Autoblog: News Thread

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: eBay Find of the Day: Ferrari Conciso concept

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Auction Action, Supercars, Ferrari

Click above to view more images
Red and rare. Save for a few vegetarians among us, that's how we like our steaks, and that's how we like our Ferraris. But some are so rare, even the bloodlust-driven connoisseurs among us don't know what to do with it. Take this one-off Ferrari Conciso. It's absolute carpaccio. But nobody seems to be biting.
The Conciso was built by German studio Michalak Design based on the mechanicals of a 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS (s/n 80962). As the name implies, the idea was to trim the chassis down to its bare essentials. The car has no doors and little in the way of a windshield to speak of. The driver and passenger hop over the sides like an F1 driver, hunker down into the racing buckets, buckle the competition harnesses and strap on the helmets, stored in special compartments inside the cabin.
The concept was shown at the 1993 Frankfurt show and in Geneva the following year, and was awarded second place in the Eurosign Design Awards behind the Bertone Blitz electric vehicle concept and ahead of the Italdesign Nazca C2. The design theme would later pop up in subsequent concept cars like the 1996 Ford Indigo and 2000 Pininfarina Rossa. Although Michalak was ready to take orders to produce additional copies of the Conciso, only one was reported to have been built. That single vehicle is now available for sale on eBay, but with one day to go and a starting bid of $160,000, the Conciso has yet to receive a single bid. Perhaps the market for custom Ferraris that look like droopy-eyed platypuses isn't so strong right now. If you missed the auction and have the mint, get in touch with Mechanic Import.
[Sources: eBay, Le Blog Auto and Michalak Design]

Thanks for the tip Roman!
Gallery: Ferrari Conciso by Michalak Design



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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart snapped in parking lot

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Mitsubishi

Click image to enlarge

According to poster jmk2888 at the EvolutionM.net forums, the car you see here is indeed the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. The poster, who indicates that he works for Mitsubishi in California, says that the car was in the lot briefly but is now "on the way to an auto show." Funny, we happen to be going to an auto show next week, so let's assume the Lancer Ralliart's on its way to Detroit for its official unveiling.

According to the jmk2888, here are the pertinent stats. To be safe, treat everything as speculation for now until we get official info from Mitsubishi:

• 230 - 240 turbocharged horsepower
• AWD
• 5-speed manual gearbox or Twin Clutch SST available
• Recaro front seats
• Gunmetal-finish Lancer GTS wheels
• GTS rear wing
• Nav system available

In front, the Ralliart gets a unique fascia dominated by a large (but not Evo X-large), chrome-rimmed grille opening. At the top right section of the grille itself, you can see the telltale Ralliart badge. According to the poster, the car in the photo is painted in the orangey-red "Sunset Pearlescent" finish that's currently available on the Eclipse. He also states that there's Ralliart branding on the rear of the car, and some other posters have noted that this car appears to be equipped with the same HID headlamps as the Evo X. Assuming it's going to be in Detroit, expect complete details and many photos of Mitsu's new Subaru WRX competitor early next week.

[Source: EvolutionM via Carscoop]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Ford confirms development of new RWD platform

Filed under: Ford, Australia

click above to view more images of the Ford Interceptor Concept

Like General Motors, Ford may be shifting its powertrain development away from V8 engines for its passenger cars in favor of its EcoBoost powertrains that use turbocharging and direct injection to make up for a lack of displacement. Also like GM, that doesn't mean the Blue Oval will be abandoning big, rear-wheel-drive vehicles in the future. Automotive News reports that execs from Ford have confirmed that the automaker is developing a new rear-wheel-drive architecture. Details are scarce, but Ford leaders, including group vice president of global manufacturing Joe Hinrichs, said that even if the company decides to use a new rear-wheel-drive architecture being developed in Australia, that doesn't mean production of the platform for export to global markets including the U.S. would necessarily be sourced in Oz. This is where Ford parts ways with GM, which is sourcing production for its rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform used in such vehicles as the 2008 Pontiac G8 and 2009 Chevy Camaro in Australia.

As for what rear-wheel-drive vehicles we can expect from Ford in the future, your guess is as good as ours. It gives us hope that a right-wheel-driven production sedan based on the Ford Interceptor concept (shown above) is still being considered, which is something you would already know if you've seen the movie I Am Legend.

