All posts by Francis Mitterrand

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Boston Drivers: America’s Most Accident-Prone, Says New Study

July 7, 2025 Francis Mitterrand

When it comes to dodging dents and fender benders, Boston drivers are running out of luck—and space. According to a new report from Allstate, the Massachusetts capital has earned the dubious honor of being America’s most accident-prone city.

Drawing from insurance claims filed between 2022 and 2023, the study looked at how often drivers in 200 U.S. cities file accident-related claims that involve property or vehicle damage. In Boston, drivers go an average of just 3.1 years between such incidents. That’s well below the national average of 10.5 years, and miles off the pace of Brownsville, Texas, where drivers boast a 14.2-year average between crashes—the best record in the country.

Joining Boston at the bottom of the rankings are Washington, D.C. (3.9 years), Baltimore, MD (4.2 years), Worcester, MA (4.3 years), and Springfield, MA (4.6 years). All five are East Coast cities, with four hailing from Massachusetts alone, painting a grim picture of Northeast traffic dynamics—something akin to Wreckfest: Real-Life Edition.

Allstate’s data doesn’t factor in the severity of the accidents or those that went unreported, so it’s not a complete view of road safety. Still, with such short gaps between claims, it’s hard to argue with the trend: Northeast drivers—especially Bay Staters—are faring far worse than their southern and western counterparts.

But it’s not just an East Coast phenomenon. California is keeping its repair shops busy as well. Cities like Glendale, Los Angeles, and Oakland all made the bottom 10. The silver lining? Allstate notes a slight improvement over the equivalent data from their 2025 study.

On the flip side, cities in Texas, Idaho, Colorado, and North Carolina top the safety charts. After Brownsville’s chart-topping performance, Boise, ID (13.9 years), Fort Collins, CO (13.4 years), Cary, NC (12.9 years), and Laredo, TX (12.8 years) round out the top five safest cities to drive in.

The takeaway? If you’re hoping to keep your insurance premiums low and your bumper intact, you might want to reconsider that road trip through Boston—or at least steer clear of cars with Massachusetts plates.

For the full rankings and methodology, check out Allstate’s comprehensive study of 200 U.S. cities.

