Porsche Parts, Service, and Custom Build Blog

Commuting in a Porsche

June 27, 2017 By Christopher Carroll

How many hours a day do you spend in the car? Even in the best of circumstances, your drive to the office may be 10 or 15 minutes a day, each way for a total of about 30 minutes a day. 30 minutes a day, five days a week translates to 7,800 minutes a year. Now, still assuming you work 5 days a week, if you commute an hour each way, you are looking at spending 520 hours or 31,200 minutes a year in the car on your way to or from work. That’s a ridiculous amount of time to spend as a captive audience on the road. Some people decide to purchase two cars: one for fun on the weekends and one to use for the monotony of the commute. Can a person have the best of both? Make sure that you are making the most of your commute time by spending it in a vehicle you love. Make sure you are commuting in a Porsche.

Porsche: Best Car for Commuting?

Commuter cars typically have certain qualities to make them effective. They need to be durable and able to log a lot of miles with minimal maintenance. Reliability is a must in any vehicle, but especially one that is going to get you to and from work every day. Also, good gas efficiency is also a hallmark of a strong commuter car. The good news is Porsche has several different models that meet these criteria with the all the perks of being a Porsche.

While the Porsche brand is synonymous with speed and high performance, it can also provide the best car for commuting. The best Porsche for you will depend on a number of factors including the type of vehicle you prefer to drive, the length of your commute, the climate you live in and your budget.

The Porsche Cayman could be an easy choice for a commuter. The new 718 Cayman and 718 Cayman S offer the expected Porsche features with the Cayman boasting 300 horsepower and hitting zero to sixty in 4.9 seconds and the Cayman S clocking in at 350 horsepower and zero to sixty in 4.4 seconds. The new Cayman received some notable changes including upgraded interior design, updated brakes, and a turbo charged 2.0 or 2.5 engine respectively as opposed to the naturally aspirated flat six engines of models before. You can use that turbocharged speed to avoid dangerous drivers and potential collisions on your way to work. The revisions to the Cayman give it excellent maneuverability and handling. The Cayman also gets 26 – 28 highway miles per gallon making your monthly gas expense manageable. The base 718 Cayman retails at $67,700 but comes with plenty of upgrades and sport add on’s available. While the Cayman’s retail and maintenance costs are higher than your typical commuter car, it’s worth every penny.

The Porsche 911 series also offers standout commuter car options. The 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S tips the scale at the very high end of a budget at a base retail price of $188,100 and offers the best commuter car you could hope for. It’s scores high in every category: speed, maneuverability, handling and comfort. The Turbo S’s new sports 580 horsepower and the Dynamic Boost feature provides faster engine response. The Turbo S is designed with a permanent all-wheel drive system that includes a liquid cooled front differential and an electronically controlled rear differential to make sure that the speed of the vehicle doesn’t compromise the handling and drivability. This car excels on the track and in stop and go traffic. This particular Porsche will have you singing for joy every time you get into the car.

Find the Most Comfortable Car for Your Long Commute

While speed and handling are important that the actual mechanics of your commuter car; the comfort your car provides is important for your sanity. If you are spending several hours a week in your vehicle, you should make sure you are comfortable. Porsche excels in making luxurious sports cars in all the best ways possible. The Cayman, and all newer Porsches come standard with PCM, or Porsche Communication Management. The PCM is a centralized technology infotainment system that allows the driver to easily manage audio and phone connectivity with an easy to use touch screen display. The Porsche interior is exactly what you would expect with easy to access gauges and ergonomic design, all contributing to the incredible comfort and luxury these vehicles have to offer.

Make Your Porsche Into the Best Commuting Car Ever

Porsche’s are cars that love to be driven. If you have to spend your workdays in the car, make it as enjoyable as possible. If you are considering purchasing a used Porsche to serve as a commuter car, call TurboKraft and let our expert technician’s check it out for you. If you have purchased the Porsche of your dreams but want to customize it to make it perfect, we can customize, build and invent whatever you need. Don’t dread going to work. With the right car, you can look forward to heading to the office every single time.

Buying a Porsche Boxster: Everything You Need to Know

June 8, 2017 By Christopher Carroll

Porsche History Trivia: a name that is synonymous with quality engineering, luxury, and speed. Many people want to own a piece of the Porsche name. Thankfully Porsche’s financial difficulties in the 90’s produced the Boxster, a vehicle that allowed more people to afford and enjoy their very own Porsche.

A Primer on the Porsche Boxster

First introduced in 1993 at the Detroit Auto show, the Porsche Boxster entered the scene just in time to help Porsche out of an incredibly difficult financial time. In the early 1990’s the US economy was slowing and Porsche’s prices were climbing. With the situation becoming increasingly bleak, Porsche upped their game with a more affordable car that harkened back to the days of the 1950’s Spyder – the Boxster. The Boxster was so successful that Porsche just celebrated 20 years of production and they’re not done yet.

Porsche Boxster History

A gentleman name Wendelin Wiedeking, took over as Porsche CEO, in 1992. His background and training was as a materials specialist but he understood Porsche’s financial challenges and identified a much larger market waiting to embrace the Porsche brand. Wiedeking made a conscious decision to continue developing the Porsche 911 while also building a more affordable Porsche to present to a larger audience.

