The No. 1 car purchased by men was the Porsche 911, while the car with the highest percentage of women buyers was the Volvo S40.
Some stereotypes are true. Men like V8s. Women like I4s. According to the third annual demographic study by on the car buying habits of the sexes, men continue to fixate on size while women care about efficiency and price.
The No. 1 brand for women – the brand with the highest percentage of female buyers – was at 46.2 percent. was No. 2 with 45.7 percent and third with 45.6 percent.
Men, as expected, dominated the exotic brands with sales being fueled by the most testosterone – 92.5 percent of buyers being male. was the No. 2 brand with 83.4 percent of its buyers being male and having 82.8 percent male buyers.
“The price point for many of the cars and crossovers women buyers wanted started at or below $25,000, while men tended to spend more money for their vehicles,” said Kristen Andersson, TrueCar.com senior analyst in a news release. Furthermore, women focused on smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles while men gravitated toward fast exotic cars, big pickups or SUVs.
Indeed. The No. 1 car purchased by the highest majority of men was the . The car with the highest percentage of women buyers was the , with 57.9 percent of the customers buying it being female.
The 2012 Targa Tasmania has officially come to a close, and while we were a long, long way from the action this year, YouTube closed the distance with a slew of day-end recaps aimed at keeping us up-to-date on the action. This year, Jason White took his all the way to the top of the podium despite running into a tuning issue late in the event. Wet weather made for slippery conditions with low visibility more often than not, and more than a few competitors were forced to retire due to unintended departures from the course.
Day three saw some impressive driving from Sam Tapping and his Holden Commodore SS Ute. The duo ran down a total of three competitors on the same stage, including two models. That’s some impressive driving given the Ute’s tail happy nature and the wet asphalt. Of course, there are plenty more highlights that are well worth your time. to check out all five recap videos for yourself.
Anything can do, McLaren can do better. At least that’s what the boys in Woking seem to believe. After all, McLaren has trounced Ferrari around the Formula One circuit for the past several years now. But while the British team has followed its Italian rival from grand prix racing into building supercars with the McLaren F1, and (most recently) the MP4-12C, one thing Ferrari does that McLaren doesn’t is grand tourers. And with the advent of the , shooting brakes.
That could all change, however, if the latest rumors are to be believed. (Which is something which, in this case, we wouldn’t take for granted.) According to the rumormongers over at Auto Express, McLaren is preparing a shooting brake based of the MP4-12C (pictured above, flashing its air brake). Now given that the 12C is a mid-engined supercar and not a front-engined GT like the Ferrari Four, we’d say that makes about as much sense as Renault reaching back into its showcar history to build the .
The rumors further state that the McLaren shooting brake (fancy-talk for a two-door wagon) would go downmarket to rival the – which is something we’ve been expecting McLaren to pursue sometime after the MP4 roadster and the upmarket successor to the original F1 supercar. But something’s a little amiss here, so for the time being, we’ll take this particular report with a grain of salt that would dwarf Lot’s wife. Then again, we did run into McLaren design director Frank Stephenson checking out the in Paris last year…
Some automakers roll out a new model and that’s pretty much it, while for others, a new model’s introduction is just the starting point. most definitely falls in the latter category. When a new rolls out, for example, you can bet there will be a dozen or more versions to follow. A new ? Slap a roof on it and in another year or so you’ve got a new . So it only stands to reason that the German automaker would do the same with its more family-oriented offerings, the and .
Automobile magazine’s European bureau reports that, when Porsche rolls out a restyled Panamera next year, the four-door model will yield the variants that the current model does not. That will likely include a long-wheelbase model for the Chinese market, as well as a potential shooting brake and a possible four-seat cabriolet.
A slant-back version of the Cayenne is also said to be in the works to take on the , with a new Cayman to put a roof over the new Boxster’s head later this year and a generous array of 911 variants to come out year after year. Couple all those spin-offs with the new crossover, the Pajun (baby Panamera) and a pair of new supercars (918 and 960) to slot in above the 911 range and they’re suddenly looking very busy at Zuffenhausen over the next few years.
If you’ve got an hour to kill and an itch to watch some exciting Targa Newfoundland action, we’ve got good news for you. SPEED has been kind enough to stream the network’s one-hour special free online. The episode spends plenty of time following both the Modern and Classic divisions with barely a nod toward Open or Grand Touring. That’s a shame for plenty of reasons, both because the competition was incredibly tight across the board this year and because I hung out with in both the latter classes during my .
