Checkered Blog by Checkered Flag is the automotive play place in Hampton Roads Virginia

Reunited with the Porsche Cayenne

A few weeks ago, I helped out with an event at Checkered Flag Porsche and was asked to pick up decorations at nearby Party City. And by decorations I mean dozens of balloon bouquets. Now, I'm sure many of you, at one time or another, have had the task of transporting balloons. It's somewhat of a tricky situation that requires a bit of strategic packing and a good amount of cargo space. I needed a vehicle that provided enough space to fit the balloons. Ed Klima, new car sales manager, provided a solution: the Porsche Cayenne.

It's not every day you get handed a pair of keys to a Porsche Cayenne (starts at $70,900), and boy was I one happy gal! I'm not really sure how to describe my time with the Cayenne other than it was a such an enjoyable driving experience. I mean, it's everything that you'd expect from a Porsche. Powerful and stylish.

The kind folks at Party City (who helped me gather the balloons) also took notice and complimented "my ride." Also, with the Cayenne's 63 cubic square feet of cargo space (with rear seats folded down), I easily transported all the balloons. The optional power tailgate also came in handy with loading.

After my brief outing with the Cayenne, I absolutely had to return for a second look. So, as soon as I got the chance, I headed over to Checkered Flag Porsche and Bill Thomas, client advisor, agreed to reunite me with the Cayenne. The Cayenne pictured here isn't the exact one I met previously, but instead is a GTS model. This particular GTS, Bill tells me, is a rarity because it's equipped with manual transmission, which you don't see too often. 

Powered by a 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine, the GTS has 405 hp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. The GTS can accelerate 0- 60 in just 5.7 seconds.

Bill also tells me that standard on the GTS is an air suspension system that features self-leveling, ride-height control and PASM (electronic damping control system that improves stability and occupant comfort).The ride-height control is located on the center console, so you can easily vary the settings. See here for more details on the different settings.

I was more than eager to hop back onto the driver's seat, and the new optional PCM (Porsche Communication Management) system caught my eye. Bills says the new 3.0 PCM offers more multifunction capabilities and is easier to operate. The PCM features a 6.5-inch touchscreen, radio functions with up to 48 memory presets, and an integrated single CD/DVD drive. It also has Bluetooth and iPod integration capabilities. 

The Cayenne definitely offered me quite the driving experience. I recommend experiencing it for yourself by test driving one at Checkered Flag Porsche, 2865 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111 for more information.

Product of 'Great Engineering': The new MY09 Porsche 911

It just keeps getting better and better. The folks at Porsche have once again reminded us why the 911 remains one of the most iconic vehicles in the world (even after being introduced nearly 45 years ago) by giving it a mid-cycle refresh for the MY09 (Model Year 09).

Checkered Flag Porsche's Donpaul Ivers, a Porsche specialist, offered me a closer look (which I happily and immediately accepted) at the strikingly beautiful all new MY09 Porsche 911 in Aqua Blue Metallic. Donpaul says there's been a lot of fuss over the new 911 models, and for good reason.

Let's start with the exterior updates. Tweaks to its outside appearance include: LED daytime driving lights with bi-xenon headlights; fog lights; LED tail and brake lights; fresh 18-inch wheels; and optional Dynamic Cornering Lights.

Donpaul tells me the big story for the latest 911 is the new generation of engines that deliver more power and boosts horsepower by as much as 30 (in Carrera S models) without increasing displacement. The 911 models (starting at $75,600 for the Carrera) are powered by a rear-engine flat 6 cylinder engine (3.6 or 3.8 liter). 

Even with more power surging through it, the 911 also benefits from lower fuel consumption, as much as 13% less than the previous model. The secret? Donpaul says it's simply great engineering. The 911 is the first Porsche sports car to feature the Direct Fuel Injection (DFI), where fuel is directly injected into the combustion chamber resulting in the lower fuel consumption.

Another exciting development  for the 911s is the optional Porsche Doppelkupplung Transmission (I dare you to try and say that 5 times fast).  To make reading a little easier and prevent increased risk of typos, we'll use the more commonly used acronym, PDK. The 7-speed PDK reads the road, and allows gear shifts without having to interrupt the power to the drive wheels when shifting. Simply put, the PDK makes for the fastest shifting in the world!

