Welcome to the Hooniverse News – Slow News Week Edition! Sadly, another week of post-Geneva Motor Show boredom means there aren’t a lot of interesting things to talk about. To help with that, I’ve decided to cover another boat. It’s a nice boat though. This week:

• Porsche brings new tech, colors, and power packs to 2018 lineup

• Squint and you’ll notice the face lift on the Toyota Sienna and Yaris

• McLaren confirms existence of new hypercar project, codenamed BP23

• Tesla will discontinue cheapest Model S 60 kWh

• Jaguar Land Rover will offer unlimited in-car WiFi through AT&T

• Vicem Yachts unveils stunning new Classic 46 IPS

• What’s your automotive news?

Porsche updates for 2018 model year

For the new model year, Porsche is rolling out with a range of updates for nearly all of their models. Expanded Porsche Connect features, new color options, and even a power package for the 911 will now be available to new buyers.
The main added functionality in the updated Porsche Connect technology suite is in the Connect Plus option, which now adds an integrated SIM card to support the LTE standard. That means music streaming, a WiFi hotspot, and a new personal concierge service will be available on all cars that get spec’d for it by the end of the year. Owners will be able to purchase data packages from the Porsche Connect Store based on their usage; seven gigabytes is the standard allotment per 30 days, but additional one gigs can be purchased once that’s been blown through. Connect Plus is standard equipment on the 911 and Panamera and is an option on all other models.
Various new interior and exterior color options are available across the lineup as well. A color called Crayon (which wasn’t described or shown) is available on the 911 and 718, Saffron Yellow Metallic is available on the 911 Turbo and Turbo S, the sport exhaust can feature gloss black exhaust tips if desired, and the Targa bar for the 911 Targa and Targa S can be painted satin black on request. Additionally, the 911 Targa 4S Exclusive Design Edition can be ordered in Aetna Blue with a Graphite Blue interior.

The SUVs also get some love with Purpurite Metallic and Palladium Metallic paint on the Cayenne and a Black/Luxor Beige leather interior option on the Macan. On the Panamera, Burgundy Red Metallic and Ristretto Brown Metallic paint are new options as are the Black/Luxor Beige leather interior and Cohiba Brown and Truffle Brown club leather interiors.
But what’s undoubtedly the most interesting new option is a power package on the 911 Carrera S, Carrera 4S, and Targa 4S models. The package, available from Porsche Exclusive, increases the turbocharged flat-six’s output by 30 horsepower to a total of 450 horsepower. This option adds new turbochargers, the Sport Chrono package with its dynamic engine mounts, a modified brake cooling system, and a unique design for the centrally-located tail pipes. Depending on vehicle equipment, prices start at €10,139 (~$11,000).
All the updated model year improvements do involve a little price increase between 0.9 and 2.0 percent, depending on the model.
[Source: Porsche]

Toyota face lifts Sienna and Yaris

Per Toyota’s press release, they’ll be bringing “swagger and sportiness” to the New York International Auto Show in a couple weeks. With a promise like that, one might think a new 86 model would be in tow or maybe even the new Supra we’ve all been waiting for. But no, we’re talking about a face-lifted Sienna and Yaris. I’ll make this quick.
The Sienna, the design of which has been largely unchanged since 2010, features a design that is still largely unchanged. It does have a new front fascia with a larger, lower grille and a larger fog light compartment area plus standard side lower rockers (once optional), but everything else is unchanged. Toyota says this makes it look sportier, more powerful, and bold, but I’ll let you be the judge of that.
The only Sienna update which matters is the now standard Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance/safety systems which includes pedestrian detection, radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and automatic high beams. And while the car protects its occupants from its defeated driver, they’ll be able to enjoy the updated Entune 3.0 infotainment system with optional JBL audio.

