A 1966 Mustang 2+2 used at a Wedding in Passau, Germany

From Ed Garten, taken from a recent trip to Germany --- Attached are two photos of a 1966 Mustang 2+2 we saw in front of a hotel in Passau, Germany.  The car was there for a wedding and a quick get-away by the bride and groom.

MASERATI TROFEO WORLD SERIES - ABU DHABI (UAE) - RACE 2 - 11 DECEMBER 2015

Sernagiotto takes the final Maserati Trofeo win with Monti again on the podium

Abu Dhabi (Uae), 11 December 2015 – Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit played host to the final round in the sixth Maserati Trofeo World Series season. Frenchman Romain Monti was crowned champion as the series that began at Monza in 2010 came to an end.  The last race was won by Giorgio Sernagiotto, making a return to drive for Team Red Dragon, flanked by Emanuele Smurra.  Sernagiotto, from Veneto, headed a pack of four drivers who applied the pressure to the very end. The other contenders were Monti, Riccardo Ragazzi and Adrien De Leener.  Monti, fresh from his title win, managed to climb to second spot after starting on tenth and with a 50kg weight handicap on board. This grid position was assigned as the Race 1 finishing order is inverted for Race 2. Another driver who made a solid comeback was Ragazzi: he came home third despite lining up in ninth.  Some way down on the front four was Lino Curti. Behind him came an Alessandro Iazzetti who failed to make the most of his pole position. Dutchman Mathijs Bakker came in seventh, Giuseppe Fascicolo eighth and Andreas Segler ninth. In the close battle for the Over 50 title, Richard Denny’s 14th place finish was enough to see him edge it from rival Barrie Baxter. In the Maserati Trofeo Hall of Fame, Monti joins Mauro Calamia (2014 winner), Renaud Kuppens (2013 and 2012), David Baldi(2011) and Pietro Zumerle (2010). Giorgio Sernagiotto: “It was tough holding off Ragazzi and Monti towards the end. I wasn’t as quick as them and, most importantly, I am used to driving prototypes. It was hard but I pulled it off. It felt good to top the podium again. I am really pleased because I left my mark on the last Maserati Trofeo race and that means a lot”. The GranTurismo MCs will be back on the track in 2016, run by private squads. They will mainly be competing in international GT4 series in Europe and in the USA. The teams have taken delivery of the cars and will make the modifications needed to bring them into line with GT4 regulations. Maserati will provide the teams with technical support and replacement parts, transferring all the experience and know-how picked up in the past six Maserati Trofeo seasons. Race 2 results: 1 Giorgio Sernagiotto – 42:27.162 2 Romain Monti – 42:27.968 3 Riccardo Ragazzi – 42:28.691

Monti wins the 2015 Maserati Trofeo World Series : Abu Dhabi (UAE) -- December 10, 2015

MASERATI TROFEO WORLD SERIES - ABU DHABI (UAE) - RACE 1 - 10 DECEMBER 2015 Monti wins the 2015 Maserati Trofeo World Series

Abu Dhabi (Uae), 10 December 2015 – Romain Monti has claimed the 2015 Maserati Trofeo World Series. The Frenchman held a comfortable lead going into the race and got the better of second-placed Riccardo Ragazzi. He did so in the best way possible: taking Race 1 in this final round at Yas Marina, the circuit in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).  Monti was focused and fast throughout and earned his success after first taking pole position. Behind him in the overall standings came Ragazzi. The Italian put on a fine display and even tried to take top spot but was out of luck. He only threw in the towel towards the end and tiredness could be a factor as he is also appearing in the Abu Dhabi 12 Hour. The two contenders slugged it out and had a lead of over 25 seconds on the rest of the field, one made up of 22 Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeos. Third across the line was Giuseppe Fascicolo who took the spot after overtaking first debutant Matteo Gonfiantini (fourth) and then Diego Romanini. Romanini's brake problems put paid to a certain podium finish and he was forced to retire.   In fifth came Lino Curti, ahead of Andreas Segler, Alexander West and Emanuele Smurra, paired at Abu Dhabi with Giorgio Sernagiotto for team Red Dragon. Ninth came Adrian De Leener and tenth Alessandro Iazzetti. Race 2 will be held tomorrow, Friday 11 December, at 13:25 (Italian time), marking an end to the Maserati Trofeo season and to this championship.   "It is a fantastic ending", commented Romain Monti. "I was quick in each session of free practice and qualifying and I also set the best lap time. Now it is time to celebrate the championship victory. It is the first title of my career and it comes with a marque like Maserati: I couldn't ask for more".   Race 1 result: 1 Romain Monti – 42:03.713 2 Riccardo Ragazzi – 42:09.923 3 Giuseppe Fascicolo – 42:38.275