Gadgets wise, the all new PCM Intuitive Touch screen system brings Bluetooth interface, navigation, satellite radio, and Universal Audio Interface (if equipped) conveniently within reach. Donpaul says the redesigned PCM has 50% fewer buttons, so features are easier to use. For more details on features visit here.   

The 911 is no ordinary car. It makes a great impression in person, so if you'd like to see it for yourself visit Donpaul and the sales team at Checkered Flag Porsche, 3225 Virginia Beach Boulevard. You can also call (757) 490-1111 for more information.

October = Oktoberfest

Having blogged about Checkered Flag for quite a while now, one thing Win'sGal and I can say with certainty is that Checkered Flag Porsche customers know have to have a good time.  That was quite clear at Checkered Flag's Oktoberfest this weekend ... when Win'sGal and I observed Porsche owners and potential owners checking out the newest offerings and enjoying a great day at the dealership.  Saturday's activities at Checkered Flag were a local version of the offical Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, a annual 16-day celebration that is said to be the world's largest fair ... it draws around six million people.  Next year's official Oktoberfest runs from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 ... which gives Win'sGal and me about a year to find some cool dirndls for the occasion.

Meet Checkered Flag Porsche Customer Chris Boone!

The Checkered Blog caught up with Chris Boone, a Chesapeake resident and a proud owner of a Porsche 911 Carerra. Chris works for Northrop Grumman, and is originally from Virginia Beach. Thanks for spending a few minutes with us, Chris!

CB: What do you like about driving a Porsche?
Chris: They're fun cars. 

CB: What are your hobbies?
Chris: Dance. I like organized dances, Salsa in particular.

CB: What's your favorite restaurant?
Chris: Ohh, I've been to so many that I like, but it would probably be Mahi Mah's at the beach and Lynnhaven Fish House. I really like seafood, especially scallops.

CB: What's in your MP3 player or (CD player) right now?
Chris: Oh gees, right now there's Boston, AC/DC, Isaac Hayes, and R.E.M. I have very diverse tastes in music.

CB: What's the latest movie you've seen?
Chris: (Laughs) Kung Fu Panda. It was good.

CB: Do you have any pets?
Chris: No, but if I wanted to get one, I'd get a goldfish. They're low maintenance. That'd be good because I'm always on the go.

CB: What's the one invention you couldn't live without?
Chris: Electricity. I mean, I suppose you could live without it. They did before, but I'd find it very hard now.

CB: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Chris: Probably back to Europe. I was there with my folks for the military. That's actually how I became interested in Porsches. They're built over there, and I would see them all time.

CB: What's the one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Chris: I like ABBA. Favorite song would be Dancing Queen (smiles).

CB: What's the best thing about being a Checkered Flag customer?
Chris: Attention to detail. They take the time to understand your problems, and then they offer solutions. They're good people over here. I live in Chesapeake, and I wish I didn't have to go so far to get here, but I'm very satisfied. I'm willing to drive the distance because of the service quality at Checkered Flag.

Congratulations to Dickie on his new Porsche GT2

Not too often does a Porsche GT2 grace your presence.  It is one of those German rarities that makes any sighting a real treat.  It is easier to find Waldo than one of these.....dare I say.....monsters! 

It is a 6 cylinder Turbo with 530 horsepower & 505 lb.-ft of torque, all from 2,200 - 4,500 RPM.  Keep in mind that the regular 911 Turbo has 480 hp.  According to Porsche, the GT2 gets from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds and is capable of speeds up to 204 MPH, while only weighing 3,175 lbs.  In order to slow this beast, it needs Porsche's 6-piston ceramic brakes (an $8,000 option on other Porsche's).  When looking at a car like this, gas mileage is not usually mentioned, but the GT2 gets up to 16 MPG in the city and up to 23 MPG on the highway.....knowing Dickie we doubt he will be one to see that particular statistic. 

Click on any of the photos below to see a larger version.

