Tag: Porsche

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Porsche

Early details for next Porsche 911

Porsche 991 911 rendering

The new 2011 Porsche 911 (991 model code) will be a ground-up transformation over the existing 997 model. It will be up to 50kg lighter, feature all-new suspension geometry and the rear axle will be pushed back by around 75mm. This will offer more interior space, but will also afford a more optimum mounting position for the engine. Better handling and increased overall stability the result.

Improved aerodynamics, stop-start technology and a brake regeneration system will help improve efficiency by around 10%, despite the inevitable (albeit modest) power gains. It has been reported the 991 911 will feature a 7-speed manual transmission, which has been derived from the PDK unit.

Inside, the 991 will draw its look from the Panamera, including easier to read dials and a wider centre console. Overall, the new 911 will be a more comfortable place to be.

[Source: Automobile]

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Porsche

Porsche 918 Spyder: Hear that sound

Porsche 918 Spyder

US publication Road & Track brings us a first sound bite of the Porsche 918 Spyder. Actually, looking at the screen cap above, you get a great sense of the car’s size and, of course, of its perfectly formed side profile. Its near on perfect!

The current 3.4 litre V8 in the prototype doesn’t sound half bad, either. Take the jump now to watch the clip. There’s a second clip, as well, which shows the 918 in action, albeit slowly.

[Source: Road & Track]

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Green Machines Porsche

New info on the Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder

In late July word came through that Porsche had signed off on production for the stunning 918 Spyder with hybrid drive. Now a prototype 918 is touring the United States. It is understood the car will be on show in California and Florida only.

A series of images apparently taken before the California event have been posted on the Teamspeed forums. Along with the pics came some interesting info that, while it may turn out to be 100% accurate, it’s probably best to treat the following with some reservation.

Production is expected to be somewhere around 1000-2000 vehicles. The current 3.4 litre V8 may have its capacity increased to something like 3.6 litres in a bid to find even more power. There will probably just be the one transmission option for the 918 Spyder, too, a double-clutch PDK unit.

Currently the show car, reportedly worth a cool US$20 million, is an all carbon-fibre body. However, it is likely some panels on the final version will be made from aluminium to help comply with safety regulations.

Inside, the trick touch screen centre console will stay; a first for Porsche. It’s also believed that Porsche want to keep the side wing mirror cameras, with their display shown in the main instrument cluster.

For the outside the massive 22″ inch wheels are likely to be reduced for the production version. Some minor revisions to the rear bumper assembly are expected for practical purposes. It is uncertain if the very cool side exit exhaust tips will make it to production.

There are a number of pics after the break and you can follow the link below for larger sizing and more information.

[Source: Teamspeed]

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Motorsports Porsche

Porsche Carrera Cup set for Australian return in 2011

Porsche GT3 Cup car

Australian race fans will once again be able to see the world’s quickest one-make series in 2011 with the return of the Porsche Carrera Cup. The category was last seen on local race tracks in 2008 following the collapse of the 2009 series.

Porsche Cars Australia will manage the series after gaining support from Germany in the last few days. PCA Managing Director Michael Winkler is excited by the category’s return, “We have the chance for a fresh start, with an all-new race car and an all-new approach for Porsche Carrera Cup Australia,” he said.

“Motorsport is an important part of our brand and our business in Australia. We have been busy working behind the scenes on a sustainable and viable long-term motorsport plan that places Carrera Cup at the forefront of our domestic racing.

“Our job is to now engage organisers, promoters, broadcasters, sponsors and of course potential teams so we can have a full grid for the start of 2011, as well as ensure we are in a position to deliver required outcomes to all stakeholders.”

[Source: SpeedCafe | Thanks to Chris for the tip]

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Porsche

Jeremy Clarkson on the 911 GT3

Porsche 911 GT3

For every Chris Harris there is a Jeremy Clarkson. That is, for every person who will always find something positive to say about a Porsche 911, there is always someone to find the negative.

Clarkson is well known for his dislike of all things 911, too. This following comment is a perfect example of that, “I don’t remember what sort of 911 I drove first, but I’d heard so many horror stories about the wayward handling that I didn’t dare go more than 4 mph. Which meant I had more time to examine the ridiculously basic dashboard, and the heater controls which appeared to be connected to nothing at all.”

However, has Jeremy seen the light? Maybe be has, “But then along came the new GT3 and I won’t dwell on the whys and the wherefores, but I loved it. Not liked it. Loved it.

