For Better Weight Distribution

Based in Dortmund, Germany, car tuning company 9ff is a specialty car shop that converts stock Porsche vehicles into street legal race cars. The company was founded in 2001 by Jan Fatthauer and derives its name from the Porsche 911. The company started out by creating the extensively rebuilt 9ff GT9 that was created out of a Porsche 911 (997) GT3 base car. The model later evolved into and was replaced by the GT9-R. For better weight distribution, the vehicle came with its engine in the engine that provides maximum rear-wheel grip. The engine placement and engine performance is perhaps the only real difference between the Porsche 911 and the 9ff GT9-R. A total of 150 GT9s have been produced by the company out of which 20 have been in GT9-R specification. The prices for the model range between 拢 150,000 and 拢 540,000 and the company promise to be able personalize each vehicle to a particular customer鈥檚 needs so that no two 9ffs are the same.

We鈥檙e clear on the concept - Porsche buyers adore customization - but grate at making you pay extra to equip your Macan with key safety features. Foremost among these is autonomous emergency braking capable of stopping the crossover to prevent a frontal collision. 1,440 Porsche Active Safe system, which also includes adaptive cruise control that can maintain a set distance from traffic ahead and, with stop-and-go capability, can relieve some traffic-jam stress. 700 apiece. Certainly, some Porsche drivers believe they鈥檙e better off without automatic driver assists. 1,440 or so is a pittance on planet Porsche. But these driver aids 鈥?as standard equipment - are de rigueur in any premium segment. Memory power front seats start with the S trim; the GTS has heated sports seats, and Turbos adaptive Sport seats. 1,780 option on the others. 8,800 less than the top-of-the-line performers. Still, it鈥檚 no surprise that this crossover鈥檚 base prices are at the upper end of the segment; the Turbo with Performance Package in fact has the highest starting price in the class. 88,750 for the Turbo with Performance Package.

All these models are available with a plethora of options, most of which maintain their package content and price throughout the line. 5,400, depending on the model. 2,590 Premium Package consists of the Porsche Dynamic Light System (steering linked low beams and 鈥渋ncreased light distribution鈥?over 68 mph), Bose audio, auto-dimming mirrors, and heated front and rear seats. 5,950 Premium Package Plus - adds 14-way power cooled front seats with memory, a panoramic moonroof, and Porsche Entry & Drive (hands free unlocking and key-free twist engine start). 4,350, various 鈥淪portDesign鈥?packages include special front-fascia and air-intake grilles and are available with and without side skirts. Considering the levels of performance on hand, Macan is relatively fuel-frugal, with every model matching up well with rivals of similar power. EPA ratings for the 2018 Macan weren鈥檛 available in time for this review but given the absence of fuel-economy-affecting changes, the 2017 ratings should carry over.

That means the Base Macan would again rate 20/25/22 mpg city/highway/combined. Rather surprisingly, the EPA rated the 2017 Macan S, the GTS, and the Turbo model all at 17/23/19 mpg. The Macan is better than the 鈥? Most everything in the class for sheer performance, but some rivals also offer a highly rewarding driving experience. Look to the redesigned Audi SQ5, the BMW X3 xDrive35i and X4 M40i, supercharged V-6 versions of the Jaguar F-Pace, and the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 and GLC43 Coupe. Direct competitors with larger rear seats and more cargo volume - if Macan鈥檚 shortages in those areas happen to be deal-breakers for you. For a greater degree of practicality in the upper ranges of the premium-compact-crossover class, consider the Q5, the Cadillac XT5, the F-Pace, and especially the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Due for model-year 2010 or 鈥?1, the next-generation Macan reportedly will not transition to the all-new structure that underpins the redesigned 2018 Audi Q5 premium compact crossover. Expect evolutionary styling and perhaps a second, more powerful turbo-four-cylinder engine choice. If Porsche adds a plug-in hybrid to the lineup - for 2019 or with the redesign 鈥?it鈥檒l likely borrow its powertrain from the S E-Hybrid version of the automaker鈥檚 midsize Cayenne crossover. That pairs a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with an electric motor for a net 416 horsepower and 435 pound-feet of torque. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid can travel about 14 miles on an initial electric charge from the grid, operating as a conventional hybrid when the initial charge is depleted. In the larger, heavier Cayenne, the combination generates 0-60-mph in 5.4 seconds.

A Inline 6 could have been developed by Toyota and made its way into new generation Lexus vehicles too like the RC, LC, LS, GS, IS to spread the costs since a new V6 was/is being developed anyway. 2 with useless rear seats while the bigger more expensive 6 cylinder coupe is only a 2 seater? I don't think the new Supra would be 100K or anywhere near that if Toyota developed it themselves. 50K once you take away sound deadening, some luxury, Lexus markup, etc. Their main focus would be getting it lighter, either tuning the 8 cylinder more or dropping in a turbo charged motor. Another problem is targeting the Cayman/Boxster. The last Supra targeted larger,more upscale cars with more power like the 911, 928, Corvette, 300ZXtt, Skyline GTR. I would have loved to see what they were going to do for a next Supra back in the late 90's/early 2000's, so sad they didn't do it and Toyota killed so many of its iconic sports cars.