[OldButSmooth]

Here in Sydney Australia the SUV has become somewhat of a status vehicle. The problem is you have a large number of people buying and driving this type of vehicle thinking that the vehicle is somehow sporty and superior to other road users, eventually, these drivers will be reminded when least wanted that a high centre of gravity vehicle is subjected to the laws of physics. The mammoth SUV is no doubt safer than a sports car or motorcycle, but the driver of the SUV will lose out on handling and the dynamic ability to avoid collisions when travelling at a higher speed, whereas the sports car driver has so much more handling and braking in reserve. Please be mindful that I exclude the Lambo Urus, Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and a handful of others from my above opinion.

[RPM33]

Originally Posted by robopp

Only two models have been announced and the GTS hydrization is very well thought out and executed IMO - gains 150lbs with an eturbo and lambda 1 at all throttle ranges. None of this M5 just add massive batteries and electric motors bs. If Porsche can drop the additional electric motor and pdk and add a manual. OMG!

They are not adding a manual to the 992.2 911 GTS hybrid.

[robopp]

Originally Posted by RPM33

They are not adding a manual to the 992.2 911 GTS hybrid.

S has yet to be announced. That’s what I was referring to.

[OldButSmooth]

Originally Posted by KelseyParks

It's definitely a sign of the times in the auto industry. The move towards EVs seems to be inevitable, but it's sad to see traditional driver's cars like the 718 Cayman and Boxster being phased out. I guess we're witnessing the end of an era where manual transmissions and rear-wheel drive were the norm for sports cars. It's a bittersweet feeling knowing that future generations might not experience the raw connection to the road that these cars offer. For now, I'm cherishing every moment behind the wheel of my G87. It's a reminder to enjoy the thrill of driving while we still can.

I couldn't agree more with your comments.

Yesterday morning I left my home for a 6.00am drive south of Sydney. It was great to see several like-minded enthusiasts driving Porsche 964 series 911's as well as a couple of 992's and two Ferraris. I don't recall seeing any EV's at that hour...we maybe the last of the true enthusiast drivers.

[RPM33]

Originally Posted by robopp

S has yet to be announced. That’s what I was referring to.

Some are saying the 992.2 S will be a detuned GTS hybrid, but we’ll see.

[robopp]

Originally Posted by RPM33

Some are saying the 992.2 S will be a detuned GTS hybrid, but we’ll see.

Yep, and if I was a betting man I’d bet on that, but Porsche has a knack for listening to owners so there’s still hope. Otherwise, you need to fork over big money for the new Turbo, GT3, or T (if they even release a T for .2).

[deneed4spd]

Don’t worry peeps. Toyota is going to bring back the MR2 rear engine. It will officially take over Porsche small car market.

[OldButSmooth]

Originally Posted by deneed4spd

Don’t worry peeps. Toyota is going to bring back the MR2 rear engine. It will officially take over Porsche small car market.

That would be a good move by Toyota to bring younger enthusiasts to our collective addiction. I understand Honda will be reintroducing a model name from the late 80's early 90's, that being the Prelude, a car that was one of the pioneers of four wheel steer.

[OldButSmooth]

Originally Posted by RPM33

They are not adding a manual to the 992.2 911 GTS hybrid.

The T and S version of the 992.2 will most likely be offered with a manual transmission due to the historic high demand created for manual 911's in the US market, foolish to risk loosing those customers by offering only PDK cars.

[robopp]

Originally Posted by deneed4spd

Don’t worry peeps. Toyota is going to bring back the MR2 rear engine. It will officially take over Porsche small car market.

I still shake my fist at Audi for not doing a mini-R8. I5, rear motor, and gated manual. Those things would sell like hot cakes and I’d be first in line.

[Bret]

Originally Posted by OldButSmooth

I understand Honda will be reintroducing a model name from the late 80's early 90's, that being the Prelude, a car that was one of the pioneers of four wheel steer.

I never knew that some of the Preludes had four wheel steering. The first new car that I purchased was a 1993 Nissan 240SX SE with Super Hicas 4-wheel steering. Honestly, without the sticker on the side of the car, you'd have never really known.

[aerobod]

The next Prelude though will likely be equivalent to a 2-door Civic with no technology showpieces, auto-only with the standard 2.0 litre hybrid engine found in the Civic, Accord and CR-V, with not much over 200bhp: https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/prelude

[two_three_two]

Originally Posted by aerobod

The next Prelude though will likely be equivalent to a 2-door Civic with no technology showpieces, auto-only with the standard 2.0 litre hybrid engine found in the Civic, Accord and CR-V, with not much over 200bhp: https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/prelude

falling into the same mistake they made with the CR-Z, and at least that could have been had with a manual. the non-sports coupe is basically dead as a doornail so i dunno who this car would even be for. only car propping up the segment now is the non-F lexus RC

[OldButSmooth]

Originally Posted by robopp

I still shake my fist at Audi for not doing a mini-R8. I5, rear motor, and gated manual. Those things would sell like hot cakes and I’d be first in line.