Wiedeking didn’t just develop the Boxster, he revolutionized the way Porsche’s were manufactured. He took notes from competitors and consulted with retired Toyota executives to better understand how Toyota simplified and executed more cost effective manufacturing. Wiedeking met Porsche’s financial difficulties head on and made cost efficiency the mantra of the Boxster. Engineering teams were brought together and worked on all aspects of the project. They also worked on the development of both the Boxster and the new 911 simultaneously, saving time and payroll costs. In addition, Porsche utilized preassembled modules and many of the same components for different parts of the car in an effort to cut down on tooling and production expenses. This was a make or break car for the company and Wiedeking and his team made the most of the opportunity. Shortly after the Porsche Boxster was introduced, Porsche’s sales almost quadrupled. The decisions that led to the development of the Boxster may have helped keep Porsche financially solvent and changed the way cars were produced, with a newfound emphasis on efficiency.

While the Boxster entered the market with a bang, it has now had twenty years of being a part of the Porsche lineup. In that time there have been some significant changes and improvements. The first Boxster series, the 986, featured a mid-engine design and low center of gravity. It boasted a 2.5 litre engine that could hit 149 mph top speed and go from 0 – 60 in approximately 6.9 seconds.

The next iteration of the Boxster maintained the visual and exterior elements of the original but Porsche improved performance with a 2.7 litre engine that increased top speeds to 155 mph. In 2000, Porsche debuted the Boxster S which featured an even higher performance vehicle. This two seater with minimal trunk space is made for fun. The Boxster S features a larger 3.2 litre engine and larger wheels and tires. You’ll also find an extra radiator and a convertible top headliner.

Fast forward to 2017 and the Boxster roots are the same but the packaging and design has yet again improved. The 2017 version is available as the 718 Boxster or 718 Boxster S. Both prototypes feature turbocharged 4 cylinder engines designed for maximum speed. Porsche has continued to fine-tune and finesse the Boxster so that the 2017 models look sleek, luxurious and of course, fast. The Boxster 718 S manual starts at $69,800.00 and hits 350hp at 6500 rpm. It also goes from 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds. The Boxster offers a more affordable opportunity to enjoy the engineering and speed Porsche is capable of creating.

See Us Before Buying a Used Porsche Boxster

While new Porsche Boxsters are more affordable than other models, used Boxsters offer the opportunity to own a Porsche with even better savings. When purchasing any type of used vehicle, it is important that you take it to a specialist to inspect. When you decide to buy any Porsche, you are preparing to make a large financial investment.

Protect your investment by doing the research needed ahead of time. TurboKraft has a team of Porsche experts that will examine every detail of a used vehicle and give you an honest assessment of its condition. We can identify potential trouble, parts that may need to be replaced, or engine and wiring issues that may not be immediately obvious. Let us examine the car and give you an estimate of immediate or soon to be needed repairs. We can help you make sure that your purchase is a solid investment and ready for the challenge of living up to the Porsche name and reputation.

What’s It Like to Own a Porsche Long-Term?

May 25, 2017 By Christopher Carroll

Owning a Porsche

Let’s be honest, owning a Porsche is fun. Porsche is iconic and a brand that symbolizes speed, luxury, and craftsmanship. Owning a Porsche for any length of time gives you an opportunity to invest in an incredible vehicle and get to know your Porsche inside and out. Whether you own an original Porsche 911, that may come with oversteering challenges and a soulful air cooled engine or a 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo designed for sheer speed and horsepower, every day you own and enjoy your Porsche is a day you become more invested in it. A Porsche, is like any other car in that it requires time, attention and maintenance. For such high performing vehicles, these items can actually be even more important. That is why when you are shopping for your dream car, you need to consider the long-term benefits and expenses. Here’s a Porsche 911 buying guide if you are planning to own one.

Cost of Owning a Porsche

When evaluating the cost of Porsche ownership, you need to take into consideration insurance and maintenance costs as well as additional expenses for any restoration or customizations. Part of enjoying your luxury car or racing monster is not stressing over unexpected costs hitting your bank account. A good example of an expense you can plan for in advance is insurance. Insurance costs are typically impacted by the value, type, and safety features of a vehicle. Newer Porsche’s safety features such as like anti-lock brakes, stability control, and airbags in every conceivable place. These safety features are helpful but don’t change the fact that Porsche’s are sports cars, with a long lineage of racing and made for speed. The sheer value of a Porsche along with the sports car categorization will keep your insurance costs high. The appraised value of your vehicle will also directly impact your insurance premiums. The difference between insuring a $50,000 car versus a $500,000 car is substantial. It is very easy to work with an insurance agent in advance to get quotes for premiums on any vehicle you are considering. With this small bit of preplanning you can have a clearer picture of vehicle ownership expenses.

