Porsche News and Press Releases

The new Porsche 911 Carrera has only been on the market since December 2011, yet the sports car is now already being feted by auto motor und sport readers as the best vehicle in its class

Latterly the 911 won over the jury of the British consumer motoring magazine What Car?. They voted it Performance Car of the Year.

Matthias Muller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, accepted the prize for the Porsche 911 Carrera in Stuttgart from the hands of Bernd Ostmann, auto motor und sport editor-in-chief.

More than 116,000 readers in Germany took part in the poll. In all, there was a choice of 311 vehicles in ten classes. The Porsche 911 Carrera won the sports car category by a large margin over its competitors.

TV dates for the Carrera Cup (inc Nurburgring) in December are:

Tuesday 13 December at 5pm on ITV4

Saturday 17 December at 7.55am on ITV4

Monday 19 December at 2.05am on ITV1

Stuttgart. At 48, the Porsche 911 Carrera is younger than ever: The completely redesigned generation of the sports car icon is stepping into the limelight with its flat, stretched silhouette, exciting contours and precisely designed details, yet from the very first glance it remains unmistakably a 911. True to the 911 tradition, the distinctive Porsche design language with its tendons and muscles exudes power and elegance.

The 100 millimetre longer wheelbase and reduced height combined with the up to 20-inch wheels underpin the athletic appearance. At the same time, the typical sports car compact exterior dimensions were retained. Seen from the front, the eye is drawn to the 911’s trademark wide-arched wings. They emphasise the wider front track, so that the new 911 Carrera models sit even more solidly on the road. The remodelled exterior mirrors are accommodated on the upper edge of the door and not as before on the mirror triangle. Not only is this aerodynamically advantageous, it also emphasises the new design line and visual impression of width.

The all-new, lightweight body is an intelligent aluminium-steel construction. It is responsible for a significant proportion of the weight reduction of up to 45 kilograms. Combined with significantly greater rigidity. Aerodynamic optimisation including a wider, variably extending rear spoiler enabled the new 911 Carrera’s lift to be reduced yet further while retaining a very good Cd value.

To complement the modern exterior design, the Porsche designers created an interior, the architecture of which takes its cue from the Porsche Carrera GT. The driver is now even more closely integrated with the cockpit thanks to the centre console rising up to the front with the high-mounted shift lever or gear selector located especially close to the steering wheel in typical motorsport fashion. Classic Porsche elements are also to be found inside, as they are on the outside: the instrument cluster with five round instruments one of them a high resolution multifunction screen, the central rev counter and the ignition lock to the left of the steering wheel.

The new 911 doesn’t just offer better longitudinal dynamics, however, but top performance at an unprecedented level in terms of transverse dynamics as well. In addition to the longer wheelbase, the greater agility, precision and driving stability are based, among other things, on the wider front track, the new rear axle and new electro-mechanical power steering. Depending on the model, there are other standard or optional active control systems available as well that further enhance the driving dynamics. That is especially true for the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilisation system, available for the first time on the 911 Carrera S. For example, the system reduces lateral inclination when cornering, the tyres always being in the optimal position relative to the road surface and able to transmit higher lateral forces. Maximum cornering speeds are increased; even faster lap times on racing circuits are possible.

It has therefore been possible in the new model to extend yet further the span of apparently contradictory attributes such as performance and efficiency, sportiness and everyday practicality that has always typified the Porsche 911. That makes the 911 Carrera more of a 911 than ever. The new Porsche 911 Carrera celebrates its world premiere at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. The launch of the new 911 models gets under way on 3 December 2011, the new cars can be orderd from September 1st. Prices in Germany are 88,038 euro for the 911 Carrera and 102,436 euro for the 911 Carrera S, including 19 per cent VAT and market-specific equipment.

Stuttgart. In the first half of 2011, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, further improved the company’s earnings, generating an operating profit of 1.07 billion euro. This compares with 675 million euro in the corresponding period of 2010. Compared with the corresponding period of 2010, revenue in the first six months of the current fiscal year increased by 18.9 per cent to reach 5.22 billion euro. Sales increased by 26.3 per cent to 56,272 vehicles. Customer deliveries rose 36.8 per cent to 60,659 vehicles. Matthias Mueller, the Chairman of the Board of Management, explained the strong growth: Thanks to its very attractive model offering, Porsche AG is able to benefit from the global high demand for sports cars in the premium segment. The Porsche AG CEO confirmed that the company is aiming to set a new sales record of more than 100,000 vehicles in the 2011 fiscal year.

