Porsche built its last classic air-cooled 911 back in 1998. Now, 20 years on, it’s made just one more – and it’s going to auction the ‘Project Gold’ 911 Turbo for charity as part of its 70^th anniversary celebrations.

18 months in the making, Project Gold is a 993-generation 911 that’s been fully rebuilt using Porsche Classic parts. The retro Porsche division lists 6,500 parts for the 993 series alone, from a catalogue of 52,000 old Porsche parts, so finding new bits off the shelf was not a problem.

Many jobs have been done to the same standard as brand new Porsches. Project Gold’s bodyshell went through the latest corrosion protection and paint line as modern 911s, for example. The bespoke Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur division then detailed both the exterior and interior.

But Porsche Classic did all the assembly work at its Stuttgart workshop, including the installation of a brand new air-cooled 3.6-litre twin-turbo engine, producing 450hp. It sounds a lot: it’s actually the same figure the Turbo S developed back in 1998, underlining what an extraordinary car it was back then.

The engine, gearbox and even the all-wheel drive system all came from the Porsche Classic genuine parts brochure.

It’s been painted gold to match the 2019 911 Turbo S Exclusive series, giving Porsche the excuse to run a photoshoot of old and new cars. Don’t expect to see Project Gold on the road though – it’s not road-legal so will be restricted to circuits.

It can’t be used on the road because it can’t be registered: it’s a custom-build, with a hand-stamped chassis number rather than an official one. Although Porsche has, smartly, given it a number that follows on from the final series 993 Turbo from back in 1998.

“This project clearly demonstrates our strategic approach,” said sales and marketing board member Detlev von Platen.

“Although we are starting a new chapter in our sports car history with the Porsche Taycan, the story of how the company evolved is no less significant.

“On the contrary, this Golden Yellow 993 demonstrates how incredibly passionate we are about the tradition of the brand.”

The Project Gold 993 Porsche 911 Turbo will make its world debut at the Porsche Rennsport Reunion in Laguna Seca on September 27.

A month later, it will be auctioned by RM Sothebys at the Porsche Experience Centre in Atlanta. All proceeds will go to the Ferry Porsche Foundation as part of the 70 years of Porsche sports cars celebrations.

Project Gold Porsche 911 Turbo: in pictures

More than half of those who own a Land Rover also own a dog. Spotting an opportunity, Land Rover has released a set of custom-designed Pet Packs to make its vehicles more dog-friendly.

Some people aren’t getting it: dogs die in hot cars

The new accessories have been revealed to coincide with this Sunday’s International Dog Appreciation Day.

There’s a Pet Pack kit for every Land Rover model, and prices start from just over £360. Each comprises a selection of accessories that do what their name suggests.

The three Land Rover Pet Packs are:

• Pet Load Space Protection Pack (£482) – quilted load space liner, full luggage partition, spill-resistant water bowl
• Pet Transportation Pack (£360.37) – foldable pet carrier, load space rubber mat, spill-resistant water bowl
• Pet Care and Access Pack (£887.56) – pet access ramp, portable rinse system, full luggage partition, quilted load space liner

Owners can also purchase accessories individually.

“Land Rover is all about enjoying the great outdoors and that goes hand-in-hand with dog ownership for many customers,” said product marketing director Finbar McFall.

“Our customers told us that the comfort of their dogs on car journeys is crucial. They are part of the family and we recognise that.

“Our new Pet Packs will allow dogs to travel in real comfort and make journeys simpler and more relaxing for animals and at the same time protect the inside of owners’ vehicles.”

What’s good for dogs is also good for retained values. 

Dogs trust Land Rover

The handiest feature for dogs may be the foldable pet ramp – particularly if they’re smaller or older. It’s built from aluminium side panels and a plastic centre section: for the safety of dogs, it’s covered with a high-grip tread pattern, and rubber feet stop it from slipping.

For dogs who have been dogs, the portable rinse system will deliver five minutes of shower power, and it has five spray settings – it’s also good for rinsing off muddy bikes or wetsuits, says Land Rover.

The quilted load liner protects the floor, seat backs and even the side wall carpets from dog detritus; it’s soft, so dogs will be comfy, is wipe-clean, and has a detachable bumper protector to stop scratches from paws and claws.

And the foldable pet carrier? It’s built from a lightweight metal frame and there’s a nice soft quilted fabric cushion for dogs to sit on, and net windows so they can see out.

The spill-proof water bowl is rather smart, too: it holds 350ml and Land Rover reckons the clever design and non-slip rubber base stop water splashing out “on everything but the roughest terrain”.

Land Rover Pet Packs: in pictures

(click to see more)

Jaguar has announced at Monterey Car Week it is putting the all-electric E-type Zero into production – and not only will it emit zero emissons, it will also accelerate faster than the original Series 1 E-type.

The firm is  targeting a driving range of more than 170 miles for the green E-type Zero, thanks to a beefy 40kWh battery. That’s the same size as you get in a new Nissan Leaf, but the electric E-type’s range is aided by its light weight.