Porsche maintenance is another critical component to long term ownership. All of the things Porsche is known for such as quality, efficiency and speed become non-existent if your vehicle doesn’t receive the regular care and maintenance it needs. Given the wide range of Porsche’s available, from an original Porsche 911 to a 2017 Porsche Cayenne your maintenance schedule and servicing needs to be vehicle and owner specific. If you use your Cayenne primarily for driving the kids to school your maintenance needs will be substantially different than if you drive your GT3 at top speeds around the track. Oil changes are a must, as are filters and fluids. You also need to keep your tires, powertrain and engine all in pristine condition. Neglecting maintenance can result in expensive repairs and rob you of the joy of your Porsche’s optimum performance. While Porsche gives maintenance schedule guidelines, you should work with a Porsche professional that will learn about you as well as your car and give you individualized recommendations to improve and maintain performance.

Last but certainly not least, you need to consider the costs of restoration and / or customization of your Porsche. If you purchase a classic Porsche like an early 911 or Targa you may be looking at some specialized restoration items. Similarly, if you are considering purchasing a Porsche but need a different spoiler, paint job or even engine you should price these items out in advance. Custom work can be a simple as adding unique rims or as complicated as building a completely new engine. Specialty Porsche shops, like ours, can make this happen but any change to the vehicle will factor in to the overall costs of ownership.

While all the items above take into consideration the costs of long term Porsche ownership, they don’t touch on the most important thing: the benefits. As a Porsche owner, you will get to experience sheer speed and craftsmanship. Porsches are coveted by owners and enthusiasts alike. When you own a Porsche you are able to claim a piece of the brand and prestige that comes with it. If brand names don’t mean anything to you, you can still celebrate the speed and history of your vehicle and enjoy the street legal racing roots that Porsches bring to the table. When you purchase a Porsche and make a long term ownership commitment you are able to invest in your vehicle, craft it to your liking, and be challenged to make it the very best it can be.

Porsche Ownership: We Can Help

If you have your eye on a Porsche or have already purchased your dream vehicle, contact TurboKraft to get the most out of Porsche ownership. If you can dream it, we can make it happen. Whether you need a customized maintenance schedule or a complete restoration, we are here to make the most of your Porsche owning experience.

How Racing Has Influenced Porsche Road Cars

May 18, 2017 By Christopher Carroll

A Brief History of Porsche Racing

Porsche specializes in street legal cars that are steeped in racetrack history. Porsche began manufacturing in 1948 and made its name as a racing juggernaut in 1951 with a win at Le Mans. The manufacturer continued its legacy by winning Le Mans 18 times, including a nail bitter in 2016. Porsche has a history of excellence when it comes to crafting incredible racecars. Perhaps no one can describe Porsche’s strength and racing roots better than Porsche:

“It has taken that success 18th overall winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (more than any other manufacturer)
More than 50 class wins at Le Mans
An estimated 28,000 total championships won globally as of 2007
275 dedicated race cars produced in 2007 alone (more than any other manufacturer).

With such a spectacular and impressive impact on the sport of racing, it’s no wonder that Porsche continues to use racing innovations to improve and perfect their road cars.

Racing and the Connection to Road Car

While Ferdinand Porsche initially started out manufacturing farm equipment and consulting for other companies he eventually branched out into his own manufacturing and ultimately created a company that has dominated both the racing and road car markets. It is easy to trace the racing influence in the road cars of today.

CFRP, or Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer, is commonly referred to a carbon fiber and is a light fiber reinforced plastic that is extremely strong. Porsche used CFRP in their vehicles to achieve a lighter overall weight and maximum speed. CFRP first appeared on the Porsche 911 GT1 in 1996 and most recently turned up on the GT3 RS . CFRP is such an effective tool that Porsche has used it for over twenty years.

Another Porsche feature that has its roots featured in racing is carbon ceramic brakes. Cars that are built to go over 150 miles per hour also need to stop; sometimes quickly. Brakes are built to stop a vehicle by using friction. The heat and friction required to stop a car going almost 200 miles per hour can be damaging to the steel of traditional braking systems. Carbon ceramic brakes are designed to withstand the heat and maintain their structural integrity. Because of this, carbon ceramic brakes can have an incredibly long life span especially if you aren’t driving on a racetrack every day. In addition to the longevity and heat resistance some people appreciate the aesthetics of carbon ceramic brakes. To some, they simply add to the appearance of the vehicle. More practically speaking, they also subtract from the weight of the car. These brakes are much lighter than their steel counterparts helping again, to improve the optimum speed of the car. Porsche has always taken its quest for faster and better seriously and its improvement in braking systems is no different. Original Porsche’s featured four disc brakes and two calipers and went through several iterations before progressing to carbon ceramic brakes in the 996 GT2 in 2001. These brakes are still available as an upgrade on many Porsche models.

Another aspect of Porsche’s racing success that carries over to their road cars is the sheer speed and power that helped make Porsche famous. Porsche’s 1^st win in 1951 at Le Mans was with a racing 356 SL that could reach up to 160 km/h and 46 horsepower. Porsche has taken that engine and simply improved upon it over the years. The 2017 Panamera Turbo exemplifies Porsche’s racing roots with a 4 liter V8 engine that achieves 550 horsepower and can reach 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. The Panamera is Porsche’s 2017 sports sedan. This means that even in a vehicle designed for the on the go businessperson and his or her family, you can see the power and roots of Porsche’s past.