Couldn't agree more, very much a missed opportunity by Audi as the TT was generally considered to be nothing more than a Golf GTI in a party dress.

[two_three_two]

Originally Posted by OldButSmooth

Couldn't agree more, very much a missed opportunity by Audi as the TT was generally considered to be nothing more than a Golf GTI in a party dress.

they got it right twice IMHO: first gen could be had with the 3.2L VR6, and second gen could be had in RS guise with a 6 speed and the I5. second gen was a bit prosaic and sterile even in this form as is typical audi but i wouldnt blame someone for loving it if it fit their needs

[OldButSmooth]

Originally Posted by two_three_two

they got it right twice IMHO: first gen could be had with the 3.2L VR6, and second gen could be had in RS guise with a 6 speed and the I5. second gen was a bit prosaic and sterile even in this form as is typical audi but i wouldnt blame someone for loving it if it fit their needs

The (series 1) TT with the 3.2 engine was an exceedingly scary vehicle to drive anywhere near its limits, it was January 2000 when rally ace Peter Hommel was killed when his TT V6 left the road and collided with a tree. I can attest to the weird handling characteristics as I too owned one and was very happy to get rid of it. I still consider the TT an attractive car, but, alas a flawed opportunity by Audi.

[two_three_two]

Originally Posted by OldButSmooth

The (series 1) TT with the 3.2 engine was an exceedingly scary vehicle to drive anywhere near its limits, it was January 2000 when rally ace Peter Hommel was killed when his TT V6 left the road and collided with a tree. I can attest to the weird handling characteristics as I too owned one and was very happy to get rid of it. I still consider the TT an attractive car, but, alas a flawed opportunity by Audi.

never drove one anywhere near its limits, nor the golf version as it was already an antique by the time i got it. interesting to hear. very charming road car as i am sure you know.

[EthanEJC]

Originally Posted by RPM33

They are not adding a manual to the 992.2 911 GTS hybrid.

Nothing been confirmed but they have said they’ve got some ideas to solve this!

My guess they’ll do something like the Koenigsegg CC850 where the manual is electric? Don’t think they’ll go the full extent as the CC850 but I suspect something similar.

[two_three_two]

Originally Posted by EthanEJC

Nothing been confirmed but they have said they’ve got some ideas to solve this!

My guess they’ll do something like the Koenigsegg CC850 where the manual is electric? Don’t think they’ll go the full extent as the CC850 but I suspect something similar.

both honda and toyota are working on it, with toyota at least having a working prototype: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a4...ototype-drive/

[OldButSmooth]

In recent motoring podcasts that I subscribe to it is frequently being reported that Porsche is rethinking its EV position due to ever slowing demand for this type of technology. In addition, the secondhand Taycan market currently appears to be in free fall in the United Kingdom, resulting in an abundance of secondhand vehicles that the motoring public have no interest in purchasing.

Meanwhile in Australia, we have witnessed three price decreases on new Tesla cars in the past few months, further indicators that the EV bubble may have burst.

It will be interesting to see if Porsche somersaults on its EV Cayman decision and returns to the production of ICE (enthusiast) cars. I understand the implications of penalties to car manufacturers not producing target numbers of EV's by deadline dates, however, it could mean bankruptcy for those premium manufacturers attempting to reach targets for cars that are not being purchased.

Perhaps, the end may not be as close as previously thought.

[BradMX5]

Originally Posted by OldButSmooth

In recent motoring podcasts that I subscribe to it is frequently being reported that Porsche is rethinking its EV position due to ever slowing demand for this type of technology. In addition, the secondhand Taycan market currently appears to be in free fall in the United Kingdom, resulting in an abundance of secondhand vehicles that the motoring public have no interest in purchasing.

Meanwhile in Australia, we have witnessed three price decreases on new Tesla cars in the past few months, further indicators that the EV bubble may have burst.

It will be interesting to see if Porsche somersaults on its EV Cayman decision and returns to the production of ICE (enthusiast) cars. I understand the implications of penalties to car manufacturers not producing target numbers of EV's by deadline dates, however, it could mean bankruptcy for those premium manufacturers attempting to reach targets for cars that are not being purchased.

Perhaps, the end may not be as close as previously thought.

Mazda has been saying for a long time that they aren't really moving towards EV because ICE can still be improved upon as well as hybrids.

Mazda, Subaru, and Toyota have all teamed up to each produce a hybrid engine and share their results with each other to expand on the hybrid market because they know as well we aren't ready for full EV

[BRAKE!]

Easy - get yourself a used cayman like I did



But yes, I agree that it's sad ICE is slowly dying off... just waiting for the renewable fuels to be developed