Tag: Porsche

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Audi Porsche Volkswagen

Volkswagen Group’s MiMo sportscar platform is go!

Audi R5 rendering

Word has emerged that the Volkswagen Group’s mittelmotor (MiMo) sports car platform has been approved. That means an Audi R5, like the rendering above, could be a reality by 2014.

Volkswagen would make use of the MiMo architecture by turning their Concept BlueSport into a production reality. Porsche, though, is likely to get first dibs on the platform as they will likely play a lead development role. Something which can only benefit Audi and VW.

The mid-engine R5 will sit in between the TT and the R8 in Audi’s model lineup. While a number of engine configurations will be available, including a few electric gizmos, it’s expected the hero R5 will be powered by the 2.5 litre five pot found in the TT RS.

The MiMo Porsche, complete with the internal codename 356, would be positioned below the Boxster, making it the most affordable way into Porsche ownership.

This mittelmotor thing, then, is set to bring the motoring world some very tasty metal. With Porsche’s involvement, it is sure to be a fantastic drive, as well. One very big AUSmotive tick of approval has just been granted!

[Source: Car]

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Motorsports Porsche

2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

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.

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Porsche

Is the Carrera GT the most beautiful Porsche of all?

Porsche Carrera GT

Probably not. But if you take a look at this photoshoot on the GTSpirit forums you’ll most likely think the Carrera GT is a much nicer looking car than you first thought.

So, then, the most beautiful Porsche of all time? Can you really go past a mint 356 Speedster? I don’t think you can.

[Thanks to Richard for the tip]

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Porsche

Porsche 911 GT2 RS has sold out

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Just 500 examples of the Porsche 911 GT2 RS will be made and if you don’t have your name down for one you are too late. Porsche is proudly boasting that all examples of its 620ho supercar are now sold. That means your best chance to see one right now is to go to the Australian International Motor Show where there is a stunning red example on the Porsche stand.

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News Porsche

Porsche tuner Uwe Gemballa found shot dead

Uwe Gemballa

Sad news this morning with word that the body of Uwe Gemballa, who had been missing since February, has been found shot dead in South Africa.

Gemballa, 54 at the time he went missing, was last believed to be in South Africa on business looking to set up a new dealership for his wildly tuned Porsche creations. At this stage no arrests have been made in the case.

Following his disappearance the Gemballa company was liquidated and shut down. It has since been re-opened by Andreas Schwarz and investor Steffen Korbach and is now operating as Gemballa GmbH.

[Source: autoweek]

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Audi

What’s it really like to drive an Audi RS2?

Audi RS2

Here at AUSmotive HQ we’ve never hidden our love for the Audi RS2. Seeing the only RS2 in Australia for the first time back in 2008 sent me into raptures. The RS2 is part Audi, part Porsche, all bonkers. It set the scene not only for the über Audis which have since followed, but it also showed than wagons can be very, very cool.

So it was with some interest I read a recent drive report from US outlet European Car. The author also lusted after the RS2 back in the day. When he finally met his hero, how did it shape up?

Included here is a small teaser, follow the source link below for the full article:

“Almost 15 years later I’m driving the car Audi said it would never bring to North America. After 20 minutes of adrenalin-soaked insanity, I’m beginning to understand why.

“For a while I’m able to hold onto the reins. It kicks and snorts and does its best to throw me off but finally settles down. I can’t remember having such a satisfying drive, especially from a car that would love nothing more than stomp me to death.”

Sounds like fun to me!

[Source: European Car]

Categories
Porsche

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

Porsche has made the shock discovery that 0.01% of the sportscar market has been left unattended. Fear not, they are about to release the 408hp 911 Carrera GTS. This seems like the fifty-seventh variation of the 911 offered by Porsche and they say it is designed to close the gap from the regular Carrera to the GT3.

The GTS will make its worldwide premiere in Paris very soon and you can read all about it after the break.

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Porsche

Porsche Boxster prototype spied at fuel station

Porsche Boxster prototype

This new Porsche Boxster test mule was recently spotted by a member of the public at a fuel station in Germany. It offers a good look at the overall shape of the next model Boxster even though finer details have been covered up.

The current Boxster range has been signed with the Spyder which is fast becoming acknowledged as a modern classic. The new range will build on that legacy with a stiffer chassis to improve handling and more efficient engines to satisfy European regulations.

We should see the new Boxster some time in 2011.

[Source: Bild]

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Accessories & Tech Porsche

Porsche themed iPad wallpapers

Total 911 - Porsche iPad wallpapers

Got an iPad? Like Porsches? Your task is simple, go to the Total 911 website and knock yourself out. There’s over 20 images available for free download.

Categories
Green Machines Porsche

Jay Leno on the Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder

AUSmotive is fast becoming Porsche 918 Spyder central; this is the fourth article on the hybrid hypercar inside one week after all. However, this close up look provided by Jay Leno is one of the best opportunities yet to get a good understanding of the 918’s finer details.

The chemistry between Jay and Porsche Design Chief Michael Mauer isn’t exactly electrifying, if you’ll pardon the pun. But the 8 minutes plus of footage available after the break is very easy watching if you’re a fan of the 918 Spyder.

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Porsche

More poke for Porsche Panamera Turbo

Porsche Panamera

Porsche have announced a number of new upgrades available across the Panamera range. Like it or not, the big four door saloon has been selling at a rapid rate of knots with well over 20,000 sales in the last 12 months.

The headline enhancements include a 40bhp “Powerkit” for the Panamera Turbo and a new “Sport Design Package” which you can see on the Panamera 4S above.

The Turbo’s Powerkit brings total power up to a pretty handy 540bhp, while also dragging peak torque to a new high of 750Nm. All that extra power hasn’t done much for the on-paper specs, with a very modest reduction of 0.1 seconds for the 0-100 time (now 3.9 seconds) and a minor increase in top speed, now published as 305km/h, up from the old mark of 303km/h. Oh, UK pricing for this upgrade is a shade over £11K. Best hope there is a marked improvement in the mid-range, then.

Included with the Sport Design Package are a new multispoke 20″ alloy wheel design. The Panamera Sport wheel is a staggered arrangement, 9.5″ at the front and 11.5″ at the rear.

There’s more after the break, including a brief run down of the inner-wheel braking capabilities of the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus system.

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Green Machines Porsche

More Porsche 918 Spyder driving footage

Porsche 918 Spyder

With the recent appearance of footage showing the Porsche 918 Spyder in action it seems Porsche design boss Michael Mauer was feeling left out. But, as you can see from the pic above, Herr Mauer eventually got his way and found some one on one time with the 918 and some open road.

In the video below Mauer talks a little about the new Spyder and has a short squirt behind the wheel, in what must be close to being the best looking coupé to be revealed in 2010 so far.

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