[Source: Automotive News]
Gallery: Ford Interceptor Concept


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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Texas couple name kids Lexus, Porsche and Audi

Filed under: Etc., Audi, Lexus, Porsche

At some point in the past 20 years, it seems as though parents abruptly decided to switch from names like Michelle and Jimmy to names like Madison and Hunter. The naming trend obviously didn't sit well with one Texas couple, who decided to name their children after luxury car manufacturers. The Lone Star duet named their first child Lexus after the new father saw a Lexus driving by. The name Porsche was shot down for the first child, but when Craig and Sondra Harrington found out they were expecting twins, Ferdinand's namesake was back in the fold. To keep up with the German naming convention, the other child now dons the Audi name.
As it turns out, the Harringtons aren't even car nuts, but they may be a bit looney. Something tells us the twins had better be a couple of tough hombres, because they're likely going to have to get physical to keep kids from picking on them. Besides, Texas is truck country. Shouldn't they have gone with Silverado and Tundra? F-Series is probably a bit over the top, but Sierra could make a great girl's name.
[Source: PistonHeads]


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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Night Light: Illuminating the Singapore GP night race

Filed under: Motorsports, Tech
Racing fans were excited at the announcement that Singapore would join the 2008 Formula One calendar as the series' first night race. But it's one thing to make the announcement, quite another to actually pull it off.
Lighting up a road circuit in the middle of a bustling city is not like lighting up an outdoor stadium or even an oval speedway. The track snakes along over three miles through downtown Singapore, and needs to be lit up enough to provide sufficient visibility for the drivers, spectators and television cameras, all the while minimizing glare off potentially wet surfaces. To execute the illumination, the organizers turned to Italian lighting specialists Valerio Maioli SpA, who worked up a custom lighting system just for the Singapore Grand Prix.
The system devised for the event will consist of some 1600 lighting projectors, hanging in clusters 10 meters above the surface on 240 steel pilings placed 32 meters apart from each other around the circuit and connected by over 100,000 meters of cable. The system will draw 3.18 Megawatts of electricity from 12 pairs of generators encased in sound-proof containers, each with its own engineer on standby in case anything should go wrong. Although the run-off areas will be illuminated as well, the lighting will be dimmer than the track surface to avoid confusion for the drivers. That's a pretty impressive system, which all in all will be four times brighter than the lighting in an ordinary stadium.
[Source: GrandPrix.com]


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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Rumormill: Volvo rethinking, shifting focus to wagons

Filed under: Wagons/Estates, Volvo

Volvo has been trying its darnedest to reinvent itself, but the Swedish automaker is finding it can't escape its own image. Rather than trying to fight it, then, emerging reports suggest that the company will go with the flow while refocusing its model line-up to include more wagons, which already account for some two thirds of its languishing sales.
Among the new models Volvo is reportedly preparing is the V30, a sport-wagon aimed at the Audi A3. Expected to be a little taller and longer than the A3 Sportback, the V30 could incorporate the kind of flexible seating layouts we've seen in minivans, but in a smaller, more upscale package. Based on the European Focus platform, the V30 would slot in above the C30 sport-hatch to where the S40 and V50 fit currently. Those models, meanwhile, would grow slightly larger to take on the likes of the BMW 3-Series, but smaller than Volvo's own next-gen S60 and V70. An XC30 off-road version would likely also fall into the mix, with all-wheel-drive, higher road clearance and more rugged body-cladding.
Gothenburg (home to Volvo's headquarters, not Batman's Swedish cousin) is also tipped to be considering replacing the flagship S80 sedan with a new range-topping V100 wagon, as well as a Smart-style city-car and electric powertrain packages. One way or another, Volvo needs to find its niche and run with it, or it could find itself up for sale like its erstwhile Ford Europe/PAG sister companies Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover.
[Source: Autocar]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: VIDEO: NBC releases 2-minute Knight Rider preview

Filed under: Etc., Videos

click above image to view 2-minute Knight Rider preview video

We've claimed from the beginning that the new Knight Rider TV series is going to suck, and while we still believe that this is a not brand that'll hold up well to being updated, a new commercial on NBC at least gives us hope. Being nearly two minutes long, this new spot is more like a mini behind-the-scenes documentary in which the writer/producer of the show explains a few things and we're introduced to the new Michael Knight played by some ex-soap star named Justin Bruening. Bruening explains to the camera that his new series is not a remake, it's "a sequel of the original series." Well, sequels are always better than the original right? Follow the jump to view the video in full that contains a number of actual scenes from the upcoming 2-hour movie premiere. You can also check out the previously released 15-second and 30-second spots. Thanks for the tip, Phil!