2025 rank	City	Avg. years between collisions	Relative collision likelihood (to national average)	2015 rank	Change from 2015 to 2025
1	Brownsville, TX	14.24	-25.90%	2	+1
2	Boise, ID	13.90	-24.1%	3	+1
3	Fort Collins, CO	13.36	-21.0%	4	+1
4	Cary, NC	12.91	-18.3%	10	+6
5	Laredo, TX	12.83	-17.7%	8	-3
6	Olathe, KS	12.77	-17.3%	14	+8
7	Scottsdale, AZ	12.74	-17.1%	39	+32
8	Port St. Lucie, FL	12.46	-15.3%	18	+10
9	Madison, WI	12.35	-14.5%	6	-3
10	Eugene, OR	12.27	-14.0%	35	+25
11	McAllen, TX	12.13	-12.9%	36	+25
12	Huntsville, AL	11.97	-11.8%	9	-3
13	Fayetteville, NC	11.74	-10.1%	90	+77
14	Cape Coral, FL	11.63	-9.2%	5	-9
15	Overland Park, KS	11.59	-8.9%	32	+17
16	Gainesville, FL	11.55	-8.6%	NEW ADDITION
17	Knoxville, TN	11.53	-8.4%	29	+12
18	Roseville, CA	11.39	-7.3%	NEW ADDITION
19	Chattanooga, TN	11.39	-7.3%	51	+32
20	Corpus Christi, TX	11.23	-6.0%	58	+38
21	Gilbert, AZ	11.20	-5.8%	33	+12
22	Lakewood, CO	11.19	-5.6%	24	+2
23	Colorado Springs, CO	11.10	-4.9%	16	-7
24	Lexington, KY	11.01	-4.1%	31	+7
25	St. Petersburg, FL	10.95	-3.6%	52	+27
26	Chandler, AZ	10.94	-3.6%	28	+2
27	Orlando, FL	10.94	-3.5%	75	+48
28	Amarillo, TX	10.88	-3.0%	23	-5
29	Jackson, MS	10.84	-2.6%	114	+85
30	Thornton, CO	10.81	-2.4%	NEW ADDITION
31	Jacksonville, FL	10.81	-2.3%	43	+12
32	Anchorage, AK	10.78	-2.1%	127	+95
33	Chesapeake, VA	10.75	-1.8%	56	+23
34	Greensboro, NC	10.74	-1.7%	72	+38
35	Mesa, AZ	10.72	-1.5%	27	-8
36	Rockford, IL	10.69	-1.3%	46	+10
37	Tallahassee, FL	10.68	-1.1%	40	-3
38	El Paso, TX	10.66	-0.9%	50	+12
39	Naperville, IL	10.65	-0.8%	100	+61
40	Durham, NC	10.60	-0.5%	91	+51
41	Bellevue, WA	10.58	-0.3%	174	+133
42	Lincoln, NE	10.57	-0.1%	21	-21
43	Winston-Salem, NC	10.55	0.1%	38	-5
44	Kansas City, KS	10.55	0.1%	1	-43
45	Lubbock, TX	10.53	0.2%	53	+8
46	Virginia Beach, VA	10.46	1.0%	93	+47
47	Fort Lauderdale, FL	10.43	1.2%	73	+26
48	Springfield, MO	10.39	1.6%	15	-33
49	Shreveport, LA	10.36	1.9%	87	+38
50	Peoria, AZ	10.32	2.2%	30	-20
51	Vancouver, WA	10.32	2.3%	94	+43
52	Pembroke Pines, FL	10.30	2.5%	111	+59
53	Fort Wayne, IN	10.30	2.5%	22	-31
54	Salem, OR	10.25	2.9%	120	+66
55	Birmingham, AL	10.24	3.1%	20	-35
56	Wichita, KS	10.24	3.1%	11	-45
57	Akron, OH	10.23	3.2%	54	-3
58	Columbus, GA	10.20	3.5%	76	+18
59	Milwaukee, WI	10.17	3.8%	45	-14
60	Raleigh, NC	10.13	4.2%	77	+17
61	Montgomery, AL	10.11	4.4%	13	-48
62	Clarksville, TN	10.11	4.4%	67	+5
63	Oklahoma City, OK	10.06	5.0%	89	+26
64	Reno, NV	10.04	5.1%	12	-52
65	Mobile, AL	10.00	5.6%	25	-40
66	Aurora, IL	9.95	6.1%	65	-1
67	Surprise, AZ	9.91	6.5%	NEW ADDITION
68	Tampa, FL	9.90	6.6%	131	+63
69	Toledo, OH	9.86	7.0%	48	-21
70	Tulsa, OK	9.83	7.4%	62	-8
71	Tucson, AZ	9.83	7.4%	37	-34
72	Miami, FL	9.73	8.5%	147	+75
73	Spokane, WA	9.73	8.5%	64	-9
74	Killeen, TX	9.67	9.2%	135	+61
75	Honolulu, HI	9.66	9.3%	150	+75
76	Visalia, CA	9.66	9.3%	NEW ADDITION
77	Little Rock, AR	9.58	10.2%	130	+53
78	Joliet, IL	9.56	10.4%	55	-23
89	Pasadena, TX	9.50	11.2%	99	+20
80	Murfreesboro, TN	9.50	11.2%	NEW ADDITION
81	Elk Grove, CA	9.49	11.3%	78	-3
82	Hollywood, FL	9.48	11.4%	141	+59
83	Chula Vista, CA	9.47	11.4%	112	+29
84	Louisville, KY	9.40	12.3%	69	-15
85	Augusta, GA	9.37	12.7%	82	-3
86	Albuquerque, NM	9.36	12.8%	109	+23
87	Hialeah, FL	9.34	13.0%	125	+38
88	Memphis, TN	9.34	13.1%	96	+8
89	Macon, GA	9.33	13.1%	NEW ADDITION
90	Bakersfield, CA	9.27	13.9%	86	-4
91	Oxnard, CA	9.22	14.4%	80	-11
92	Henderson, NV	9.17	15.1%	57	-35
93	Charleston, SC	9.16	15.2%	122	+29
94	Salt Lake City, UT	9.16	15.2%	74	-20
95	Frisco, TX	9.13	15.6%	146	+51
96	Omaha, NE	9.12	15.7%	26	-70
97	Newport News, VA	9.11	15.9%	49	-48
98	Jersey City, NJ	9.05	16.7%	136	+38
99	Charlotte, NC	9.02	17.1%	142	+43
100	Seattle, WA	9.00	17.3%	184	+84
