2024 Porsche 911 S/T for sale

The Porsche 911 S/T is the lightest 911 of its generation, and only 1,963 units were produced. One of them is for sale, with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross to help with the California wildfire relief efforts.

This car is owned by Porsche Cars North America, part of the PCNA in-house fleet, and is the only one in the U.S. that still has no buyer. It is the 1,919th example produced with only 956 miles (1,500 km) on the odometer at the time of cataloguing.

The Porsche 911 S/T is equipped with the optional Heritage Design Package and personal start number 60, commemorating 60 years of the Porsche 911. It is painted in stunning Shore Blue Metallic, an exclusive color for this package, and it is decorated with wheels in the color Ceramica, classic style Porsche crest on the front, on the central caps of the wheels, the steering wheel, the headrests, and the car key, underscoring the historic roots of the 911 S/T. There are also a number of options that further enhance its enthusiast appeal and touring capability, such as the front axle lift system, which provides greater ground clearance at the touch of a button to navigate speed bumps or driveways, and an extended range 23.7-gallon fuel tank, auto-dimming mirrors with integrated rain sensor, rear Park Assist, and the BOSE Surround Sound audio system.

Inside, the bucket seats are covered in Classic Cognac leather with black pinstripes, while two-tone semi-aniline leather trim in Black/Classic Cognac covers the rest of the interior. The roof lining is in perforated Dinamica, and other elements from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur round out the package.

The auction will be held on February 18-20, and the car comes with an owner’s manual pouch signed by Andreas Preuninger, Director of the GT model line at Porsche.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

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The merger of Nissan and Honda failed

In late 2024, Nissan and Honda signed a memorandum of understanding to discuss a merger of the two companies, but the merger appears unlikely to happen. There are many reasons why the story of merging these two companies was started, and one of them is the protection of domestic manufacturers from foreign takeovers. Some believe Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) pushed the merger to stop rumors of a takeover of Nissan by Taiwanese technology company Foxconn. Now the Taiwanese company has said it is open to talks with Nissan.

Foxconn’s electric vehicle business is led by former Nissan CEO Jun Seki, who was once seen as a candidate to become the automaker’s CEO before the job went to current boss Uchida.

Nissan has said it is open to cooperation with Taiwan’s Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer, although the Japanese manufacturer has previously ruled out talks with the Taiwanese company. Foxconn, which makes Apple products, was looking to expand its electric vehicle manufacturing business and saw Nissan as a partner.

Nissan had hoped to merge with Honda to become the world’s third-largest automaker, but talks have been complicated by growing differences and Honda’s push to turn Nissan into a subsidiary, Reuters reported.

Great pressure, primarily from Chinese companies that are rapidly taking control of the largest markets, calls into question the future of many manufacturers, including Nissan. They badly need a partner, and have already announced plans to lay off 9,000 workers and cut 20 percent of their global capacity.

Source: Reuters

ZF Lifetec developed an airbag for the foot

Car airbags were first developed in the early 1950s, with the first patent filed by John W. Hetrick in 1953. They became commercially available in the 1970s and were widely adopted in the 1980s and 1990s. Modern vehicles can have up to 10 or more airbags, including front, side, curtain, knee, and rear airbags, depending on the model and safety features. The German company ZF Lifetec introduced the Active Heel Airbag, an air bag for the foot.

A large part of the impact energy is transmitted through the femur, the strongest bone in the human body. However, tests have shown that when the seat is tilted backwards, the distance between the heel and the support increases and the connection with the floor is no longer optimal, requiring an additional point of support for the heel.

The Active Heel Airbag reduces the risk of foot injury by allowing the knee to hit the air bag at an optimal angle, maximizing its protective function. In the normal seating position, the vehicle floor provides sufficient support for the feet of the driver and front passenger, ensuring a stable support point for the heels and a controlled knee path. However, tests have shown that when the seat is tilted back, the resistance to the feet increases, so additional support is needed.

The Active Heel Airbag is integrated directly into the footwell and in the event of a collision, the airbag inflates under the floor mat. The system can be adapted to almost any car model and will be available to car manufacturers from 2028.

Source: ZF Lifetec

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