A fire that started in the engine bay has destroyed a prototype for the all-new Porsche 911 cabriolet. The prototype was undergoing routine testing in Steinegg, Germany.
So intense was the fire that the car reportedly burnt through in 15 minutes. Chief commander of the Neuhausen Steinegg fire department Klaus Buchinger commented: “The car has burned like tinder.”
The model has been transported back to Porsche’s Weissach-based development centre to determine the exact cause of the fire.
No one was injured, but the fire could spell bad news for Porsche who will be keen to avoid a Ferrari 458-style debacle, comparisons to which are inevitable.
The next 911 Carrera will come with a 345bhp 3.4-litre direct-injection flat-six engine with the Carrera S model boasting 395bhp. Porshe will offer the choice of seven-speed manual and seven-speed PDK transmissions.
For an alternative review of the latest Porsche 911 Convertible visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk
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Talk about burning rubber!!
Maybe as soon as they called it "all new" it's trousers caught fire.
Not a good advert for Porsche though is it?
No Surprise there probably oil leak related Porsche are so overrated they leak oil like sieves.
If not engine oil it’ll be overheated fuel issue.
Had a couple and all I can say is they make Alfa Romeo look goo in the quality and build department shockingly poor in many areas.
997 smoke issue on start up being just the latest nonsense from poor Porsche quality control.
If Porsche put any model on the stand at any show, no one would be any wiser. Same old, same old.
Of course, you'll have to reference this one back to the 'new' Fiesta SUV article and the 'new' Golf Mk V11 articles LOL. Bit of a slow news day, today, is it Autocar?
Not a good advert for Porsche? its not an advert you plum. Its an article read by a tiny fraction of motorists. Its a test car. Porsche have an impeccable reputation for reliability and engineering.
nickeroo dont know about reputation for reliability with Porsche, thats a new one. I guess your either Porsche fanboy or employee or one of those numpties that think German cars are still the most reliable in the world.
I understand what the posters meant by a bad advert for Porsche, as this does not just stop at Auto Express, it goes around in the media, car forums, email forwards, social networking sites, and in the worst case tv programs like Top Gear.
not much German efficiency being displayed here is there??!!
burnt to a crisp in 15 minutes...... thats good going!!!...should have thrown a few Cayenne on to keep it stoked.....lol
Perhaps Auto Express should do a comparison of the fastest burning ultra luxury ultra performance cars. (just kidding)
My 911 has 57000 mile on it and it doesn't leak or burn even a drop of oil or any other fluids. Unlike my Acura, it's easy to maintain in my own garage.
I hope that is just a misprint! I can't imagine changing gear from 1 to 7 manually, my six speeder is ample enough. Especially with the ratios and how slickly it shifts!