Jaguar E-type Zero: the EV E-type that Harry and Meghan drove

Amazingly, Jaguar says the lithium ion battery pack has similar dimensions to the six-cylinder petrol engine it replaces – and weighs almost the same, too.

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Lots of electrical bits from the new Jaguar I-Pace are used in the E-type Zero, although Jaguar says that as the setup of the electric powertrain is so similar to the original petrol E-type, the structure hasn’t had to be changed, and both suspension and brakes can carry over. This helps retail the authentic E-type feel, reckons Jaguar.

Even the car’s overall weight distribution is unchanged and “it drives, handles, rides and brakes like an original E-type”.

The only other obvious changes, apart from the electric drive, are an upgraded instrument panel with touchscreen infotainment and bright, efficient LED headlights that mimic the original. Otherwise, the car, which will be built by Jaguar Classic in Coventry, is pretty much all-original.

A future-proofed classic

Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic director, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive reaction to the Jaguar E-type Zero concept. Future-proofing the enjoyment of classic car ownership is a major stepping stone for Jaguar Classic.

“E-type Zero showcases the incredible heritage of the E-type, and the expertise and craftsmanship at Classic Works, while demonstrating Jaguar Land Rover’s dedication to creating zero emission vehicles across every part of the business, including Jaguar Classic.”

Jaguar Classic is offering two electric E-type Zero options. You can buy a model ready to go, one fully restored and converted to run on electric through the E-type Reborn restorations service.

Or, for those who already own an E-type, Jaguar is offering a conversion kit. It’s fully reversible too, adds the firm, “to preserve the authenticity of the base vehicle”.

How much? That’s still to be revealed, but Jaguar will happily take expressions of interest now: email zero@jaguarlandrover.com, call +44 (0) 203 01 1255, or visit the Jaguar Classic website. The first models are expected to be delivered from summer 2020.

Jaguar first revealed the electric E-type Zero last year, showcasing it at its autumn tech fest in London. The car later gained global fame when it served as the wedding car of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The Honda NSX supercar has been upgraded for 2019 with a series of chassis, powertrain and trim revisions – and the introduction of a vivid new paint colour called Therma Orange.

Honda UK has also secured a “limited allocation” of the sell-out supercar, which its MD Dave Hodgetts confirmed will be available from early 2019.

Visually, the 2019 NSX is marked out by a front grille that’s now colour-matched to the bodywork, rather than finished in chrome. Front and rear bumpers have gloss black mesh inserts, and if you choose the Therma Orange pearlescent paint, you can have the calipers of the optional carbon ceramic brakes finished in the same colour.

Does all that sound not quite vivid enough? You’re in luck: Honda’s added a full red leather upholstery option – or, if you go for Alcantara and leather, an Indigo Blue alternative.

Even more Super Handling

There are some big changes to the chassis setup of the 2019 Honda NSX. The supercar gets much larger front and rear anti-roll bars, which increase front stiffness by 26 percent and rear stiffness by 19 percent.

Honda’s uprated the rear hubs and the business in the control arm toe links too, further increasing responsiveness.

Continental SportContact 6 tyres are now standard; they’ve been honed for the 2019 NSX and Honda says they improve both feedback and response in cornering, braking and acceleration, both in the wet and the dry.

But it’s not all about on-the-limit prowess. Honda has retuned the active dampers, to make them more comfortable in the regular on-road setting, “while maintaining the stiffer set-up for higher speeds and on-track driving”. Software for the electric power steering and stability control has been revised as well.

Result? A car that’s more stable and more throttle-adjustable on the track… and one that’s two seconds faster than today’s car around Honda’s Suzuka race circuit.

The hybrid supercar is even more environmentally conscious for 2019. New injectors, a particulate filter and tweaks to the heat response of the turbocharger mean it now complies with Euro 6d-TEMP emissions regulations, as well as the new WLTP fuel economy standard.

Infiniti wants to get us excited about its forthcoming range of electric cars – so, under the guidance of new design boss Karim Habib, it’s revealed a radical speedster concept at Pebble Beach called Prototype 10.

Following on from last year’s Prototype 9, the Prototype 10 is said to evoke the spirit of early Californian speedsters and is “informed by some of the most iconic car designs of all time.”

Back in the day, says Habib, “power was celebrated through high-powered single-seat competition cars. Our new concept speaks of an electrified future, something which is reflected in its form and details.

“It is appropriate that we found inspiration in an optimistic bygone era in which cars were characterised by the simple love of driving.”

Monoposto EV

Because every new Infiniti from 2021 will be electrified, Prototype 10 is here to show us how it’s going to make them fun to drive and striking to look at. All future Infinitis will use design elements seen here. The firm hopes they’ll be as driver-focused as this speedster – literally – suggests.

Revealing it in California was intentional, says Infiniti. “California has an automotive culture all of its own, with a rich vein of individual expression empowering car fans and gearheads alike to create their own unique, hand-built machines.”