101	Kansas City, MO	8.98	17.5%	17	-84
102	Portland, OR	8.97	17.7%	183	+81
103	Huntington Beach, CA	8.91	18.5%	103	0
104	Oceanside, CA	8.88	18.9%	126	+22
105	Columbia, SC	8.88	18.9%	149	+44
106	Salinas, CA	8.84	19.3%	59	-47
107	Nashville, TN	8.84	19.4%	83	+24
108	Des Moines, IA	8.83	19.6%	19	-89
109	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	8.83	19.6%	66	-43
110	Tacoma, WA	8.81	19.9%	164	+54
111	Santa Rosa, CA	8.80	19.9%	104	-7
112	Waco, TX	8.71	21.2%	106	-6
113	Grand Prairie, TX	8.69	21.4%	171	+58
114	Sunnyvale, CA	8.68	21.6%	169	+55
115	Phoenix, AZ	8.65	22.1%	63	-52
116	Fremont, CA	8.64	22.1%	172	+56
117	San Diego, CA	8.62	22.5%	123	-6
118	McKinney, TX	8.59	22.8%	154	+36
119	Tempe, AZ	8.57	23.2%	47	-72
120	Escondido, CA	8.56	23.3%	105	-15
121	Corona, CA	8.55	23.4%	132	+11
122	Plano, TX	8.54	23.7%	163	+41
123	Denton, TX	8.51	24.0%	NEW ADDITION
124	Lancaster, CA	8.33	26.8%	44	-80
125	Sioux Falls, SD	8.32	26.9%	42	-83
126	Indianapolis, IN	8.31	27.0%	60	-66
127	Denver, CO	8.28	27.5%	84	-43
128	Fort Worth, TX	8.27	27.7%	153	+25
129	San Antonio, TX	8.21	28.5%	137	+8
130	Aurora, CO	8.17	29.3%	118	-12
131	Palmdale, CA	8.16	29.4%	68	-63
132	Riverside, CA	8.16	29.4%	124	-8
133	Fontana, CA	8.15	29.6%	97	-36
134	Irving, TX	8.14	29.6%	182	+48
135	Austin, TX	8.13	29.9%	166	+31
136	Fresno, CA	8.13	29.9%	98	-38
137	Santa Clarita, CA	8.11	30.1%	108	-29
138	Glendale, AZ	8.07	30.8%	61	-77
139	Norfolk, VA	8.00	31.9%	138	-1
140	New York, NY	7.99	32.0%	151	+11
141	Columbus, OH	7.94	33.0%	119	-22
142	Detroit, MI	7.92	33.3%	110	-32
143	Arlington, TX	7.90	33.6%	175	+32
144	San Jose, CA	7.88	34.0%	165	+21
145	Ontario, CA	7.86	34.4%	79	-66
146	Cleveland, OH	7.85	34.4%	70	-76
147	Arlington, VA	7.81	35.2%	175	+28
148	Rochester, NY	7.80	35.3%	152	+4
149	Pomona, CA	7.80	35.3%	101	-48
150	Modesto, CA	7.79	35.5%	107	-43
151	Mesquite, TX	7.79	35.6%	162	+11
152	Moreno Valley, CA	7.77	35.8%	92	-60
153	Stockton, CA	7.77	35.8%	117	-36
154	Houston, TX	7.75	36.1%	170	+16
155	Buffalo, NY	7.74	36.4%	157	+2
156	Chicago, IL	7.69	37.2%	134	-22
157	Cincinnati, OH	7.69	37.3%	160	+3
158	Savannah, GA	7.67	37.6%	143	-15
159	Baton Rouge, LA	7.66	37.8%	145	-14
160	Minneapolis, MN	7.63	38.4%	81	-79
161	Richmond, VA	7.58	39.2%	88	-73
162	Hayward, CA	7.57	39.5%	156	-6
163	Yonkers, NY	7.49	40.9%	155	-8
164	San Bernardino, CA	7.48	41.1%	102	-62
165	Dallas, TX	7.47	41.4%	177	+12
166	Enterprise, NV	7.46	41.6%	NEW ADDITION
167	Paterson, NJ	7.44	41.8%	180	+13
168	New Orleans, LA	7.44	41.9%	158	-10
169	Irvine, CA	7.43	42.0%	159	-10
170	Garland, TX	7.41	42.4%	181	+11
171	Pittsburgh, PA	7.36	43.3%	185	+14
172	St. Paul, MN	7.35	43.6%	121	-51
173	Syracuse, NY	7.30	44.5%	133	-40
174	Las Vegas, NV	7.18	47.0%	113	-61
175	St. Louis, MO	7.09	48.8%	85	-90
176	Santa Ana, CA	7.01	50.6%	139	-37
177	Sacramento, CA	7.00	50.7%	115	-62
178	San Francisco, CA	6.86	53.8%	193	+15
179	Spring Valley, NV	6.84	54.4%	156	-23
180	Newark, NJ	6.82	54.7%	168	-12
181	Anaheim, CA	6.79	55.4%	173	-8
182	Garden Grove, CA	6.79	55.6%	186	+4
183	Long Beach, CA	6.65	58.6%	148	-35
184	Paradise, NV	6.55	61.1%	NEW ADDITION
185	North Las Vegas, NV	6.53	61.7%	128	-57
186	Bridgeport, CT	6.42	64.5%	187	+1
187	Grand Rapids, MI	6.41	64.7%	140	-47
188	Alexandria, VA	6.32	67.0%	190	+2
189	Atlanta, GA	6.31	67.4%	179	-10
190	Sunrise Manor, NV	5.96	77.0%	NEW ADDITION
191	Philadelphia, PA	5.92	78.3%	192	+1
192	Providence, RI	5.87	79.7%	195	+3
193	Oakland, CA	5.75	83.7%	188	-5
194	Los Angeles, CA	5.59	88.9%	191	-3
195	Glendale, CA	5.37	96.4%	194	-1
196	Springfield, MA	4.57	130.8%	196	0
197	Worcester, MA	4.26	147.6%	199	+2
198	Baltimore, MD	4.17	153.1%	198	0
199	Washington, DC	3.87	172.4%	197	-2
200	Boston, MA	3.07	244.0%	200	0