Accented in alacantara and carbon fiber, the GT2 houses one race-luxurious interior!

The lucky new owner (staring directly into the sun for this photo).  Was it worth the wait Dickie?

The photographer said he'd be happy to exchange a proper photoshoot for a test drive.

Everyone at Checkered Flag Porsche wishes to express a big CONGRATULATIONS to Dickie.  He waited years for this car, and we're all excited to see him finally driving a GT2 in his color!

Unsung Hero: Porsche 911

Described as "simply astounding," the Porsche 911 is quite possibly one of the coolest cars on the planet. It's been considered an icon in the automotive world since its introduction in the 1960s. Most people recognize the 911 as a high performance vehicle that you'd find on the racetrack, and (yes, it is all of that) but it's also great with day-to-day usability. I know, you must've raised an eyebrow with that one... Porsche a daily driver? Well, along with its Porsche siblings, the Boxster and Cayman, the 911 is an unexpected, but very welcome addition to our Unsung Heroes of Fuel Efficiency list.

There's a long list (15 in total) of 911 model variations to choose from. Here's the basic breakdown: base Carrera (starting at $73,500), Carrera S, GT3, Turbo and GT2. You also have your choice of body style (either standard coupe or convertible Cabriolet), and rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Checkered Flag Porsche's Brian Bowers, a sales representative, showed me a Turbo version of the 911 (pictured here). All 911s have rear mounted horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engines. With the engine in the rear, Brian says the vehicle is more stable and delivers better traction. The Turbo Brian and I looked at produces an incredible 480 hp. The Carrera gets 325 hp. Hp numbers vary on the other models.

Brian says the 911 performs like a race car, but it also drives like a "normal" car. For a vehicle of its class and capability, the 911 gets great gas mileage.  It's rated at 26 miles on the highway, and 18 city (numbers reflect Carrera model). That's about 442 highway miles with its 17 gallon tank. Brian also points out that even with a huge difference in hp, the Turbo gets around the same mpg as the Carrera. The Turbo is capable of 25 highway miles on a gallon of gas. 

While performance and exceptional driving experience and feel are major highlights, the 911 is also equipped with an array of comfort features. It seats four passengers and comes standard with: air conditioning w/automatic climate control; tilt/telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel; and Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system. A front trunk compartment also offers ample cargo space. Visit here for the full list of features.

Standard on the 911 is a superior braking system consisting of Anti-lock braking (ABS) and 4-piston monobloc fixed alloy calipers and ventilated brake discs. Other safety features include: Bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic range control; Porsche Stability Management; and dual front Advanced Airbags and head and thorax side airbags.

For the fashion conscious driver, the 911 is a dream. Brian tells me you can customize a 911 down to stitch color of the seat upholstery! Porsche offers several exterior color options for the 911, but if a customer came in requesting a specific color, a customized paint match is possible.   

The 911 is one of those vehicles that truly speaks for itself, so it's best to see it in person. If you're interested visit Brian and the Checkered Flag Porsche sales team at 2865 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111 for more information.

Meet Checkered Flag Porsche/Audi's Bill Thomas!

CB: How long have you worked at Checkered Flag?
Bill: Hmm...let's see. Well, I worked here three years prior, but I left to run a family business called Dream Dinners. My wife handles that now, so I returned to work here.

CB: Which Hampton Roads city or county do you live in?
Bill: Virginia Beach. I've lived there since I was ten.

CB: Besides Porsche and Audi what are your other hobbies?
Bill: Music. I play the guitar and drums. All kinds of music, anything from alternative or rock. Stuff from Coldplay and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Hmm...what else?  Volleyball, soccer, video games, golf, and working.

CB: What's your favorite restaurant?
Bill: Well, I don't know if I'd say it's my favorite place to eat, but definitely a great place to hang out and play music. The Green Oak. The owner always asks us if we want to play music. It's just a cool place to hang out.

CB: What's in your MP3 player or CD player right now?
Bill: About a 1,000 songs (laughs). Lordie, I listen to everything. Picking out a favorite song is hard. I listen to Stone Sour and Coldplay a lot. Travis is a great band too.

