Sebastien Loeb may well be the best rally driver the world has ever seen, but we reckon Francois Delecour is the coolest rally driver to ever grace the gravel, tarmac and ice.
His manner seems to make you think he just doesn’t give a f#@k, but when he’s behind the wheel he gets the job done.
Below you can see the 52-year-old at the wheel of the Tuthill Porsche 911 RGT in preparation for this weekend’s Rallye Monte Carlo.
[Thanks to Chris for the tip]
To know the Tuthill Porsche is to love the Tuthill Porsche. Take one off the shelf 997 911 GT3 Cup car and adapt it to perform on the world rally stage in the RGT class and, well, what’s not to love?!
In the eyes of Chris Harris he couldn’t find anything to dislike. The best car he drove in 2014 he reckons. Watch the clip below to see why.
[Thanks to Tim for the tip]
In the lead up to Rally Germany the Tuthill Porsche 911 RGT caught our eye. So this video recap, featuring words from the car’s builder and driver, Richard Tuthill, was something we were very keen to see. We think you might like it too.
An RGT Cup? With a fleet of 911 RGTs competing? Yeah, that would be pretty cool.
As well as the key WRC-spec machines at this weekend’s Rally Germany there will be another car attracting headlines. It’s this 997 Porsche 911 GT3 which has been built by Tuthill Porsche.
The Porsche 997 RGT has, as its name suggests, been prepared in accordance with FIA WRC rules for GT cars. Business owner Richard Tuthill will do the driving while former Chris Atkinson co-driver Stéphane Prévot will be calling the notes.
There’s a couple of videos after the break showing the car in action. We wish Richard and Stéphane all the best this weekend. Let’s hope it’s not the last we see of them on the WRC tarmac circuit.
With its all-new 911 Turbo enjoying the limelight at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show Porsche has taken the opportunity to bring us up to speed on the history of its iconic Turbo range.
The first 911 Turbo was released in 1974 under the watch of Ernst Fuhrmann (Porsche chairman 1972–80). In the press release below it’s stated: “Fuhrmann insisted the character of the Turbo – quiet, relentless, enormous power – lent itself to a true high performance GT with every creature comfort Porsche could conjure, and at a premium price tag. This ‘turbo template’ has been followed for every generation of 911 Turbo since.”
Chris Harris has just filed a video that must remind him, and certainly us, what a lucky sod he is sometimes. Never mind he has awoken his own Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 from its winter slumber to take part in this three-piece fantasy; the other two cars are just as fine and just as desirable. Well, almost.
The BMW M3 GTS indulges in some ultra violence with its bright clockwork orange paintwork, while the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series is not backing away from the dark side of the force with a matt black exterior.
Look, like us, you could probably save yourself from the bother and take the RS 4.0, leave the other two behind, and just be done with it. After all, it will be the one genuinely true icon from the three cars assembled. But, life is about the journey, not the destination, and so of course we’d grab the opportunity to test all three on road and empty race track.
We doubt you’ll have your opinions altered with this video, but we think you’ll enjoy the ride. We’re just jealous we weren’t there to experience it too!
A while back I arranged with a mate in Melbourne to test his 997 Porsche 911 GT3 for AUSmotive. Then, a couple of weeks before I arrived he did something stupid and traded it in. True story! But it’s okay, because he managed to come up with what I soon discovered was a worthy substitute. As the title suggests it was a 911 Carrera GTS.
Only thing was, I was sworn to secrecy for a time, for a number of reasons which I shan’t bore you with here. The test took place late at night, actually it was probably early morning, and it was all a bit The Fast and the Furious. It was quite exciting. And that’s even before I’d set eyes on the car.
You see, due in part to being based in Canberra, it’s not that easy for AUSmotive to arrange access to press cars. You also have to remember that this humble website isn’t exactly the first thought that comes to mind of those handing out the keys. Least of all the no doubt lovely and sincere folk at Porsche Cars Australia. (Do you think they’re reading?) So, with grace and great appreciation I have to strike when opportunity presents.
Enough background, time to share. This test would be my first 911 experience. Indeed, it was my first Porsche experience. I was anxious, excited and just a little bit nervous.
Here’s a pictorial comparison of the new 991 Porsche 911 against the well loved 997.2 model it replaces.
One of the first things you notice in profile view is how the 991 appears a bit sleeker and lower. The more dramatically raked front and rear glass is a small, but definite improvement.
At the front the 997 gets our tick for having less fussy LED daytime running lights. Even the headlights, while very similar, look nicer in the old car. Although, we reckon Porsche has done a good job in the lower spoiler area on the all-new 911.
When comparing the backsides of the two 911s we call it in favour of the 991. We like the sharper look of the new rear lights. The quad-tipped exhausts also look better, despite being a bit clichéd these days. The new model also has a more refined finish around the lower bumper area. Our only concern is how the rear cooling vents look in profile view; they stick up a bit too much. That’d be function ruling over form, of course, so we can happily accept that.
So there you have it, as expected the exterior of the new 911 doesn’t appear to have changed too much, but we’d still call it a successful progression. You can click on the image above for a larger version of the comparison grid, or check out the individual images below, including interior photos.
Porsche has just updated its entry-level racecar, the 911 GT3 Cup, which will be used in one-make series across the globe in 2012 and 2013. Based on the 911 GT3 RS road car the Cup uses the same 450hp engine. It’s the first refresh for the 911 GT3 Cup since 2009.
The 911 GT3 Cup is also eligible for use in endurance races and a new 100 litre fuel tank has been added to increase range and safety. Deliveries will commence next month and you’ll need around €162K plus taxes to buy one.
If you want more from your 911 racing experience there’s always the FIA GT3-compliant 911 GT3 R or the top of the tree GT2-ready 911 GT3 RSR.
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.
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.
Autocar brings us another interesting video via their YouTube channel. Ever wondered just how close the track only Porsche GT3 Cup is to the road going 911 GT3 RS? Well, so have they. And what better place to compare the two than at Silvertsone. Copse, Maggotts and Becketts before a mini-relax along Hangar Straight. There wouldn’t be too many better experiences to be had in a car.
It’s actually not really a pleasant sound, but the noise made by the sequential gearbox is pure delight. We know that’s a bit of a contradiction, but we also expect many will know exactly what we mean.
It’s fair to say they could have upped the excitement levels in this video, but it’s worth watching all the same.
Over the course of the last week material concerning the latest Porsche 911 GT3 Cup has come our way from two different sources. It would be wrong not to share it with you.
First, from Porsche UK some pics and a press release telling us how closely linked the new Cup car is to the mighty 911 GT3 RS. The release says this is the first time this has happened, which means the Cup car now has a body measuring 44mm wider than the previous model. This also allows wider wheels and tyres to be used. The rear rims are 12″ wide, if you don’t mind. Oh, for the record, that massive rear wing now measures 1700mm across.
Of course the other key numbers to remember are 1200kg, 3.8 litres and 331kW (450hp).
Also finding its way to the AUSmotive in tray were a handful of images from Porsche Australia as part of their Australian International Motor Show press pack. Remember, the Carrera Cup returns to Australian race tracks in 2011. The GT3 Cup on the Porsche stand was one of the highlights of AIMS last week and if you couldn’t get along here’s a second chance to see what you missed.