[Source: YouTube]Continue reading VIDEO: NBC releases 2-minute Knight Rider preview

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Detroit 2008: MINI to bring diesel option to the US?

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Minivans/MPVs, Green, Hatchbacks, MINI

click above for more high-res images of the 2008 MINI Cooper D Clubman

The car you see above is the MINI Cooper D Clubman. That's "D" as in "Diesel". The diminutive brand owned by BMW offers a diesel engine in Europe, but to date has not in the U.S. We believe that MINI may correct this at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week. Our guess is based on a press release issued by MINI today that, while saying very little about its plan for the Detroit show other than the Clubman and Clubman S would be present, included images of a left-hand-drive Cooper D Clubman. The press release also mentions that a talking point at MINI's press conference will be "More Driving Pleasure, Less Fuel Consumption: The new MINI in the 2008 Model Year". Couple that with parent company BMW's announcement of two new models for the U.S. market that will be powered by diesel engines, the X5 xDrive35d and the 335d, and it begins to look like MINI will follow suit with a diesel of its own. Of course, MINI has not confirmed this so it's pure speculation on our part, but we wouldn't be surprised to see a Cooper Clubman D burning oil in Detroit next week.

[Source: MINI]
Gallery: 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman D


Gallery: 2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman

Continue reading Detroit 2008: MINI to bring diesel option to the US?

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: In The Autoblog Garage: Lexus LS460L

Filed under: Garage, Sedans/Saloons, Lexus

click above image for a high-resolution gallery of the Lexus LS460L

It's tough to pity Lexus LS owners. After all, Executive-Class luxury sedans don't exactly suck. We wouldn't blame LS drivers for feeling pangs of over-inconspicuousness whenever they see a Camry, though. Understated luxury is one thing, but when you're devoting something like two years of the average worker bee's salary to a frivolity such as a luxury sedan, it'd be nice to have at least some indication to the Serfs that you're the better man.

"Look at Me!" posturing is not what we have in mind. There are Lamborghinis and Excaliburs for that sort of disgusting bourgeois putrefaction. Exuding a bouquet of fine taste, class and craftsmanship shouldn't be out of the question for a car such as the LS, however. The LS 460L we drove failed to portray itself as what it aspires to be; the n&eacute; plus ultra shark in the S-Class pool. Spend a few more seconds looking and the sheer size of the big Lexus sinks in, but gosh, from 30 feet away you need to concentrate to see something more than a Camry (or the new Hyundai Genesis for that matter).
Gallery: Lexus LS460L


All photos (C)2007 Dan Roth / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading In The Autoblog Garage: Lexus LS460L

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Ford named "Pet Friendliest Automaker", gets a treat

Filed under: Etc., Ford

Ford has been named by radio station DogCatRadio as the "Pet Friendliest Automaker" in town, a distinction that it earned for a lineup of safe vehicles that are spacious, fuel efficient, affordable and have plenty of "creature comforts"... buh-dump ching. The Ford Taurus X, in particular, was singled out as being the best transporter. We're not really sure what makes a car "pet friendly", as many attributes cited of the Taurus X are also offered by its competitors. And while Ford does have more five-star crash test ratings than any other brand, do the passive and active safety features on its vehicles take into account those that take a shower with their tongues and greet strangers with a friendly butt sniff? We don't know about you, but we've never seen a Dachshund crash test dummy used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nevertheless, this radio station based in L.A. thinks that Fords are the pet friendliest, and as a reward we'll feed it some human tonight during dinner.

[Source: DogCatRadio.com]
Gallery: 2008 Ford Taurus X

Continue reading Ford named "Pet Friendliest Automaker", gets a treat

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Ford Fiesta gets Mountuned in the UK

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Euro, Hatchbacks, Ford, UK

Click the image above for a gallery of high-res pics of the Ford Fiesta Mountune.

While most enthusiasts look to the Focus RS as the definitive forbidden fruit from Ford, the Fiesta stands as another product in the compact arena that will do wonders for Ford in the U.S. when it arrives here, possibly as the Verve, in the near future. Ford is upping the ante abroad, however, with help from Roush, owners of the Mountune Racing brand over there, by offering staged performance packages for the Fiesta ST that boost output while carrying a warranty of up to three years or 36,000 miles.

The Stage 1 setup is comprised of a whole new breathing and expelling system that includes an air intake, tubular exhaust manifold, high-flow cat and cat-back exhaust, and retails for &pound;1,435 (not including installation). All those mods bring output up to 165 PS (163 hp), but if you choose to go for the Stage 2 system, you'll get new camshafts, valve springs and over 180 hp, all for &pound;1,838.

