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Porsche

Andreas Preuninger on the 991 Porsche 911 GT3

991 Porsche 911 GT3

Andreas Preuninger, Head of GT Cars at Porsche, knows a thing or two about the new 911 GT3. He’s just been interviewed about the car by Jethro Bovingdon from Evo magazine. In his introduction Bovingdon says, “If you’re a Porsche geek you will love this.”

He was right.

Categories
Motor Shows Porsche

Geneva 2013: Porsche 911 GT3 revealed

991 Porsche 911 GT3

It just looks perfect.

From every angle the new 991 Porsche 911 GT3 has a purposeful stance that just looks right. Simply by looking at the new GT3 it begs you to drive it.

On to the official stats for the latest 911 GT3. It has a tidy 350kW (475hp) at 8250rpm and 440Nm of torque at 6250rpm on tap from its new DFI 3.8 litre flat-six cylinder engine. That’s 15hp more than the new 911 GT3 Cup, which uses the old Mezger engine. The new GT3 sees off 100km/h in 3.5 seconds and 200km/h will be gone in under 12 seconds. It has a top speed of 315km/h.

The rear axle is 44mm wider than the 991 Carrera S. The conrods are titanium and forged pistons, just a couple of the measures that allow the 3.8 litre to rev to 9000rpm. The new 20″ wheels are made from forged alloy. The unladen weight of the GT3 is 1430kg.

As predicted there’s an active rear-wheel steering system. At speeds below 50km/h the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, but above 80km/h the rear wheel steer in parallel to the fronts. The result, Porsche says, is a more agile and dynamic GT3.

Of course, the elephant in the room is the PDK-only transmission. The GT3 specific 7-speed box, we’re told by Andreas Preuninger (more on that here), is lightning fast—changes take less than 100 milliseconds—and more involving than a manual. There was much debate at Porsche over the merits of PDK versus manual transmission and the move to PDK wasn’t taken lightly.

For those keeping score the 2013 911 GT3 can lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 30 seconds.

There’s more pics below with a couple of videos along the way as well. Also available is Porsche’s full Geneva Motor Show Press kit which has lost more detail on everyone’s favourite 911. Today is a very good day!

UPDATE: We can confirm the 991 911 GT3 will go on sale in Australia towards the end of this year. Pricing to be announced closer to launch.

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Porsche

PDK only for next Porsche 911 GT3?

991 Porsche 911 GT3 prototype

This, we are told, is a prototype for the next Porsche 911 GT3. Certainly the centre-mount exhaust tips would indicate this to be the case. One would expect Porsche will keep a more purposeful rear wing on the balls-out GT3, so we can also surmise the GT3 is still early in its development.

Apparently the 991 GT3 will be offered with one transmission option only, just like the near-perfect 997 model. Whereas the old model was 6-speed manual only, we can safely predict the new model will have seven gears. The only question remaining is, will it be an adaptation of the 7-speed manual from the Carrera or a double-clutch PDK?

Porsche, don’t do it. Please! It has to be a manual.

[Source: Autoblog | Pic: CarPix]

Categories
Porsche

2013 Porsche 911 GT3 says g’day

2013 Porsche 911 GT3 prototype

This grainy picture gives us an early glimpse at the 2013 Porsche 911 GT3. Already we want one almost more than anything else in the world!

The 997 GT3 will remain in our top 5 most wanted list for many years yet, so it is with great anticipation we will follow the development of the 991 GT3.

So far we can just make out the familiar styling traits; revised front aero and fixed rear wing. There’s also the usual centre-exit exhaust at the rear as well.

We understand the next GT3 is due for release in 2013, but hopefully Porsche will come good with official pics and data some time next year.

[Source: World Car Fans]

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Porsche

OFFICIAL: Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

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.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0—basic specs

  • Engine: 4.0 litre flat six
  • Power: 368kW (500hp) @ 8250rpm
  • Torque: 450Nm @ 5750rpm
  • Weight: 1360kg (inc tank of fuel)
  • 0-100km/h: 3.9s
  • 0-200km/h: under 12s

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.

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Porsche

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 speculation increases

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 leaked image

First filed 15 April.