The infamous turbo is another textbook Porsche characteristic that can be seen in both race and road cars over the years. The first Turbo debuted in 1975. The first 911 Turbo model that was available for purchase was a hulking figure and only produced as a limited edition. The Turbo boasted a larger engine capacity and wider wheel arches. As the Turbo continued to be utilized the engine kept getting bigger with the 1993 Turbo boasting a 3.6 liter. Thanks to Porsche’s racing roots and continued technological advances, today’s 911 Turbo road vehicles can brag about 540 horsepower and zero to sixty in 2.9 seconds.

Your Source for Porsche Road Racing Parts

If you are looking to add or customize your road car to reflect more of Porsche’s racing roots, give us a call. TurboKraft’s skilled craftsmen can maintain your vehicle or customize any way you wish. Contact TurboKraft and get access to genuine and custom Porsche parts. Let us make your car come to life.

Porsche History and Trivia

May 12, 2017 By Christopher Carroll

Porsche enthusiasts soak in every iota of knowledge about this iconic brand possible. While you may know some of the history and trivia below, you might also find some rarer nuggets of knowledge and trivia that may intrigue and surprise you.

Everything You Never Knew About the Porsche Brand

Porsche’s beginnings weren’t exactly what you would imagine. Ferdinand Porsche initially worked as a chief engineer for Mercedes Benz and for ten years after he created his company, Porsche didn’t build cars. Instead, the company consulted on the design of other vehicles including the VW beetle and WWII tanks.
Porsche owners can get their vehicle custom painted any color they choose, for a fee of course. Despite the many custom options red, black and white are far and away the most popular choices.
Porsche designed tractors. In the 1930’s prior to designing cars, Ferdinand Porsche designed prototypes for tractors.

The History of Porsche

Once Porsche began manufacturing cars, the company found its roots and soul in racing. In the late 40’s Porsche introduced a new Grand Prix racing car and shortly thereafter built the 356. During this same era, Porsche developed and introduced its logo, a hybrid of the Stuttgart coat of arms and the coat of arms of Württemberg. The origin of the logo comes from the state of Württemberg which was once called Stuttgart. This region is where Porsches were built. The logo also includes a horse which comes from the Stuttgart’s Coat of Arms and represents a stud farm the city was built on.

In the 1950’s, the 10,000^th Porsche was built. 1953 saw the introduction of the Porsche 550 Spyder and in 1954 the Speedster was introduced as the stripped down version of the 356.

At the time of Ferdinand Porsche’s death, his son Ferry took over the family business, and Ferry’s son Alexander continued to carry on the family name. In the 1960’s Porsche debuted the now iconic 911 and the coupe model. Both were incredibly successful. Porsche also debuted the Targo, fuel injection and larger engines. Several years after the 911, Porsche debuted the 914 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and won.

The above models helped Porsche establish its name and reputation. The 1970’s brought about a new wave of iconic designs in the form of the 917 and the Porsche 911 Turbo. The 917 is a beautiful racing car that gave Porsche their first win at Le Mans and had a top speed of up to 240 mph. The 917 was so successful there are at least 17 different variations of them that were produced. Meanwhile, the 911 Turbo was Porsche’s combination of speed and luxury.

Porsche engines were air cooled until 1997. The 996 was the first water cooled Porsche and purists were horrified. While many people will argue that air cooled cars have more soul, the benefits of water cooling are plentiful. Water can be more effectively cooled enabling you to run the temperature cooler which in turn can get more power out of an engine. Air cooling tends to be lighter and less expansive in terms of space, however, the water cooling systems have been improved upon and are now the standard.

Porsche entered the SUV market in 2002. Porsche made its mark in this vehicle category with the Cayenne and has captured a fair share of sales majority of Porsche’s profits from the sale of SUV’s. Porsche’s successful experiment into the SUV arena has shifted the luxury market and added to the already robust Porsche brand.

Interesting Porsche Trivia Tidbits

Peugeot sued Porsche… and won. The Porsche 911 was originally named 901, a name that Peugeot argued infringed upon their already existing naming system. Peugeot won and the Porsche 901 was rebranded as the 911. Porsche produced 82 901’s before the forced name change took effect.
They have won Le Mans more times than any other manufacturer.
Porsche designed watches, among other things besides cars. In 1972, Porsche’s first watch design, a chronograph debuted. It features a black matt background with a contrasting white dial and is considered a classic by collectors.
The Dutch police drove Porsche 356’s for a short period of time. They ordered 10 special edition Porsche’s in 1966.
The original 356 speedster did not offer padded seats, visors or heaters as standard options.
Porsche had a driving school which was first held in Long Island, NY in 1971.
In the early `1990’s Porsche was able to decrease the cost of their cars by decreasing the time it took to produce them; taking the total time to build a Porsche 911 from 125 hours down to 80 hours.
Porsche’s movie moments both in actual films and also through the notoriety of famous owners. Jerry Seinfeld, Steve McQueen, Jay Leno and Patrick Dempsey have all enjoyed the benefits of Porsche ownership. In the movie Risky Business, the Porsche shown was actually several different models and versions.

