All posts by Francis Mitterrand

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Porsche Honors 70 Years of PCA with Stunning 911 Club Coupe

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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Porsche Honors 70 Years of PCA with Stunning 911 Club Coupe
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Kia Targets Sub-€25K Electric City Car as EV Market Heats Up

As the auto industry accelerates toward electrification, Kia is not just keeping pace — it’s setting a course for an ambitious electric future. By the end of this decade, the South Korean automaker is poised to introduce a fresh generation of electric vehicles, software-defined architectures, and even a return to simplicity in design. The company’s roadmap blends affordability, intelligence, and versatility — and it’s aimed squarely at both developed EV markets and underserved global regions.

A New Electric Chapter: From Flagship to Entry-Level

Kia’s current electric lineup — the EV3, EV6, and EV9 — will soon be joined by the EV4 and EV5 this year, with the EV2 landing in 2026. But the real story lies just beyond the horizon. The brand is working on a new entry-level EV, priced below €25,000, aimed at consumers looking for affordable electric mobility. This sub-EV2 model could mark a pivotal moment for the EV market, offering a real alternative to internal combustion without sacrificing quality or style.

Interestingly, Kia’s CEO Ho Sung Song sees this model not as an afterthought, but as an integral part of the company’s future. Although the venerable Picanto city car remains strong in sales — especially after its 2023 facelift — its eventual successor will almost certainly be electric. Whether the two will overlap in showrooms depends on evolving CO₂ regulations in Europe.

The inspiration behind this new breed of Kia? Simplicity. Design boss Karim Habib cites Japanese retailer Muji as a creative muse — a brand that values utility, minimalism, and adaptability. Kia is exploring how to build vehicles that are stripped to their essential form, but remain highly customizable. That mindset could be the key to delivering desirable, affordable EVs to a global market.

Software-Defined Vehicles: The EV Brain Revolution

But Kia’s ambitions stretch well beyond creating more EVs — the company is engineering smarter ones.

Kia is embracing software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture, a systems-focused evolution that replaces fragmented electronic subsystems with centralized computing. This unified brain allows for streamlined updates, reduced development costs, and the flexibility to offer personalized digital experiences across the model range.

Development of the SDV platform has been underway for over three years, and the first tangible sign of progress may come as early as next year in the form of the SDV Pace Car concept — a glimpse at the brand’s digital future. The next-gen EV6 and EV9, due before 2030, will be among the first models to adopt the 800V SDV architecture.

“Because we are decoupling hardware and software, we can be more flexible making different kinds of vehicles based on the same platform,” said Song. It’s a move that signals not just smarter cars, but faster and cheaper development cycles — a win for both Kia and its customers.

Beyond the Car: Vans, Pick-Ups, and Range-Extenders

Kia’s electrification strategy isn’t confined to passenger vehicles. The brand is entering new territory with a dedicated PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) lineup — think electric vans and pickup trucks. The PV5 will lead the charge, followed by the larger PV7 in 2027 and PV9 in 2029.

To support larger, heavier vehicles, Kia is also exploring extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), or range-extenders — a hybridized system that uses a combustion engine to recharge the battery when needed. These are particularly promising in markets where pure EVs remain impractical due to infrastructure limitations.

“The final destination in Europe is EVs,” said Song, “but if we look at worldwide demand we should have alternative powertrains, like hybrids, plug-in hybrids and EREVs.” This reflects Kia’s pragmatic approach — leading with EVs where possible, while offering flexibility where needed.

Design Renaissance: Simplicity Meets Innovation

Despite rapid innovation, Kia isn’t forgetting the emotional appeal of car design. Song acknowledged that while the current design philosophy has served the brand well for five years, it’s time to evolve. Habib confirmed that fresh concept cars are coming, and while details remain under wraps, the emphasis is clear: stay bold, stay fresh.

Kia is also investing in in-vehicle AI assistants — developed in partnership with tech giants like Samsung — to offer users more intuitive and connected experiences. Customers increasingly expect their vehicles to mirror the digital ecosystems they live in, and Kia intends to meet them there.

The Road Ahead

Kia’s vision is both grounded and forward-looking. It recognizes the real-world complexity of a global market while embracing a fully electric, software-integrated future. Whether it’s delivering an EV city car under €25,000, pioneering intelligent vehicle architecture, or expanding into commercial electrification, the brand is clearly not content with standing still.