[Source: Ford]
Gallery: Ford Fiesta ST Mountune

Continue reading Ford Fiesta gets Mountuned in the UK

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: VIDEO: EcoBoost-equipped Taurus drag races Cadillac and BMW

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Green, Videos, Ford

Though we already miss the Twin-Force name, Ford's newly minted family of turbocharged, direct-inject EcoBoost engines has our curiosity piqued. The first application of an EcoBoost engine will be the twin-turbocharged, direct-inject 3.5L V6 available in the 2009 Lincoln MKS. Ford claims it will produce an estimated 340+ horsepower and 340 ft-lb of torque, so even thought it may be down a couple cylinders on the competition, it will clearly be competitive.

Autoblog reader Joshua found this video on YouTube that demonstrates just how competitive this engine will be. Fast forward to about 6:54 and you'll see Ford engineers take a Taurus mule fitted with the EcoBoost 3.5L V6 and drag race it against a Cadillac STS and BMW 3-Series. We're not entirely sure which engines were powering the competition, but if it were a fair fight than the Cadillac would be fitted with the 320-hp 4.6L Northstar V8 and the BMW with its 300-hp twin-turbo 3.0L inline-six. The Taurus mule has more power of course, but we thought the lighter BMW stood a chance. Apparently not, as after they leave the line and the Taurus exhibits some serious squat, it begins to pull away decisively from the other two.

Now, shoehorn that twin-turbo 3.5L V6 into an all-wheel-drive Fusion. We want SHO, we want SHO!

[Source: YouTube]
Gallery: Ford EcoBoost GDTI engines

Continue reading VIDEO: EcoBoost-equipped Taurus drag races Cadillac and BMW

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Geneva Preview: 2008 Skoda Superb

Filed under: Euro

Click on the image to view in high-resolution
In advance of its public unveiling at the Geneva show in March, and after releasing a teaser photo, Volkswagen's Czech subsidiary Skoda has additional photos and details on its upcoming new flagship.
The aptly-named Superb is based on the Volkswagen Passat platform, though stretched out to offer more space. Its range of features includes direction-changing headlights, a new electronic climate control system, and automatic parking assist. Compared with the model it replaces, the new Superb grows another 35mm longer and 18mm wider, but hunkers down 8mm lower and shrinks in wheelbase by 42mm, actually increasing the overhangs contrary to industry trends.
The Superb also wears its own unique bodywork and badging, but like all top-of-the-line Czech models, the best view is around back where the Skoda features a useful hatchback setup. Motivation comes from a range of six engine options - three gasoline and three diesels - topping out with a 260-hp 3.2-liter V6. A five- or six-speed manual will come standard depending on which engine is chosen, but the Superb will also have an available DSG twin-clutch transmission option.
Although the new Superb doesn't come across as the most exciting thing goin' down in Switzerland this coming March, it appears Skoda put together a surprisingly good package.
[Source: Skoda]
Gallery: 2008 Skoda Superb


Continue reading Geneva Preview: 2008 Skoda Superb

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Cadillac CTS earns IIHS' Top Safety Pick

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Safety, Cadillac

The new Cadillac CTS has been snatching up awards and garnering praise since its launch last year, and now its got another trophy to place on its shelf. After the IIHS wrapped up its battery of batterings, the CTS joined the Institute's list of Top Safety Picks for 2008. Cadillac's entry-level sports sedan is sitting at the table with the Volvo S80, Saab 9-3, Audi A4 and A6 as another vehicle to receive the highest rating issued by the Institute after enduring front, side and rear crash tests, along with being equipped with electronic stability control.

The IIHS' full press release is posted after the jump.Continue reading Cadillac CTS earns IIHS' Top Safety Pick

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: VIDEO: Sneak peek at production Chevy Volt

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Videos, Chevrolet, GM

Very few vehicles have received the level of attention the Chevy Volt has been given, and we're still nearly three years before production begins. The reason for all the press is obvious. If GM can produce what they're promising with the Volt, with plug-in power and the ability to drive 40 miles on electricity alone, it'll be a game changer. The local Detroit NBC affiliate got access to the Volt design studio and brought their cameras with them. During the two minute piece, we're given a quick peek at the more rounded front end of the production model. You can see a headlight, a curvier bumper and little else, but it's enough to show that GM is on the right track. Hit the jump to view the video.