Lutz Meschke, Porsche AG’s Chief Financial Officer, emphasised the high liquidity inflow in the first half of 2011. We were able to finance all investments from our cash flow, said Meschke. This is attributable to our high earnings and Porsche AG’s very healthy cost structure. Future vehicle projects are also expected to be financed using our cash flow, he emphasised. With an eye to the full 2011 fiscal year, Porsche AG’s Chief Financial Officer said that the target of achieving high operating return on sales was expected to continue unchanged. This underlines our aspiration to remain one of the most profitable car manufacturers in the world.

The 26.3 per cent increase in the first half of the year sales illustrates the Cayenne’s major market success. With 28,405 vehicles sold, the model series managed to more than double its sales between January and June 2011 compared with the corresponding period of 2010. And with almost 2,000 units of the Cayenne S Hybrid vehicle sold, Porsche AG outsold its competitors in the large hybrid drive SUV segment. The Panamera achieved sales of 11,567 vehicles (down 3.2 per cent). In August 2011, Porsche AG will be extending its offering in this model series with the Panamera Diesel. Sports car sales remained at a high level despite an impending model change. Out of a total of 16,300 vehicles sold (down 12.1 per cent), 10,101 vehicles were accounted for by the 911, 3,860 by the Boxster, and 2,339 by the Cayman.

Porsche AG managed to grow in every important region in the first half of the year. The increase in sales was strongest in China, which posted growth of 47.1 per cent compared with the corresponding period of 2010, to reach 11,712 vehicles. Total sales in the Asia/Rest of the World region rose by 43.7 per cent to 20,400 vehicles. Growth in Europe reached 10.5 per cent; of the 18,853 vehicles sold, 6,734 units were accounted for by the German market (up 0.9 per cent). Compared with the corresponding period of 2010, sales in America increased by 27.9 per cent to 17,019 vehicles, with North America alone accounting for 15,466 units (up 25.1 per cent).

64,951 vehicles were produced (up 45.8 per cent) of which 31,661 units were accounted for by the Cayenne, 13,933 vehicles by the Panamera and 19,357 units by the sports cars. Employee numbers were slightly up: 13,908 employees on 30 June 2011 meant an increase of 5.7 per cent compared with 31 December 2010.

American customers have awarded top marks to Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, for the seventh time in succession: according to the latest study entitled Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study (APEAL) by J.D. Power and Associates, the renowned American market research institute, Porsche is still the most attractive car brand in the USA.

In regard to vehicle rating, the Cayenne SUV took first place in its segment. The Porsche 911 also gained the most points in its class. The overall ranking is calculated from ten different categories, including driving dynamics and design, but also suitability for daily use and comfort of the vehicles. This years survey is based on the information from around 73,000 new car buyers regarding a total of 234 different models which were registered between November 2010 and February 2011.

This outstanding result from the American market researchers is especially significant for the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer: North America is traditionally the worlds most important market for Porsche.

Stuttgart/Leipzig. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is girding itself for tomorrows challenges with a forward-looking quality strategy. The growth in vehicle production, an increasingly diverse model range and technical complexity, innovative drive concepts and discerning customers individual expectations of premium sports cars require the continuous development of all quality criteria. That is the goal of the international quality conference for which 150 experts from the sports car manufacturers development, production, purchasing and worldwide sales areas are meeting at Porsches ultramodern Leipzig plant.

The degree of transparency of our customised lean production processes is one of the primary guarantors of our sporty vehicles extraordinary product quality, said Wolfgang Leimgruber, Porsche AG Board of Management Member for Production and Logistics. Porsche production methods are constantly being refined within a continuous improvement process, collectively by all employees. They are held up as an example in expert circles worldwide and are even transferable to totally different industries. Mr Leimgruber said: The highly efficient Porsche principle gives us the flexibility to deliver on our customers many and varied individual equipment preferences while at the same time not merely maintaining quality levels but enhancing them. This cannot be taken for granted in the industry.

The Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer does however depend on reliable partners. The only way in which we can reliably achieve our objectives is if we and our suppliers adhere to the same jointly determined rigorous principles. That is why we believe in long-term partners we can cultivate and develop close ties with. At the end of the day quality does not stop at the factory gate, explains Mr Leimgruber.

Dr. Stefan Knirsch, Director of the Corporate Quality department is pursuing a holistic approach with his strategy: For us a perfect and fascinating product goes without saying. But that is far from being the whole story. Of all people, customers who purchase a high value vehicle expect premium quality in all aspects. Only if each customer care experience is perfect; before, during and very long after purchase as well, can brand quality achieve its full credibility.

This is why Knirsch rigorously ties all parts of the company into a quality concept with uniform standards and objectives. He does though value individual solutions when it comes to delivery: We engage with our customers different cultural needs with an empathy that rivals the precision with which, for example, we tailor our sports cars to extreme climatic differences in our more than 110 markets around the world. That too is quality.

In only his fourth weekend racing a Porsche, Stephen Liquorish is competing in the biggest Porsche race in history on the most demanding race track in the world, the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

As a contender in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Liquorish is racing in this weekends Porsche Carrera World Cup as one of 100 drivers tackling the 14-mile challenge of the famous Nordschleife. But not long ago, Stephen was taking part in Porsche Club GB track days.

To race on the monster challenge of the Nordschleife, with 88 corners on every lap, was Stephens major ambition for 2011 and this weekend he is realising a life ambition. Id never been here before I thought it would be brilliant to do it and a big life tick. I came and did a track day a couple of months ago in my GT3 RS road car. It was hard enough doing a track day, let alone racing a Cup car!

Stephen has now enlisted the backing of Team Parker Racing to prepare the car and that has allowed him to concentrate on driving. There was so much for me to learn in the car. Joining Team Parker Racing has allowed me to focus on my own driving. That just makes the whole experience much more enjoyable. This is my fourth weekend in the car and Im really enjoying it. Without a doubt Im glad I made the change to the Porsche. Now its about getting the best out of me!

The highly succesful Porsche Buying Guide has been extensively updated. The major GUI improvements now enable simple, clean and rapid navigation through the multiple levels of help.

With no Internet connection needed, Porsche Buying Guide is the ideal companion when searching dealers' yards for the Porsche of your dreams!

Porsche Buying Guide is just one of a family of Porsche Apps for the iPhone, iPod and iPad. The full set can be seen here.

Euan Hankey was the absolute hero of the day in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at the Nurburgring Nordschleife today (Thursday 23 June) during testing ahead of round nine of the championship.

With a mighty performance on the toughest race track in the world, Hankey (Parker with Juta) belied his inexperience of the German venue to not only top the Carrera Cup GB field but also post eighth fastest time overall within the 100-strong field for the Porsche Carrera World Cup. Even though he has only raced at the Nordschleife once before, Hankey was the only driver from outside the Porsche Supercup and Carrera Cup Germany runners to feature in the top 10 times. He ended the session ahead of established Porsche and Nurburgring aces like Patrick Huisman, Nick Tandy and Jeroen Bleekemolen.

The Porsche Carrera World Cup is the biggest single-make Porsche race ever held, with 100 cars from Europe including 21 cars from the Carrera Cup GB and GT3 Cup Challenge. It was a fabulous sight as James Sutton headed 100 911 GT3 Cup cars out of the Formula 1 paddock onto the Grand Prix circuit at the start of testing. The race on Saturday morning will run over six laps of the daunting 14-mile Nordschleife circuit.

Stirling may have retired from competitive racing at Le Mans. However, he will still be on the Hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (1st -3rd July) to demonstrate his own Porsche RS 61 in the racing livery of his 1961 Targa Florio CAMORADI Porsche, complete with its very visible Yellow nose, that he shared with Graham Hill.

Stirling will drive the RS 61 up the Hill on both Saturday, 2nd July, and Sunday, 3rd July, in batch 5, class 21, Classic Endurance racers. He is also due to drive the Ferguson P99, once on Saturday and once on Sunday, in batch 1, Class 3, front-engined Grand Prix cars.

