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Porsche is to reveal its biggest birthday present to itself at this year's Frankfurt Motorshow with the launch of the most environmentally friendly 911 in its fifty year history: The new 911 Blu Edition.
The Porsche 911 continues to resolve apparent contradictions like no other sports car in history – such as between tradition, innovation and technology or between exclusivity, mass production and high social acceptance, and of course between performance, style and efficiency. And so, Porsche is celebrating another 50th anniversary of the 911 at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt with an even more exciting all new limited edition: the 911 Blu Edition.
If you thought the 911-50 limited edition model was the end of Porsche's 911 celebrations, think again. At what will be exactly 50 years to the month since the original 901 was shown to the world, Porsche will reveal a new limited-edition entry level 991 in September this year.
Environmental Technology
Although the environmental technology utilised in the new 911 Blu Edition will become part of the 991's standard specification when the second generation facelift is released in late 2014, 911 lucky individuals will get the chance to own the technology almost 12 months early.
In a move set to put the cat among the pigeons, the launch special is expected to undercut the current 3.4 Coupe PDK by 9,500 euros at an estmated 74,600 euros (£64,750) - and wait for it - it will be a convertible as standard!
What started out as a design study for an Italian-market-only tax-break special, has now been confirmed to be rolled out across Europe. And even Porsche Cars North America have been allocated 300 units of the emissions beating model.
Only 911 of the 911 Blu Edition will be made - all finished in "Riviera Blue" with contrasting Guards Red highlights.
Selective Cylinder Deactivation
The new car features a detuned version of the current 3.4 direct fuel injection block, to which Porsche have fitted ultra-low friction CarboSil (silicon-carbide) coated pistons, light-weight titanium alloy con-rods and selective cylinder deactivation technology.
The new flat-six produces peak power of 300 hp at 6,200 rpm, 50 hp down on the standard 3.4, and at an engine speed 400 rpm higher, but produces exactiy the same peak torque of 287 Nm at 5,800 rpm.
The reduction in the cooling requirements of the new low-compression 3.4 unit allowed the Porsche engineers to almost halve the standard radiator sizes and their drag-inducing front air scoops.
In addition, at low-rpm/high-gear cruising, an active shutter mechanism will further close the front radiator apertures, dropping the basic Carrera's already market-sector leading drag coefficient of 0.29 to a Toyota Prius-chasing 0.26!
Stop-Start
The 911 Blu Edition will also use an upgraded stop-start system and a new smart charging system that disengages the alternator entirely except during braking or large current draws (eg heated seats or heated rear window use).
PRS - or "Porsche Regeneration System" - is a Siemens-Porsche co-developed technology, known internally as "ReGen-On/ReGen-Off" (or Ro/Ro), and will be incorporated into the forthcoming second generation 991 and 981 Boxster/Cayman too.
Porsche's latest Panamera saloon and Cayenne off-roader already use a similar VW/Audi developed system, but it was known that this was incompatible with the company's sports models.
Emissions in "coast" mode have been reported to approach that of the Fiat TwinAir on the Extra Urban cycle.
Ultra lightweight wheels
The model goes on to make a nod to its forebears with the reappearance of 18" alloy wheels and tyres with taller sidewalls.
The new ultra lightweight hollow-spoke alloys will be shod with low rolling-resistance tyres developed with Michelin specifically for the model. Both fuel consumption and road noise are kept well below that of the current 20" set up.
In a further weight saving effort, PASM will not be fitted as standard. Although still available as a cost option, loss of the PASM adjustable suspensions system is reputed to have had no adverse affects on the car's handling - in fact it is rumoured the lower unsprung weight and slightly narrower tyres give the new model a rawer nimbleness that has been missing from the standard Carrera since launch.
At a stroke, Porsche may have created not only the most environmentally friendly 165 mph sports car on sale, but also one of the most involving!
Hard-top
The innovations don't stop there either. Porsche saved the best to last: the 911 Blu Edition features a revolutionary hard top, which is a world's first for a convertible Porsche.