CB: What's the last movie you've seen?
Bill: After tonight, hopefully it'll be Dark Knight. I've been trying to see it. IMAX has been sold out for every showing!

CB: Do you have any pets?
Bill: A Yorkie named Chewie because he looks like Chewbacca (laughs).

CB: What's the one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Bill: Ah, this one's hard. Well, I have a pilot's license. I got it when I was like 21 or 22, and I fly every once and awhile. Small planes like Cessnas.

CB: What's the one invention you couldn't live without?
Bill: Electricity! I need it for my guitar amps to play loud. Oh, and definitely air-conditioning.

CB: What's the best thing about working at Checkered Flag?
Bill: Dealing with the best customers and being able to drive the best cars in the world. You take pride in that. We have the best customers, people, and cars. It's just great. 

Join Checkered Flag Porsche at VIR August 8-10th

JOIN US  for the inaugural Zone 2 PCA Club Race & Advanced DE Weekend!

August 8-10, 2008 @ VIR (Full Course)

Registration opens May 5, 2008 at 9:00pm (CDT) at www.clubregistration.net

This will be a three race PCA Club Race weekend (two sprint races and one enduro race). 

Advanced DE open to advanced solo/instructors only as there will be a single DE run group.

This is a dedicated PCA Club Race & Advanced DE only weekend.

Test & Tune (Not a PCE Event) on August 7, 2008 will be run/managed by VIR. 
Please contact VIR for info on the T&T.

Spectators are welcome, but please RSVP in advance.  You can email Richard Hutsko to RSVP as a spectator:  rnhutsko@checkeredflag.com

Virginia International Raceway is located in Alton, VA (near Danville) which is about a 3-4 hour drive from Virginia Beach.  It may sound like a hike, but time at VIR is always well worth it.

Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency: Porsche Cayman

At first glance the Porsche Cayman probably reminds you of another Unsung Hero we've featured before, the Porsche Boxster. Both Porsche vehicles do share very similar characteristics like seating-for-two and mid-mounted engine layout. They both also deliver exceptional performance that we've all come to expect from Porsche. What you probably don't expect from the Cayman (just like the Boxster) is great fuel efficiency. For a vehicle of its class, the Cayman does quite well in that department. We'll go more into that a bit later.

But first some background on the Cayman. I went to a great source on all things Porsche. Known as the "Porsche Man" at Checkered Flag Porsche, Fritz Falch gave me a quick history lesson on the Cayman. He tells me that the Cayman S was introduced on January 15, 2006 (yes, he knows the exact date by heart). The base Cayman debuted a little after that. It's positioned between the Boxster and the 911. But the Cayman doesn't suffer from a case of middle child syndrome by any means. It's a standout sports car that gets its fair share of attention.

Like mentioned earlier, the Cayman benefits from a mid-engine mount, which gives it an almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Separating itself from the topdown convertible Boxster, the Cayman has a hardtop roof. The combination of the proven mid-engine placement with a rigid body makes for incredible handling and performance. Two trim models are offered: the base Cayman (starting at $49,400) and the Cayman S. The base model is powered by a 2.7-liter six-cylinder boxer engine that gets 245 horsepower and 201 lb-feet of torque. With the Cayman S the engine upgrades to 3.4 liters and produces 295 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque.

So with a such powerhouse engine, how well does the Cayman do with mpg? It gets 29 highway miles, and 20 city. With a 17 gallon tank, that's around 500 miles on the highway. To ensure the best mpg as possible, fuel supply is regulated by a Motronic ME 7.8 (engine management system), which also controls all the engine-related systems. 

The Cayman's prowess doesn't just lie with exceptional performance and power; its safety features are impressive too. Along with dual front Advanced head and thorax airbags, standard on Caymans is a powerful braking system that includes Anti-lock braking (ABS) and 4-piston monobloc fixed alloy calipers and ventilated brake discs. There's also the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system that monitors the vehicle and adjusts off steering.