MASERATI TROFEO WORLD SERIES - ABU DHABI (UAE) - 10-11 DECEMBER 2015 The 2015 Maserati Trofeo title to be decided at Abu Dhabi

MASERATI TROFEO WORLD SERIES - ABU DHABI (UAE) - 10-11 DECEMBER 2015 The 2015 Maserati Trofeo title to be decided at Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi (Uae), 8 December 2015 – For the third straight year, the Maserati Trofeo World Series will be wrapped up at Yas Marina (UAE). Round 6 will be held on 10-11 December and will not only mark the season’s end but also the conclusion of a series inaugurated at Monza in 2010. The past six years have seen the championship travel the globe, through Europe, North America and Asia. After Abu Dhabi, the Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeos will be tweaked to bring them up to the standards required for GT4 and GTS series. They will then be purchased by private squads. However, there are still things to be sorted out before the curtain comes down on the Maserati series. Current leader, Frenchman Romain Monti, will probably go on to take the title. He holds a 40-point lead over the driver chasing him, Italian Riccardo Ragazzi. It has been a season to remember for Monti: he has made very few mistakes and not taken any unnecessary risks. His talent and determination have secured him four wins and untold podium finishes. So, another runners-up spot awaits Ragazzi; he was also second in 2014 behind Mauro Calamia. Missing the Austria round, at Spielberg, has certainly cost Ragazzi. It was there that Monti turned the screw and built up a healthy points advantage. Even so, the Italian can console himself at having brought home two wins. Though first spot seems a foregone conclusion, things are less clear further down the pack.  Lino Curti will be defending third with a 7-point lead over Adrien De Leener and one of 14 points over Giuseppe Fascicolo. The other titles still up for grabs – which will be awarded at a ceremony held on Friday 11 December in Abu Dhabi – are the Pirelli Single Driver Cup, contested between Monti and Ragazzi; the Pirelli Twin Drivers Cup, with Mauro Trentin and Alessandro Prohcurrently leading; and the Trofeo Over 50, in which Richard Denny has 127 points and Barrie Baxter 115. The Trofeo Under 30 (won by Monti) and the Trofeo Maserati North America, claimed by Jeff Courtney, have already been decided.  Dutchman Mathjis Bakker will be making a comeback at Abu Dhabi. He won the 2014 Pirelli Twin Drivers Cup with Andrea Cecchellero. Also returning is Swiss driver Gerhard Balbi for what will be his third appearance of the season; the first two coming in Europe. Highlights of the Abu Dhabi round of the Maserati Trofeo will later be transmitted on Motors TV in Europe. In Italy, Odeon 24 (channel 177) and Rete Economy (Sky channel 512) will also be showing highlights of the races. Over in North America, the www.torque.tv site will be the go-to place. These schedules will be published soon with Radio Monte Carlo providing trackside interviews with the drivers. A video presentation of the round is available: http://we.tl/dnVRpjvdjB  ROUND 6 (local time) Wednesday 9 December Free practice 1: 15:30 – 16:10 Free practice 2: 18:00 – 18:40 Thursday 10 December Pre-Qualifying: 10:00 – 10:40 Qualifying: 14:00 – 14:20 SuperPole: 14:40 – 15:00 Race 1: 18:00 – 18:42 Friday 11 December Race 2: 16:25 – 17:07

Porsche's New 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S -- To be Introduced at the North American Automobile Show

