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Each automaker wants every vehicle produced to be a success. Outside of a halo car, that theory makes sense. Everyone strives for better and that's exactly what Porsche is doing with its second-generation Panamera.

It was time for a change and Porsche has put into place a 2017 four-door car which is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor. Regardless of its dimensions, the new Panamera looks like a winner without any bad angles.

There will be two versions arriving in Canada in early 2017: the Panamera 4S and the Panamera Turbo. In the 4S, there will be a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V-6 under the hood sporting 440 hp and 405 lb.-ft. of torque; while the Turbo version will receive a 4.0-litre V-8 with 550 hp and 568 lb.-ft. of torque. Both of these engines are brand new and they will be linked to a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive.

The main initial excitement may be its 0-100 km/h times of 4.2 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package in the 4S and a 3.6 in the Turbo, but it's interior can be a selling point for some. Inside, you'll find a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with a copious amount of functions to play with that include a night vision assistant that uses a thermal imaging camera to detect humans and animals. Furthermore, many of these functions can be remotely used from your very own smartphone application.

The first units should begin to arrive in the first quarter of 2017 with pricing to start at $114,300 for the Panamera 4S and $167,700 for the Panamera Turbo.

Porsche made a big statement at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show with its Mission E Concept.

With over 600 hp and over 500 kilometres of range before needing a charge, the Mission E Concept is staring directly at Tesla. It doesn't have the same speed as the Tesla P90D (0-100km/h in under 3.5 seconds, compared to 2.8 seconds in the Tesla), but it would beat its range. As good as the 500 km range is, the more mind-boggling news is that the Mission E can be 80% charged (around 400 kms) in around 15 minutes. 

The Porsche Mission E concept is a four-door sedan with a low centre of gravity setup that has a sweeping Porsche silhouette, lightweight design, suicide doors with no B-pillars, carbon-fibre wheels and a dynamic driving performance accustomed to all Porsches.

It will be powered by an 800-volt drive system that will feature two synchronous motors, similar to what is in the 919 Hybrid LMP1 racecar that makeup that 600 hp total, and will come in all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering. The lithium-ion battery runs the length of the body between the front and rear axles, allowing uniform weight distribution and balance while driving.

Inside, the Mission E is loaded with technology. Holographic instruments use parallax effect to always keep information in view of the driver. Additionally, it will have an eye-tracking and gesture system via camera to detect which instrument the driver is viewing and will bring it up in the menu without the use of hands.

Clearly, the Porsche Mission E Concept is still well beyond its years with futuristic technology unheard of in the automotive industry. However, it can still get the green light and take on Tesla by 2019 with most likely some more practical changes to come. That decision is expected by the end of this year.

When Porsche first entered the SUV market back in 2002, there were hushed whispers in some circles about the move.

Enjoying considerable success and accolades for their sports performance vehicles built to exacting German standards and engineered within an inch of their lives, Porsche’s foray was, to say the least initially questioned.

Until you got behind the wheel of the still impressive Cayenne luxury sport utility vehicle – then all bets were off.

Performance? Check. Handling? Check. For some, they had to remind themselves that this was an SUV, the category created almost single-handedly by Jeep a lifetime ago.

To suggest that a driver should expect the unexpected would be an understatement – in the extreme.

And so, when Porsche announced its entry into the rapidly growing and becoming crowded crossover category with the introduction of the Macan, there was no pre-emptive apathy, rather eager anticipation. Could Porsche once again capture lightning in a bottle?

While that statement itself is more than a little hyperbole, it would be safe to say that yes indeed, Porsche has succeeded where other mainstream manufacturers may have stumbled.

The Macan is the real deal – in so many ways.

This is a vehicle that celebrates its heritage. With great pride.

Some (visible) features will be familiar to those acquainted with the Porsche marque.

But where this vehicle shines – check that – excels – is what you cannot see – yet will soon appreciate and, dare we say, love.\

From the tired and tested receptive engine to the responsive and intuitive dual clutch automatic transmission: note – seven-speed as opposed to trendy eight- or even nine-speed to the air suspension with self-levelling function incorporating height adjustment to the throaty growl of the sport-tuned exhaust system, the attention to detail is something that the team of designers and engineers have not sacrificed.

Perhaps as an automotive journalist I am spoiled; after all, most weeks I have an opportunity to drive many disparate vehicles: sedans; coupes; trucks; convertibles; SUVs; CUVs; and yes, even today, the occasional minivan. While driving this low slung manoeuvrable rocket was a pleasure, for north of $60K, you would almost expect a navigation system. Are we so demanding of technology that features some manufacturers include as standard, their omission induces a mild hissy fit? Then reality sets in; this is a Porsche. It’s meant to be driven. It wants to be driven. And it really doesn’t care if it gets lost in the process!

But I digress.

As tested:

Price: $63.145
Engine: 3.0L twin-turbo V6
Power: 340hp/339 ft.-lb. of torque.
Transmission: seven-speed (dual clutch automatic) Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)
Fuel economy (L/100km): City 13.7/Hwy 10.3. Actually averaged 11.2L/100 km combined.

Pros: It’s a Porsche! Within the relatively new crossover category, this is a vehicle that could be driven almost anywhere by anyone, and enthrall an enthusiast and a layperson simultaneously.

Cons: One too many buttons in the cockpit for a new driver/owner could be an unwanted distraction. And, if we’re being picky, for $63K, the inclusion of a navigation system and cooled seats would be welcome additions.

Long and the short: worthy of consideration. A lean, mean driving machine with plenty of get-up-and-go.

HAPEVILLE, Ga. (AP) - Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed joined Gov. Nathan Deal and representatives from the Porsche company to break ground on the company's new North American headquarters in Hapeville.

The new headquarters is being built on the old Ford plant site near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The car manufacturer is the first company in the Aerotropolis Atlanta business district.

Deal said in a statement Tuesday that Porsche's headquarters is a terrific asset to Georgia's economy, and that One Porsche Drive will become a renowned address in the state.

Porsche officials say once the site is completed, the new headquarters may employ up to 400 people.