The new Porsche Panamera has been unjustly likened to a tank by some. Well now there might be just cause. Porsche is known for offering a myriad of options on all their new cars. However, when I recently used the Porsche car configurator to option out a new Panamera, I thought I had all there was on offer including a refrigerator in the back seat and a list price just north of $200k. Boy, was I wrong. For another $250k (for a total cost of $450,000) I could have a Panamera worthy of 3rd world dictator (or at least today’s Wall Street CEOs).
According to an article on Luxist.com, JS Armored of Frankfurt Germany is offering a Porsche Panamera Turbo for sale on Jameslist (a global online luxury marketplace). Armored to B4 levels the protective Panamera will stop anything from 9mm rounds to a full metal jacket of a carbine rifle. B4 Armoring specifications include:
1/8″ armored steel (3mm AR500 ballistic steel) in the doors, posts, overlaps and walls.
Bullet resistant glass 39/40mm.
5 Run Flats including Spare.
Armored Fuel Tank.
Armored Battery and Radiator Protection.
3mm AR500 ballistics steel in the roof and floor.
Tailpipe Protection.
Power window driver side.
Suspension Upgrade.
Upraded door hinges.
Some times a good offense is better than an armored defense. While B4 armoring is better than nothing, it won’t stop most automatic rifle fire and can’t withstand a hit from a RPG or IED. Knowing that, it’s nice to have the 500 hp of the Porsche Panamera turbo to rely on in case you need to get out of a bad situation in a hurry. If you need something with a little more protection to it, but want to stick with the Porsche badge, you could always opt for the Porsche Designed AMPV below.
The engineers of Porsche AG, Stuttgart, have developed a new sports exhaust system for the latest generation of the 911, available as an option on new models as of February 2009. This special exhaust gives the customer the opportunity to adjust the 911’s unique sound to their personal preference; at the touch of a button, the exhaust system switches over to a more sporting and emotional sound.
The new sports exhaust system is made of modified stainless-steel main silencers and stands out through its two uniquely-styled dual tailpipes. The heart of the system is an exhaust flap on each main silencer activated by the engine’s electronic control system, which switches over to a more sporting sound. The system is activated by a separate button on the center console, varying the sound of the exhaust as a function of engine load, road speed and engine speed.
The Euro base price of the sports exhaust system is 1,610 Euro excluding taxes. In the US the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is 2,500 US$ and In Canada, the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is $3,410. Starting in April 2009, Porsche will also offer a Tequipment version as a retrofit part.
If you can’t pronounce the name of Porsche’s new double clutch, seven speed transmission technology, you’re not alone. Not to worry, the Porsche marketing folks were kind enough to add to the growing list of alphabet soup options by providing the Porsche Doppelkupplung with its very own acronym: PDK. Originally developed for Porsche Motorsports, over two decades ago, this seven speed, advanced transmission has finally made its way (as an option) into the Porsche 911 line-up for the first time.
What’s the Biggest Benefit of the Porsche PDK
Simple: SPEED. The dual clutch provides barely perceptible shift points with little to no power loss. This translates into more speed and faster lap times, much faster. The latest reports I’ve seen show a 911 Carrera S (equipped with PDK) shaving 8 seconds from the lap time, clocked by the manually equipped model on, “the Ring,” not to mention a few tenths of a second off the zero to sixty time.
Surprisingly, given today’s economic and environmental climate, you would think that Porsche would be pushing some of the other benefits of the PDK transmission. Namely, its ability to provide up to 14% better fuel economy over the manual version. With all the heat Porsche has been taking in the press in recent months about emissions, CAFE regulations, etc. the PR department at Porsche should be all over this aspect of the seven-speed transmission.
How Does Porsche PDK Work?
This video below, produced by Porsche and available on the Porsche microsite, does a great job of breaking down the dual-clutch technology into every day language so even non-gearheads, like me, can understand. My only question is: “When will Porsche make the switch to more standardized paddles vs. those little bitty thumb-shifters?”
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