Category: Porsche

Categories
Porsche

Is the Panamera Sport Turismo any good?

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

When Porsche unveiled the Panamera Sport Turismo at the Paris Motor Show earlier this year it was a revelation. The awkward arse of the Panamera could actually look good. All it needed was a bit more junk in the trunk.

And while the Panamera Sport Turismo remains a concept only, officially speaking. We think it’s pretty clear they will send it down the production line. Which begs the question, is it any good?

Autocar has been lucky enough to be granted a test drive of the concept model, which includes a fully functioning e-hybrid system. Here’s a few thoughts (follow source link below for full story):

“It’s well mannered and genuinely fun to drive. You can whip it down the road with utter confidence, relying on the fluid actions and response that you might expect of a true production car. This is not something you could say of most concepts. The steering is nicely resolved, too: direct away from the straight-ahead and weighty as lock increases. It could use a little more low-speed feedback and a greater eagerness to self-centre, but the electro-mechanical system operates with conviction and precision.”

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Porsche

VIDEO: 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup preview

Porsche 991 911 GT3 Cup

Porsche has followed up their announcement they will be racing a pair of 911 GT3 RSRs at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with this short preview video showing the new 991-based 91 GT3 Cup.

The clip doesn’t give too much away, but when the official word comes out you’ll be reading about it here. We expect this also means the road-going GT3 can’t be too far away.

We’re excited!

Continue reading “VIDEO: 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup preview”
Categories
Porsche

What is the Porsche 919 going to be?

Porsche 919

Word has come out that Porsche lodged a patent application for the wordmark ‘919’ back in October. The file was submitted to the German Patent Office and the term 919 has appeared on the official register in the past few days.

This news could indicate Porsche has grand plans for an entirely new model. After all they do plan to launch four new models by 2018, two of which will include the Macan SUV and the 918 Spyder. Perhaps the 919 is one of them?

An equally plausible explanation is Porsche is simply protecting the numbering/wording from anyone else using it.

[Source: GTspirit]

Categories
Porsche

Put your hand up if you’d like a Cayman Turbo

981 Porsche Cayman S

Porsche has just revealed it’s new 981 Cayman, but already we’ve heard a rather appealing rumour. Remember the news that Porsche will be making a four-cylinder boxer engine? Well, the 2.5 litre turbocharged four-pot and its expected 350hp (260kW) will find its way into the Cayman’s heart.

Word is the Cayman Turbo could debut at the next Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2013.

The prediction of 350hp would be a 25hp increase on the normally aspirated 3.4 litre flat-six used in the new Cayman S. Peak torque could be as high as 500Nm, a very healthy boost of 130Nm compared with the current Cayman S.

Perhaps the only downside to this rumour is the expectation the Cayman Turbo would only be offered with a PDK transmission.

A force-fed four-cylinder is being adopted for its lower fuel consumption and fewer CO2 emissions. We wouldn’t rule out a normally aspirated four-clyinder finding its way into entry-level Boxster/Cayman offerings either.

Let’s hope Porsche makes the internals of the new turbo four nice and strong so all those aftermarket tuners can try to be the first to reach 400hp and beyond!

[Source: 0-100.it | translated]

Categories
Motorsports Porsche

Porsche to race 991-based 911 RSR in 2013

Porsche back at Le Mans in 2013

Just a few weeks after telling us we’d need to wait until 2014 to see a new Porsche 911 RSR, Stuttgart has announced they’ll be racing two new factory-backed 991-based 911 RSR machines in the 2013 World Endurance Championship. Of course, this also includes the 2013 Le Mans 24 hour race (22–23 June).

It will be the first time a Porsche works team has raced at La Sarthe since 1998.

Olaf Manthey will head the Porsche team. He’ll no doubt use his extensive experience gained from racking up an impressive total of five outright victories in the Nürburgring 24 hour race, all with Porsche.