The biggest challenge in the history of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB awaits the drivers as the series heads to the Nurburgring Nordschleife for round nine of the championship during the Porsche Carrera World Cup (Saturday 25 June).

This record-breaking race will present Carrera Cup GB racers with the chance to tackle the track that is widely-regarded as the finest and most daunting in the world, with 88 corners packed into 14 miles of twisting track in the Eifel Mountains in Germany. To race on the Nordschleife is the dream of many drivers and the Carrera Cup racers will tackle a six-lap, 85-mile race on Saturday in the build up to the annual Nurburgring 24-hour race.

The Nordschleife is a track that rewards experience and from the Carrera Cup GB ranks it is Tim Harvey (Nationwide/Motorbase) who stands out as having the greatest knowledge of this remarkable race track. That level of prior track knowledge marks Harvey as a pre-race favourite, but over recent weeks the leading title contenders have all been gaining experience of the Nordschleife and a final round of familiaristion training is taking place this week.

Heading to Germany with a handy points' lead is James Sutton (SAS/Redline), who has a 20-point margin over team mate Michael Meadows. However, it is far too early for Sutton to be thinking about a second Carrera Cup title and his aim for the Nurburgring is another strong points' finish. Meadows, meanwhile, is having his best season to date and knows that he cannot afford to let Sutton add to his lead as the series heads into a seven-week mid-season break.

Two drivers from the Parker with Juta team are taking the fight to the SAS duo and both Stephen Jelley and Euan Hankey are determined to use the wild card of this race on the Nordschleife to peg back the points' gap. The experience of the track acquired by Stuart Parker and his team over the last decade could prove crucial in Saturday's race. Ben Hetherington (Oman Air/Redline) and Team Parker Racing's Sam Tordoff and Richard Plant are new to the track as well, but are all capable of claiming a podium place.

In Pro-Am1, Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing) is setting the pace and that is likely to continue in Germany, where he may well be right up among the pro drivers. Chasing Gelzinis are Ahmad Al Harthy (Oman Air/Redline) and Rory Butcher (Celtic Speed) and Butcher heads to Germany on the back of a stunning performance last time out in changing weather conditions at Oulton Park. With Pro-Am2 leader Andrew Shelley (Redline Racing) missing the race due to family commitments, it is George Brewster (Celtic Speed) and Keith Webster (Redline Racing) who are poised to take over the Pro-Am2 lead. Other Pro-Am2 podium contenders are Richard Denny (Parr Motorsport) and Tommy Dreelan (Celtic Speed). After qualifying at 15.25 on Friday, the Porsche Carrera World Cup will start at 11.20 on Saturday. Eurosport will carry a live TV broadcast of the race in a programme starting at 10.45 (local time).

• Pioneering Semper Vivus Lohner Porsche hybrid from 1900 makes UK debut
• SpectacularPorsche Museum cars embody the Racing Revolutions theme
• Latest Porsche supercars on the hill include 911 GT3 RS 4.0 and Panamera Turbo S
• Celebration of 60 years of Porsche in the UK
• Follow Porsche Origin for latest Goodwood news and action on-line

Porsche will once again showcase an exciting array of new, iconic and historic models at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, 30 June - 3 July. The 2011 Festival’s chosen theme is Racing Revolutions – Quantum leaps that shaped motorsport, a perfect fit for Porsche given its reputation for race-bred engineering innovation.

Porsche highlights at the Festival

Over 100 years ago, company founder Ferdinand Porsche was working on hybrid automobile technologies and the Semper Vivus (‘always alive’) of 1900 – with its electric wheel hub motors and petrol engine – can claim to be the forerunner of today’s hybrid cars and makes its UK debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Porsche first applied turbocharging to the 917/30 Spyder race car in 1973 and subsequently brought this technology to the street in 1974 on the 911 Turbo. To commemorate this and many other achievements, the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart will be bringing the fearsome 1,200 hp Porsche 917/30 to Goodwood, as well as the more recent all-wheel drive turbocharged 961 from 1986. The rare 718 F2 single seater from 1960 will also be demonstrated.

These iconic models will share the spotlight with some contemporary Porsche stars. The Festival sees the debut of the 500 hp Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 in the Supercar Run alongside the ultimate turbocharged 911, the 620 hp GT2 RS. In the First Glance category, the 550 hp twin-turbo Panamera Turbo S will make its first public appearance.

