Auto Guangzhou witnesses new Porsche sports cars Asia Premiere

Porsche CEO, Matthias Mueller presents the new Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid car at the Volkswagen group night at the Frankfurt motor show September 9, 2013. [Photo / Agencies]

Porsche unveiled two revolutionary sports cars on Nov 21 at the 2013 Auto Guangzhou. The Asian premiere of the new Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid and the new Porsche 911 Turbo S was a landmark moment in the history of the acclaimed sports car marque in China.

Media and guests from across China and the Porsche world witnessed the unveiling of these latest creations in Guangzhou.

Deesch Papke, the CEO of Porsche China, summarized the importance of the occasion by emphasizing that, "Today China has become a key pillar of the worldwide success of Porsche, because we have quickly built up a loyal community of Porsche enthusiasts that appreciate the values of performance and efficiency present in every model in our range. Every year, more and more Chinese people have discovered the fascination of Porsche sports cars."

With Porsche Centers around China delivering sales of 30,406 sports cars in the first ten months of 2013, this increasingly important market has continued to cement its place as the second largest Porsche market worldwide.

Joining Auto Guangzhou for the first time was a vintage race car that served to vividly demonstrate the illustrious sports car heritage of the Porsche marque: The Porsche 917 from 1970. Variants of this iconic racing car claimed the first and second overall victory for Porsche at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971.

For a long time, this racing car had no equal. The secret was not simply immense performance, but also unrivalled efficiency and reliability, common attributes of every Porsche Champion that has claimed an overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans: 16 victories in total.

As Porsche China CEO, Papke reminded guests, "Just like the Porsche 917 that you see here today, the race car that we will bring to Le Mans for our return next year in 2014 will be no different."

But the further importance of the Porsche 917 soon became obvious with the arrival of a new automotive creation that would again set revolutionary standards.

Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid, Asian Premiere

The highlight of the day was the Asian Premiere of the new Porsche 918 Spyder, fresh from a record breaking 6 minute and 57 second lap time of the Nürburgring Nordschleife. This first appearance of the groundbreaking plug-in hybrid in Asia was a landmark moment, a super sports car with intelligent technology that is distinctively Porsche.

With a 4.6 liter V8 engine developing 608 bhp, two electric motors delivering an additional 286 bhp for a combined output of 887 bhp at 8,500 rpm, The 918 Spyder is a vision into the future. Performance and efficiency are combined in perfect harmony -- with the weight --optimized Weissach package fitted, the vehicle now accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 343 km/h, while CO2 emissions are limited to 70 g/km and fuel consumption of 3.0 liters/100 km. These figures have never before been possible in a sports car of this type. With only 918 units to be manufactured at the Zuffenhausen factory, the 918 Spyder is already a legend in the making.

Each and every model on display at Auto Guangzhou 2013 was clear in its goal – a demonstration and celebration of the official auto show motto, “Lead the Trend, Steer the Future.” Since 1948, Porsche has been creating sports cars that inspire with a combination of tradition and innovation, performance and everyday usability, design and functionality, exclusivity and social acceptance. Whether on the race track or the road, in the passenger seat or behind the wheel, every Porsche represents a piece of motoring folklore and a statement for the future.

Porsche 911 Turbo S, Asian Premiere

For tradition and innovation on the race track and the road, Porsche enthusiasts need not look any further than the Porsche 911. This year, it is the 50th Anniversary of the unveiling of the very first Porsche 911, also the 40th Anniversary of the arrival of the first generation of the Porsche 911 Turbo.

Auto Guangzhou brought yet another highlight -- the arrival of the next incarnation of the ultimate expression of this automotive icon, the Asian premiere of the new 911 Turbo S.

For the new 911 Turbo S, the engineers at Weissach have redeveloped 90 percent of the components for greater engine power, improved seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK), and more standard equipment than ever before. Expectations have been exceeded with the new rear-axle steering and the new Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA), used for the very first time in a road car. At the heart of the new 911 Turbo S is a 3.8-litre boxer twin-turbo engine with variable turbine geometry (VTG) offering 560 bhp between 6,500 and 6,750 rpm -- a startling 40 bhp more than the new 911 Turbo. The results are immediately clear -- a sprint to 100 km/h in an incredible 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 318 km/h. These performance values are even more remarkable when compared to the consumption values -- fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are up to 16 % lower.

Porsche Panamera Turbo S Executive, China Premiere

Adding to the luster is the fastest, most powerful and most luxurious model now available in the Panamera range: The Panamera Turbo S Executive. Fresh from a world premiere in Tokyo, the newest Panamera offers a power output of 570 bhp and a top speed of 310 km/h, plus a particularly extensive and top-quality range of features. With a wheel-base that has been extended by 15 cm, this Executive variant showcases performance and luxury for the most discerning drivers.