Due on sale in 2009...
Due on sale in 2009, the Panamera will be the manufacturer"s fifth model, and top the range above the 911, Cayenne, Cayman and Boxster. It will offer the most luxurious Porsche experience ever, and have a price tag of around í‚á£100,000 to match. The styling will take cues from the 911 at the front, with a slightly lower roofline and dramatically curved glass areas. Bosses have released this early teaser design study to give a hint of what to expect.
FORMER F1 star Johnny...
FORMER F1 star Johnny Herbert is to do battle with Nigel Mansell in the Grand Prix Masters this year.
The ex-Lotus, Benetton and Jaguar ace will race in the one-make series alongside fellow newcomers Alessandro Nannini, Raul Boesel and Roberto Moreno.
But Jean Alesi has said he won’t be taking part. “It would only have interested me if it took place within an F1 weekend,” he said.
THE 2007 motorsport season revs up for action at Birmingham’s NEC this weekend (13-14 January).
The annual Autosport International’s highlights include F1 and Le Mans displays, plus a first chance to see the JCB Dieselmax landspeed record breaker. Tickets cost ÷£26 for adults and ÷£18.50 for children. For more information, call the hotline on 0870 3802244
THE Super Aguri team has revealed that Sakon Yamamoto –who raced for the squad in the latter part of 2006 – will be its second test driver this season. Dutchman Giedo van der Garde will be the main tester. Yamamoto is also likely to compete in GP2.
THIS year’s Dakar Rally was flagged away from Lisbon in Portugal on Saturday. The field is now powering its way though the Sahara in North Africa, heading towards the finish in the Senegalese capital on 21 January.
DARIO Franchitti has secured his seat in this year’s IndyCar series. The veteran will drive for Andretti Green Racing for a fifth consecutive campaign. “I haven’t been this excited about a season for a long time,” said the Scot, who forms a four-car line-up alongside Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick. “I expect to be fighting for victories.” When his IndyCar commitments allow, Franchitti will also drive Andretti Green’s new Honda-powered sportscar in the American Le Mans Series.