The Porsche Cayenne will also be in action at the Porsche Experience Centre Goodwood area, alongside a display celebrating 60 years of Porsche in the UK as well as showcasing the current Porsche range line-up.

Porsche Museum cars – ingenuity and racing success celebrated

The name Porsche has been associated with pioneering innovations in automotive engineering since the beginning of the last century. In 1900, Ferdinand Porsche, founding father of the present-day Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, entered unchartered territory. With the first functional, full hybrid car in the world, the Semper Vivus ('always alive'), the principle of the serial hybrid drive had been born.

In a stunning four year project the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart has had the Semper Vivus recreated. This year, 111 years after this ground-breaking innovation by Ferdinand Porsche, the Semper Vivus will again drive into the limelight at Goodwood.

In the Seventies, Porsche began to explore turbocharging as a means to generate horsepower – and this research culminated in the phenomenal 917/30 Spyder in 1973.  Powered by a 5.3-litre flat-12 engine developing over 1,000 hp, the 917/30 was so successful in the American Can-Am racing series that the rules were changed at the end of the season to exclude it! Porsche factory driver Mark Donohue used the 917/30 to establish a closed-circuit speed record at the Talladega oval in Alabama – 220.98mph (355.85 km/h).

The 961 of 1986 is the only all-wheel drive Porsche ever to start at Le Mans, and was a racing version of the all-conquering 959 Rallye-Raid car. The 961 acted as a test-bed in the 24 Hours race for a flat-six, twin-turbo engine with water-cooled four-valve cylinder heads, but was fast enough to finish seventh overall and win its class.

Although indelibly associated with sports car racing, Porsche has enjoyed success at the very pinnacle of motorsport in Formula 1. In the early 1960s, Porsche developed its 718 RSK Spyder into a single-seater. Powered by a four cylinder, four camshaft ‘boxer’ engine, the 718 Formula 2 car won the equivalent of the F2 Manufacturers’ World Championship in 1960, driven by top drivers of the day including Stirling Moss, Graham Hill and Jo Bonnier. The following year, the car performed so well it was successfully used in Formula 1 races.

Latest Porsche supercars in action

The Supercar Run is a prime attraction at the Festival of Speed, showcasing the fastest and most exclusive road-going sports cars. This year’s event will mark the debut of the latest Porsche 911 GT3 RS, which arrives in UK showrooms in July. With a 500 hp 4.0-litre version of the proven Porsche flat-six engine, lower weight and a chassis optimised to an even higher standard, the new GT3 RS 4.0 can lap the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit in Germany in 7 min 27 secs.

For many years, Porsche RS models have set the foundation for homologating the racing version of the 911. The 911 GT3 RS 4.0 celebrates the unparalleled racing record of Porsche and continues the series of absolute, uncompromised, motor sport-oriented editions of the 911 that are homologated for road use and which can trace their roots back to the classic Carrera RS 2.7 of 1973.

The 911 GT2 RS is the fastest and most powerful road-going sports car ever built in the history of Porsche. With a power-to-weight ratio of 452 hp / tonne, by far the best in class, the GT2 RS marks the summit in the 911 range.

First Glance debut for Panamera Turbo S

The latest addition to the Panamera range of Gran Turismo sporting saloons, the new Turbo S offers a unique combination of performance and efficiency, driving dynamics and comfort. The 4.8-litre, V8 twin-turbocharged engine delivers 550 hp, an increase of ten per cent or 50 hp more than the Panamera Turbo. The increased performance compared with the Panamera Turbo can be attributed to two main enhancements; improved turbochargers with titanium-aluminium turbine wheels and modified engine control management.

Dynamic Cayenne demonstrations at the Porsche Experience Centre Goodwood

The driver-oriented chassis of the Porsche Cayenne has been designed to combine sports car handling on the road with the added versatility of being able to cover ground quickly, regardless of the terrain.

Visitors to the Festival of Speed will be able to experience Porsche power personally courtesy of Driving Consultants from the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone, who will be demonstrating the performance and handling of the Cayenne on a specially designed dynamics course laid out in the Porsche Experience area at Goodwood. The grass-surfaced course around which the 400 hp V8-engined Cayenne S models will power is intended to demonstrate perfectly the outstanding dynamic ability of this immensely versatile Porsche.