Meanwhile, in the economy section of the airport rental car lot, the 2018 Yaris has a new-ish fascia, an updated rear fascia, and optional fake chrome accents that make it look BOLD™ and SPORTY®. They also updated the media interface inside with some stuff too.
The 2018 Sienna will reach dealerships this fall and the 2018 Yaris will be available to rent by this summer.
[Source: Toyota]

McLaren BP23 teaser

McLaren’s long-rumored new hypercar and spiritual F1 successor got a little closer to reality this week with a new concept sketch and a little bit of information to go along with it.
As of now the car is only known by its internal code name, BP23, as it continues its development at McLaren Special Operations (MSO). No hard data has been finalized yet obviously, but they’re already calling it the most powerful and most aerodynamic road-going McLaren ever. Like the original F1, it’ll have seating for three with the driver presumably in the middle. And also like the original F1, only 106 will be produced, all of which have been pre-sold.
Whatever the BP23 turns out to be, it’s expected to arrive in 2019.
[Source: McLaren]

Tesla discontinuing Model S 60 kWh

Tesla introduced a 60 kWh specification for the Model S as a more affordable option, but things didn’t quite work out as planned… or maybe they did?
From the moment that car was launched, they gave buyers the ability to upgrade their Model S through a paid over-the-air update which took off software limitations on the battery and allowed for greater capacity. Turns out, most people that original bought a Model S 60 ended up purchasing that upgrade and essentially getting the equivalent of a Model S 75 kWh instead.
To simplify the ordering process, they’re removing the Model S 60 from the lineup. If you still want the cheapest Model S you can get, you have until April 16th, 2017 to order yours. You’ll still have the ability to unlock the extra 15 kWh of battery capacity at any time.
[Source: Tesla]

Jaguar Land Rover, AT&T offer unlimited in-car data

Jaguar Land Rover announced that American owners of Jaguars and Land Rovers with the optional InControl WiFi hotspot will soon be able to upgrade to a prepaid unlimited data plan from AT&T. For $20 a month, you’ll be able to stay connected and stream audio for as much as you want, assuming a signal is available. The hotspot can support up to eight devices at once and AT&T probably won’t throttle you if you use your unlimited plan too much.
[Source: Jaguar Land Rover]

Because not much happened again, here’s another boat

Vicem Yachts, one of the world’s largest and most respected builders of classic luxury motor yachts, is unveiling the groundbreaking and beautiful new Classic 46 IPS at the Palm Beach International Boat Show this week. It’s a major step forward for the Florida-based builders as it’s their first fiberglass/epoxy boat of this size ever.
The new advanced construction produces a lighter and more sturdy design even though it can feature up to two or three cabins. With a beam of 15 feet, it has more than sufficient interior volume for the most luxurious ocean voyages. The dimensions boast a LOA of 46′ and a draft of 2’4” with 39,683 lbs. of displacement at full load.

And filling in those dimensions is true beauty as designed by Vicem’s in-house design team. With a handsome classic look and advanced engineering behind it, it rides as smooth as it looks. It’s available with an optional flybridge configuration and can be fitted with a bar area, electric BBQ, refrigerator, a lounge area, and the finest captain’s seat.
From your special seat, you’ll be in control of two Volvo Penta IPS 600 engines with up to 870 horsepower between them. Volvo’s reliable Penta control system and the V-Type hard chine hull means it’s very easy to maneuver. A cruising speed of 26 knots and a top speed of 30 knots is possible.
And like every Vicem yacht, it’s built with quality and durability in mind. All of the wood in this masterpiece is coated with epoxy resin to act as a moisture barrier. Additionally, the entire exterior of the hull and interior of the bilge and engine room is coated with a layer of E-glass cloth and epoxy resin that is finished with epoxy fairing compounds, epoxy primers, and poly-urethane paint.
It’s stunning, isn’t it?
[Source: Vicem Yachts via Pressmare]

What’s your automotive news?

That’s all I’ve got for you this week, so now it’s your turn. If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.
Have a good weekend.
[Image © 2017 Hooniverse/Greg Kachadurian]