Prestigious Accolade for Porsche Works Driver Hanns Herrmann

Brian Harris Porsche in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is delighted to announce that a special accolade has been awarded to one of Porsche's most successful works drivers. Hans Herrmann, born in 1928, was inducted into the Sebring Hall of Fame on 16 March 2012. This prestigious award from the organizers of the famous American racing circuit was announced in the run-up to this year’s 12 Hours of Sebring, which was held for the sixtieth time in 2012. Also inducted to the Sebring Hall of Fame were the American racing legends Geoff Brabham, Denise McCluggage, Johnny O'Connell and Jim Downing.

 

In a racing career spanning from 1953 to 1970, Hans Herrmann was twice the overall winner at Sebring. In 1960, he won the legendary twelve-hour race in a Porsche 718 RS60 with Oliver Gendebien, and repeated the feat in 1968, in a Porsche 908 with Jo Siffert. He also won his class for Porsche in 1956 and 1966. His first overall victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1960 was one of the most important wins in Porsche’s racing history. This was the first outing for the new Type 718 RS60 1.6 liter car, and it ended in a double victory for the Stuttgart-based manufacturer as the Porsche teams of Herrmann/Gendebien and Holbert/Schechter crossed the line in front of their competitors from the 3-litre class.

 

Hans Herrmann is one of Porsche’s most successful works drivers. Born on 23 February 1928 in Stuttgart, the endurance specialist is regarded as one of the most reliable and consistent drivers of all time.

 

During his motor racing career, Hans Herrmann notched up more than 80 overall wins and class victories for manufacturers such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Borgward and Abarth. In 1953, 1954 and 1955 he was German champion in the 1500 cc class, and manufacturers’ World Champion in 1969 in 1970. Hans Herrmann achieved his greatest victories in cars made in Zuffenhausen: at the Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio, the Carrera Panamericana and in Le Mans, where he achieved Porsche’s first overall victory in a 917 in 1970. After his triumph at Le Mans, Hans Herrmann retired from active racing at the age of 42.

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Porsche 911 on-Sale Now

Brian Harris Porsche in Baton Rouge, LA is pleased to announce that the new Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S models have arrived in Porsche showrooms around the country. The latest generation of the iconic Porsche 911 is on-sale now.

Following its media introduction last fall, journalists world-wide have titled this latest 911 as the best yet. All early indicators point to it remaining every bit the icon it has been since its 1964 debut.

Whether this will be a customer's first or just their latest Porsche 911, it's going to be the most invigorating ownership experience yet, said Detlev von Platen, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. The 911 Carrera and Carrera S are the ultimate choices for drivers who want the fun and excitement of a true benchmark-setting sports car week in and week out, not just for show or play during the weekends.

For 2012, the 911 has been completely redesigned from the ground up. The newest incarnation applies singular balance to the priorities of a new era, preserving the classic 911 lines, yet revisiting every inch for advances in power and fuel economy. While still instantly recognizable as a Porsche 911 at a glance, 90 percent of the 2012 Porsche 911's components are either new or fundamentally revised.

Longer, lower, wider, 100 lbs. lighter, faster and more efficient than previous models, the 911 is the perfect blend of modern design, intelligent engineering and performance DNA.

In addition to aesthetic improvements, both new models offer significant performance enhancements. The 2012 911 Carrera is equipped with a new, 350-horsepower, 3.4-liter boxer engine that provides five more horsepower (HP) than the outgoing 3.6-liter engine, while the Carrera S features a 400 HP, 3.8-liter boxer engine, a 15 HP improvement versus its predecessor. The 911 Carrera with Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) accelerates from zero to 60 in 4.4 seconds, while the Carrera S sprints from zero to 60 in a mere 4.1 seconds. That time is reduced even further to 3.9 seconds when equipped with the Sports Chrono Package Plus. Top-track-speeds for the 911 Carrera and Carrera S are 179 and 188 mph, respectively.

As with every generation, the new 911 Carrera continues to raise the bar in both performance and efficiency. This is achieved through systems such as the Automatic Start/Stop function, engine and transmission thermal management, electrical system recuperation, the world's first seven-speed manual transmission and in conjunction with PDK the ability to  coast. The new electro-mechanical power steering offers the typical Porsche precision and helps to increase efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.