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OFFICIAL: Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

First filed 28 April.

Porsche has today released official info on the 911 GT3 RS 4.0—it’s been the worst kept secret around—and it will be limited to only 600 cars worldwide. With a 4.0 litre flat six engine sporting a crankshaft from the RSR racecar the GT3 RS 4.0 has 368kW (500PS).

Available only in white or black, performance from the sub 1400kg supercar is brisk, as you’d expect. Indeed, Porsche reckon the RS 4.0 can lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 27 seconds.

Plastic windows, carbon fibre reinforced body panels and a lack of interior equipment help keep the weight down. A few suspension components from the GT2 RS have been re-used, as well, with an aim to sharpen this GT3 RS even further than the now old 3.8 litre RS.

Porsche claim this is the ultimate RS model, but the lack of carbon ceramic brakes as standard equipment means there is still room for improvement insofar as the ultimate track components go. With an asking price of €50K more than the RS 3.8 you’d reckon Porsche could have coughed up for the ultimate brakes.

We’d still say yes, of course, but perhaps this RS 4.0 can be described as being a bit of a parts bin run-out model, rather than a pure disciple of RS ideals.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0—basic specs

  • Engine: 4.0 litre flat six
  • Power: 368kW (500hp) @ 8250rpm
  • Torque: 450Nm @ 5750rpm
  • Weight: 1360kg (inc tank of fuel)
  • 0-100km/h: 3.9s
  • 0-200km/h: under 12s

The official press release from Porsche AG and all the pics released to date are available below.

UPDATE 1 May: Porsche Cars Australia tell us that less than 10 911 GT3 RS 4.0 models will be finding their way down under. Those lucky enough to be on the exclusive list will be asked to part with $409,100 plus on road costs.

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Porsche

VIDEO: Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Andreas Preuninger, Head of GT Cars, makes an appearance in this official promo from Porsche to announce the limited edition 911 GT3 RS 4.0. Herr Preuninger reckons, “this might be the best RS we ever make.”

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Porsche

Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 pics leaked

Porsche GT3 RS 4.0

Ahead of tomorrow’s expected announcement we bring you these leaked images of the Porsche GT3 RS 4.0, which now appears will be limited to 600 models.

Of course, the 911 GT3 RS is already highly desirable. But this road legal RSR with its racecar looks and 500 horsepower takes the RS nameplate to a whole new level.

We’ll have official details for you as soon as Porsche makes them available. For now, though, enjoy the extra pics after the break.

[Source: Teamspeed]

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Audi BMW Mercedes-Benz News Porsche Volkswagen

Money for nothing

AU v US car pricing

Last week the Australian dollar hit a new high against the US dollar. That high was $1.07 for the record. The news prompted Drive.com.au to publish an article comparing the prices Australian buyers pay for luxury cars compared to other countries, chiefly the United States.

The Drive article states, “Inflated luxury-car prices are not a recent revelation but a rampant Australian dollar—continuing to break post-float records as it stretches beyond parity with the US ‘greenback’—has many car buyers again asking questions.”

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Porsche

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 speculation increases

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 leaked image

First filed 15 April.

The 997 Porsche 911 is nearing the end of its very successful model cycle. For a while now there’s been rumours Stuttgart would see off the 997 with a limited edition 4.0 litre GT3 RS. Thanks to a price list posted to the Teamspeed forums, that speculation has increased.

There are some minor grammar discrepancies on the price list which cloud the authenticity of the information, however, it states the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 will have 368kW (500hp) and will be priced from €149,900 (approx €180,000 with taxes). That represents a €27.5K price premium and 31kW increase over the existing 3.8 litre 911 GT3 RS.

We expect that Porsche will release a GT3 RS 4.0, likely to be limited to 500-600 units. But, we’ll just have to wait and see how accurate this “price list” info really is.

[Source: Teamspeed]

UPDATE 19 April: You’re now looking at a leaked image of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0, according to Teamspeed. We’re not so sure it is an official pic; Porsche press images usually feature “S GO” number plates. That aside, we reckon this image is likely to be pretty close to the mark.

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Porsche

New intel on the Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder

World Car Fans brings word of some leaked info regarding the Porsche 918 Spyder. Details include a preview of the colour palette, which will consist of Carrara White, Black, Platinum Silver Metallic and Basalt Black. More interesting, though, is news of the 918’s operating modes which are activated by a dial on the steering wheel.

There’s four settings in all for the 528kW hybrid, including E-Power, Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Race Hybrid. They do pretty much what the labels say: E-Power is a barely useful electric only mode, which has a range of up to 25km; Hybrid is the default setting and uses the 368kW of V8 power and 160kW of electric power as is most appropriate; Sport Hybrid provides more torque to the rear and is for your B-road blat; and Race Hybrid, unsurprisingly, is best suited for track use and allows you to go hunting the limits of performance.

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Porsche Targa Tasmania

Porsche takes a look at Targa Tasmania 2011

Targa Tasmania 2011

At this year’s Targa Tasmania rally Porsche was celebrating two anniversaries, the first being the 20th running of Tasmania’s ultimate tarmac rally, the second being the 60th anniversary of Porsche in Australia.

