454 4-bolt Main Block on 2040-parts.com

Porsche announces new Weissach design center and wind tunnel

Porsche is to invest around €150m into its Weissach development facility, including a new design center. The plans also include an electronics integration department and a state-of-the art, on-site wind tunnel, which is hoped will allow the company to realize an holistic approach to efficient design, with a strong focus on aerodynamics. When we spoke with head of Porsche design, Michael Mauer, at this year's Paris motor show, he also alluded to the fact that the Volkswagen Group's – and, more specifically, Walter de'Silva's – recent influence on the German manufacturer was shifting its attitudes: "The Volkswagen Group has a very good understanding of how much freedom a brand needs to keep its characteristics and with [Walter] as 'conductor', I feel a lot of support with design issues within the company," explained Mauer.

Car Finance: ING withdrawal sees Bridford & DSG merge

The withdrawal of ING from the UK car finance market has led to the merger of Bridford Financial Solutions and DSG Financial Services. The resilience of the UK’s luxury car market is, to a great degree, driven by the availability of decent finance deals to secure a sale, and much of that business was underwritten by ING. But ING has withdrawn from the UK car finance market.

Porsche GT3 to launch at Geneva

The next in line for the mid-life facelift (Gen 2) of the Porsche 911 is the GT3, following on from last year’s revisions to the Carrera and Targa. The GT3 has had only minor modifications to its looks, instead the detail, as you would hope, has gone on under the skin. The engine has gone up in size from the old 3.6 litres to 3.8, yielding an increase in bhp – up to 435bhp.