Source: Allstate

News

Porsche Cayenne Electric: Record-Breaking SUV That Tows Like a Truck

July 7, 2025 Francis Mitterrand

As Porsche edges closer to the launch of its second all-electric SUV, the brand has begun peeling back the camouflage—literally and figuratively—on what might be its most versatile EV to date. The upcoming Porsche Cayenne Electric has entered the final stages of global testing, and it’s already making headlines. A near-production prototype recently shattered a hill climb record, hauled vintage metal across the English countryside, and offered an early glimpse at what electrified performance and practicality can really look like.

Electrified Heritage Meets British Motorsport

The stage for this electric debut? None other than the legendary Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb—a motorsport relic dating back to 1905. Nestled in Worcestershire, England, the narrow and notoriously technical track played host to a filming project featuring the new Cayenne Electric, with none other than Gabriela Jílková, simulator and development driver for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, behind the wheel.

Facing gradients of up to 16.7% and corners barely wider than a city alley, Jílková piloted the prototype SUV to a record-breaking 31.28-second run—over four seconds faster than the previous SUV best.

“The course is challenging and does not forgive mistakes,” she remarked. “But the active suspension gives the new Cayenne enormous stability and precision. I felt completely confident at all times.”

Precision Meets Power: Porsche Active Ride

Much of that confidence stems from Porsche Active Ride, a new active suspension system debuting in the electric Cayenne. Designed to keep the body flat and composed under hard braking, acceleration, and cornering, it ensures a refined yet dynamic driving experience—crucial for a vehicle straddling the line between sports car agility and SUV practicality.

According to Michael Schätzle, Vice President of the Cayenne product line, the technology “significantly expands the range between driving dynamics and ride comfort.” And the numbers back it up. From a standstill, the SUV blasted past the first 60-foot marker in just 1.94 seconds, a figure typically reserved for open-wheel race cars fitted with slicks.

A Utility Vehicle That Means It

But raw speed isn’t the only metric Porsche is gunning for. While performance grabs headlines, Porsche hasn’t forgotten what made the Cayenne a global success over two decades: usability and versatility. During the filming in England, automotive presenter Richard Hammond put the prototype to a different kind of test—hauling a two-tonne, 100-year-old classic car on a trailer from Hereford to his garage.

Despite a combined towing load of nearly three tonnes, the Cayenne Electric performed the task with ease. Hammond summed it up succinctly:

“We were trailing significant weight behind us, but you wouldn’t know it – the Cayenne handled it effortlessly.”

That’s no coincidence. Porsche confirms that the Cayenne Electric is being engineered to offer a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes, matching its combustion counterparts—a rare feat in the battery electric vehicle (BEV) world.

A Glimpse Into Porsche’s Electrified Future

The Cayenne Electric isn’t just a performance statement—it’s a manifesto. Schätzle emphasized Porsche’s commitment to offering combustion, hybrid, and fully electric powertrains well into the next decade. Yet, he acknowledged that only electrification could unlock the unprecedented blend of power, efficiency, and refinement showcased at Shelsley Walsh.

