Porsche Introduces Fifth Generation of the 911 GT3, Celebrates 50 Years of 911 in the U.S.

Model Makes North American Debut at 2013 New York International Auto Show

The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3, a completely redeveloped fifth generation and the sportiest model of the iconic 911 family, made its North American premiere today at the 2013 New York Auto Show this past week. With an impressive sub-7 minute 30 second lap time on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, the 911 GT3 benefits from a new engine, transmission, body and chassis, resulting in a car that now sprints from zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds on its way to a top track speed of 195 mph. The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 will go on sale in the United States in late 2013 and will be priced from $130,400, not including a $950 destination charge.

2014 Porsche 911 GT3 (Images Courtesy of Porsche Cars North America, Inc.)

2014 Porsche 911 GT3 (Images Courtesy of Porsche Cars North America, Inc.)

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2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite® Makes World Debut in New York with Host of Safety Upgrades and Innovations Including HondaVAC™, the First In-Car Vacuum

The segment’s benchmark minivan cleans up with bevy of safety improvements, sleek new styling and intuitive, family-friendly technologies

The 2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite^® is making its debut at the 2013 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), setting a new ‘ultimate family vehicle’ standard. Thoroughly refreshed for 2014, the Odyssey Touring Elite^® provides core safety upgrades, sharpened exterior styling and a revised interior with a host of new features and technologies designed to make the segment’s benchmark minivan even better.

2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite(R) Makes World Debut in New York. (PRNewsFoto/American Honda Motor Co., Inc.)

Demonstrating trademark Honda innovation, the 2014 Odyssey Touring Elite ^®  will also mark the debut of HondaVAC^™, the first-ever in-vehicle vacuum system. Standard on the 2014 Odyssey Touring Elite^®, the all-new HondaVAC^™ was developed in conjunction with industry-leader Shop-Vac^®, and is composed of a powerful vacuum, replaceable filter and canister bag, with nozzle accessories neatly integrated into a dedicated space on the driver’s side bulkhead of the rear cargo area. HondaVAC^™ makes quick cleanups a snap no matter the location, offering powerful cleaning suction and an integrated hose and cleaning attachments that reach into every corner of the Odyssey’s cabin. The HondaVAC^™ system’s powerful electric motor never needs an outlet or recharging, can operate continuously when the engine is running, and will continue to operate for up to eight minutes when the vehicle is turned off for additional family duties. Available exclusively in the Odyssey Touring Elite^® trim, the all-new HondaVAC^™ system is part of a thorough refresh of the Honda Odyssey for the 2014 model year, adding to its already class-leading fuel economy ratings and unmatched safety ratings. The 2014 Odyssey will go on sale at Honda dealerships nationwide this summer.

2013 New York International Auto Show Report: Volkswagen Golf Declared 2013 World Car of the Year

Head of Design of the Volkswagen Group Walter de’Silva poses for a photo with the Volkswagen Golf that was named the World Car of the Year at a press conference during the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 28, 2013. (Photo By: Michelle Siu for the World Car Awards)

Head of Design of the Volkswagen Group Walter de’Silva accepts the award for the Volkswagen Golf that was named the World Car of the Year at a press conference during the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 28, 2013. (Photo By: Michelle Siu for the World Car Awards)

The Volkswagen Golf was declared the 2013 World Car of the Year by the World Car Awards at a press conference hosted by the New York International Auto Show and Bridgestone Corporation

World Car of the Year, World Performance Car, World Green Car, and World Car Design of the Year trophies sit on a table before the awards are given out at a press conference during the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 28, 2013. (Photo By: Michelle Siu for the World Car Awards)

Jurors pose for a photo with the Volkswagen Golf after it was named the World Car of the Year during the World Car Awards press conference at the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 28, 2013. (Photo By: Michelle Siu for the World Car Awards)

This is the second consecutive year that Volkswagen has won the prestigious World Car of the Year title and the fourth time since 2009.  The Volkswagen Up! won in 2012, the Volkswagen Polo in 2010, and the Volkswagen Golf VI in 2009.

The Volkswagen Golf was chosen from an initial entry list of forty-two new vehicles from all over the world, then a short list of ten, then four finalists:  the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the Porsche Boxster / Cayman, the combined entry Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 / GT 86, and the Volkswagen Golf.

And Now There Is One…. Tesla Model S Declared 2013 World Green Car

At a press conference hosted by the New York International Auto Show and Bridgestone Corporation, the Tesla Model S was declared the 2013 World Green Car.

