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.November 24, 2004
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This Week:

• Lexus GX 470 Gains Power and Adds New Sport Package for 2005

• All-New Competition Package For The 2005 BMW M3 Coupe

• Porsche Carrera GT Drives Off With Engineering Excellence Award

• Volkswagen Releases First Official Photos of All-New Jetta to Arrive Early Next Year

• Jaguar Ties At Number 1 In 2004 JD Power And Associates SSI Study

• Mercedes-Benz S-Class: the World's Best-selling Premium Automobile

• Toyota to Establish Technology Research and Training Centers in China

• Ford Names Robert J. Graziano To Lead The Ford Motor Company Of Southern Africa

• DuPont Will Build Automotive Paint Laboratory in Japan

• Acura Sets Yearly Sales Record

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Porsche Carrera GT Drives Off With Engineering Excellence Award

Automotive Division of the Society of Plastic Engineers recognizes Porsche's super sports car for breakthrough use of new materials

Porsche's award-winning Carrera GT made a stopover at Porsche Engineering Services' offices in Troy, Michigan, after receiving the new Engineering Excellence Award from the Automotive Division of the Society of Plastic Engineers. Paul Ritchie, CEO of Porsche Engineering Services (right) congratulates Michael Hoelscher, team leader of the Carrera GT project with Porsche AG in Stuttgart, Germany, who proudly holds the award. (Photo: Porsche)

Traditionally, the award winners are selected from the large number of entries in eight different vehicle-segment categories from body exterior through environmental to process technologies. This year, because of the bold application of new materials and the outstanding engineering expertise demonstrated in this genuine super sports car, the panel of blue-ribbon judges, comprised of automotive and plastic industry experts and analysts, awarded an Engineering Excellence Award for the first time. The carbon fiber monocoque and engine frame design, together with the Porsche Ceramic Composite Clutch, "Demonstrate the tremendous future that exists for the continued growth of plastics, not only in high performance cars, but throughout the entire automotive industry," noted the organizers during the award ceremony.

The Porsche Carrera GT is a limited-edition high performance sports car with the DNA of a racecar. An extremely low weight and over 600 hp from a V10- cylinder engine propel the car from 0 to 60 mph in well under four seconds and allow a track top speed of more than 200 mph. Only a total of 1,500 units will be built over a period of four years, with nearly half earmarked for the North American market. In the U.S. the Carrera GT has an MSRP of $440,000 plus destination charge.

(Nov 16, 2004)