Unlike the last time Porsche offered a hard top (an option on the 997), when it weighed-in at a hefty 36 kgs, the new composite hard top tips the scales at a svelte 22 kgs, offering significantly easier handling over its predecessor.
In addition the light-weight roof does not sit on top of a folded fabric soft-top either. In fact there are none of the cumbersome and heavy roof hydraulic systems of the standard Cabriolet models.
The 911 Blu Edition features a unique single-piece composite roof, all but indistinguishable from the standard 991 semi-rigid convertible top due to the continued use of a fabric covering for aesthetics.
The single piece roof locks into the bodyshell and windscreen surround at four hard points, and is secured in place or released by a novel fully electronic locking mechanism.
Total weight savings from the various under the skin changes are understood to add-up to a not inconsiderable 63 kgs over the standard Cabriolet model that the 911 Blu Edition is based on. With the hardtop removed, this weight saving rises to a barely credible 85 kgs.
All 911 Blu Editions will be supplied with a composite hardtop as standard
Technical Data
The 911 Blu Edition sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.4 seconds with standard PDK and on to a top speed of 266 km/h (165mph). The car's combined EU5 fuel consumption is 6.4 l/100 km (44.1 mpg), which equates to CO2 emissions of 152 g/km with standard PDK.
All 911 examples of the 911 Blu Edition will be a narrow body design, rear-wheel drive and PDK only. The 911 Blu Edition will be instantly recognisable by its distinctive "Riviera Blue" exterior finish with characterisctic Guards Red hardtop, wing mirrors and front grill trim. The 911 Blu Edition will be available exclusively to members of Officially approved Porsche Clubs only.
It is expected a lottery system will be in effect for those who have submitted a letter of intent to purchase via their regional Porsche Club.
First deliveries of the 911 Blu Edition to the lucky few are expected before the end of the year.
IAA Frankfurt
Porsche will present the 911 Blu Edition as part of the final official 911 50th anniversary celebrations at the IAA motor show in Frankfurt, which runs from the 11 to 22 September, 2013.
The Porsche 911 continues to resolve apparent contradictions like no other sports car in history – such as between tradition, innovation and technology or between exclusivity, mass production and high social acceptance, and of course between performance, style and efficiency. And so, Porsche is celebrating another 50th anniversary of the 911 at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt with an even more exciting all new limited edition: the 911 Blu Edition.
If you thought the 911-50 limited edition model was the end of Porsche's 911 celebrations, think again. At what will be exactly 50 years to the month since the original 901 was shown to the world, Porsche will reveal a new limited-edition entry level 991 in September this year.
Environmental Technology
Although the environmental technology utilised in the new 911 Blu Edition will become part of the 991's standard specification when the second generation facelift is released in late 2014, 911 lucky individuals will get the chance to own the technology almost 12 months early.
In a move set to put the cat among the pigeons, the launch special is expected to undercut the current 3.4 Coupe PDK by 9,500 euros at an estmated 74,600 euros (£64,750) - and wait for it - it will be a convertible as standard!
What started out as a design study for an Italian-market-only tax-break special, has now been confirmed to be rolled out across Europe. And even Porsche Cars North America have been allocated 300 units of the emissions beating model.
Only 911 of the 911 Blu Edition will be made - all finished in "Riviera Blue" with contrasting Guards Red highlights.
Selective Cylinder Deactivation
The new car features a detuned version of the current 3.4 direct fuel injection block, to which Porsche have fitted ultra-low friction CarboSil (silicon-carbide) coated pistons, light-weight titanium alloy con-rods and selective cylinder deactivation technology.
The new flat-six produces peak power of 300 hp at 6,200 rpm, 50 hp down on the standard 3.4, and at an engine speed 400 rpm higher, but produces exactiy the same peak torque of 287 Nm at 5,800 rpm.
The reduction in the cooling requirements of the new low-compression 3.4 unit allowed the Porsche engineers to almost halve the standard radiator sizes and their drag-inducing front air scoops.
