains unchanged since 1974.
The body of a 993 is not mounted on a chassis in the center, it’s slightly towards the passenger side.
The word Varioram was not cast onto the intake until about half way through the ’96 production year and not all cars received this treatment.
Engines in the Turbo models sit 40mm further back in the compartment compared to non-turbo cars.
Did I miss anything major? Let me know. What about other models? What are the quirks of the early 911s, 930, 964, 996 and 997? What about the Boxsters and Cayennes? Let’s not forget the 924, 944 and 968s.
[Source: Rennlist, Adrian Streather, Individual Contributors to 993C4S.com]
It’s Memorial Day, the unofficial start to the summer across the US. For lots of people (especially where we live) this means the official start of the boating season too. Given this, I thought what better way to kick off the summer season then taking a look at Porsche and their contribution to the boating world.
It never ceases to amaze me all the different products (industrial and consumer) that Porsche is a part of (through either design or as manufacturer.) Looking back, I’ve written about the History of the Porsche Design Group and the different companies and brands that have added to the provenance of this brand over the years. Today’s post is no different.
Take a look at the following video:
Porsche Design Studio has joined with Fearless Yachts
The Fearless 28 was designed for a discerning captain…
With its chiseled exterior, sumptuous curves and seating for five, the high performance 28 is navigating new waters in intelligent design, uncompromising agility and outright velocity. A seamless deep- V hull, sleek stainless steel intake vents, and ample horsepower cut an impressive wake. With your eye on the Livorsi analog instrumentation and hand on the Latham throttles, the 28 responds to your whims in open waters…while luxuries such as hand-fitted non-slip teak inlays and classically tailored 8.5’ beam indulge your sense of style.
The Fearless 28 can produce up to a maximum of 600 HP, reach speeds of up to 90 MPH and create a rooster tail that would make Foghorn Leghorn jealous.
More Porsche Designed Boats and Yachts on the Way
According to the Fearless website there are an additional four models coming over the next few years. A 44’ twin step racer, a 68’ cruiser, and by 2010 both a 125’ and 150’ yacht.
Right now, production on the Fearless 28 is quite limited. According to Porsche Design-Bevery Hills Manager Jeff Rayborn, there are currently only three (3) available. It is safe to assume that more will be available in the coming months. If you want to see the Porsche Designed Fearless 28 first hand then stop by the Porsche Design store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills on June 15th where it will be on display for a few lucky dads.
A lot of the people I talk to tell me they think their Porsche is a “work of art.” I find it hard to disagree. The iconic design of the Porsche 911 got its start 40 years ago with the introduction of the type 901 by Professor Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche. In fact, today’s modern Porsche 997s (and every model leading up to it) took their design cues directly from this model that replaced the very successful Porsche 356.
The Porsche 911 as a “work of art” I understand; The Porsche Cayenne, that’s a different story. It’s not that I don’t like the Cayene, in fact quite the opposite. It’s just that I don’t think its styling can be put on par with the 911 just quite yet.
As 993C4S.com becomes more popular I’m receiving requests from a number of Porsche related companies to review their products (things like Porsche video game accessories, Porsche after market products (RaceRamps coming next week) and now Porsche artwork). I’m happy to do this and in fact, enjoy it. The only thing I make sure that everyone understands is that my review(s) will be very objective. In other words, if I review something, I’m going to call it as I see it, good or bad. Why this disclaimer?
Recently, I received an unsolicited email from someone promoting an artist/sculptor who happened to be using a Porsche Cayenne for their medium. They wanted to know if I would review the artwork/sculpture and write about it. I said sure, why not? I have an open mind. A few days later I received a press release and a DVD that included pictures of the “artwork”. I am not an art critic and my tastes do seem to vary, but this I just don’t get. I’ll post copies of the pictures below and you can be the judge.
Here’s a quick excerpt from the release:
Plamen Dejanoff believes that cars are technical and compositional marvels as well as objects of desire. He engaged an image agency to discover which cars would fit his personality and developed the work titled Alle Autos, die zu mir passen würden (2002), 40 crystal cars produced in a limited edition. One of their suggestion was the Porsche Cayenne, which Plamen Dejanoff acquired with the sale proceeds of the crystal glass car series and which was exhibited for the first time in March 2006 at the MUMOK (Vienna Modern Museum of Art). This black Porsche Cayenne is the centerpiece of the multimedia piece titled Höhere Wesen befahlen (2006/2007), which unites performance and sculpture.
Pamen Djanoff’s “Alle Autos, die zu mir passen wurden”
I very much like the crystal cars below. Unfortunately, all fourty (40) have been sold and the proceeds used to finance this current Cayenne project.
Plamen Dejanoff’s Hohere Wesen befahlen
The process began in the summer of 2006 in the art hall of Kiel/Christian-Albrechts-Universität Schleswig-Holsteinischer Kunstverein, where the Porsche Cayenne was brought to the interior of the institution. At the inauguration, the public was participating in the shooting of the first Höhere Wesen befahlen art film. In accordance with the directions of Plamen Dejanoff, the Porsche mechanics meliorated the Porsche Cayenne with the accessorized series titled „Exterieur On & Offroad“.
