Porsche Archives - The OpenRoad Blog

An Icon Like No Other; 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera

Mike Ginsca on June 18, 2025

The Porsche 911 is arguably the most iconic sports car of all time. From its sleek silhouette to its rear engine layout, there’s almost no person on Earth that doesn’t know what the Porsche 911 is. As such, when it came time to update the 911 for 2025, Porsche didn’t mess with the recipe. They enhanced it.

Part of the enhancement for the 2025 model year, code named 992.2, is a tweak to the exterior styling. The 911 has updated matrix LED headlights with standard four-point daytime running lights. This update also does away with the auxiliary lights that were just above the bumper intakes of the previous model year.

Around back, the LED light strip has been redesigned to make the 911 appear wider. You can also option the 911 Carrera with an aerokit for a more distinctive look. But the most noticeable design change is with the GTS. It has 5 vertical flaps to either side of the front bumper which can close for better aerodynamics or open for better cooling.

And the GTS needs better cooling because it has to keep the new hybrid battery cool. Yes, the Porsche 911 is now a hybrid sports car.

Available on the GTS, for now, the T-hybrid powertrain consists of an electric motor situated inside the strengthened 8-speed PDK gearbox and a new single electric exhaust turbocharger. The latter utilizes Formula 1 technology whereby an electric motor between the exhaust and intake turbines spins the turbocharger to provide instantaneous boost at any engine rpms.

Power for the new hybrid components comes from a 1.9 kWh battery pack that is roughly the same size and weight as a conventional 12-Volt starter battery. The GTS also does away with a conventional starter motor and instead relies on the gearbox integrated electric motor to start the 3.6L boxer engine.

In addition to providing better response and better efficiency, the T-Hybrid engine is of course more powerful than the older 911 GTS. It produces 532 hp & almost 450 lb-ft of torque.

But the GTS is not the only 911 model that received an updated powertrain. The standard 911 Carrera is more powerful as well.

The twin-turbocharged 3.0L flat-6 engine produces 388 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. This is achieved through turbochargers that were previously used in the older generation 911 GTS. With the Sport chrono package, the 911 Carrera can accelerate from a stop to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds.

The Carrera S bumps the power to 473 hp and drops the 0-100 km/h sprint to 3.3 seconds, with the sport chrono package.

But in order to make these cars faster, Porsche ditched the manual transmission. At least for the standard Carrera, Carrera S and the GTS. You can still get a 6-speed manual transmission on the Carrera T, and of course the GT3. But all other standard models get an 8-speed PDK.

Sticking with the interior, it has received a few updates for this model year. Most notably is the fully digital driver instrument cluster. The centrally mounted analog tachometer is gone and in its place is a digital version. This not only allows for various information panels to be displayed but the driver can also choose from different themes such as the classic view with a centrally located tachometer or the rev counter view where the rev needle is situated so that it is at the 12 o’clock position at shift speed. This was the case with many historic Porsche racing cars.

Other changes to this interior include a new push button start on the left side of the steering column, the drive mode switch is now standard on all models of the 911, there’s a new wireless phone charging pad with up to 15 Watts of power, and there are new options and combinations of leather trims.

The infotainment system also sees a few new changes. Firstly, you can listen to streaming music through Spotify or Apple music without your smartphone being connected to the car. Simply scan the QR code that is displayed on the touchscreen and you can start listening to your favourite tunes.

Another change is the ability to stream videos to the main touchscreen. The ScreenhitsTV app integrates numerous popular streaming services, but it does require a subscription to use. However, Porsche Connect customers receive a 3-year voucher with data allowance. Needless to say, video streaming is only available when the car is stationary.

In addition to all of the updates on the 2025 Porsche 911, this still remains as one of the most customizable vehicles on sale today. The 911 Carrera starts at $143,600 while the new 911 GTS starts at $188,300.

Our knowledgeable product specialists at Porsche Centre Richmond or Porsche Centre Langley are more than happy to help you customize your very own Porsche 911.

Porsche Introduces the All-New Macan Electric

Mike Ginsca on November 13, 2024

10 years ago, Porsche introduced the compact Macan SUV. It quickly became a hit among consumers for its city-sized dimensions and exhilarating Porsche driving dynamics. Now in 2024, it will be available alongside the 2^nd generation, all-electric, Porsche Macan.

Staying in Control

The new Macan Electric retains the city-sized dimensions of its gasoline counterpart. It is roughly the same height and same width, but it is a little bit longer. However, you don’t need to worry about the Macan Electric being cumbersome to maneuver in a tight parking lot because it is available with rear wheel steering.

The back wheels can turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, by 5 degrees, when the car is moving slowly. This reduces the turning circle. When you’re driving down a highway, the wheels turn in the same direction at the fronts, which helps make the car feel more stable.

But that’s not all that the new Macan Electric uses to keep the driver in control. It comes standard with adaptive air suspension with 4 selectable modes, 5 ride-height positions, and the ability to lower the rear axle only for easier loading and unloading.

Then there’s the Macan 4, 4S, and Turbo which come equipped with a dual-motor layout for an AWD system. So should you want to take your new Porsche Macan Electric on a snowy mountain road, just slap on some winter tires and it’ll handle the white fluff without a fuss. The standard Macan Electric, however, is a single-motor RWD only SUV.