Thanks for the tip, Tony!Continue reading VIDEO: Sneak peek at production Chevy Volt

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: More buyouts for Chrysler plant workers

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, UAW/Unions

Car sales in the US are down, which is bad news for everybody in the industry, but Chrysler is among the automakers struggling most. To adjust factory production to lower demand, the Pentastar was preparing to lay off up to 5,000 workers when it cut shifts at several plants. Instead, to keep good will with the UAW while also slimming down the blue-collar payroll, the Auburn Hills, MI-based automaker is offering buyouts to union members from Jefferson North, Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois, Toledo North Assembly, Sterling Heights Assembly, and Brampton Assembly in Ontario.

According to the Detroit News, UAW workers with at least 30 years on the job will get $70,000, plus full retirement benefits, and those with at least one year of service can opt to receive a $100,000 lump sum buyout option with six months of health care. Chrysler is hoping the packages will delete all 5,000 jobs through attrition alone, which will save the automaker from paying laid-off workers 90-percent of their wage for 48 weeks. The packages are part of Chrysler's plan to shed 8,500 to 10,000 blue collar jobs as part of the company's latest restructuring.

[Source: Detroit News]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: VIDEO: Steven Colbert smitten with GM's driverless car

Filed under: Etc., Videos, GM


Steven Colbert has triumphantly returned to his nightly tirades after being off the air for over two months because of the Writer's Guild strike. The faux conservative commentator's comeback happened on Monday, but last night, Colbert weighed in on the General's announcement that it's developing a vehicle that takes those pesky driving duties away from the person behind the wheel. Colbert opines that The Boss might be the answer to his dreams of catching up on TIVOed Oprah episodes or sending a scathing email to the New York Times editorial department while barreling along at 80 mph. More importantly, Colbert questions that if a car can drive itself, why can't they develop a TV show that writes itself? All the truthiness is available in the video after the jump.Continue reading VIDEO: Steven Colbert smitten with GM's driverless car

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Chevy looking to sell a pickup smaller than Colorado?

Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Chevrolet


The Chevrolet Colorado hasn't been much of a sales success recently. Despite competing in what many feel is an untapped market, the Colorado's sales numbers in 2007 slipped by almost 20% compared to 2006. The solution? Possibly offering a truck below the Colorado in size that combines a small footprint with a fuel-efficient engine.

Mike Levine over at Pickuptruck.com sat down with Chevy's General Manager, Ed Peper, and asked if there's a market for a vehicle similar to the Toyota A-BAT concept bound for Detroit. Peper thinks its might be feasible in the future. What form it could take is open to debate, but Levine maintains that if it slots in below the Colorado, it might as well carry a New Mexico badge.

[Source: Pickuptruck.com]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: VIDEO: Battle Royale between new and old Evos, Imprezas

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Videos, Mitsubishi, Subaru


Best Motoring's Tsukuba shootouts regularly put all the others to shame. Sure, they might lack some of the high-dollar production quality of other motoring shows, but they make up for it with mesmerizing track sessions and entertaining commentary. Case in point, in the recent edition of the Japanese-language video series, they've pitted the new Subaru Impreza WRX STI against the Mitsubishi Evolution X with the five-speed gearbox. But to make it even more interesting, they included the SST-equipped version of the Evo X, an Evo IX MR GSR and the last generation WRX STI. The video shows where each vehicle accels and falters, with a few choice gems coming from the drivers like, "Ohhhh, undudasteero!" and "sido-by-sido."

The results may be surprising, but we won't spoil the ending. Check the video after the jump.

Thanks for the tip Ovidio!

[Source: YouTube via Zercustoms]Continue reading VIDEO: Battle Royale between new and old Evos, Imprezas

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: VIDEO: Porsche Cayenne GTS "Bloodlines" commercial

Filed under: Sports/GTs, SUVs, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Porsche


It's been a while -- 2 years, apparently -- since Porsche's last television commercial, but with the arrival of this season's NFL playoffs comes a new spot from Stuttgart. The advertised vehicle is the Cayenne GTS. The GTS, in case you forgot, was revealed in Frankfurt last year, and with its 405-horsepower V8, it fills the gap between the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo. In the commercial, the GTS driver goes to investigate some sort of Porsche urban legend. He pilots the SUV into the hills, parks overlooking the city, revs his engine, and waits to see what happens. Learn along with him after the jump.

[Source: Porsche via YouTube]
Gallery: 2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS

Continue reading VIDEO: Porsche Cayenne GTS "Bloodlines" commercial

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