Down Shift Magazine

What do you think will be the final price when the auction hammer falls on this very rare Porsche?

In just a few days one of the original Porsche 959 factory prototypes will come across the Barrett-Jackson auction block in Scottsdale. Said to be one of only four surviving prototypes and one of only two running survivors this is among the rarest of the rare when it comes to Porsche sports cars.

Rare Porsche 959 factory prototype to go up for auction with Barrett-Jackson in early 2013.

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In A Greener More Energy Efficient Tomorrow What About Performance?

An Electric GT-R? Really? Carlos Tavares, recently promoted to COO of Renault, hinted at as much at the 2011 New York auto show. “Of course, it’s going to be zero emissions.”

The Leaf NISMO RC marries a Leaf’s lithium-ion battery pack and 80-kW, 107-hp AC synchronous motor to a unique chassis that features body panels and a monocoque rendered in carbon fiber. The curb weight is a claimed 2068 pounds, some 40 percent lighter than a standard Leaf. Bride Racing seats, a pair of safety harnesses, a giant wing, and 18-inch aluminum wheels complete the illusion. The end result hits 62 mph in a claimed 6.9 seconds, has a top speed of 93 mph, and makes the ordinary Leaf look as sexy as a moldy Big Mac.

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Porsche’s big unveil at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show was the all-new third-generation version of its Cayman sports car. The new coupe packs extra Porsche punch in terms of styling, content and performance.

Ask some people what they think of the Porsche Cayman, and they’ll tell you it’s a girls car. Or a car for dentists who carry handbags and worry too much about their golf handicap. We disagree.

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The #46 Thiret TDS Racing Oreca 03 Nissan edges through a corner just ahead of the #67 IMSA Performance Matmut Porsche 911 GT3 RSR at this years pivotal Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.

The TDS Racing Oreca-Nissan piloted by Mathias Beche, Pierre Thiriet and Christophe Tinseau finished in third.

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We continue our American “Kit-Car” theme this week by taking  a minute to appreciate the amazingly simplistic and authentic BECK Speedster.

The Beck Speedster® comes standard with a full leather interior, including the dash, inside door panels, seats, gauge cluster, gear shifter, and emergency brake boot. The leather hides are carefully selected from brazilian leather to ensure years of durability and comfort. | Click to Enlarge – 1920×1200

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It’s one of those love it or hate it sorts of cars but there is no denying it’s place at the top of the fast sedan food chain; long live the Porsche Panamera Turbo S.

2011 was a big year for the Porsche Panamera family, adding the S Hybrid, Diesel, Turbo S and GTS variants to the broad reaching model lineup. | Click to Enlarge – 1920×1200

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A great year for ALMS fans is upon us with Audi having returned to victory at Sebring International Raceway for the first time since 2009 with a convincing victory in the 60th Anniversary Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Aston Martin Racing's ferocious Vantage V8 finished 34th overall and 16th in the GT classes at this year's 12 Hours of Sebring. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

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Today on this first “Throwback Friday” of April we take a solemn moment to commemorate the life, times and achievements of Ferdinand Alexander Porsche and his most excellent gift to automotive enthusiasts of the world; the Porsche 911.  Ferdinand Alexander Porsche - December 11th, 1935 – April 5th, 2012

While his grandfather and father were engineers, he was more involved into working out the looks of a product. He never thought of himself as an artist like a designer could be considered, but more as a technically talented craftsman in shaping. Seen here with his 1968 Porsche 911 Coupé (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

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