While trivia and tidbits are fun ways to celebrate Porsche and its incredible history, the best way to truly enjoy and get to know these incredible machines is to own one. If Porsche ownership is in your present or future, Call Turbokraft and allow us to show you how we can customize your vehicle to perfectly suit you.

The Ultimate Porsche 911 Buying Guide

May 5, 2017 By Christopher Carroll

When You Find a Porsche 911 for Sale

If you are shopping for a Porsche 911, finding one for sale shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. Finding the perfect 911 is the hard part. The Porsche 911 is an icon for a legendary brand and the initial design was magic, that just got better over time. The 911 gives many options and variations to choose from. The first step to finding your dream car is identifying which qualities in a 911 are most important to you. Are you shopping for sheer speed? Do you need something powerful but luxurious? Are you looking for a perfect blend of performance and comfort or does your heart desire the fastest vehicle possible? The first step to purchasing your perfect Porsche car is to narrow down your wants and preferences and prioritize the items most important to you.

Used Porsche 911 Buying Guide

You need to consider all aspects of your potential Porsche 911 including these three possible deal breakers: age, trim, and engine.

When looking at a used Porsche 911, you need to consider the innovations and changes that have come over time. The oldest 911’s will come with more challenging steering and air cooled engines. The newer 911’s reflect the benefit of improvements and technology and are produced with more power and lighter weight materials. Not everyone is a fan of the new and improved models as they also come with water cooling systems and technology that can handle the challenge of driving for you. An additional consideration with an older 911 is the cost of any necessary restoration. While we have a team of Porsche specialists that can restore any 911 to its original glory, you should consider the time and financial investment needed prior to purchasing any vehicle. In addition tho this facts, it should be oil leak free.

The trim varies greatly throughout the Porsche 911’s history. The Carrera, Targa, Turbo and GT3 are the 4 major trims available for various 911’s. The Carrera is considered the base model while today’s Targa comes with a retractable, partially removable roof. The Turbo is a faster version of the base model and the GT3 is geared towards racing. The GT3 may not be the fastest variation on a straightaway but it built for speed and handling on a track. There are dozens of additional offshoots from these four primary categories.

The next consideration is the engine of your dreams. The Porsche 911 simply outdoes itself in offering a huge range of options, horsepower and torque. A Carrera or Targa 4 engine comes equipped with a 3.4 liter flat 6 engine that gives up to 350 horsepower and 287lb per foot torque. Meanwhile, a wide range of 911’s such as the Carrera S, Targa S, and Turbo S utilize a 3.8 liter flat 6 engine with more maximum horsepower and torque. If that’s just not enough you can look into the GT3 RS and its 4 liter flat 6 engine that comes with a maximum 500 horsepower and 338 lbs per foot torque.

Vehicle specs aside there are some other important things to keep in mind when choosing the used 911 of your dreams. First and foremost, you need to buy the Porsche you want. Everyone will have an opinion. Porsche’s history and offerings are too plentiful for everyone to agree on which model is the best one. Don’t be swayed by your buddies, your coworkers or resale considerations. At the end of the day, people buy Porsche’s for the sheer pleasure they bring. Make sure you are buying the 911 that best suits you and makes your inner child giddy with joy.

Professional Guidance in Buying a Porsche 911

You have many avenues available to you when looking at buying a used Porsche 911. Our favorite choice is an Official Porsche Center (OPC). These centers sell cars that are held to Porsche standards and include a two-year warranty. This gives you some protection in the event there are unforeseen issues. You can also purchase your 911 from an auction but it is hard to vet the vehicle and its history. This can be a much more challenging proposition that comes with the possibility of expensive repairs. Private dealers can also be a good way to purchase. Private dealers should offer a discounted price but quality cars priced well will usually go fast. If you decide to use a private dealer you should always be prepared to get the vehicle checked out prior to completing the purchase. Contact our experts at TurboKraft and allow us to do a thorough inspection of the vehicle. We can give you an honest assessment of the vehicles condition and estimate costs for any immediate issues that need to be addressed. We can also give you an estimate for any restoration or customization services required to make the vehicle absolutely perfect. When it comes to your future Porsche 911 don’t settle: consult with experts, do your research, and with our help you can easily buy or create the perfect 911 for you.

Contact our Porsche experts at TurboKraft and allow us to do a thorough inspection of the vehicle. We can give you an honest assessment of the vehicles condition and estimate costs for any immediate issues that need to be addressed. We can also give you an estimate for any restoration or customization services required to make the vehicle absolutely perfect. When it comes to your future Porsche 911 don’t settle: consult with experts, do your research, and with our help you can easily buy or create the perfect 911 for you.

Things to Know About the Porsche 919

April 25, 2017 By Christopher Carroll

The Porsche 919 originally debuted at the 6 hours of Silverstone in 2014 and finished third. The 919 is a quintessential racecar with something extra, built for speed and endurance and some views it as the most beautiful Porsche ever built. Porsche reworked and adjusted the 919 to battle its way to the top spot and take home first place at LeMans and the remaining five races of the season. Porsche took everything it excels at and placed it in this car. It is a tribute to Porsche’s innovation and engineering mastery.