The World Green Car finalists are on display at a press conference during the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 28, 2013. (Photo By: Michelle Siu for the World Car Awards)

The Tesla Model S was chosen from an initial entry list of twenty-one new vehicles from all over the world, then a short list of ten, then three finalists:  the Tesla Model S, the Renault Zoe and the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid.

“The success of Model S is a critical step towards the widespread adoption of sustainable transport and we are grateful to the World Car of the Year Jury for the recognition,” said Elon Musk, Tesla Motors Co-founder and CEO. “Winning the 2013 World Green Car award is great acknowledgment of what Tesla has accomplished with Model S in the last four years.”

Tesla communications manager Katrina Schira, left, and vice-president of communications Sarah Meron, right, pose for a photo with the Tesla Model S after it has been named World Green Car of theYear at a press conference during the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 28, 2013. (Photo By: Michelle Siu for the World Car Awards)

Vice-President of Communications Sarah Meron, left, poses for with Jens Meiners, right, of the World Car Steering Committee Director after the Tesla Model S has been named World Green Car of the Year at the World Car Awards press conference during the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 28, 2013. (Photo By: Michelle Siu for the World Car Awards)

The World Green Car Award is presented by Bridgestone Corporation (Japan).  Mike Martini, President, Original Equipment, U.S. & Canada Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations said, “We are very pleased and honored to sponsor the 2013 World Green Car award.  The environment is everyone’s responsibility. And throughout our global family of companies, we take this responsibility very seriously.  We believe it is our mission to serve society with superior quality.”

2013 New York International Auto Show Report: And Now There Is One…Jaguar F-TYPE Declared 2013 World Car Design of the Year

World Car Awards director John McCormick opens the envelope to announce that the Jaguar F-Type is the winner 2013 World Car Design of the Year at the 2013 World Car Awards press conference on Thursday, March 28, 2013. (Photo By: Michelle Siu for the World Car Awards)

At a press conference on March 28th  hosted by the New York International Auto Show and Bridgestone Corporation, the Jaguar F-Type was declared the 2013 World Car Design of the Year.

The Jaguar F-Type, which has been newly named the 2013 World Car Design of the Year, is on display at the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 28, 2013. (Photo By: Michelle Siu for the World Car Awards)

Jaguar production studio director, left, and global brand director Adrian Hallmark, right, pose for a photo at the New York International Auto Show with the Jaguar F-Type after it was newly named the 2013 World Car Design of the Year at the 2013 World Car Awards press conference on Thursday, March 28, 2013. (Photo By: Michelle Siu for the World Car Awards)

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar, said: “No design project has given me greater pleasure than the creation of the F-TYPE. It’s a project I’ve looked forward to from the moment I joined Jaguar, and it’s one that’s given my team and I great satisfaction. The F-TYPE is a sports car that is true to Jaguar’s design values – beauty of line and purity of form – and I’m honoured that the World Car of the Year Design jury has recognised our work with this award.”

The World Car Design of the Year category, and the corresponding award, is meant to highlight new vehicles with innovation and style that push established boundaries.

2013 New York International Auto Show Report: Porsche Boxster/Cayman Declared 2013 World Performance Car

World Car of the Year, World Performance Car, World Green Car, and World Car Design of the Year trophies sit on a table before the awards are given out at a press conference during the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 28, 2013. (Photo By: Michelle Siu for the World Car Awards)

At a press conference hosted by the 2013 New York International Auto Show and Bridgestone Corporation, the Porsche Boxster/Cayman was declared the 2013 World Performance Car.

President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America Detlev von Platen holds the trophy for the World Performance Car as he poses for a photo with jurors following the World Car Awards press conference during the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 28, 2013. (Photo By: Michelle Siu for the World Car Awards)

President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America Detlev von Platen poses for a photo as he accepts the World Performance Car of the Year award for the Porsche Boxster / Cayman at a press conference during the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 28, 2013. (Photo By: Michelle Siu for the World Car Awards)

President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America Detlev von Platen speaks as he accepts the award for the World Performance Car of the Year for the Porsche Boxster / Cayman at a press conference during the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 28, 2013. (Photo By: Michelle Siu for the World Car Awards)

This is the second consecutive year that Porsche has won the prestigious World Performance Car title and the third overall.  The Porsche 911 won last year’s award and the Porsche Cayman won the inaugural World Performance Car award in 2006.