Still, the Flyin’ Miata guys get a little time on screen. The rest of the coverage details the fight between Scott Giannou in his and Bob Yuille in his . There’s also plenty of interviews with Ralph Gilles. You can check out the full episode by clicking .
There is a point at which the amount of money poured into any aftermarket-tuned vehicle becomes entirely insane. Heck, that’s half of the appeal of tuner cars – that the best ones show such fanatical devotion to a specific model that you must respect the inspiration and effort even when the result is utterly unimaginable. Which brings us to this: A $156,000 .
Now granted, it’s not just any 1′er that German übertuner Tuningwerk is selling for more than a . There’s a in there somewhere, one that’s been fitted with 19-inch wheels and some of the widest tires we’ve ever seen on a compact : 245/35R19 up front and 285/30R19 in the rear. Available 15-inch carbon ceramic rotors from Mov’it provide stopping power for the 521-horsepower, 453 pound-foot of torque upgrade to the twin-turbo inline six. The car also carries a whole host of carbon fiber body parts, from hood to trunk to even optional carbon fiber doors.
The bottom line is that Tuningwerk says its 1 M RS will do 186 mph. to read the full press release and be sure to check out all the photos in our .
Rumor has it may produce a performance version of the upcoming Macan. Autocar reports the German manufacturer is working on a Macan Turbo that may be good for as much as 370 horsepower thanks to an all-new twin-turbo V6 engine. The article suggests the 3.0-liter mill will borrow heavily from the 3.6-liter unit found in the base and . That would mean the cylinders will be arranged in a 90-dergree V configuration. Torque output would likely be in the neighborhood of 400 pound-feet.
Autocar also hints that the vehicle will be available with either a seven-speed PDK gearbox or a new seven-speed manual transmission converted from the piece found in the . We certainly like the idea of a row-your-own crossover, but we’re not entirely sure how that will work given that the Macan rides on the Volkswagen large front-wheel drive platform. Even with a Torsen differential shuttling power to the rear wheels, that’s a significantly different configuration than the company’s rear-engine sports car.
Of course, all of these whispers come without so much as a hint of a source attached to them, so it remains to be seen exactly how much is true. Look for the Macan to touch down in October.
Episode #277 of the is here, and this week, Chris, Dan, and Executive Editor Chris Paukert are joined by to chat about the . Your questions and comments power the end of the ‘cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our , thanks for taking the time. We’ve embedded our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #276:
In the Autoblog Garage
Hosts: , ,
Runtime: 01:26:42
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What is thought to be a band of thieves broke into eight cars at a park-and-ride lot in Salem, New Hampshire. Then it is thought they went next door to Cars, Inc. and stole a , a and a 2003 . The and getaway drivers reportedly went on about their business quietly. The driver, on the other hand, decided to flaunt what he got: at 2 a.m. he drove eight miles over the border to Methuen, Massachusetts, pulled into the local police station and did donuts in their front lot.
But wait, there’s more: he took off, entertained himself for two hours, then went back to the police station at 4 a.m. and whipped up a few more hot, rubbery circles. A police cruiser was on scene and gave chase, but the 911 pilot got away.
A little later in Lawrence, MA, two miles from Methuen, someone called police to report a rolled 911. The stolen wheels were recovered, the thief in question was not. We have no doubt the Methuen PD – once the screaming stops – is preparing to put that through a forensic and DNA investigation that would make CSI proud. for the news report from WHDH.
Last week we brought you Inside Line’s list of the 10 cars most likely to be . The came out on top among the ladies. But what’s most likely to be owned by a guy? Minivans? Fuel-efficient hatchbacks? Hybrids?
No.
At the top of is the very masculine, testosterone-oozing . It should be no surprise that 95.3% of 458 owners are men. We sure would like to meet the other 4.7%.
Ahem. Anyway, in second place is the , then the , the and then, at No. 5, the . So far, we’ve pretty much recited every male motorhead’s ultimate wish list. Seriously, what self-respecting man doesn’t put himself to sleep every night running through the gears of any of those cars?
At No. 6, is the perennial , then the at No. 7 with 87.9% male ownership. No. 8 is the obligatory closely followed by the at No. 9. Rounding out the list at No. 10 is the consummate mid-life crisis with 86.9% male ownership.