The second station took place in the forier of Credit Suisse’s corporate headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. There the Porsche mechanics again supplemented the Porsche Cayenne with the exclusive interior accessories under the watchful eye of Plamen Dejanoff. A film crew taped the action for the second art film, again with cooperation of the audience. Following the shooting, there was an exhibition at the showroom of Michelle Nicol fine arts.
Höhere Wesen befahlen has garnered the interest of well-known curators and international institutions. Through 2008, the artist has been invited to present the work in the form of public exhibitions and single exhibitions with eight renowned art institutions.
Works of Art
Each station contains a live documented performance, centered by the Porsche mechanics and the Porsche Cayenne, as well as sculpture ensembles.
Per exhibition-station the following works are generated:
The art film
Featuring the Porsche Cayenne and the refining work of the Porsche mechanics.
The art installation
Consisting of original removed Porsche accessories presented in various ways, and including bronze and crystal castings of the removed parts. They will be exhibited as an ensemble on a platform, referring to the Porsche Cayenne as a performance sculpture.
The refined Porsche Cayenne
The refined Porsche Cayenne becomes a sculpture which is individualized from one location to another through instructions by the artist.
As I said at the beginning, I’m not an art critic so I’ll let you judge the quality of the work. One thing is for sure, at the end of the installation, once the pieces are all put back together, Plamen Dejanoff will still have a very nice Cayenne in the garage.
You may remember this post from last month about Porsche making improvements to the Cayenne Transsyberia. True to Porsche racing history and like any good motorsports team they are now working on field testing those improvements. What caught the eye about this particular press release was the opportunity presented at the end to journalists. Porsche is looking for a few, select individuals to travel to Moscow (as a guest of Porsche) to cover this race. As you can probably guess, we’ve thrown our hat into the ring as a possible participant. Keep your fingers crossed for us.
ALÈS, FRANCE, May 16, 2008 – The cool, still air in an abandoned coal mine in the south of France echoes to the sound of a Porsche V8 at full song. Every few minutes the source of the noise, a 2008 Cayenne Transsyberia test mule, blasts into view briefly, only to turn around and go roaring off again into the woods. Its sides are streaked with inky, black mud, kicked up by its huge tires while testing equipment mounted on the car gathers data that will later be analyzed by engineers from Porsche’s Motorsports department in Weissach.
The point of the test is to rack up as many miles as possible over the shortest period of time. During this, Porsche’s latest Transsyberia Cayenne test session, held at a rallycross track just outside of Alès, France, engineers and drivers will rack up better than 1,000 miles over the course of just four days, in an attempt to assess the car’s new tires and new suspension setup while trying hard to find a “weak link” before the July 11 start of the of the world’s toughest rally, the 2008 Transsyberia.
“The new BFGoodrich tires and the new shock absorbers have really improved the handling of the car,” says Rod Millen, the winner of the 2007 event who is on hand for the test. “While the 2007 car was fabulous throughout the event, we’ve found during testing that the 2008 car is a big improvement. It drives better, it’s tougher and it’s better-suited to the conditions.”
The test location was selected, with the help of a Porsche factory driver, Romain Dumas, who lives in the Alès area when he’s not driving the Porsche RS Spyder in the American Le Mans series.
Dumas, who won the 12 hours of Sebring earlier this year in the RS Spyder, even managed to get some seat time in the 2008 Transsyberia Cayenne with another Sebring winner from exactly 25 years ago: Kees Nierop, driver of the Canadian Transsyberia entry and winner of the 1983 Sebring event.
“Riding with Kees was a big pleasure for sure,” he says. “But it was difficult sitting in the right seat. I think it’s very difficult to be a co-driver; they’re maybe crazier even than the drivers,” Dumas added. “Me, I prefer to be in control,” he smiled.
Twenty-three-year-old Ryan Millen, who will be driving the American entry, the same Cayenne his father drove to victory in last year’s Transsyberia Rally, is excited coming away from the test session.
“These days have given us a good baseline for the rally,” he says. “The car is definitely faster than before and has more traction. But tactics during the rally are still going to be important. We’re going to have to manage the vehicle and not use it up or overdrive it.”
Built at Porsche’s racing facility in Weissach, Germany under the watchful eye of the legendary motorsports engineer, Roland Küssmaul, the 2008 Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia used in the rally draws heavily on the production 2008 Cayenne S upon which it is based.
“The engine and drivetrain are identical to the one in the Cayenne S you can buy from any Porsche dealer,” commented the younger Millen.
“With the exception of the safety and suspension mods, some de-contenting of the interior to save weight and the underbody plates, we’re racing the same car the average buyer can own,” Ryan added. “It even still has its climate control system up and running. That will really help in the GobiDesert.”