“Despite the aesthetic shortfalls, and the fact it’s a 911, this is a great car. It goes round roundabouts like nothing I’ve ever driven. In a test of pure handling and grip, it would be a match for anything. And it only costs £86,000. That’s just shy of half what you’d pay for a Ferrari 458. Half.”

Was the 911 GT3 really able to turn Clarkson’s opinion around 180 degrees? Follow the link below to find out.

[Source: TopGear.com]

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Porsche

Chris Harris on the 911 GT2 RS

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Chris Harris from Evo has just filed a report on the stonking Porsche 911 GT2 RS. He’s rated it five stars. Sure, he might be a bit of a Porsche fanboi at heart, but here’s how he explains his thoughts, “This is a remarkable car. Veyron aside, it’s the fastest road car I’ve driven – but it’s completely useable and it still involves you in the process. Want.”

Make sure you follow the link below for the full review. There’s at least one GT2 RS coming to Australia, too. It will be in the calm guiding hands of Jim Richards. He’s selling not one, but three race-prepped 911s to help pay for it—I bags the 997 GT3 RS!

[Source: EVO]

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Motor Shows Porsche

Goodwood FoS: Porsche 911 GT2 RS explained

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

The fabulous 620bhp Porsche 911 GT2 RS made its public debut at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed. In this video (available below) Andreas Preuninger, Manager of High Performance Vehicles for Porsche, talks us through some of the things that make the GT2 RS so special.

[via The German Car Blog]

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Green Machines Porsche

918 Spyder set to become most expensive Porsche ever

Porsche 918 Spyder

The Porsche 918 Spyder now has around 2000 expressions of interest. Last we heard the count was at 900 or so, just 100 short of the minimum number Porsche required to build the hybrid brute; offering a 500bhp 3.4 litre V8 and a 230bhp electric motor.

Now that it looks more likely than not that the 918 Spyder will go into full production, speculation has centred around its pricing. How does €500,000 sound? That’s almost three quarters of a million dollars in Aussie notes. Supposedly that figure comes direct from people with intimate knowledge of the 918 Spyder program. If the rumours are right, that would make the 918 the most expensive car sold by the Stuttgart company.

I’ll take two, thanks.

[Source: Bloomberg]

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Audi Ferrari Lamborghini Porsche Rolls-Royce

Megafactories mega week

National Geographic channel - Megafactories

Australian Foxtel subscribers are in for a treat this week with five Megafactories episodes airing on the National Geographic Channel. Some of the car world’s most desirable brands are showcased.

On Monday you can learn all about the Lamborghini Murcielago SV; Tuesday is Rolls Royce Phantom day; Wednesday is all about the Audi R8; Thursday is devoted to the Porsche 911; Friday is spent inside the Ferrari factory at Maranello.

The episodes air at 5:30pm and run for one hour, so make sure you have your recorders at the ready on channel 610.

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Motor Shows Porsche

Porsche at the 2010 Goodwood FoS

Porsche @ 2010 Goodwood FoS

Porsche have released a couple of videos giving an insight into their presence at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed which is currently underway.

Further you can keep up to date via the Porsche UK website.

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Porsche

New Porsche 911 GT2 RS promo

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Here’s a new clip direct from Porsche featuring the 620hp 911 GT2 RS powersliding around a track. What’s not to like about that!

Hit it after the break.

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Motorsports Porsche

Behind the scenes with the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Porsche GT3 R Hybrid

Here is a real treat for you, Autocar have just posted a video of Steve Sutcliffe driving the Porsche GT3 R Hybrid. This is the same car that very nearly won the demanding Nürburgring 24 hour race at its first attempt.

In his written review Sutcliffe says driving the GT3 R Hybrid is, “Quite spooky, incredibly efficient but also just very, very exciting to use. When you press the magic button for the first time it actually feels a bit like a cheat, the rush of extra acceleration comes at you that fast. But when you get used to the way it works – the way it can alter not just your speed along a straight but also the handling balance mid corner even – the hybrid GT3 R is quite clearly a highly significant piece of kit; the beginning of a brand new era.”

Piers Ward from TopGear.com has also had a drive in the GT3 R Hybrid. Here’s a bit of what he had to say, “This thing is utterly brilliant. It’s not about chasing fuel figures or CO2, it’s about trying to maximise performance.

“By the end of three braking zones, the flywheel is fully re-charged. The weirdest part of the whole thing is the noise is makes as it’s getting charged up – like a hoover on speed, whirring away frantically.”

In closing his review Sutcliffe says, “hybrid power is not the future for companies like Porsche and cars like the 911, it is the present. Not so much the end of the road for high performance cars, but the beginning of a brand new chapter.

Take the jump to watch the Autocar clip.

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