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.November 26, 2003
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This Week:

• Porsche(R) 911(R) Carrera 4S Cabriolet Wins Beauty Contest

• X-TRAIL FCV is Latest in Nissan's Alternative Fuel Cell Technology

• Ford Celebrates 300 Millionth Vehicle

• Innovative Interior Bike Rack Debuts On New BMW X3

• Third Environmental Forum, Magdeburg

• Raymond Grigg to Retire as President of GM In Japan

• Volkswagen has made new top management appointments at German and international locations

• ArvinMeritor Terminates Offer for Dana

• BMW Group Strengthens Brand Management Teams

• Ford Invests $325 Million In Michigan And Ohio Plants To Build An All-New 6-Speed Transmission

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Porsche(R) 911(R) Carrera 4S Cabriolet Wins Beauty Contest

 

ATLANTA - The Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet is the world's most beautiful open-top sports car. This was the verdict of an international jury consisting of 17 independent artists, architects, art historians and designers in Milan, Italy, which came together to select the winners of the annual "World's Most Beautiful Automobile" award. It granted the 911 first place in the "Convertible, roadster and convertible coupe" category. The jury members looked at 50 new models from 20 automobile brands and manufacturers, competing in eight different categories. On sale in the United States and Canada since September, the 315 horsepower (SAE), all-wheel drive 911 maintains the sports car classic characteristic styling even with its electrically folding soft top. The body, adapted from the 911 Carrera 4S Coupe, gains dynamic emphasis from wide body rear bumpers, which are extended by 2.4 inches and by its .4 inch lower body compared to the 911 Carrera. The fabric top is notable for its high quality and excellent noise insulation, even at top speeds. It can be opened or closed at the touch of a button when traveling up to 30 mph.

Photos: Porsche

All drive and suspension components are perfectly in tune with the rigid Cabriolet body. The car's safety systems include the standard electronic "Porsche Stability Management" (PSM) system for driving dynamics control, which works together with the four-wheel drive to ensure excellent driving stability. The brake system comes from the 911 Turbo and, with its four piston fixed calipers and cross-drilled, ventilated disks, maintains its exceptional performance even in the toughest operating conditions.

This award comes at a perfect time, in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary of the Porsche 911. The 911 debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963 and is being commemorated this year by a special edition model. The 911 is Porsche's evergreen model keeping its classic styling throughout its evolution and current model line, including the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet.

Journalist and publisher Bruno Alfieri, who created the "World's Most Beautiful Automobile" award in 1993 and chairs the jury, says, "As far as I know we are the first committee that deliberately assesses only the car's beauty. For this reason none of the members are car journalists, who would be tempted to assess quite different, usually technical, aspects of the cars. This year, the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet was an obvious choice, though the decision was not an easy one."

The award is to be presented on March 5 in the Palazzo dell'Arte, during the Milan Triennale.

(Nov. 24, 2003)