The Porsche 919 Model

Porsche took home the title at the 2016 World Endurance Championship. They are upping the ante for 2017 with the 919 hybrid model. Porsche is determined to defend their title and has taken the 919 hybrid to another level. While the 2017 offering looks similar to last year’s predecessor, Porsche has reworked and redesigned approximately 60% – 70% of the vehicle and introduced new aerodynamic packages. One of which is a specifically redesigned aerokit to address long straightaways and another which is customized to tight, twisty courses. Powertrain upgrades and energy dispersion help make this car the most exciting to watch, yet. The engine is responsible for powering the rear wheels only while the lithium battery provides power to an electric motor on the front axle. Along with the new changes comes a new nose and the biggest headlights Porsche has ever used. Porsche Previous models suffered from spent rubber and debris on the track. The improved design doesn’t miss a beat.

Racing regulations play an important part of any car design, and the 919 hybrid is no exception. Lemans put in place rules to slow down cars around the corners while the World Endurance Championship encourages teams to push the limits. Porsche designed the 919 hybrid to tackle both. Initial races became important proving grounds with Porsche making necessary tweaks and adjustments after all of them. Car number 14 suffered from a false alarm which turned the hybrid system off altogether, while initial LeMans testing suffered from understeering. Further testing led to both 919’s catching fire while in the pit causing concern. It was later discovered the flexing engine cover and turbocharger were too close together, causing a small fire. Despite these minor setbacks and adjustments, or perhaps because of them, the 919 became an exquisite force to be reckoned with.

Porsche 919 Engine

The 919 Porsche hybrid originally hit the track in June 2013 but the engine has been overhauled and redesigned many times since then. The original design suffered an engine vibration issue which caused breaks in the suspension. This along with many other things have been corrected since. The hybrid features a V4 turbo which works in perfect harmony with the rest of the vehicle. The engine feeds the rear axle which in turn powers the exhaust recovery system that helps the cars hybrid system. Another part of the hybrid is the lithium batteries which hold and store excess energy recovered from the front axle brakes or the exhaust system. One of the things that sets the 919 hybrid apart is the use of two turbines in the exhaust system. One turbine is linked to the compressor while the second is linked to an electric motor, not the other turbine or a compressor. This allows the second turbine to fully recover any expended energy when the vehicle is running. Energy is stored in the lithium batteries provided by A123 systems. Porsche has only released one photo of the 919 hybrid engine and it’s beautiful. It’s also certain that changes and adjustments have already been made so to truly be able to appreciate everything this engine has to offer, you have to drive it.

Porsche 919 Top Speed

Porsche describes the 919 hybrid vehicle type as a LeMans Prototype class LMP1. It is constructed with composite fiber made up of carbon fibers and honeycomb aluminum core, all to create a beautifully designed vehicle that thirsts for speed. The energy generator unit or EGU on the front axle, 7 speed racing transmission and sliding tripod, universal joints drive train all help the 919 hybrid deliver while still weighing less than 2000 lbs. The V4 2 liter turbocharged hybrid engine and design that allows for no energy lost create a top speed of greater than 211 miles per hour and 400 horsepower. When WEC racing regulations were adjusted, limited teams to 3 sets of tires for the entire weekend, Porsche responded. The hybrid management system and adjustments to traction control have been implemented specifically to make tires last longer.

The 919 brings Porsche back to its true identity. While the prettier, more polished Cayenne’s and 911’s of the Porsche family give the Porsche name its refined and sophisticated reputation; the 919 brings it back to its raw, racing roots. The superb design and incredible thought behind the 919 have created a monster of a race car and a thing of beauty.

If you’re considering to buy Porsche 919, call Turbokraft. Everything you need to know about Porsche 919 from why it was built, engine make up, and top speed, their porsche specialist will be happy to assist you.

Porsche Restoration: What You Need to Know

April 14, 2017 By Christopher Carroll

What Porsche Restoration Specialists Can Do

Time can heal all wounds but it can also wreak havoc on cars. Classic cars suffer from exterior wear and tear, wiring and parts breaking down and overall damage and deterioration. Whether you drive your Porsche like a racecar every day or park it in the garage and only bring it out on special occasions, the erosion of pieces and parts over time can’t be avoided. This is where Porsche restoration specialists come in.

Porsche restoration specialists wear many hats. They have to be experts in all things Porsche, not just the mechanics but the history. For a specialist to truly bring a car back to its full glory, he or she needs to know exactly how Porsche intended the vehicle to be built and driven. Our restoration specialists have a high level of mechanical and electrical knowledge and expertise. Their roles as Porsche historians allow them to appreciate and understand the mechanisms of your vehicle. Our Porsche restoration team can rewire, rebuild and restore your Porsche to its original glory. Rebuilding engines, repairing or customizing clutches and transmissions and retooling suspensions are all part of a restoration specialist’s skillset.

Some restoration companies will have dedicated specialists for various parts of the vehicles. Some experts will be masters of custom paint jobs and specific paint projects while others will have specific electrical talents. Make sure that your restorer’s talents match the needs of your project. At TurboKraft, we have a team of specialists that can custom build or restore your Porsche from the ground up.

