What do you get if you cross a Porsche 911 Targa 4 with a 911 Carrera GTS? Well, a 911 Targa 4 GTS, of course!
This variation will stand at the top of the Targa model line and gives you a cool retro roof and 316kW to play with. It’ll spit you out to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds (ugh, that’s slower than the Cayenne Turbo S) and has a top speed beyond 300km/h.
The Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS goes on sale down under in the second quarter of 2015 and is priced from $305,300.
Just in case anyone cares, Porsche has launched a Turbo S version of its Cayenne behemoth at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The super SUV boasts 419kW/800Nm thanks to its 4.8 litre biturbo V8, which is rather impressive. Even more so is the fact (or claim) that it can lap the Nordschleife in under eight minutes.
If you want to buy one in Australia, start getting $284,700 together and turn up to your local Porsche dealer sometime after March.
In the 2014 WEC season the three main LMP1 teams all got something they wanted. Toyota won the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships. Audi won yet another Le Mans and Porsche found its way to the top step of the podium in the final race of their return to the top flight.
Now you can get something from the WEC year too by taking a look at our gallery of the best images brought to you right here on AUSmotive.
We trust you’ll like looking back at the season that’s gone and make sure to click the headings if you’d like a recap of each race.
Stay tuned for a similar look back at the 2014 WRC and F1 seasons.
The Porsche 911 is a great car. A 911 GT3 sits pretty close to the top of our we just won lotto list. But let’s face it, it’s only due to the sheer bloody mindedness and excellence of Porsche’s engineers that a car with its engine over its arse is any good.
In some respects the Cayman is inherently a better car than a 911. The mid-engined layout of the Cayman provides a pure driving experience. The handling is predictable and neutral. And a flat six engine right behind your ears is plain awesome.
Of course, a Cayman is not actually better than a 911. For marketing a number of reasons Porsche can’t let that happen.
But that could be about to change. The car above is the Cayman GT4 and it’s going to be a rip snorter. It will head the Cayman model range and will bring the Cayman closer to the 911 than it’s ever been before.
As well as the more obvious changes to the bodywork, including a more aggressive front splitter and bigger side air intakes, the GT4 will boast more power, less weight and even more finely tuned suspension.
Cast your bets as to the type of engine the GT4 will have—a normally aspirated flat six with 3.4–3.8 litre capacity or maybe even a brand new turbocharged four cylinder unit—just pencil in around 300kW (400hp).
You know you want it!
[Source: Carscoops | Thanks to Tiaan for the tip]
We thank Instagrammer johan9ff for bringing the world an early glimpse of what appears to be a production-ready Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
We know the RS will feature a PDK transmission but engine specs are still unclear. Those air intakes on the rear wheel arches would indicate the engine is turbocharged. However, previous video evidence tends to suggest otherwise.
You can also see the dip in the bonnet and roof, as previewed in patent drawings back in August last year. Those drawings give you an idea of what to expect to see at the rear of the car, too.
Just hurry up Porsche, and release details of your latest RS weapon!
[Pics: Instagram | Thanks to John for the tip]
As you can see we’ve enjoyed a quiet break here at AUSmotive HQ and it’s a bit remiss to be starting the year with an update that’s well over a month old. That said, here’s a gallery of images from the final WEC race of the 2014 season.
It will be remembered for a few reasons. First, it was the maiden win for Porsche since their return to the LMP1 category. Their progress in 2015 will be well worth watching.
Second, it was the final race for Audi’s Tom Kristensen, who, thanks to his incredible nine wins at La Sarthe is known as ‘Mr Le Mans’. Kristensen’s #1 Audi R18 finished third and it was great to see him on the podium in his farewell appearance.
Finally, Mark Webber had a very big shunt towards the end of the race, which subsequently ended under yellow flag conditions. Thankfully, Mark escaped with nothing more than a “stinking headache”.
We all know that advertisers often like to extend the truth in order to sell product. That’s all well and good, but when you have douchebag trying to put his expensive Finnish luggage in the “boot” of a Porsche 911, well, that’s just plain stupid.
Even better is the tagline: “For those who know that standing out and shouting are two different things.”
[Thanks to Wayne for the tip]
Mark Webber spent last night in hospital after crashing out of the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo yesterday morning. He suffered bruising and concussion but is in good spirits and has had teammates visit him to wish him well. Former F1 driver Rubens Barichello also popped in to say g’day.
“I’m quite sore this morning, am pretty bruised and have got a stinking headache,” Mark said. “I’ve got no recollection of the accident or how it happened. The team is looking into the details to find out more.
“Thanks to the medical team at the track and here at the hospital, who did a great job and are looking after me very well.
“On a positive note, it’s great that the boys in the number 14 car managed to bring home the victory, which is a fantastic way to finish off the season. I’m already looking forward to getting out there again next year.”
Word via twitter says that Mark has just been released from hospital and he will soon be making his way to his home in England.
The final FIA WEC race for the year, the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, ended behind the Safety Car after a massive crash involving Mark Webber.
Webber, driving the #20 Porsche 919, appeared to have some contact with a Ferrari 458 which saw both cars crash into the concrete barrier on the outside of second last corner at the Interlagos circuit. Details are not clear as to the cause of the accident but the entire left side of Webber’s car was ripped apart after he already lost control before hitting the wall.
Early reports suggest that both Mark and the Ferrari driver are okay. The official FIA WEC twitter feed has confirmed Mark is “awake and alert” in the medical centre.
Webber, who helped put the #20 car on pole position, was taken away on a stretcher and was able to give a thumbs up sign to the crowd at television audience.
You can see video of the incident after the break.
In better news for Porsche the #14 919 won the race, the teams’s first WEC race victory. Toyota did enough to secure the manufacturers’ championship, beating Audi to that title the first time.
We’ll have a photo gallery and reports from all three LMP1-H teams later this week.
UPDATE: A second video, with English commentary, has been added below.
Porsche has announced it will run three cars in the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans (13–14 June). Further, in preparation for the 24 hour classic Porsche will also run its three car program prior to Le Mans at the 6 Hours of Spa (2 May).
All six current Porsche LMP1 drivers will remain in 2015, driving for the full WEC season, with no word yet on who will pilot the third car for its two races.
“Our decision to compete with a Porsche works team in the WEC’s LMP1 category proved to be the right one,” said Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Board Porsche AG. “This is what we feel at every race.
“The highly demanding motorsport programme contributes directly to the development of future sports cars for the road. For the development and testing of future hybrid systems, you can’t ask for any harder test bench than the World Endurance Championship and especially the Le Mans 24 Hours.
“The same goes for the newly established Porsche LMP1 crew. More than 230 people had to grow together quickly to form a strong team. The human factor is not only crucial for the men at the steering wheel, but for the entire project—and this reflects very much the Porsche philosophy.”
The Porsche Cayman GT4 has been spotted testing again. We can’t give you a lot of detail, other than to say this model will be to the Cayman range what the GT3 is to the 911 range. Interesting that it’ll wear a GT4 badge, though.
And actually, with the expected improvements to handling (revised suspension), peak power (360–400hp) and a few kilos (15–50kg) shaved off its overall weight this will probably be all the Porsche you’ll ever need.
Yes, of course, the 911 will always be the icon, but these Caymans are already very bloody good. Making it better still, in pure driving terms, well, colour us interested!
[Source: CarScoops | Pic: CarPix]
It’s the McLaren P1 versus the Porsche 918 Spyder. It’s Evo. It’s Angelsey. This needs no further introduction.
Suffice to say, like Jethro, I’d be prepared to sell my soul. And I suspect you would too.