The top models of the 911 model series – the 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S – now boast 15 kW (20 hp, 911 Turbo: Combined fuel consumption 9.1 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 212 g/km, 911 Turbo Cabriolet: Combined fuel consumption 9.3 l/100 km, CO2emissions 216 g/km) more power, a sharpened design and improved features. The models will be available in both coupe and convertible versions from the start. The bi-turbo six-cylinder engine in the 911 Turbo with 3.8 litres of displacement now has a power output of 397 kW (540 hp). This power gain was achieved by modified inlet ports in the cylinder head, new injection nozzles and higher fuel pressure. The 911 Turbo S now develops 427 kW (580 hp) thanks to new turbochargers with larger compressors. Porsche is still the only manufacturer to utilise turbochargers with variable turbine geometry in petrol engines.

The engines now also have what is known as a dynamic boost function to further improve engine response in dynamic operation. It maintains the charge pressure during load changes – i.e. when the accelerator pedal is released briefly. This is achieved by just interrupting fuel injection, whereas the throttle valve remains open. As a result, the engine reacts with practically no delay to another press of the accelerator pedal. The effects of this function are more pronounced in the Sport and Sport Plus modes than in Normal mode.

Overall, the new high-performance sports cars attain breathtaking driving performance, while fuel consumption is reduced even further. The 911 Turbo S Coupé sprints to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds. Its top speed of 330 km/h is twelve km/h higher than before. The 911 Turbo reaches the 100-km/h mark in 3.0 seconds, and its top speed is 320 km/h – five km/h faster than the previous model. Nevertheless, the coupes only consume 9.1 l/100 km, and the convertibles 9.3 l/100 km. This represents 0.6 litres less fuel per 100 km for all versions. The reason for this is further advanced electronic engine and transmission management with revised gear change mappings.

A standard feature: Sport Chrono Package 

The new GT sport steering wheel – 360 mm in diameter and with a design adopted from the 918 Spyder – comes with what is known as a mode switch as standard. It consists of a rotary ring with stepped positions that is used to select one of the four modes Normal, Sport, Sport Plus or Individual. The Individual setting lets the driver configure and store a very individual vehicle setup. Another new feature of the Sport Chrono Package is the Sport Response button at the centre of the mode switch. Inspired by motor racing, it preconditions the engine and gearbox for the best possible responsiveness at the push of a button. In this state, the vehicle can produce optimal acceleration for up to 20 seconds, such as for an overtaking manoeuvre. An indicator in the instrument cluster in the form of a running timer shows the driver the elapsed time. Sport Response functionality can be called up as often as desired and from any of the driving modes.

Porsche Stability Management (PSM) in the 911 Turbo models now has a new PSM Sport Mode. A brief press of the PSM button on the centre console puts the system in a very sporty mode – which is independent of the driving programme that is selected. The separately switched PSM Sport mode alters the PSM’s intervention threshold much more than was the case in Sport Plus mode of the previous model. The new mode makes it possible to approach performance limits even more closely – e.g. on a circuit racetrack. In this mode, the PSM warning lamp lights up, and a message in the instrument cluster indicates that the PSM system's contribution toward driving stability is limited. However, PSM still remains active in background, even in the PSM Sport mode. A long press of the PSM button, though, completely deactivates PSM, as usual.

The chassis of the new 911 Turbo models with PASM as standard now offers an even greater spread between performance and comfort. In addition, the 911 Turbo S offers a full complement of equipment for driving dynamics: PDCC roll compensation is standard as is the PCCB ceramic brake system. New options for all 911 Turbo models include the radar-based lane change assist and a lift system for the front axle that can be used to increase ground clearance by 40 mm at the front spoiler lip at low speeds.

Sharpened design with new characteristics

Naturally, the new generation 911 Turbo adopts significant characteristics of the striking design of today’s Carrera models, supplemented by typical 911 Turbo special features. The newly formed front end with side airblades and precisely laid out narrow LED front lights with double fillets give the front end a wider look in combination with the additional fin in the central air intake. In a side view, the high-performance sports car boasts new 20-inch wheels. On the 911 Turbo S, for instance, the centre lock wheels now feature seven instead of ten double spokes.

