Porsche Launches New 911 GT3 RSR Endurance Racer

Porsche has unveiled an updated version of its 911 GT3 RSR racecar, which will participate in next year’s GT Championship. The German firm's engineers modified the exhaust system and air intake housing, with the 4.0-liter boxer powerplant delivering 5 more horsepower, for a total of 455 hp at 7,800 rpm. While the power increase isn't much of an improvement, Porsche claims that the six-cylinder unit is better adapted to different fuel grades and its driveability is superior compared to the outgoing model.

The car also comes with a modified bodykit with a new front lip providing higher downforce, while the rear wing’s position has changed. In addition, there are larger front wheels and new LED tail lamps, borrowed from road-legal 911s.

The base price for the 911 GT3 RSR has been set at €410,000 (US $542,430), plus VAT. All the aforementioned modifications are available as a kit for the 2010 season cars.

By Csaba Daradics

Technical description Porsche GT3 RSR (2011 model year)

Engine

Water-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine; 3,996 cc; stroke 80.4 mm; bore 102.7 mm; 455 hp (335 kW) at 7,800 rpm; max. torque 450 Nm; air restrictors 2 x 28.6 mm; max. revs 9,400 rpm; four valve technology; dry sump lubrication; individual throttle butterflies; fuel injection.

Transmission

Porsche six-speed gearbox with sequential jaw-type shift; oil/water heat exchanger, single-mass flywheel; hydraulic disengagement lever; three-plate carbon-fibre clutch; rear wheel drive; limited slip differential 45/65 percent.

Body

Monocoque body (basis GT3 RS) of hot-galvanised steel; aerodynamically optimised front end with front spoiler; aerodynamically optimised front underfloor; adjustable rear wing; 90-litre FT3 safety fuel tank with fast filling function; air jack; welded-in safety cage; race seat (driver’s side only) with flame retardant upholstery; six-point seat belt adapted for use of the HANS Head and Neck Support; electric fire extinguishing system.

Suspension

Front axle: McPherson spring strut axle; Sachs four-way gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and auxiliary); front axle arms adjustable for camber; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar; power steering.

Rear: Multi-arm axle with rigidly mounted axle sub-frame; Sachs four-way gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and auxiliary); rear axle tie-bar reinforced and infinitely adjustable; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar. Complete suspension infinitely adjustable (height, camber, track).

Brake system

Brake system with balance bar control.

Front: Single-piece six-piston aluminium fixed callipers; inner vented, 380 mm diameter; racing brake pads.

Rear: Single-piece four-piston aluminium fixed callipers; inner vented, 355 mm diameter; racing brake pads.

Wheels

Front: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (12J x 18 ET 34); central bolt.

Rear: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (13J x 18 ET 12.5); central bolt.

Electrical system

Motec display with integrated data recording; multi-function display with integrated gearshift indicator; adjustable traction control; battery: 12 volt, 80 Ah, 140 Ah alternator.

Weight

1,220 kg

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/12/porsche-launches-new-911-gt3-rsr_13.html

New Porsche 911 Shows its Panamera-Style Snout in South Africa

Once again, Carscoop's photographers have caught the all-new generation of Porsche's 911 sports car series testing. However, this time, they snagged a barely camouflaged prototype not in Germany, but in South Africa. And even though our man with the camera wasn't able to capture a crystal clear shot of the front end of the 2012MY 911, it's fairly obvious that the styling is heavily influenced by the Panamera.

From there on, despite some changes here and there such as the exterior mirrors that are mounted on the doors instead of on the window frame, the redesigned tail lamps and a slightly lower roofline, the basic silhouette and proportions remain the same. An extensive aerodynamic package with an active front spoiler and variable air-intakes, is believed to be in development.

We expect more differences inside the cabin with some fresh bits and pieces borrowed directly from the Cayenne and Panamera parts bins.