The Porsche Musuem shipped over at least four cars to Australia to run in the event, including the iconic 911 SC to be driven by Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdörfer; just as they did at the 1981 San Remo rally. There was even a Carrera GT road car on the Apple Isle during Targa. Clearly then, Porsche was taking this event very seriously.

You get the sense they were hoping Röhrl would write a fairytale story by winning the classic outright category, with Jim Richards to join in the winning fun in modern outright at the wheel of his 911 GT2 RS. In the end a driveshaft problem for Röhrl and a blown hose for Richards put paid to those hopes.

However, Porsche did have cause to celebrate when Rex Broadbent piloted his 911 Carrera RS to a fifth consecutive classic outright Targa Tasmania title.

After the break you can see how the Porsche media team captured the event over the course of the rally, as well as downloading three bonus AUSmotive wallpaper-friendly images. Simply click on any of the pics to view them in 2000px sizing.

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Porsche Targa Tasmania

Walter Röhrl talks about his Porsche 911 SC at Targa Tasmania

Dual world rally champ Walter Röhrl is in Australia for the 2011 Targa Tasmania rally. It’s part of Porsche Cars Australia’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

Röhrl is driving the 911 SC he drove in the 1981 San Remo rally, where he almost beat the all-conquering Audi Quattros. It is considered one of the best ever drives by the rally ace.

In this video from Porsche you can hear Walter Röhrl and co-driver Christian Geistdoerfer reminisce about the glory days of the 911 SC.

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Porsche

Porsche Panamera Turbo S

Porsche Panamera Turbo S

Here at AUSmotive we’re undecided on our opinion of the Porsche Panamera. But, we agree with the well-known phrase, “I’ve never met a horsepower I didn’t like.” So, on that basis, the case for approving of the Panamera has taken a step forward with the announcement of the Turbo S model.

With 410kW (550bhp) squeezed out of the 4.8 litre V8 biturbo, accompanied by a maximum torque figure of 800Nm, well, what’s not to like. It’s actually only a small increase over the “Powerkit” released last year. But, more is more and close hand reports tell us that the Panamera is an incredibly capable bit of kit, so we’ve no doubt it can handle this extra grunt.

Porsche’s boffins attribute the extra power to using titanium-aluminium turbine wheels and a tweaked ECU program. The uprated turbine wheels are lighter and can spin more readily, allowing the turbo magic to happen sooner.

That magic translates to a 0–100km/h time of just 3.8 seconds, going on to a top speed of 306km/h.

Further details from Porsche, along with more pics, can bee seen after the break.

UPDATE: Porsche Cars Australia has confirmed the Panamera Turbo S is now on sale locally, priced at $440,200 with customer deliveries beginning in October.

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Porsche

New Porsche 911 spied in natural habitat

991 Porsche 911

As each day passes we get closer to the launch of the next-gen Porsche 911. That debut is expected to take place at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. We can thank World Car Fans for these latest spy shots of a barely disguised prototype seen in its preferred environment, the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The new 911 will sport a longer body allowing for a more optimum engine placement ahead of the rear axle. While the overall length will grow by 56mm, it’s understood the wheelbase will increase by a more modest 10mm.

The interior, too, will utilise a Panamera-like centre console to further enhance the good progress made inside the current 997 interior.

[Source: World Car Fans | Pics: SB-Medien]

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Green Machines Porsche

Porsche opens order book for 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche has announced it’s ready to take orders for its hyper car with a green tinge, the stunning 918 Spyder hybrid—shown above in this new sketch. The asking price, in Europe, is a cool €645,000, plus taxes. First deliveries are due in late 2013.

Limited to 918 examples, all expected to be southpaws, it’s unlikely that we’ll ever see the 918 Spyder offered for sale in Australia. If we did, its asking price would be well beyond $1,000,000.

The production version of the 918 will be heavily based on the concept car shown at Geneva last year. Indeed, aside from the addition of a removable one-piece roof, any changes appear to be minimal, The company is still claiming a sub 7:30 Nürburgring lap time from the 528kW hybrid powered beast.

All that power is provided by a 368kW 3.4 litre V8, with links to the RS Spyder, and a pair of electric motors providing 160kW. The killer blow for this car comes via its fuel consumption figure. If you play nicely and follow Euro testing protocols, Porsche reckon the combined fuel consumption rating for this astonishing car will be as low as 3l/100km. Further highlighting the car’s almost impossible to believe numbers is the predicted CO2 emissions of 70g/km.

We all know companies like Porsche like to offer a lot of options for buyers to tick. Well, the 918 Spyder is probably a world first. Buyers who sign on the dotted line for the hybrid model can also tick a box that will land them a specially prepared limited edition 911 Turbo S. It’s true!

Read all about that, and more after the break.

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Porsche

New Porsche 911 features free bird flipper

Porsche 911 spy video

After the break you can watch a new-ish spy video of the next-gen Porsche 911. The footage runs for 8 minutes, but you can probably get by just watching the first half. Firstly, it’s not terribly exciting, but mostly because the material is repeated.

Perhaps the greatest thrills from the footage, which seem to be a development on the snippets posted by InsideLine last week, come via the engineers who unsuccessfully try to divert the cameraman’s attention. You’ll see this happen when the prototypes stop to refuel. However, above you can just make out the Porsche engineer’s disapproval towards the cameraman through the use of a well-known hand gesture.

[Source: World Car Fans]

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