In addition, at low-rpm/high-gear cruising, an active shutter mechanism will further close the front radiator apertures, dropping the basic Carrera's already market-sector leading drag coefficient of 0.29 to a Toyota Prius-chasing 0.26!
Stop-Start
The 911 Blu Edition will also use an upgraded stop-start system and a new smart charging system that disengages the alternator entirely except during braking or large current draws (eg heated seats or heated rear window use).
PRS - or "Porsche Regeneration System" - is a Siemens-Porsche co-developed technology, known internally as "ReGen-On/ReGen-Off" (or Ro/Ro), and will be incorporated into the forthcoming second generation 991 and 981 Boxster/Cayman too.
Porsche's latest Panamera saloon and Cayenne off-roader already use a similar VW/Audi developed system, but it was known that this was incompatible with the company's sports models.
Emissions in "coast" mode have been reported to approach that of the Fiat TwinAir on the Extra Urban cycle.
Ultra lightweight wheels
The model goes on to make a nod to its forebears with the reappearance of 18" alloy wheels and tyres with taller sidewalls.
The new ultra lightweight hollow-spoke alloys will be shod with low rolling-resistance tyres developed with Michelin specifically for the model. Both fuel consumption and road noise are kept well below that of the current 20" set up.
In a further weight saving effort, PASM will not be fitted as standard. Although still available as a cost option, loss of the PASM adjustable suspensions system is reputed to have had no adverse affects on the car's handling - in fact it is rumoured the lower unsprung weight and slightly narrower tyres give the new model a rawer nimbleness that has been missing from the standard Carrera since launch.
At a stroke, Porsche may have created not only the most environmentally friendly 165 mph sports car on sale, but also one of the most involving!
Hard-top
The innovations don't stop there either. Porsche saved the best to last: the 911 Blu Edition features a revolutionary hard top, which is a world's first for a convertible Porsche.
Unlike the last time Porsche offered a hard top (an option on the 997), when it weighed-in at a hefty 36 kgs, the new composite hard top tips the scales at a svelte 22 kgs, offering significantly easier handling over its predecessor.
In addition the light-weight roof does not sit on top of a folded fabric soft-top either. In fact there are none of the cumbersome and heavy roof hydraulic systems of the standard Cabriolet models.
The 911 Blu Edition features a unique single-piece composite roof, all but indistinguishable from the standard 991 semi-rigid convertible top due to the continued use of a fabric covering for aesthetics.
The single piece roof locks into the bodyshell and windscreen surround at four hard points, and is secured in place or released by a novel fully electronic locking mechanism.
Total weight savings from the various under the skin changes are understood to add-up to a not inconsiderable 63 kgs over the standard Cabriolet model that the 911 Blu Edition is based on. With the hardtop removed, this weight saving rises to a barely credible 85 kgs.
All 911 Blu Editions will be supplied with a composite hardtop as standard
Technical Data
The 911 Blu Edition sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.4 seconds with standard PDK and on to a top speed of 266 km/h (165mph). The car's combined EU5 fuel consumption is 6.4 l/100 km (44.1 mpg), which equates to CO2 emissions of 152 g/km with standard PDK.
All 911 examples of the 911 Blu Edition will be a narrow body design, rear-wheel drive and PDK only. The 911 Blu Edition will be instantly recognisable by its distinctive "Riviera Blue" exterior finish with characterisctic Guards Red hardtop, wing mirrors and front grill trim. The 911 Blu Edition will be available exclusively to members of Officially approved Porsche Clubs only.
It is expected a lottery system will be in effect for those who have submitted a letter of intent to purchase via their regional Porsche Club.
First deliveries of the 911 Blu Edition to the lucky few are expected before the end of the year.
IAA Frankfurt
Porsche will present the 911 Blu Edition as part of the final official 911 50th anniversary celebrations at the IAA motor show in Frankfurt, which runs from the 11 to 22 September, 2013.