The new model, codenamed '991', may look eerily similar to today's generation of the 911, but underneath the body there's a revised platform that has grown a few inches in length and width. Furthermore, Porsche's engineering team is also said to have made good use of exotic and lightweight materials to reduce the sports car's overall weight.

The 911's engine lineup will be revised with upgraded six-cylinder boxer units boasting the latest technological advancements including direct injection and start/stop systems for gains in power as well as reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. At launch, Porsche will offer two variants - the Carrera and more powerful Carrera S models, with the Turbo and other versions such as the GT2 and GT3 to follow down the line.

Delivering power to the rear or to all four wheels will be a standard six-speed manual gearbox (depending on the model) joined by an optional seven-speed PDK (Porsche Doppel Kupplung) twin-clutch transmission with shift paddles behind the wheel.

Chances are that Porsche will choose its home show in Frankfurt, Germany, next year to present the world premiere of the new 911.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-porsche-911-shows-its-panamera_08.html

A Video Tour of the Porsche Classic Workshop

Porsche Classic is a specialized workshop owned by the German automaker, responsible for repairing, servicing and even restoring classic vehicles, like this 1973 911 T Coupe. Every year, a team of 30 highly trained specialists work on around 250 cars, keeping Porsche's heritage alive. According to the Stuttgart-based company, more than 70 per cent of all Porsches ever built are still on the roads today, which is pretty impressive if you think about it. Video follows after the break.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/12/video-tour-of-porsche-classic-workshop_06.html

VIDEO: New Porsche 911 GT2 RS "Driven to Extreme"

Gordon Robertson is back. Having previously tamed the GT3, the chief driving consultant of the Porsche Experience Center at Silverstone now takes on another of Stuttgart's iconic 911s: the GT2 RS.

Capable of 620 hp and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque, the 911 GT2 RS is the most powerful road-going Porsche ever built. It accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.5 seconds and hits the 200 km/h (124 mph) mark in a staggering 9.8 seconds. Clearly, you need some impressive skills to drive pace the GT2 RS through a twisty circuit, but for now, you can enjoy Mr. Robertson at work in the video after the break.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/12/video-new-porsche-911-gt2-rs-to-extreme_03.html

More Power, Please: Wimmer RS Tunes Porsche GT2 RS to 703HP

With 620-horsepower on tap from the twin-tubo'd boxer engine for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of just 3.5 seconds and top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph), we'd argue Porsche's 911 GT2 RS is lighting quick. However, German tuning house Wimmer RS has a mind of its own when it comes to performance even if we're talking about a sports car that will be produced in a limited run of just 500 units.

The tuner's upgrades are concentrated on the 911 GT2 RS' 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer which benefits from a remapped engine controller, optimized turbochargers, a sport air-filter, new air-intake and a valve-controlled sport exhaust system along with sport catalysts.

These modifications bump output from 620 to 703-horsepower, while peak torque rises from 700Nm to an even more impressive 810Nm or 597.5 pound-feet. According to Wimmer RS, the powered-up 911 GT2 RS can now complete the sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 3.3 seconds and pass the 200 km/h mark after just 9.5 seconds (stock model: 9.8 seconds), while continuing up to a top speed of 356 km/h or 221.2 mph.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/12/more-power-please-wimmer-rs-tunes_01.html

Cayenne and Panamera Help Boost Porsche Sales by 86.4% Compared to Previous Quarter

Even in this harsh economical climate, Porsche sales continue to grow, as the German maker shifted 21,218 units in the first three months of the 2010 short fiscal year (August 1 – December 31). That's an impressive 86.4% growth compared to the same period last year, although Porsche management admits that the prior-year quarter was "relatively weak", so a higher growth rate was expected.

Revenue amounted to €2.06 billion (+80.3%), while the company's operating result reached €395 million for the same three month period.

The new Cayenne fared particularly well with 10,292 units sold (+151%), followed by the Panamera with 5,778 vehicles and a growth rate of 94%. The success of the 4-door coupe is due to the fact that last year it wasn't available on all markets and the six-cylinder model went on sale in May 2010. The 911's sales were also up, reaching 3,130 units (+20.4%), while the Boxster with 1,089 and Cayman with 929 vehicles remained the least coveted Porsches.