So where does that leave the Ford F-650? Are there really that many women buying that monster?
has announced that Ferdinand Alexander Porsche – grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, son of Ferry Porsche and designer of the iconic – passed away today, April 5, at the age of 76. He died in Salzburg, Austria of unknown causes.
It goes without saying that the 911 is the most important product in the history of Porsche, and it’s a testament to Ferdinand Alexander’s skill as a designer that his original shape has evolved so little since 1963 when it debuted at the F.
The 911, though, isn’t his only achievement. He was also reportedly very proud of another car he designed, the 904, as well as founding the industrial design company in 1972.
As is tradition, Day Two of the kicked off with the annual World Car of the Year awards. Global entries competed for honors in four different categories, and from the initial list of 34 contenders, the final four were selected this morning.
The big winner was the subcompact, which takes home the honor of World Car of the Year, beating out its other finalists, the and . We’ve had a chance to drive VW’s tiny runabout and, while it would be hard for the automaker to justify offering something this small in the United States (right now), we’d gladly welcome its tossable city dynamics and efficiency here on our shores. With a small bump in power, it could certainly show the who’s boss.
But the Up! wasn’t the only car praised in New York this morning. The new 991-series Porsche 911 was named World Performance Car of the Year, besting other nominees like the and . Stiff competition, for sure, but you just can’t match the 911’s razor-sharp precision, not to mention that this new 991 model is easily the best 911 yet.
Moving on to a different sort of performance, the took top honors for its eco-performance, securing the World Green Car of the Year award. In this segment, the other two finalists were the and Peugeot 3008 Hybrid greenlings.
Lastly, the WCOY jury selected the for the World Car Design of the Year – not really a surprise, seeing as how the baby Range Rover has been praised for its styling ever since the day it launched. Our condolences to the Citroën DS5 and Volkswagen Up! – you guys just aren’t pretty enough.
Stay tuned for more details about this year’s awards later today.
Full disclosure: Author is a juror and co-chair of the World Car of the Year Awards.
Few rivalries are as heated as that between the and the . And with both models having recently been updated, Evo magazine has taken the updated GT-R and the new 911 Carrera S to the Bedford Autodrome for a little head-on-head action. And who better to put in front of the camera and behind the wheel than Tiff Needell, the longtime Fifth Gear co-host who’s now doing a series of video tests for the magazine British enthusiasts love best.
Now if you’re thinking that the GT-R really ought to be compared to the 911 Turbo and not the naturally aspirated 911 Carrera S, well, you’re probably right. Particularly since Nissan hiked the price on its latest performance flagship to nearly $100,000. But Porsche hasn’t released the turbocharged version of its latest 911, so the Carrera S will have to do. Skip to see how they compare, as well as which one is Tiff’s favorite.
If you think the is the champ at incremental revisions through successive generations, then you should have a look at the Geländewagen, whose features change on a scale of geologic, not automotive time. We’ve the 2013 and its new LEDs and mirrors, and at a on test. That AMG, however, will be getting more than new trimmings when it arrives later this year: the twin turbo, 6.0-liter V12 from the SL65 AMG will be tucked under its bonnet. It’s the first time the G-Class has gone with a dozen cylinders.
Since the G55 never got the 6.2-liter naturally-aspirated AMG engine, and so never switched to the G63 name, this could mean that it will stick with the same model name now that it’s getting the twin turbo, 5.5-liter V8 with 536 horsepower. However, Autocar indicates the name will be changed to G63.
That would leave a little less branding daylight between it and the G65, but the power should convince: the bigger boy will have 621 horsepower and 737 pound-feet to work with, mojo enough to move it as fast a from a stoplight to 60 mph. Both it and the G55 will also get the 7G-Tronic transmission, while the G63 will add stop/start and brake energy recapture.
is recalling 1,232 examples of its new over potential fuel leaks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration filing, routing of a coolant line could interfere with the fuel line, causing the latter to to become disconnected. Naturally, a loose fuel line is no small matter, as it could lead to stalling problems or even a fire.
NHTSA says the recall will begin in April, when Porsche notifies owners that they can take their coupes to the dealer to repair the issue free of charge. for the official details.