Powerful Motors

The single-motor Macan Electric is capable of producing 335 hp & 451 lb-ft of torque. But if you engage launch control, the overboost function will momentarily provide 355 hp. That’s enough to accelerate the Macan Electric from a stop to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds.

The Macan Electric 4, 4S, and Turbo have incremental increases in power outputs. From just over 400 hp all the way up to 630 hp with the overboost function and launch control in the Macan Turbo Electric. 0-100 km/h in that car is in the low 3 second range.

Providing the motors with the electric power is a 100-kWh battery pack. A pretty sizable battery pack for such a compact luxury SUV. That battery also gives the Porsche Macan Electric a driving range of up to 654 km. That’s like driving from Vancouver to Seattle, and back, on a single charge with a bit of charge left in the battery. In fact, all versions of the Macan Electric, including the 630 hp Turbo, have driving ranges of over 600 km.

All versions of the Macan Electric can be recharged at a maximum rate of up to 270 kW. Porsche doesn’t say exact charging times at this rate but we’re estimating that it’ll be around 20 minutes from 10% to 80%. From at 11 kW, level 2 charger, it can be recharged from 0% to 100% in about 10 hours.

Supple Interior

The power and exhilarating driving experience is only part of the equation of a Porsche vehicle. The other part is the luxurious interior. The Macan Electric takes some inspiration from the Cayenne, which was updated for the 2024 model year. It has the same steering wheel, a configurable digital driver instrumentation screen, a large infotainment touchscreen and an optional passenger touchscreen which allows access to navigation and streaming apps such as YouTube.

There’s also a new Head-up display which Porsche says that is meant to look like an 87-inch TV screen at about 30-feet away. This means that you can still clearly read all of the vital information that is displayed but your eyes don’t need to refocus when you’re looking at it thus reducing eye strain. That’s German thinking.

Depending on which seats you have optioned on your Macan Electric, the driver and passenger sit up to one inch lower in this new Macan compared to the gasoline version. But you don’t need to worry about visibility if you’re a shorter individual, the Macan Electric is equipped with standard 8-way power seats.

The rear occupants sit half an inch lower than in the gasoline version and have a bit more legroom thanks to the longer wheelbase of the car. There’s also a standard panoramic sunroof to allow for more light in the back seats.

The Cost

The Porsche Macan Electric has a starting price of $94,900. Of course, going up in the trim levels will incrementally increase the price with the Turbo starting at $127,800. Then there is the options list where you can customize your new Macan Electric to your liking.

Should you need help in customizing your new Porsche, our knowledgeable product specialists at Porsche Centre Richmond and Porsche Centre Langley are more than happy to help you get behind the steering wheel of your very own Macan Electric.

Dreams Take Flight Under a Lavender Haze

Mike Ginsca on October 22, 2024

Porsche Centre Langley recently hosted an exclusive event at Sky Hangar to celebrate the all-new Macan EV and Taycan. Named Provence Unveiled, guests were treated to an evening inspired by Porsche’s new purple hue – reflected in everything from the cocktails and cuisine to the decor, and floral arrangements. The night was also about philanthropy, as much-needed funds were raised for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice through a special live auction, featuring paintings by renowned automotive realism artist Sunni Combs, who travelled from Scottsdale, Arizona to attend the event.

“We wanted to provide guests with a truly unique experience and transport them to Provence without leaving the city – all while celebrating Porsche’s new, standout Macan EV and Taycan,” says Ahmed Abou-Shaaban, General Manager, Porsche Centre Langley. “For many of our clients, this was their first opportunity to see these remarkable vehicles up close, and we wanted to do it in a way that was both immersive and inspiring. Our team certainly outdid themselves.”

As guests arrived at the hangar, they had the opportunity to mingle over canapés by celebrity chef Spencer Watts, while sipping on bespoke cocktails by Eucalyptus Cocktails, featuring Empress Gin.

Emceed by actor Matthew Kevin Anderson, the highlight of the evening came with the grand reveal of the Provence-hued Macan EV and Taycan, after which guests were invited to their seats for an indulgent three-course dining experience by Chef Watts, featuring Pacific Northwest-inspired dishes like salmon tartare, wagyu beef two ways, and a decadent ube cheesecake. Throughout the event, and in partnership with Vancouver’s 604 Records, local rising stars Madisyn Gifford and Molly Annelle serenaded the group with their talented vocals.

To cap off a great night, six of Combs’s striking paintings of iconic Porsche vehicles, with three exclusively commissioned pieces for Porsche Centre Langley, were auctioned live by auctioneer Crystal Campbell, adding an exciting final touch to the evening. More than $15,000 was raised for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.

“At Porsche Centre Langley, we are all about curating memorable and once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our guests, and Provence Unveiled was no exception. Both our Provence-coloured Porsche Macan EV and Taycan will now be on-display at our Porsche NOW pop-up at South Surrey’s The Shops at Morgan Crossing,” adds Abou-Shaaban.

Located at 16172 24 Ave, Porsche Centre Langley’s 4,000-square-foot Porsche NOW pop-up experience centre is accessible for the whole community to explore. The pop-up features a self-sustained building structure that runs on 100% solar energy (or rechargeable battery during months with less daylight), an interactive display that allows clients to receive a tailored orientation of vehicle configuration in real-time with Porsche Centre Langley Sales Executives, a custom-crafted Porsche e-bike display, and more.