Porsche at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Porsche today again offered proof of the company's strong commitment to the U.S. market with the announcement of a new Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles, to be built in nearby Carson, California. In addition to unveiling the plans for the 51-acre vehicle and human performance training complex, Porsche also introduced two new sports cars destined to become favorites for drivers at the Experience Center – the race-bred 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS and the seventh-generation 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111116/CL08090-a )
(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111116/CL08090-b )

Porsche Performance Center Los Angeles Joins Silverstone, Leipzig, Beijing and Atlanta

The new West Coast location will be situated near the intersection of two major Los Angeles area traffic arteries, the 405 and 110 Freeways, is just minutes from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and is basically in the heart of Southern California, Porsche's largest market in the United States. Groundbreaking is anticipated for summer 2012.

"Helping enthusiasts feel and connect with their vehicle's full potential through intelligent engineering has always been a part of the Porsche philosophy," said Detlev von Platen, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. "Now, we are excited to turn dreams into reality for all driving enthusiasts by creating a safe, exhilarating environment for experiencing the pleasure of being in the driver's seat."

The centerpiece of the complex will be a world-class test track and handling course, including areas where special surfaces replicate rain, ice, and snow conditions. These training sections include the Ice Hill, where a steep slope, computer-controlled water jets, and a low-friction surface will challenge even the most experienced drivers and help them improve their real-world skills. A special off-road area will combine 45-degree declines and ascents – ideal terrain for unleashing a Porsche Cayenne.

The Porsche Driving Experience isn't just for adults – special programs for kids will ensure that even young enthusiasts get an early start in the art of automobile appreciation. Facilities, including track access, dining and conference spaces, will also be open to car clubs, corporate clients, and other special groups.

In addition to vehicle-based activities, the Porsche Experience Center will also offer programs focused on maximizing personal fitness, wellness, and athletic performance through its Porsche Human Performance Center. This unique facility will feature a leading sports science laboratory and training programs, incorporating the latest techniques used in preparing Porsche race car drivers.

The Porsche Experience Center will not just be for those who drive the track. The facility is designed for the whole family, offering a Porsche Cafe and gift shop along with plenty of trackside viewing areas. Additional fine dining facilities will be available for business meetings and events.

Panamera GTS Makes its World Debut in Los Angeles

The Panamera GTS is the purest expression of a sports sedan in the Porsche family with a clear focus on performance. The new Panamera GTS is based on the Panamera 4S and includes more power, upgraded brakes and a body lowered by ten millimeters with new sportier chassis tuning coupled to air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). These technical modifications make the Panamera model even more capable of cutting it on the race track without sacrificing practicality. The sportiest of all Panamera models also conveys this to occupants and the outside world by its striking sound. In terms of looks, the new Panamera GTS includes distinctive design features at the front, side and rear as well as black highlights. The interior is also tailored to its sporty personality with adaptive sports seats, SportDesign steering wheel with shift paddles and exclusive GTS leather interior with Alcantara surfaces.

The Panamera GTS powered by a modified 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine, delivering 430 hp at 6,700 rpm, increasing the output over the Panamera S/4S by 30 hp. The maximum torque also increases by comparison, from 369 to 384 lb. ft. At the push of a button, thanks to the standard Sport Chrono package, the 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission transmits the engine output to the all-wheel drive system during gear changes without interruption to the power flow. This collaboration enables the Panamera GTS to sprint to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, accelerating on to its top track speed of 178 mph.

The GTS is equipped with the latest Porsche dynamic driving dynamic control systems, including adaptive air suspension including Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). This system constantly calibrates settings to suit specific driving challenges, from regulating leveling, height and spring rate to electronic damping. With the suspension set at "Normal," the GTS sits an aggressive ten millimeters lower than any other Panamera model.

The distinctive sound of a Porsche engine is music to any enthusiasts' ears, and the Panamera GTS adds a new dimension for appreciating the GTS's aural charm at the push of a button. The Porsche Sound Symposer is an acoustic channel that picks up the intake vibrations between the throttle valve and the air filter, transmitting them as engine sound via a membrane into the A-pillar.

With the option of infusing the GTS cabin with the sound of a race car, it's only fitting that interior appointments reinforce the car's competitive DNA. The GTS comes with a full range of luxury and high-performance appointments, including a standard sport steering wheel with shift paddles and 18-way adjustable sport seats.

Seventh Generation Porsche 911 Carrera Makes its North American Debut

The all-new Porsche 911 Carrera is ready to conquer the hearts and minds of North American driving enthusiasts as it makes its first U.S. appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Show following "Best of Show" accolades at its global debut in Frankfurt this past September.

With its sleek and stretched silhouette, pulse-pounding contours and precisely designed features, it's immediately evident that the new 911 has been redesigned from the ground up, but remains every inch an embodiment of 911 Carrera evolution. Longer, lower, wider and 100 lbs. lighter than the previous 911, the seventh generation is athletic, elegant and iconic – a perfect blend of modern design, intelligent engineering and everyday driving magic.

The many innovations of the new 911 Carrera include aluminum steel composite construction that combines with structural rigidity and exceptional aerodynamics to create a sports car that delivers standard-setting performance and efficiency, as it has for generations.

Like every 911 before it, it also continues to raise the bar in virtually every area of performance and efficiency, including fuel economy. While U.S. EPA fuel mileage estimates are still to be determined, fuel consumption and emissions are up to 16 percent lower in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) when compared with the previous 911. This is achieved through systems such as the Automatic Start/Stop function, engine and transmission thermal management, electrical system recuperation, the world's first seven-speed manual transmission and – in conjunction with the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) – the ability to 'sail' or coast. The new electro-mechanical power steering offers not only Porsche's typical precision and feedback but also helps increase efficiency and reduce fuel-consumption.

The Porsche 911 Carrera is equipped with a new 350 hp, 3.4-liter boxer engine while the 911 Carrera S features a 400 hp, 3.8-liter boxer engine – a 15 hp improvement versus its predecessor.

Both models offer significant performance improvements. The 911 Carrera S with PDK accelerates from 0 to 60 in 4.1 seconds. Using the Launch Control function of the optional Sport Chrono Package cuts that to 3.9 seconds. The 911 Carrera with PDK needs only 4.4 seconds to sprint from a standing start to 60 mph (4.2 seconds when using the optional Sport Chrono Package's Launch Control function). Top-track speed for the 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera is 188 mph and 179 mph, respectively.

Already legendary for its precision feel and road-holding prowess, the new 911 writes a new chapter in agility and precision handling. Porsche engineers achieved even higher driveability targets with the 911's wider front track, a new rear axle and new electromechanical power steering. Depending on the model, a multitude of other standard or optional active control systems are available to help further enhance the overall driving dynamics. That is especially true for the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilization system, available for the first time on the 911 Carrera S. The system helps reduce lateral roll when cornering and helps keep the tires in the optimal position relative to the road surface.

The first 911 models will arrive in U.S. dealerships beginning in February of 2012. The new 911 Carrera Coupe will have a base MSRP of $82,100, while the 911 Carrera S Coupe's base MSRP will be $96,400 (excluding destination).

About Porsche Cars North America

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga. is the exclusive U.S. importer of Porsche sports cars, the Cayenne SUV and Panamera sports sedan. Established in 1984, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and employs approximately 220 people who provide parts, service, marketing and training for 194 dealers. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the brand's 63-year history and leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety and efficiency. At the core of this success is Porsche's proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000 motorsport wins to date.

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SOURCE Porsche Cars North America, Inc.