“The Cayenne Electric will set new standards—without compromising on everyday usability and practicality,” he said.

With its global launch drawing closer, the Cayenne Electric is shaping up to be more than just an evolution—it could be a revolution for luxury electric SUVs. Blending track-taming agility, trailer-hauling muscle, and road-trip-ready comfort, it stands as a compelling argument that the age of electrification doesn’t mean leaving utility behind.

Source: Porsche

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Porsche Cayenne Electric: Record-Breaking SUV That Tows Like a Truck

News

Porsche Honors 70 Years of PCA with Stunning 911 Club Coupe

July 7, 2025 Francis Mitterrand

Porsche is once again honoring its most passionate fanbase—the Porsche Club of America (PCA)—with the launch of a new limited-edition 911 Club Coupe. Just 70 examples of this meticulously crafted sports car will be produced, paying tribute to the 70th anniversary of the world’s largest Porsche owners club, founded in 1955 by Bill Sholar.

Based on the 911 Carrera T, the new Club Coupe is a purist’s machine. At its heart is a 388-horsepower flat-six engine mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission—complete with a walnut shift knob for a touch of old-world charm. Performance is sharpened by a PASM Sport Suspension system that lowers the ride height by 10 mm and includes a mechanical limited-slip differential with Porsche Torque Vectoring. It’s a clear statement: this car is built for those who believe in the tactile joy of driving.

Visually, the Club Coupe is a head-turner. Finished in Sholarblau Metallic, a modern evolution of 2015’s Club Blau, the paint is the product of more than a year of collaboration between Style Porsche, Exclusive Manufaktur, and PCA. The color contrasts with Satin Black RS Spyder wheels featuring Brilliant Silver accents, red grille inlays, and silver door graphics that proudly bear the Club Coupe name.

Subtle yet meaningful design touches abound. Red accents evoke the PCA’s signature colors, while a special 70-year PCA grille badge nods to the club’s legacy. Even the side mirrors, typically Vanadium Gray on the Carrera T, are painted in body color for added exclusivity.

Inside, the Club Coupe continues the theme of bespoke craftsmanship. Illuminated door sills with PCA branding greet occupants, while black leather upholstery is offset by contrast stitching in Speed Blue and Guards Red. PCA logos are embossed on the center console lid, and a “Club Coupe” inscription adorns the dashboard.

An optional extended equipment package adds further personalization, including tartan seat inserts, a leather key pouch, and a Sholarblue-painted key—all adorned with PCA-specific details. Even the owner’s manual wallet is finished in matching leather with blue stitching and a commemorative embossment.

To complement the car, Porsche Design has created the Chronograph 1 – 911 Club Coupe, a timepiece available exclusively to Club Coupe owners. The COSC-certified watch is powered by the in-house WERK 01.140 movement and features a sapphire crystal case back displaying a rotor modeled after the car’s RS Spyder wheels. It can be worn with either a titanium bracelet or a fabric Velcro strap in PCA colors.

The Club Coupe’s extensive standard equipment list includes a Sport Exhaust system, rear-axle steering, GT Sport steering wheel, and the Sport Chrono package. Braking performance is equally robust, with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers gripping 350 mm vented, cross-drilled rotors.

“The PCA community embodies the passion that drives Porsche,” said Timo Resch, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “Creating a model that celebrates this milestone is both an honor and a testament to the bond between the brand and its most dedicated fans.”

The first example of the 911 Club Coupe will be preserved in the Porsche Museum, while the second will be raffled off to a lucky PCA member. The remaining 68 units will be offered exclusively to PCA members, with production scheduled to begin in fall 2025 and run through spring 2026. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.

A Legacy of Club Coupes

This latest model marks the third installment in a cherished tradition. The original 911 Club Coupe debuted in 2005 to celebrate PCA’s 50th anniversary. Limited to 50 units and finished in Azurro California—a modern nod to Azureblue of the 356 era—it featured an X51 Powerkit and distinctive badging.

In 2015, the 911 Carrera GTS Club Coupe commemorated PCA’s 60th year with a run of 60 units. Finished in Club Blau and based on the 991.1 Carrera GTS, it boasted a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six good for 430 hp, and a distinctive ducktail spoiler that made it an instant classic.

Now, 20 years after the first Club Coupe, Porsche returns to celebrate 70 years of camaraderie, community, and a shared love for spirited driving. The 2025 911 Club Coupe is more than a car—it’s a tribute to the soul of Porsche ownership.

Source: Porsche

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