The is “one of the most rewarding cars we’ve ever driven” says Edmunds after subjecting the new coupe to some track time. This, despite having a 0-60 time that rivals that of some minivans – 7.3 seconds. Inside Line says those numbers are mostly due to an overactive rev limiter that forces a third-gear shift at 59.2 mph. We bet that’s an early tuner fix. Also likely to be improved with an aftermarket reflash is the 15.3-second quarter-mile time.
So you won’t be winning many stoplight drag races in box-stock form, but as we all know, there’s far more to a fun car than just straight-line numbers. According to IL, “the BRZ offers a level of engagement that, until now, has been either too costly or too impractical for the average enthusiast.” They even go so far as to compare the BRZ’s overall character to a and the beastly Porsche 911 GT3(!).
No, the BRZ can’t hang with either of those hardcore Europeans, but Inside Line says its balanced mixture of handling, cost, every day usability, and practicality make for “a perfect balance between date nights and track days.” Check out the video .
BRZ tested at 0-60 in 7.3 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.3
still has to go over the river and through the woods before it can , but this fall it will begin building them. Primary production will commence this summer at Porsche’s factory in Zuffenhausen, where the is also built.
Overflow production will be handled by VW at its Osnabrück plant, which also handles assembly for the and overflow production. The arrangement isn’t unexpected, with plans for the Osnabrück option mentioned .
While the ink has barely dried on our , the automaker has reportedly just divulged the roadster’s official lap time around the famed Nürburgring circuit in Germany – the grueling racetrack that serves as a benchmark test for today’s sports cars. According to , its new two-seat convertible crossed the start/finish line after delivering a 7:58 lap.
That time may seem a bit off the pace when compared to heavy-hitters like the 911 GT2 RS (7:18), (7:19) and (7:24), but it is plenty quick among its peers in the same horsepower range (the ‘13 Boxster features a 3.4-liter flat-six rated at 315 horsepower) and strong enough to take the checkered flag away from the and . Much of the credit goes to Porsche’s commitment to keeping weight off the roadster (its curb weight is just 2,910 pounds), widening its track and fitting the redesigned vehicle with its capable torque-vectoring system.
The Italian city of Modena stands as a veritable mecca for automobile enthusiasts. Not only does it serve as the home of both and Pagani, but it was also the birthplace of one Enzo . While the automaker and racing team that carry his name are situated in nearby Maranello, where the company also operates its own museum, a new foundation has started up in Modena, dedicated to preserving the memory of the legendary industrialist and racer.
That organization is the Fondazione Casa Natale Enzo Ferrari, which has acquired the house where Ferrari was raised, turning it into a museum of its own. Although Enzo himself sold his childhood home to finance his aspirations, the foundation has recently reacquired it, transforming it and the adjacent garage where his father worked into a cultural center and expanding on the original buildings with a modern structure.
Designed by Czech architect Jan Kaplicky and carried to completion after his death by his protege Andrea Morgante, the yellow-roofed building – painted the color of the Ferrari logo and designed to evoke the hood on one of his iconic sportscars – incorporates an art exhibit, a multimedia experience, a rotating display of Ferrari road and race cars borrowed from independent collectors, and a collection of Enzo’s own artifacts.
The grounds also house education and conference centers, a book shop, cafeteria and the offices of the foundation itself. If you’re planning a pilgrimage to the area, it strikes us as an experience not to be missed. But if your travel plans don’t extend to the Modena area, you can check out the gallery of high-resolution images we’ve compiled for your virtual tourism pleasure.
When we initially reported on the that would be up for sale at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island auction, we figured that many of the cars would command impressive sums. Now that it’s over, we doubt that even the auction house could have guessed just how successful the sale could be.
Held in conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours in the beginning of March, the auction smashed eleven world records for Porsches. A 1973 917/30 Can-Am Spyder broke the record for both the most expensive Porsche and a 917 at $4.4 million, a 1955 Porsche 550 dropped the hammer at a record $3.685 million, and a 1974 Porsche Carrera RSR Turbo sold for $3.245 million. Other records broken include top prices for a Porsche 935, 962, 911 GT1, 906, 934, 924, 968 and 944. In total, ten cars sold for more than a million dollars, and all sales combined for a final sum of $36 million.
for more details on Gooding & Company’s 2012 Amelia Island auction as well as a full list of the most expensive cars sold.