“We never wanted for power with the production engine,” observed Nierop. “The 4.8-litre engine has direct fuel injection, delivers 385 hp and was remarkably tractable,” offered Nierop, who has driven any number of Porsches, from various 911s all the way up to the legendary Porsche 962. “I guess the bottom line is the Cayenne is just like every other Porsche – you can compete with anything they sell. And win!”
On the last day of the test session, a driveshaft mount breaks, causing a premature end to the testing program.
Nierop, a Porsche racing veteran who’s attended many a test session, is unfazed, as are the engineering team.
“It’s better that these things happen before the rally. Now they can go back and improve the car and make it even stronger,” he says. “That is why Porsche tests.”
Porsche Cars North America would like to provide a very limited number of interested journalists the opportunity to attend portions of this unforgettable event as its guests. If you or your organization would like to do so, please contact Fred Hammond at Kermish-Geylin Public Relations at 201-750-3533.
Once the Transsyberia Rally begins, both Porsche Cars North America and Porsche Cars Canada will be providing daily updates of the status of the two North American teams via the Internet.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc., based in Atlanta, Ga., and, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., based in Mississauga, Ont., are the two importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada respectively. Each is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG. Combined, these two subsidiaries employ approximately 250 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for 200 U.S. and 12 Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.
Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) offers professional services to all Porsche racing customers in North America through its race car sales, motorsports parts sales, engine and chassis service, and engineering consulting home base in Santa Ana, Calif., and at the race tracks by utilizing the PMNA parts truck. PMNA, formed in 1983 is part of Porsche Motorsport, a division of Porsche AG that supports customer racing activities throughout the world.
A few months back I posted an article titled “I’m not a Porsche Expert but I Play one on the Internet.” The basic gist of this post (click on the title of the article if you want to refresh your memory) was for people to submit Porsche related questions to me. I would in-turn act as a free researcher for you.
Well, the questions keep coming in and I’m doing my best to answer them (if you have something you want me to research just use the link from the article above or comment on any post.) Those that are more interesting or fit a broader audience I end up using as a post for the site, like this one today. GTRacer wrote in and asked, “Please describe the difference between a Porsche GT3 and a GT3 RS?” I think I can sum up the difference between these two cars pretty easily: Read more
Interesting demographics in this press release. I know a lot of Porsche owners fit into the average income and networth groupings listed below, but I know just as many who don’t. Bottom line, Porsche is a great car regardless of income, networth, etc. Congrats to Porsche for another great win!
ATLANTA, May 14, 2008 – For the fourth year running, America’s most affluent consumers have declared Porsche the most prestigious car available today. The Luxury Institute’s 2008 independent nationwide survey of luxury auto brands rated Porsche tops against eleven of the world’s most prestigious car brands. Lexus and Mercedes ranked second and third, respectively.
The Luxury Institute conducted an online survey of more than 1,600 American consumers – with an average income of $349,000 and average net worth of $3.7 million. This year’s survey respondents strongly associated Porsche with its stellar performance reputation, summing up their top choice as “world-class sports cars for the true connoisseur.” The proprietary 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index survey is the only measure of the reputation of leading brands among wealthy Americans.
“The Luxury Institute’s surveys are impartial and objective,” said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute. “Our surveys inform luxury CEOs on the health of their brands in no uncertain terms so they can take action to enhance relationships with prospects and customers.”
“Customer perception is everything in the luxury car market. This distinction helps us know that we are successfully delivering on our brand values in a very competitive automobile market,” said Detlev von Platen, Porsche Cars North America President and CEO.
The Luxury Institute is the uniquely independent and impartial ratings and research institution that is the trusted and respected voice of the high net-worth consumer. The Institute provides a portfolio of proprietary publications and research that educates high net-worth individuals and the companies that cater to them on leading edge trends, high net-worth consumer rankings and ratings of luxury brands, and best practices. The Luxury Institute also operates the Luxury Board (www.luxuryboard.com), the world’s first global, membership-based online community for luxury goods and services executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. To reach the Luxury Institute, please call 646-792-2669 or go to www.luxuryinstitute.com.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc., based in Atlanta, Ga., and, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., based in Mississauga, Ont., are the two importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada respectively. Each is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG. Combined, these two subsidiaries employ approximately 250 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for 200 U.S. and 12 Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.
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Earlier this month, Porsche was once again named Top Prestigious Luxury Brand. Included in that press release were some interesting demographics regarding the income and net-worth of the average Porsche owner. Specifically, it mentioned an average income of $349,000 per year and an average net-worth of $3.7MM. Now, I know a lot of Porsche owners do fall within that range (and many far above it.) However, I believe there are just as many other Porsche owners who don’t fit in that range and in fact are far below it. Here is what I want to know:
A lot of the people I talk to tell me they think their Porsche is a “work of art.” I find it hard to disagree. The iconic design of the Porsche 911 got its start 40 years ago with the introduction of the type 901 by 
A few months back I posted an article titled “
Interesting demographics in this press release. I know a lot of Porsche owners fit into the average income and networth groupings listed below, but I know just as many who don’t. Bottom line, Porsche is a great car regardless of income, networth, etc. Congrats to Porsche for another great win!