The 997 Porsche 911 is nearing the end of its very successful model cycle. For a while now there’s been rumours Stuttgart would see off the 997 with a limited edition 4.0 litre GT3 RS. Thanks to a price list posted to the Teamspeed forums, that speculation has increased.

There are some minor grammar discrepancies on the price list which cloud the authenticity of the information, however, it states the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 will have 368kW (500hp) and will be priced from €149,900 (approx €180,000 with taxes). That represents a €27.5K price premium and 31kW increase over the existing 3.8 litre 911 GT3 RS.

We expect that Porsche will release a GT3 RS 4.0, likely to be limited to 500-600 units. But, we’ll just have to wait and see how accurate this “price list” info really is.

[Source: Teamspeed]

UPDATE 19 April: You’re now looking at a leaked image of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0, according to Teamspeed. We’re not so sure it is an official pic; Porsche press images usually feature “S GO” number plates. That aside, we reckon this image is likely to be pretty close to the mark.

Categories
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]

Categories
Motorsports Porsche

Peak season

Pikes Peak Hill Climb - Jeff Zwart

You may be aware the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was held last weekend. The outright winner was Nobuhiro Tajima in his Unlimited category Suzuki SX4. His time was 10:11.490; still noone has cracked the 10 minute barrier for the 20km course, which starts at 9,390 feet and ends at 14,110 feet.

Records were broken during last weekend’s action, though, and one of them was the qualifying time in the 2WD Time Attack class. It was set by Jeff Zwart in a Porsche 997 911 GT3 Cup car. Not happy with that, Zwart went on to knock a massive 38 seconds off the full race record for the class, as well.

The video of Zwart’s quali run is available after the break. It’s pure and has just the single camera angle from inside the cockpit. And while it might be missing the frantic beauty of the legendary Climb Dance, or even the cinematic heights of last year’s Peak Performance, it’s still a damn entertaining piece of footage. Turn your volume up to 11 and revel in the glorious noises from that Porsche drivetrain.

UPDATE: More info on Zwart’s record-breaking weekend can be read HERE.

[Thanks to Chris for the tip]

Categories
Ferrari Porsche

VIDEO: Ferrari 458 Italia v Porsche 911 GT3 RS

evo: 458 v GT3 RS

Chris Harris from evo has spent a fun day behind the wheel of the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Harris will be racing a GT3 RS at the Nürburgring 24 hour race later this month. Watch the two videos below to see if he wishes he was in the 458 instead.

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Porsche

Renn Sport

Porsche RS gallery

Mention the model name Porsche 911 GT3 to any car person and chances are they’ll start to go weak at the knees. Add two more letters to that model, namely RS (for Renn Sport) and you’ll complete the task of turning an otherwise sane looking person into a drooling mess. The RS is the quintessential road and track weapon. Well, the quintessential German road and track weapon, at the very least.

So, then, what better way than to have all that explained to you by a Scottish bloke driving around the Porsche Experience UK test facility in England. You can see said video after the jump, and as an added bonus you will also see an extensive range of RS models, starting right back with the original 1970s version and finishing off with the latest 997.2 iteration. Ladies and gentlemen, start your downloads.

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Porsche

Walter Rohrl loves his 911 GT3

Walter Rohrl loves his 911 GT3

Motorsport legend Walter Röhrl loves his new Porsche 911 GT3 so much he made this little video of himself with his car. He took his beloved GT3 to the Autodromo del Levante, in Italy’s south-east, for some one on one time. (It’s a nice looking track, actually.) Walter even got dressed for the occasion in full race attire.

But, then, he is in regular casual clothes staring out to sea, wondering if he and his GT3 will live happily ever after. I see, the GT3 can be used for road AND track. Road and track. Road and track. I think the clip gets this message across. Make the jump below and see for yourself.

Categories
Porsche

VIDEO: Evo tests 911 GT3 RS and GT3 Cup

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Chris Harris from Evo is fast becoming my new anti-hero. He’s doing many of the things we’d all love to be doing, and yet, I hate him at the same time! After the jump you can watch as he spends a few minutes showing off in a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, before really rubbing our noses in it as he takes control of a GT3 Cup car.