Also new are the wheel dimensions for the 911 Turbo: with 9 J x 20 at the front and 11.5 J x 20 at the rear, the new wheels are now each half an inch wider. They are now the same size as the wheels of the 911 Turbo S. The new door handles now come without plastic shell inserts – just like on the Carrera models. The rear body was also thoroughly reworked. Eye-catching at first glance are the three-dimensional rear lights with their four-point brake lights and aura-like illumination, familiar from the 911 Carrera series. The exit openings for the exhaust system at the rear as well as the dual tailpipes were redesigned. The rear lid grille was also redesigned, and it now features three parts: the right and left sections have longitudinal louvres, and in the middle there is a separate cover for optimised air induction for the engine.

New Porsche Communication Management with online navigation

Along with the generation change in models, the newly developed infotainment system, PCM with online navigation, is making its way into the cockpits of the 911 Turbo models as standard. This system can be made out by a multi-touch monitor with high-quality glass surface, which is perfectly integrated into the centre console, and it offers numerous new and extended connectivity functions thanks to the standard Connect Plus module. Navigation can also access the latest traffic information in real time. Routes and places can be visualised with 360-degree images and satellite images. In addition, the system can now process handwritten inputs. Moreover, mobile phones and smartphones can now be integrated more quickly, easily and comprehensively than before via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or cable. Select vehicle functions can now be controlled remotely as well. As in the previous models, the Bose sound system is offered as standard; a Burmester system can be delivered as an option.

consumption data

911 Turbo: Combined fuel consumption 9.1 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 212 g/km

911 Turbo Cabriolet: Combined fuel consumption 9.3 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 216 g/km

911 Turbo S: Combined fuel consumption 9.1 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 212 g/km

911 Turbo S Cabriolet: Combined fuel consumption 9.3 l/100 km; CO2 emissions 216 g/km

Porsche's Mission E 100% Electric 4 passenger car!1

With the Mission E project, Porsche is continuing to back sustainable growth. In Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen alone more than 1,000 new jobs are being created. The company will be investing around 700 million euros in its main site there. Over the next few years, a new paint shop and a new assembly plant will be built. The existing engine factory is also being expanded for the production of electric motors. In addition, the existing body shop is being enlarged. On top of that come other areas in which the company will be investing in this context, such as in the Weissach development centre.

The Mission E concept car celebrated its premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in September. Visitors were gripped above all by its highly emotional design. Living up to the buzzword of 'E-Performance', the technological trailblazer combines outstanding driving performance with trendsetting day-to-day practicality. The four-door car with four individual seats has a system power output of over 440 kW (600 PS). The vehicle will thus achieve both acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in under 3.5 seconds and a range of more than 500 kilometres. Charged via an 800-volt charger unit specially developed for the car, which is twice as powerful as today's quick-charge systems, the lithium-ion batteries integrated within the vehicle floor have enough power again for 80 percent of the range after just 15 minutes. The vehicle can optionally be 'refuelled' wirelessly by induction via a coil set into the garage floor.

"A clear statement about the future of the brand"

Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG: "With Mission E, we are making a clear statement about the future of the brand. Even in a greatly changing motoring world, Porsche will maintain its front-row position with this fascinating sports car."

Chairman of the Porsche Executive Board, Dr. Oliver Blume: "We are resolutely taking on the challenge of electric mobility. Even with solely battery-powered sports cars, Porsche is remaining true to its philosophy and offering our customers the sportiest and technologically most sophisticated model in this market segment." Blume added that the E Mission project underlines the importance of Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen as a production site, of Baden-Württemberg as a centre of technology and of the whole German automotive industry.

Uwe Hück, Chairman of the Central Works Council and Deputy Chairman of the Porsche AG Supervisory Board: "A day to celebrate! Yes, we did it! We brought Mission E to Zuffenhausen and Weissach where the future has tradition. The workers' side made the employer's side an offer that they couldn't refuse. This heralds the dawn of a new age in Zuffenhausen and Weissach. Digitalisation will be growing up with us. And Factory 4.0 will be a major challenge for the workforce, trade union and employer. We will be taking new approaches but not giving up on the social aspects. With today's decision, Porsche is driving flat out with no speed restrictions into the automotive and industrial future."