When looking for your Porsche restoration specialist you need to be selective. Some Porsche owners want to restore their vehicles themselves while others only want an expert to make minor adjustments to their car. There are also some owners that have expertise in one area but not in others, calling in specialists only for those times that are needed. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of “do it yourself” your restoration partner should understand and work with your needs. You need to be able to communicate your expectations regarding the final product and feel confident that your restoration specialist can deliver.

If you are looking for a restoration specialist you have many resources to help. If you enjoy Porsche car shows or high-end auctions talk to other owners. If there is a restored car that you covet or admire get as much information about the restoration as possible. If you are looking for a restoration company, interview them much the way you would a prospective employee: ask for references, previous restoration work experience and meet with them in person if possible. You want your restoration project to be an enjoyable one and the first step to success is to hire the right professional for the job.

Workspace and equipment matter. When dealing with a custom build or restoration, your specialist needs to have the tools necessary to get the job done. If your Porsche needs extensive metal fabrication, your specialist should probably have a metal brake, English wheel and other important metal working tools. The workspace should also reflect the care needed to restore a vehicle. While working on cars can be nitty gritty, workspaces should be organized and clean. Restorations can be big jobs and a professional restoration company should have ample room for their craftsmen and cars.

Communication is key. Any restoration project should include consistent communication between the client and company. From the first meeting, a restoration specialist should ask questions to completely understand what the client is looking for. Once the scope of the project is agreed upon, pricing needs to be established. Moving forward from there, your specialist should be in regular contact with you giving updates on the status of the vehicle and notifying you of any changes or unexpected issues. Communication and craftsmanship are the hallmarks of quality restoration specialists.

How Do You Get the Best Porsche Restoration Parts?

At TurboKraft, we customize engines and fabricate parts in-house to ensure the highest quality. Purchasing specialty factory parts can be very expensive and time-consuming. We achieve the same high-level quality with less time and expense by making our own Porsche Parts. From replacing your clutch to rebuilding your exhaust system to completely overhauling your engine; if it’s mechanical it’s our specialty. We have the tools and skills to customize your Porsche to meet your needs. Whether you are looking for a more reliable family car or a faster ride around the track, we can execute your vision. Our professionals are Porsche craftsmen, treating every project with precision and care. Whether you want to restore a classic, upgrade a current model or build your dream car from scratch, give us a call and let us bring your vision to life.

What is the most beautiful Porsche ever built?

April 5, 2017 By Christopher Carroll

What is the most beautiful Porsche ever built? It’s an incredibly, delightfully difficult question. Over the storied history of Porsche, there have been some fantastic specimens of beauty to choose from. Beauty is so subjective, your answer may very well depend on the Porsche traits you find most valuable. if you are a traditionalist or innovator your perception of beauty may be totally different. Either way, Porsche has you covered. For the purposes of this article the Porsche Carrera GT is the most beautiful Porsche ever built, at least for now and here’s why…

Porsche-Best Car in the World

Porsche has built a legacy on constructing street legal race cars in the most beautiful way possible. Because Porsche is so good at what they do, it makes picking just one almost impossible. For now, we will argue that the best Porsche when tackling the question of beauty is the Carrera GT. The Carrera GT was launched in 2004 and built through 2007. This incredible specimen is a limited-edition sports car with less than 1300 built. It’s speed and spectacular design command a base price of around a half a million dollars. The sleek body design and textbook Porsche engineering delivers a 5.7 litre engine and a v10 engine. This car produces 612 horsepower and can go from zero to sixty in 3.5 seconds. With a top speed of 208 miles per hour, this car is not for the faint of heart or the inexperienced driver. The Carrera GT demands a driver that is up to its standards and can manage its breakneck speed and power.

The design and engineering of the Carrera GT also help set it apart. The engine is set in the middle of the car and stability control is non-existent, as Porsche decided that it was simply not needed. The strength and build of the ceramic composite brake system and lightweight drive train create a weightless and smooth driving experience. The Carrera GT responds immediately and without pause or unnecessary effort. Because of the build and ability of this car, it is best enjoyed on the open road or racetrack. If you decide to so something as normal as taking this car grocery shopping, be careful of speedbumps and other such everyday hazards that can damage the carbon fiber bottom.

Best Classic Porsche to Buy

The Carrera GT is one of the most tempting Porsche’s to purchase. It was originally intended to be built for racing at LeMans with the V10 initially constructed for a Formula One team. In 2000, a prototype borrowing the V10 technology drew large crowds at the Paris Motor Show. Production began and the first Carrera GT’s went on sale in 2004. With less than 1300 ever built, the existing supply is becoming more sparse making them more rare and expensive. The existing vehicles can suffer damage from accidents or simply wear and tear over time. If you can purchase a Carrera GT you will own a piece of Porsche history that will become increasing more rare. The Dupont Registry currently has approximately ten vehicles for sale ranging in price from $450,000 to $1,050,000.This car offers its owner an opportunity to drive a street legal racecar and the low production numbers make it a valuable piece of history.

Best Selling Porsche

Beauty by the numbers supports the choice of the 911 Carrera GT. If you use sales price as the measure of a car’s appeal, the sales figures for this car can’t be denied. With a starting price of $440,000 and upwards of over a million dollars, this cars strength and appeal are obvious. While there are other Porsche’s that have sold for more, this particular Porsche mode consistently sells high and retains value.

