Many Germans cringe when they hear Americans and others mispronounce the vehicle’s name as “PORSH.” The correct pronunciation is “POR-SHA”, after the German founder’s name. Maybe they should have spelled it “Portia”, like Ellen’s wife, it seems everyone knows how to say her name properly.
Sixty years ago, the first Porsche production sports car rolled out of a facility in post-war Germany—the city of Stuttgart to be precise. Now, with luxury cars and Porsche rentals Miami and worldwide, this is a brand to be reckoned with, even if you can’t say it properly.
It seems that Porsche is following in the steps of Aston Martin and its Cygnet in terms of shrinking, producing a scaled-down luxury SUV, to be dubbed the ‘Cajun’. The name is intended to communicate that this Porsche SUV may be miniscule, but it is spicy and packs some serious specs.
The Porsche Cajun is a sporty little brother for the Cayenne, according to Volkswagen Group chairman Martin Wintercorn. This luxury SUV will be the first model devised by new owners, VW, so the pressure to perform is on. The fact that this teeny luxury SUV will be competing against the likes of the BMW X6 and all new Range Rover Evoque adds a bit more pressure to the tyke like SUV’s maker.
Overall, it seems Volkswagen has anticipated and covered a variety of important areas, as there is chatter of two diesel versions being produced, including a 3-liter TDI with the capacity to rival the performance of petrol variants. For the earthy SUV types, VW may create a petrol electric hybrid model similar to Audi’s Q5. In fact, this seems likely due to the fact that the Cajun drew its inspiration from the Q5 (remember that VW also owns Audi brand, this is one big happy luxury family, sort of like Brangelina).
A variety of specifications will be made available for the Porsche Cajun luxury SUV, including a 2-liter 237 bhp and a 3-liter 328 bhp V6 model rumored to nail the 0-60 mark in 6 seconds…not bad for a tiny SUV with few horses! Closing the hood, the outside will feature two doors, and will be shorter and stockier than the Q5, with a Boxster-inspired dashboard to top it off.
Rumors place the Porsche Cajun’s debut for 2013; we will have to see what develops in the interim! Don’t miss our fleet of luxury rental SUVs, including Porsche rentals, and exotic rental car options on your way out!
When you want to play like a high-roller, luxury toys are where it’s at! A customized luxury golf cart can amplify even the typically classic game of golf. Imagine sliding from behind the wheel of your Porsche or luxury rental car, and into a fun Porsche golf cart for your next nine holes! Here are some of the most fun luxury golf carts:
After an extremely successful first summer open for business in Chicago, Imagine Lifestyles is proud to announce a new showroom and warehouse opening soon in Lincoln Park. It seems all the pretty ladies, ie. Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Bentley would prefer to sleep comfortably next to each other, and we have no problem with that at all. The new space will be conveniently located right off of 90/94 providing our clients and new customers with easy access to the new showroom and is a perfect way to view our fleet of Chicago luxury rental cars.
Looking at this eyesore-extravaganza makes me wish Bentley, or whoever is responsible for this monstrosity of a custom paint job, had the heart to tell Paris Hilton NO. Has anyone ever done that, by the way? I can only assume that she did not get to color enough Easter eggs as a child. This would never survive as a luxury rental car, so I shudder to think of what will happen to this Bentley once Paris tires of it. Speaking of tires, scope the rims she has on it, ouch.
Pam Anderson Jag
Up next we have the luscious Pamela Anderson! Oh and the Jaguar is not too shabby, either. Anderson is always on top of her game, and I like the classic white Jag, it will go with anything, unlike Hilton’s pitiful pink Bentley.
Luxury car icon Porsche has revealed the company’s plans to offer a hybrid version of all models. That is right, hybrid Porsches available in every model, from the 918 Porsche Spider to the Cayenne.
We already knew about the Porsche Cayenne hybrid, as it was revealed earlier this year, touted as the exotic carmaker’s first-ever eco-friendly luxury SUV. So what is with the burst of enthusiasm, almost immediately announcing intentions to offer a hybrid version of all Porsche models?
Aside from a desire to preserve the environment, Porsche and other luxury car companies in Europe have been slapped with a fleet emission restriction to reduce target emissions by 2015, from the European Union. The new and stringent emission guidelines have led to both standard and luxury carmakers working overtime to develop environmentally friendly vehicles without sacrificing the heart (engine) of the models.
Porsche Exclusive is poised to celebrate 25 years of heart-stealing exotic car contributions and intends to tout its new 911 Speedster to commemorate the special occasion. Porsche Exclusive is the firm’s in-house individualization operation, and what better way to celebrate than to create a convertible 911 that would also make the perfect luxury rental car.
With the increasing chatter about the Chinese and Indian markets being the new luxury market leaders, there certainly is plenty to discuss. Now Bugatti is giving us a bit more to talk about, by bringing the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport to India. But will the Indian market be interested in investing in a $3.6 million dollar supercar, the fastest and most expensive car in the world, to drive on predominantly poorly maintained, single-lane roads? There are multi-lane roads available in areas, but they are often just like the photo above.