Californian auto enthusiasts like to “challenge accepted automotive norms” and the region is “intrinsically linked to the speedster body style and remains a cultural centre for independent car tuning and coachbuilding to this day.” Prototype 10, says Habib, taps into California’s unique ethos of self-expression.

Electrification for Infiniti means performance, he adds. “Prototype 10 is a physical representation of our electrified future.”

‘The austere concept’

Infiniti describes Prototype 10 as having “a series of austere, straight lines… a pared-back, more geometric form… ultra-modern shapes and clean, abrupt lines punctuate a design that would otherwise be characterised by the flowing nature of its bodywork.”

Which means? Well, the preview of a new form language, one that evolves the sensuality of the recent Infiniti Q Inspiration Concept “with more purpose and aggression”.

Electric cars mark a turning point for designers, adds Infiniti president Roland Krueger: they can explore different proportions without the need to package stuff like engines, gearboxes and fuel tanks. “This new design language prioritises clean, efficient lines with which we can articulate a new, confident design language.”

Of course, it’s not a car with production intent. It’s only a design study, albeit a striking one. But the firm wants it to clearly show how flexible its future platforms and drivetrains are going to be: “electrification provide new opportunities for the design and layout of our cars,” said Habib.

Which is exciting news for all of us. For years, cars like this have been limited to the gearhead scene of California. But if the flexibility of tomorrow’s electric cars means they could become a series production reality, the EVs of tomorrow could unexpectedly be set to give us all a taste of pure car culture.

It’s a fantasy concept today. But is Infiniti suggesting cars like Prototype 10 could, thanks to electric power, be realistic realities of tomorrow? It’s an exciting thought…

The Volvo XC40 compact SUV is now a little more affordable with the introduction of a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine. The range now starts from £27,610 for a 1.5 T3 Momentum.

The new engine is Volvo’s first-ever three-cylinder motor, and joins the existing 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol and diesel line-up. The firm’s billing it as the city-friendly option of the range.

Volvo XC40 is 2018 European Car of the Year

Producing 156hp, 0-62mph takes 9.4 seconds. More importantly, the engine averages up to 45.6mpg and emits 144g/km CO2. It can tow 1.6 tonnes, adds Volvo – and although it’s only offered with a six-speed manual from launch, an eight-speed automatic is coming later.

For those who need more power, there’s also now a 190hp 2.0-litre T4, and the range is headed by a 247hp twin-turbo T5. On the diesel side, a 150hp 2.0-litre D3 joins the 190hp D4.

The trim range has been broadened too. Variants run from entry-level Momentum, to R-Design, to range-topping Inscription, and there are optional tech-packed ‘Pro’ upgrades for each variant. It means there are now 38 different variants of Volvo XC40, the reigning European Car of the Year.

Naturally, in the build-up to the September 68-plate registration, Volvo’s put together some XC40 special offers. The lower entry price of the T3 means the XC40 can now be bought from £299 a month on a four-year PCP, at 5.9 percent APR. All you need to find is a £4,885 deposit.

Monterey Car Week approaches, with the famous Pebble Beach concours this weekend. That means a lot of significant new car debuts – some more significant, to both manufacturer and market, than others. Few can top Automobili Pininfarina in such stakes, though. The debut of its self-made car signifies the realisation of an American dream. 

The PF0 electric hypercar is limited to 150 units and capable of more than 250mph. The Pininfarina name is one of the most revered in the industry, with Battista Farina first journeying to the States in the 1920s to court industry titans and shape his ideas. The gifted pens of his Turin styling house, Pininfarina, sketched the lines of some of the most beautiful cars in history – many of which regularly enjoy the limelight at Pebble Beach.

The company’s ultimate goal, however, was always to produce a car under its own name. Automobili Pininfarina and the PF0 are the realisation of Battista Farina’s original ambition.

“Our American dream was established in the 1920s even before the company was formed” said Paolo Pininfarina.

“My grandfather, Battista, visited Ford and at the end of his tour and had lunch with Henry Ford, who asked him to become their chief stylist. But he had other ideas and the rest is automotive history”.

Michael Perschke, CEO Automobili Pininfarina, is excited by the auctions: “Our time at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and in the Monterey auction houses will also be a highlight. We will celebrate Pininfarina’s unique place in automotive history and undoubtedly pick up further inspiration for our future range of cars from these Italian masterpieces”.

What can we expect of the car itself? Everything we know so far is collated here, although we won’t have to wait long to hear and see more. Of the car’s relation to previous Pininfarina pieces, design director Luca Borgogno said “we are defining a car that is not overdesigned; we want something that is super clean and looks impossibly simple. Whenever you look back at classic Pininfarina cars, these qualities stand out”.

Read more: 

• Priceless French classics on display at Monterey Car Week 2018
• The best car features owners didn’t know they had
• Ford is raffling the world’s only blue Mustang Bullitt for charity