At selected times during the Festival, a rally-prepared 911 will also take to the dynamic stage at the Porsche Experience Centre Goodwood, underlining the broad sporting ability of the iconic coupe.

Sixty years celebration

At the 1951 Earl’s Court Motor Show, the first right-hand drive examples of the Porsche 356 made their UK debut. To celebrate the diamond jubilee of Porsche in the UK, a range of iconic Porsche road cars over the decades including an early 911 from the 1960s and the 928 GT from the 1980s will be on display at the Porsche Experience Centre Goodwood.

Look out for Porsche personalities and relax at the Café Le Mans

Porsche enthusiasts visiting Goodwood will be pleased to learn that there are many more examples of the marque, and former factory race drivers, participating in the Festival of Speed. Not least amongst these will be Richard Attwood, former F1 driver and 1970 Le Mans winner, who will be taking time out of his daily schedule as a Porsche Driving Consultant, at the Porsche Experience Centre Silverstone, to soak up the atmosphere and chat with fans.

For visitors wishing to refuel themselves, the Porsche Café Le Mans will be once more situated on the outside of the track near the footbridge, offering meals and refreshments throughout the weekend.

Follow all the Goodwood action on-line

Throughout the Festival of Speed weekend, Porsche Origin will be carrying films direct from Goodwood, along with news and updates of all the action.

Drivers from the Porsche Carrera Cup GB have completed two days of intensive training ahead of the Porsche Carrera World Cup on the Nurburgring-Nordschleife race circuit in Germany on June 25.

The Nordschleife, or 'Northern Loop', measures over 15 miles in length and is widely regarded as the most challenging track in the world. It is steeped in racing history and sits high in the Eifel Mountains, where unpredictable weather simply adds to the mighty challenge faced by the drivers and has helped inspire it to become known as the 'Green Hell'.

As part of their pre-race preparations, the participating drivers from the UK spent a day at the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone learning about the challenge of the legendary track from 2006 Nurburgring 24 Hours winner, Lucas Luhr. The group then switched to The Race Centre, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, to spend time learning more about the track's 120 corners on specialist computer simulators.

"The Nordschleife is a very special track and it is very quick," said Luhr as he talked around a lap of the circuit. "It is not like any other race track and you have to find a fluent, easy rhythm. One of the most important things is to know where the changes of surface are. It is challenging, and it is the best circuit in the world. But never underestimate the Nordschleife!"

Current Porsche Carrera Cup GB championship leader James Sutton, who before this year has never visited the Nurburgring, said it was a very useful two days. "It is a lot to take in, but it should be an incredible experience," he said. "The experience that Lucas Luhr has of the track has been really useful for us to learn from."

2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB race winners Euan Hankey and Stephen Jelly both recently visited the Nurburgring for the first time. "It is the most incredible track I've ever seen, and I just wish I'd gone there earlier. I can't wait for the race," said Hankey.

"I think it is a fantastic opportunity," said Jelley. "It's going to be very hard, but it is great to have the chance to race there."

This is the first time that the Porsche Carrera Cup GB has featured a race outside of the UK and Eire, and the Nurburgring event is the ninth round of the Championship. Twenty-two competitors from the Carrera Cup GB and the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Challenge will contest the race, which runs prior to the start of the 39th ADAC 24-hour race. It will run over a distance of six laps, approximately 95 miles, and more than 250,000 spectators are expected to watch the race.

he Porsche Carrera World Cup forms the season highlight of the 18 Porsche brand trophy series worldwide. This race counts as a round of several other national Carrera Cups, including Germany and Scandinavia. The entry for the race will be divided into two classes: the 911 GT3 Cup with 3.6-litre engines from 2007 to 2009 model years (400 to 420 hp) and the 3.8-litre versions of the 2010 and 2011 model years (450 hp).

A great honour for Craig Baird: Porsche AG has invited the world's most successful Porsche Cup pilot to contest the Porsche Carrera World Cup on 25 June on the Nurburgring-Nordschleife at the wheel of the VIP car with starting number 200. Over the course of his career, the 40-year-old New Zealander has already notched up 109 victories in Porsche one-make race series. With the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, built by Porsche Motorsport in Weissach, Baird takes up the greatest Porsche race in history against more than 100 competitors from 25 nations.