By contrast, India is also where the world’s cheapest car, the Tata Nano, originated. I suppose you could say India has come full circle! Bugatti will now be joining the ranks of other exotic and luxury car rental brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Bentley, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Porsche, who are all trying their luck in these emerging markets. For some reason I am thinking of the infamous western ‘Goldrush’.
While luxury cars represent less than 1 percent of the total Indian market, it has grown 10 percent per year, with positive projections for future growth. The target consumers for the Bugatti are the new kings of India, the 69 individuals who form the largest group of dollar billionaires outside of the States. These people, and those who already own luxury cars but crave something flashier to flaunt are the ideal audience for a supercar of this caliber.
While the company seems hopeful, the fact remains that the Bugatti Veyron’s $3.6 million dollar price tag is almost four times more than any other exotic vehicle sold in India, and that includes the ultra-luxe Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Maybach. True to luxury car marketing strategy, only 150 units of the Veyron will be produced, which should work in the company’s favor, revving up that exclusive appeal.
But I am still curious who would want to drop $3.6 million on a car that will spend the majority of its life in bottleneck traffic and ricocheting between potholes? I recommend a Bugatti-hovercraft for the Indian market.
We all know that exotic cars come with the corresponding price tags, and Porsche is no exception. Big brands such as Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche seem to set the precedent in terms of pricing and standards. So what are some of the most expensive Porsche models?
The Porsche Carrera GT is a list topper, coming in around $440,000. So for nearly half a million, you get a luxury car capable of reaching speeds of 205 miles per hour and faster, hitting the 0-60 clincher in just 3.9 seconds. Yes please.
Up next is the sultry Porsche 918 Spyder, a concept that debuted at the Geneva Auto Show and has since been confirmed for production. In fact, it is going to be the most expensive production car for the elite company ever, surpassing the half million marker to a staggering $650,000.
When friends laid eyes on James Dean’s Porsche Spyder, they told him it was trouble. Only one of a mere 90 made in 1955, Dean nicknamed the diminutive Porsche “The Little Bastard”, and it certainly lived up to the derogatory title!
Yes, some say the Little Bastard is a cursed car, not only carrying the Rebel Without a Cause to an early grave on September 30th, 1955, but also continuing to cause havoc long after his death. The stories may have begun much like those of the legendary Elvis, wherein fans refuse to accept that he is gone and create urban myths. One such myth was that Dean survived the crash, but was horribly disfigured and in hiding. It did not take long for one tale to spin off and a legend to take a life of its own, starting with Dean’s Porsche Spyder.
It seems that following the death of James Dean salvaged parts of the cursed Porsche have been linked to other tragedies. Following the tragedy, a master car customizer by the name of George Barris purchased the Little Bastard wreckage for $2,500. Upon arrival at Barris’s garage, the Porsche was accidentally dropped on a leg of one of the mechanics unloading it, breaking the leg (Well, they say that in show biz, ‘Break a Leg’).
The next incident with the famous Porsche Spyder occurred at a race at the Pomona Fair grounds on October 24, 1956. Two physicians, William Eschrid and Troy McHenry, were racing cars that included parts from Dean’s Porsche. McHenry’s car had the engine from the Little Bastard, which he lost control of and hit a tree, killing him. Eschrid flipped his car over after it suddenly locked up on a curve, but he survived.
The tales continued, with a story of a kid who tried to steal the famous steering wheel from Dean’s Porsche, and suffering a terrible arm gash. Barris sold two of the tires to a young man, and within a week he was involved in a crash because both tires blew out simultaneously. Ok, that one is creepy.
Barris then loaned the cursed Porsche Spyder to the California Highway Patrol to use in a safe driving display. Within days, the garage housing James Dean’s Porsche Spyder burnt to the ground, with only the Little Bastard unscathed. Every other vehicle parked in the building was completely destroyed. Was it coated in fire retardant, or put back after the fire? Hmm.
Next the Little Bastard got to visit Sacramento, where it fell from its display and broke a teenager’s hip. A man named George Barkuis was hauling it on his flatbed, when he was ejected from the vehicle and crushed to death by the Porsche.
These types of stories flourished until around 1960, when Dean’s Porsche was loaned out for a safety exhibit in Miami, Florida. Following the duration of the exhibit, the Porsche was en route back to Los Angeles when it mysteriously vanished. To this day, the whereabouts of the Little Bastard are unknown. I do not think I will be buying any used Porsche parts from California…just kidding.
I suppose my theory is that someone sold it and made a fast buck, or a superstitious Burris finally put it in a safe place? What do you think may have happened to James Dean’s car? Leave comments below!
*Pictured is a replica of Dean’s car, taken at the2010 James Dean Festival in his hometown of Fairmount, Indiana where Imagine Lifestyles attended the auto show.
the exotic carmaker’s first-ever eco-friendly luxury SUV. So what is with the burst of enthusiasm, almost immediately announcing intentions to offer a hybrid version of all Porsche models? 