Which Porsche is the best?

While it is difficult to definitively say which Porsche is the best ever, we stand behind the sleek look and powerful design of the Carrera GT. With that being said, there are a few runners-up that should be acknowledged.

The Carrera GT’s successor, the 918 Spyder is a sight to behold with its fantastic lines and brute speed. One of the defining visual characteristics of the 918 Spyder is the exhaust system which helps fumes exit the vehicle from two cannon like airflows placed above the heads of the occupants. With 887 horsepower and the ability to top out around 211 mph, it could easily be the most beautiful Porsche to many, and just for fun it’s also a hybrid.

Also a strong contender, the Porsche 356 Roadster. Porsche only produced 21 of these cars. While the Roadster has a 4 cylinder, air cooled engine it had no problem keeping up with larger sports cars of its time and looking good while doing it.

There are too many other contenders to list. Porsche has excelled for many years in creating masterpieces. Their cars are the epitome of speed, luxury and beauty. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Porsche has given us many fantastic specimens to behold. Today we choose the Carrera GT as the most beautiful of them all, but ask again tomorrow.

Top 5 Best Roads in Arizona to Drive Your Porsche

March 20, 2017 By Christopher Carroll

Porsche owners appreciate the speed and handling that come with this luxury brand. Porsche engineers street legal race cars with varying levels of luxury, depending on the model you choose. Some Porsche drivers sacrifice comfort for speed while others want all the creature comforts that money can buy. Determining the best road trip is similar. It’s all a matter of taste and personal preference. That being said, Arizona roads have something to offer everyone.

Plan Your Arizona Road Trip

There is nothing like the feeling of taking your finely engineered Porsche out on the open road and letting it sing. Arizona has some of the most breathtaking scenery along the desert expanse. Enjoy making a plan and deciding how to best soak it all in. The first thing you need to decide is how long you want to be gone. You can spend weeks crisscrossing along the state and taking in the sights while enjoying the drive. The next thing you should consider is the goal of your trip. Are you looking for twisty turns or long straightaways? Do you have a dream destination and just need to plan the best way to get there? Are you looking for the best day trip possible? Have no fear, our scenic drives and best Arizona road trips have a little bit of something for everyone.

Scenic Drives in Arizona

If you are looking for a little kitsch and fun, then look no further than Route 66. Start at Topock in Western Arizona and travel north and through the desert to Kingman, all the while enjoying 173 miles of road. While part of the trip is now named the Oatman Highway, it gives ample room for speed and hairpin turns. Along the way, take in some local culture. Grand Canyon Caverns in Peach Springs features cave tours, rafting, and a 1960’s shop complete with themed memorabilia. Another fun pit stop is Seligman, a kitschy town that greets visitors with a retro motel and throwback museums and gift shops. Finish up this particular drive in Holbrook and spend the night in a concrete teepee.

If you prefer more comfort and luxury than kitschy fun, perhaps Highway 89 is more your speed. Take your Porsche from Wickenburg to Flagstaff with some time in Skull Valley and Sedona in between. Wickenburg offers a real dude ranch as well as southwestern culture and experiences. Once you are done soaking in the Wickenburg sites, hop in your Porsche and cruise through the beautiful desert to Skull Valley. The town is small and has a population of just 500. While it won’t take long to see all of Skull Valley, you can continue northeast up through some beautiful national forest until you reach Sedona. Sedona is less fun to drive, as its incredible red rock vistas and reputation for healing draw hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, but it is a relaxing place to rest and recharge before hitting the road the rest of the way north to Flagstaff.

If you and your Porsche prefer a more rough and rugged adventure, the Apache Trail may be perfect for you. The Apache Trail offers 38 miles of road that is both dirt and paved; and takes the driver through the desert, mountains and lakes. This trail highlights the best of the scenery that Arizona has to offer. It also challenges the nerves of any driver with steep cliffs and sheer drop offs. This trail is not for the faint of heart but is perfect for a well-crafted, easily maneuvered Porsche.

Best Road Trips in Arizona

When you and your Porsche decide to take a drive in Arizona you have many choices. Easily one of the best road trips is around the Grand Canyon. If you are starting in the southern part of the state, you can start in Tucson and migrate north to Mount Lemmon and the Tonto National Forest. The Mount Lemmon highway is a driver’s dream with an elevation increase of 6,000 feet and spectacular scenery along the way. Tonto National Forest has almost 3 million acres of land that varies from Saguaro cacti to pine tree covered mountains. From there you can continue to Flagstaff and then on to the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is incredibly picturesque and has miles of roads and trails to be explored. It is truly a breathtaking place that can consume your time with the canyon but also spectacular prairie’s and plateau’s.

Arizona roads have an incredible range and expanse to offer Porsche drivers. If you are looking for death defying cliffs and twists and turns, look no further. If long and fast straightaways are more your speed we have those too. You can make a drive through Arizona as much or as little as you want it to be. There is so much to explore, you can hop in your Porsche for an hour or a week, and enjoy.