As we look toward 2030, it’s clear that Kia doesn’t just want to be part of the EV era — it wants to define it.

Source: Kia

News

ZF Revives Range Extender Tech with New eRE and eRE+ Systems

Sometimes, a great idea just needs time to find the right moment. Take the range extender — a technology that’s quietly lingered on the fringe of electrified mobility for decades. Now, thanks to ZF Friedrichshafen’s ambitious eRE and eRE+ systems, it might be poised for a dramatic return, bringing with it a smarter, more versatile approach to electric driving.

The Rebirth of a Forgotten Hero

The basic idea of a range extender is simple yet clever: an electric vehicle (EV) with an onboard generator powered by a small combustion engine. This generator charges the battery while on the move, ensuring that drivers aren’t tethered to charging stations. It’s the kind of solution that made early EV adopters take notice, especially when General Motors launched the Chevrolet Volt in 2011 — a series hybrid that operated primarily on electric power but could call upon a small gasoline engine when needed.

Despite the promise, range extenders never truly caught on. Larger batteries, the rise of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and improved charging infrastructure overshadowed the REEV (Range-Extended Electric Vehicle) concept. But now, ZF — one of the world’s leading tier-one automotive suppliers — is betting big on a revival.

Enter the eRE and eRE+: Modular, Scalable, Smart

In November 2023, ZF announced its next-generation range extender systems: the electric Range Extender (eRE) and the eRE+, developed at its Shanghai technical center to address China’s booming appetite for REEVs. These systems are modular, compact, and adaptable, aimed squarely at making integration easy for automakers and adoption seamless for consumers.

The eRE consists of a permanently excited synchronous motor (PSM) acting as a generator, paired with an inverter and a small combustion engine — all optimized for both 400V and 800V vehicle architectures. It uses either traditional silicon or advanced silicon carbide semiconductors, allowing flexibility based on cost or performance goals. Power output ranges from 70 to 110 kW (94 to 148 hp), which is sufficient for keeping batteries topped up during long drives without overburdening the system.

Then there’s the eRE+, a more advanced configuration that adds a planetary gearset, a differential, and an intelligent clutch. This turns the motor-generator into a dual-purpose unit: not only can it charge the battery, but it can also power the front wheels, enabling four-wheel drive. The eRE+ reaches power outputs of up to 150 kW (201 hp), effectively transforming the once humble range extender into a performance-capable, all-wheel-drive contributor.

The Appeal: Simplicity Meets Sustainability

Compared to PHEVs, REEVs have distinct advantages. Since propulsion is always electric, the mechanical complexity is reduced — no need to juggle torque delivery between an ICE and e-motor. The onboard generator simply charges the battery, allowing for a smaller pack, which cuts weight and cost. That makes REEVs especially attractive for developing markets or regions with patchy charging infrastructure.

Kay Schmidt, Product Line Manager at ZF, underscores the environmental appeal: “We recognized the advantages of range extenders early on… Our modular solution significantly reduces the carbon footprint compared to PHEVs.”

Furthermore, using proven components from ZF’s electric and hybrid portfolio keeps development costs low and boosts reliability. It’s a plug-and-play strategy that reduces the engineering burden for automakers — a major factor as they juggle multiple electrification strategies.

Industry Momentum and Market Outlook

While China has been the key growth engine for REEVs, Europe and North America may soon follow. Automakers like Hyundai, Ford, and Stellantis are reportedly evaluating ZF’s technology, with vehicle launches expected within the next two years. With pressure mounting to decarbonize fleets while maintaining affordability and usability, REEVs could offer a practical middle ground.

ZF plans to begin volume production of its eRE and eRE+ systems in 2026. If successful, we could witness a resurgence of the range extender not just as a niche solution, but as a mainstream bridge toward full electrification.

Final Thoughts: From Relic to Relevance

The story of the range extender mirrors the broader EV transition — full of false starts, course corrections, and evolving priorities. But with advancements like ZF’s eRE lineup, the concept is no longer just a relic of early EV experimentation. It’s becoming a serious contender in the electrified powertrain landscape.

As infrastructure races to catch up and battery tech continues to evolve, range extenders may just fill that critical gap — not as a fallback, but as a forward-thinking solution.

Source: ZF Friedrichshafen