Fritz says that most people see the Cayman as a very special high-end toy, but it's also a practical vehicle that could be used as a daily driver. The Cayman offers something rare that most sports cars lack: an ample amount of cargo space. There are two good sized front and rear luggage compartments. The Cayman interior is also generous with storage space conveniently placed on the center console, and in each door. Behind the two seats on the engine bulkhead, there's even more storage space. But if you find yourself still needing more, an optional Roof Transport system is available.  

I learned a lot about the Cayman from my visit with the "Porsche Man," but as always, it's best to see it in person at Checkered Flag Porsche, 2865 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111.

Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency: Porsche Boxster

Surfing the net today, I read about a man who is looking to beat high gas prices by finding alternatives ways to commute to work. Sounds like a story you have heard before. Everyone is trying to find ways to save gas, but how many of you would kayak to work? A man living in Seattle does it, and even more impressive (although some would describe it as crazy) his entire commute to and from work takes 8 hours by kayak! Talk about dedication. At least he will not find himself stuck in traffic. But for those of you who are not ready to brave the open waters or have 8 hours to spare for commuting, I have another Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency to tell you about, the Porsche Boxster. Now, I know what you are probably thinking...a Porsche? Porsche is known for high performance, and usually high performance means more fuel. Well, you will be surprised to know that the Boxster delivers the signature Porsche performance, but not at the cost of fuel efficiency (more on that later).

The Boxster is offered in two models: Boxster (base, starts at $45,800) and Boxster S. The Limited Edition Boxster and the Boxster RS60 Spyder are also available, but are fewer in number. Eric Davis (pictured with the RS60), a client advisor there, says there are only 1,960 RS60 Spyder Boxsters in the entire world! I had the opportunity to check out one of the very special and rare RS60s. Eric showed me #498 of the 1,960 produced. A plaque sits on top of the glove box lid to show the limited numbers. Number 498 makes a bold impression with its Carrera Red leather interior. Very stylish. 

The Boxster is a two-seater convertible with a mid mounted engine layout. It is powered by a 2.7-liter, 6-cylinder boxer engine with 4-valve cylinder heads. With the engine placed in the space between the back of driver/passenger seats and the rear of the vehicle, the Boxster gets ideal weight distribution giving it awesome handling and performance. The engine technology on the Boxster is impressive, and I wish I could have taken a photo to post here, but seeing the engine is actually a bit of complex process and requires a Porsche mechanic. But never fret, if you are really interested in the seeing the engine visit the Porsche website. They have detailed diagrams of the Boxster engine. It is pretty cool stuff.

On the Boxster there is also an engine management system called the Motronic ME 7.8. This serves as the control center for all the engine-related systems, including fuel supply. Ah, fuel the magic word. ForbesAutos.com named the Boxster on its Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient Luxury Cars list. It gets 29 highway miles, and 20 in the city. With its 17 gallon tank, you can get around 500 miles on the highway.

Other than the engine, I was wowed by the amount of cargo space the Boxster offers. With the engine fitted snuggly in the middle of the car, it leaves room for two generously sized storage compartments at the front and back. Eric even joked that I could fit comfortably inside the front compartment! 

Safety wise the Boxster has you covered with standard features including: Anti-lock braking system (ABS); 4-piston monobloc fixed alloy calipers and ventilated brake discs; seatbelt pretensioner; immobilizer system with transponder system for safety protection; two full-size Advanced Airbags; and the Porsche Side Impact Protection system with dual side airbags. Boxsters are also equipped with Porsche Stability Management (PSM). When the car is in motion, the PSM monitors direction, speed, yaw velocity (speed of the rotation around the vertical axis), and lateral acceleration. Using that information, the Boxster can correct over or under steering. It comes in handy especially during bad weather.

There are a ton of optional features to choose from for the Boxster. A few that caught my attention are: the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) which includes goodies like advanced audio and navigation systems; ParkAssist (rear bumper sensors to aid with parking); and HomeLink (standard remote control garage opener in roof console). The full list of features is found here.

Like I mentioned earlier, there are only a few RS60 Spyders and the Limited Edition Boxsters in the world, and you do not want to miss your chance to see them. Visit Checkered Flag Porsche, 2865 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111 for more information.