The Americas lead in terms of regional sales, up by 82% and totaling 7,268 units, of which 6,632 went to North America. Europe is close behind (7,082), while Asia and the rest of the world are third (6,868), albeit with the biggest growth rate (126%), fueled by the strong demand in China.

"We can be satisfied with the key indicators of the first three months. Porsche AG is continuing on a profitable growth course" said Matthias Müller, chairman of the executive board of Porsche AG.

"Due to the order intake worldwide in the past few months, we expect a good double-digit return on sales in the short fiscal year from August to December 2010. With this current order situation, we also anticipate a good start to the new fiscal year 2011" Lutz Meschke, member of Porsche AG's executive board in charge of finance and procurement, added.

Porsche's sales growth also helped create new jobs, with the company currently employing 13,043 people, a 2.5% increase over July 2010.

By Csaba Daradics

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/11/cayenne-and-panamera-help-boost-porsche_24.html

VIDEO: Learn how to Drive the Porsche 911 GT3

So, you bought your first Porsche 911 GT3. Good for you, but can you handle this beast? The Germans refined their rear-engine setup for decades, making each generation of the iconic 911 better than before. Still, there are moments when Stuttgart's best can be a handful.

To avoid this, you can take the GT3 to the Porsche Experience Center at Silverstone and learn from chief driving consultant Gordon Robertson how to tackle tight bends, low friction surfaces and, overall, significantly improve your driving skills. Check out the video after the break to see what Mr. Robertson can teach you. For more information visit "porsche.co.uk/experiencshop".

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/11/video-learn-how-to-drive-porsche-911.html

Porsche to Unwrap New or Special Edition Mid-Engine Sports Car at LA Show

This just in; Porsche announced today that it will present a world premiere of "a mid-engine sports car" at next week's Los Angeles Auto Show. The Stuttgart automaker did not get into any details, but unless it's the production version of the 918 Spyder hybrid flagship, our guess would be it's either a special edition or a new version of one of the Boxster roadster or Cayman coupe models.

Alongside the world premiere of the mystery mid-engine sports car, Porsche's LA Show stand will also host two U.S. debuts, the 911 Carrera GTS and the 911 Speedster.

The new 911 Carrera GTS combines the 44 millimetre wider Carrera 4 body of the AWD models including wider track with a classic rear-wheel drive setup, and a upgraded 3.8-liter flat-six with 408 ponies.

The small series production 911 Speedster pays homage to the legendary 356 and comes with a 60 millimetre shorter windscreen and the characteristic double bubble on the convertible-top compartment lid. It also is powered by a 408 hp six-cylinder engine linked to Porsche's PDK double-clutch transmission.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/11/porsche-to-unwrap-new-or-special.html

Porsche’s “Exclusive” Customization Program turns 25

Porsche started the "Exclusive" individual tailoring program 25 years ago as an option offered to all clients who wanted to make their cars unique. Virtually any customer desire could be fulfilled, the sole prerequisite being that those special choices had to meet technical and qualitative feasibility.

To provide maximum quality, a team of around 100 specialists created a plethora of components and even complete vehicles only by manual work, because they believed that "no machine handles material with as much finesse as human hands".

The same team also takes care of sales, offering customers refined interior equipment or performance enhancements, which, in many cases, have been integrated in the production process of stock Porsches as well.

To properly celebrate its 25th anniversary, Porsche Exclusive created the limited edition 911 Speedster, which pays homage to the original 356 Speedster. Only 356 units of the open-top model will be built.

This is not the first time that Porsche Exclusive has designed a special edition model as in 2009, the division launched the 911 Sport Classic with the distinctive "ducktail" rear wing, reminding fans of the legendary 1973 Carrera RS 2.7.

If you're interested in more special Porsches, take a look at the gallery below.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/11/porsches-exclusive-customization.html