"With his skill and experience, he is the ideal person to drive our VIP car," says Uwe Brettel, Head of Motorsport Sales at Porsche AG. "More than any other driver, he embodies the customer sports philosophy of Porsche."

Craig Baird, who lives with his wife and two children on the Gold Coast of Australia, has clinched the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia title twice and the GT3 Cup Challenge New Zealand six times since 2004. At the Dubai 24 Hours of 2008 he won with a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Baird knows the Nurburgring-Nordschleife from contesting the 24 hour race there in 2006 and 2007. On his list of successes are 23 national championship titles. For his services to motorsport, he was awarded the "New Zealand Order of Merit" in 2010.

"It's a huge honour for me to be given the chance to contest this race against the world's best Porsche Cup pilots at the wheel of a Porsche AG VIP-911," says Craig Baird. "To bring the Porsche Carrera World Cup to the Nordschleife is a fantastic idea and will most certainly be an unforgettable experience for drivers and fans."

His #200 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup will also leave a lasting impression on spectators at the 'Ring. The winning racer not only impresses with his 450 hp engine output, but is also a feast for the eyes. Its design is an artistic interpretation of the Nurburgring-Nordschleife as the 'green hell' with licking flames as well as a stylised world map signalising the 25 nations from which the international grid comes to contest the greatest Porsche race on earth.

Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) today announced it will build a new headquarters in Atlanta, the city it has called home for thirteen years.

The new complex will be located in the "Aerotropolis Atlanta" development site, near the brand new International Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It will be comprised of modern office facilities for a workforce that will eventually number 400 employees, including a Technical Service and Training Center, as well as a leading-edge Customer Experience Center that will feature a handling road course to show-off the capabilities of Porsche's industry-leading vehicles

"The unparalleled nature of the Porsche ownership experience absolutely deserves an equally unique home. That is what we'll create with our new headquarters ��� a concept completely new to the U.S. automotive industry, and one that delivers our brand and product experience to our employees, dealers and customers alike," said Detlev von Platen, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America.

"Our new American headquarters will allow us to finally bring together all our major sales, after sales and financial services capacities, thus making us an even stronger organization. It also sends a strong message to our dealers and our customers that we believe in the strength of the U.S. market and its future growth," von Platen explained. "At the same time, this decision demonstrates our commitment to the State of Georgia and the City of Atlanta to remain a vital part of this vibrant region."

The decision to stay in Atlanta was the result of a thorough, more than one-year long search and evaluation process that spanned metropolitan Atlanta and several out-of-state sites. The new headquarters will not only be home to PCNA, but also to Porsche Financial Services, Inc., and Porsche Business Services, Inc. which are both currently located in Lisle, Illinois. Other Porsche businesses will also be included, building a solid foundation for further expansion of Porsche's largest market worldwide.

"We welcome the entire Porsche team to Atlanta's newest corporate center, the innovative Aerotropolis complex," said Kasim Reed, the mayor of Atlanta. "Porsche's decision to reinforce its roots and grow its next-generation U.S. headquarters here is a testament to the vitality and vibrancy of our city and an exciting addition to the many iconic brands that also call Atlanta home. The Porsche crest will be a perfect welcome sign to greet the hundreds of thousands of visitors and guests that land each day at the world's busiest airport in Atlanta."

"There's no better place to live, work and play than Georgia," stated Nathan Deal, Governor of Georgia. "As a 13-year corporate citizen of our great state, Georgia-based Porsche employees already know that once you have 'Georgia on Your Mind' it is impossible to let go. Now we look forward to extending our famous Southern hospitality to the entire Porsche team; and to adding an incredible new destination to Georgia's list of 'must-see' places."

With over 25,000 cars sold in 2010, PCNA finished last year up 33 percent over the previous year. With its new headquarters, a dedicated, passionate employee and dealer body, and a strong line-up of iconic sports cars, a brand new generation of Cayenne SUVs and the latest addition to the brand, the Panamera Gran Turismo, Porsche is poised for continued success in the United States.