“The new 911 RSR is currently being developed by our engineers and tested by our works drivers,” says Porsche Head of Motorsport, Hartmut Kristen. “What better time could there be to introduce the new car than the Porsche 911’s 50th anniversary.”

We suspect the 2013 effort will be a silent introduction for many of those who will be back at Le Mans in 2014, when Porsche will be racing for outright success in the LMP1 category. Who knows the driving talent may even be led by our own Mark Webber.

Continue reading “Porsche to race 991-based 911 RSR in 2013”
Categories
Motor Shows Porsche

LA 2012: Porsche Cayman revealed

981 Porsche Cayman

Today we bring you the highly anticipated new Porsche Cayman. It’s on show now at the LA Auto Show and we very much wish we were there to get a closer look at what we expect will be the one of the purest handling and most balanced Porsche models ever made. Who needs a 911?!

The new Cayman is lighter, up to 30kg, lower and more efficient than the outgoing 987 model. A wider track and longer wheelbase (+60mm) make for a better driving experience, Porsche says.

Of course, the new Cayman is a little bit faster than both the new Boxster on which it is based and the old Cayman. We’ve listed the key stats for the Cayman and Cayman S below.

We also recommend downloading the LA Auto Show press kit and Technical Specifications PDFs for much more detail on the new Cayman.

For now, though, it’s time to start saving!

Porsche Cayman (981)

  • Engine power: 202 kW (275 hp) at 7,400/min
  • Max. torque: 290 Nm at 4,500/min – 6,500/min
  • Power output per litre: 74.6 kW/l (101.6 hp/l)
  • Maximum revs: 7,800/min
  • Weights: Kerb weight, DIN 1,310 (1,340) kg
  • Performance: Top speed 266 (264) km/h
  • 0–100km/h: 0 – 100 km/h 5.7 (5.6) s; (with Sport Plus and PDK* 5.4 s)
  • 0–200km/h: 21.0 (20.9) s; (with Sport Plus and PDK* 20.6 s)
  • Consumption (NEDC): Combined 8.2 (7.7) l/100 km
  • CO2 emissions: 192 (180) g/km

Porsche Cayman S (981)

  • Engine power: 239 kW (325 hp) at 7,400/min
  • Max. torque: 370 Nm at 4,500/min – 5,800/min
  • Power output per litre: 69.6 kW/l (94.6 hp/l)
  • Maximum revs: 7,800/min
  • Weights: Kerb weight, DIN 1,320 (1,350) kg
  • Performance: Top speed 266 (264) km/h
  • 0–100km/h: 0 – 100 km/h 5.0 (4.9) s; (with Sport Plus and PDK* 4.7 s)
  • 0–200km/h: 17.2 (17.1) s; (with Sport Plus and PDK* 16.9 s)
  • Consumption (NEDC): Combined 8.8 (8.0) l/100 km
  • CO2 emissions: 206 (188) g/km

Values in brackets refer to vehicles with PDK transmission
*In conjunction with the optional Sport Chrono package.

Continue reading “LA 2012: Porsche Cayman revealed”
Categories
Porsche

2013 Porsche Cayman image leaked

2013 Porsche Cayman (981)

A French magazine is understood to be the source of this leaked image showing the new 981 Porsche Cayman. The car is scheduled to be officially revealed by Porsche in the next 24 hours.

It’s expected the Cayman will source its engines from the 981 Boxster, which means the entry-level model should feature a 2.7 litre flat-six, while the Cayman S will have a 3.4 litre. Of course, being a theoretical level up the Porsche food chain the Cayman is likely to get a modest 10hp power increase over the 265hp (195kW) and 315hp (232kW) offered in the two Boxster engines.

We’ll bring you full details as soon as we can. In the meantime there’s a short video after the break showing some Cayman prototypes driving near Porsche’s headquarters in Stuttgart.

