Today's other stories in brief
New Porsche SUV sleeker, less bulky
PORSCHE’S UPCOMING 2011 Cayenne SUV has once again been spotted undergoing testing in Germany. The exterior has a much sleeker appearance than the current model and the interior is heavily influenced by the new Porsche Panamera, so expect higher quality materials.
While we can’t say for sure which model is being tested in these shots, the new Cayenne should boast a variety of petrol, diesel and hybrid engines. On the petrol side, we can expect the 2011 Cayenne S to come with the Panamera’s 4.8-litre V8 engine that develops 400hp while the top-of-the-line Cayenne Turbo should be powered by the 4.8-litre biturbo V8 engine from the Panamera Turbo that puts out 500hp.
In diesel models, expect the current Volkswagen V6 TDI engine which produces 240hp and 550Nm of torque to carry over to the next generation with minor improvements. The Cayenne’s hybrid powertrain should carry over virtually unchanged. There are also suggestions that, with the focus more on road-going appeal than ruggedness, some of the current model’s bulky off-road equipment could be dropped to make the new one more Porsche-like.
Meanwhile, with Porsche still no closer to announcing a replacement for its recently liquidated Irish franchise at Belgard Motors, the servicing division of Ringsend dealership Gordon Kellett Motors is offering qualified Porsche servicing for models up to 2007. The service division boasts Porsche- approved diagnostic equipment and has built up a reputation over the years as an alternative servicing outlet for the brand in the Republic.
Punto recalls over steering column bracket
FIAT IS recalling 500,000 Grande Puntos over a potential problem with a bracket holding the steering column. The recall concerns cars built between July 2006 and March 2008, and relates to an estimated 2,424 cars in Ireland.
A spokeswoman said it was a preventive measure to avert any potential problems with the car’s steering. It relates to the bolts on the holding bracket for the steering column that may come lose over time. It is reportedly the biggest recall in the company’s history.
The checks on the bracket are being carried out at Fiat dealerships at no cost to owners.
LA mayor says city gearing up for electric boom
BY THIS time next year, electric vehicles could be popping up all around LA, and the city plans to be ready, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has said.
Along with a network of partners, the city plans to update 400 existing charging stations while adding 100, he said. Electric car owners are likely to receive tax rebates to construct home chargers and would have access to high- occupancy lanes and preferential or free parking.
Every year we read we’re either No 1 in traffic congestion or No 1 in air pollution, he said at the Los Angeles Convention Center, during preparation for the LA Auto Show. “We realised that we needed to find new, cleaner ways to travel.”
The mayor painted a rosy portrait in which electric vehicle infrastructure would lure battery and charging station manufac- turers and create green jobs.