[Source: Worldscoop | Thanks to John for the tip]

Continue reading “2013 Porsche Cayman image leaked”
Categories
Past master Porsche

Past master: Porsche Carrera GT

Porsche Carrera GT

The Porsche Carrera GT is easily one of AUSmotive’s top five dream cars. After stumbling across a brief test from Autocar, which was filed to YouTube only a couple of weeks ago, it inspired us to put together this Past master article.

Built in Leipzig from 2004–2007 the total production run of the Carrera GT was 1270. It’s powered by a race-inspired 5.7 litre V10 and is good for a still healthy 450kW (612hp). And it makes one of the sweetest sounds known to man.

It really does.

The Carrera GT is stunning to look at as well. It is quite simply one of the most desirable road going Porsches ever made. Yet, it has virtually nothing to do with the 911 on which Porsche’s reputation was built.

While time will shadow its performance and all-round capability the Carrera GT, for us, will always sit on a pedestal.

We trust you’ll enjoy the videos, wallpaper-friendly image gallery and press material that is waiting for you after the break.

Continue reading “Past master: Porsche Carrera GT”
Categories
Porsche

2013 Porsche Cayman spied before LA debut

2013 Porsche Cayman

Porsche has all but named the new Cayman as the car which will feature as the “world premiere of a compact sports car at the LA Auto Show”. Media previews for LA start on on 28 November. Yet these spy shots give us a pretty good handle on what to expect from the production-ready 981 Cayman.

The large side scoop from the Boxster is carried over and they look like new model specific alloy wheels to us as well. Stickers cover the front and rear lights to hide the final detail for now, but we reckon your eyes are not mistaken; this is the new Cayman.

It looks great doesn’t it. Do want!

[Source: The Car Lounge | Thanks to Pete for the tip]

Continue reading “2013 Porsche Cayman spied before LA debut”
Categories
Porsche Video

Yeah, but who has a spare two mile runway?

Porsche 911 GT2 RS v Ducati 1199 Panigale

Earlier in the year Chris Harris used a Porsche 911 GT2 RS, a Ducati 1199 Panigale and Santa Pod’s quarter mile to entertain us for 18 minutes. Then, the GT2 RS was pretty well smashed. Now, the duel is back on with an empty two mile runway ahead. This clip only goes for a few minutes. We suspect that was to spare the dignity of the most powerful production Porsche yet to be made.

Seriously, how scary is that Ducati?!

Continue reading “Yeah, but who has a spare two mile runway?”
Categories
Porsche

Porker in the middle

Porsche Centro 911 (997)

You’re looking at the “Centro 911” a custom project carried out by Trinity Motorsports in Ohio. Starting with a 997 Carrera S convertible the front passenger seat has been scrapped, allowing the driver’s seat to move into the centre of the car a la the McLaren F1.

Apparently the car’s owner wanted a McLaren-like driving experience, but preferred to cut up his hairdresser-spec 911 rather than his Lamborghini Gallardo. Fair enough too.

The Centro 911 took around nine months to complete and cost US$85,000. Money well spent? We’re not so sure. A track-spec Centro 911 is also on its way and should be ready in a month or so.

[Source: Autoblog]

Continue reading “Porker in the middle”
Categories
Motorsports Porsche

Porsche says goodbye to 911 GT3 RSR (997)

2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

Ongoing development of the 997-based 911 GT3 RSR you see above has been ceased in order to make way for a 991-based replacement, due in 2014. The 2012-spec RSR will still be supported by Porsche for teams choosing to race it next year.

Hartmut Kristen, head of Porsche Motorsport worldwide, recently announced the news, and explained the rationale behind the move: “Just like our recent Porsche RS Spyder program, we must appreciate the success of our racecars during their product cycle, but move on to new models when it is time to do so.

“The venerable Porsche 911 GT3 RSR has provided our Porsche customer teams with numerous wins and championships, and will remain competitive in 2013. Porsche will support the customer teams which continue to race that car, but the time has come and we now must focus our research and engineering development efforts on its successor.

“The new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR is slated to make its North American debut in 2014.”

[Source: racer.com]