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(from Porsche Press Release) Debut for the 2011 version of the world’s most successful GT race car

Stuttgart. The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR takes off into the new motorsport season with extensive modifications. The 2011 version of the world’s most successful GT race car celebrated its international premiere at the “Night of Champions” party held at the R&D Centre in Weissach to mark the end of the motorsport season. Priority in the further development of the GT3 RSR was given to the newly designed aerodynamics at the front and rear, changes to the suspension kinematics and to the engine.

The 4.0-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine now delivers 455 hp (335 kW) at 7,800 revs, five horsepower more than its predecessor. The power increase results from an engine management system which adapts even better to different fuel grades, as well as a redesigned exhaust system and a modified air intake housing. Moreover, the driveability of the famously efficient engine has undergone further improvements. Maximum revs remain unchanged at 9,400 rpm.

Clearly visible are the modifications to the front. A new front lip provides higher downforce at the front axle. The front wheels are now wider with the rims growing from 11 to 12 inches giving additional grip and less of an understeering tendency. The position of the rear wing and the shape of the wing mounting also underwent optimisation and were adapted to the new rear fairing with additional air outlet louvers. The rear lid was also redesigned for optimised air ducting. Like the 911 GT3 Cup and the GT3 R, the RSR has now been equipped with the LED rear lights taken from the latest 911 road-legal cars.

The 911 GT3 RSR joins the 911 GT3 R and the 911 GT3 Cup as the top model of Porsche Motorsport’s product range. The successful long distance racer from Weissach can be ordered now at a price of 410,000 Euro plus country-specific value added tax. All 2011 modifications are available as a kit for GT3 RSR cars from the 2010 season.

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

For those of you that want a little more than just a Porsche 911 turbo, the 911 GT3 is the spec racer of various national Porsche Carrera Cup championships and the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup that may satisfy your performance needs. Over 1,400 have been sold since 1998 and Porsche maintains that the GT3 is the best-selling race car of all time.

Furthermore, the new 2011 model has just been announced. This new model starts as the even higher performance GT3 RS. The “RS” edition helps to accommodate bigger wheels, tires, and brakes. This also comes with the larger 3.8-liter flat-six that pushes 450 horsepower.

The 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup will devut at the opening round of next season’s Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship. Check out the images below.

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NEW PORSCHE 911 GT3 CUP RACE CAR DEMONSTRATES DIRECT LINK FROM TRACK TO RS ROAD CAR

* Based on the iconic Porsche 911 GT3 RS road car, the new 911 GT3 Cup race car is powered by an identical 450 hp flat six 3.8-litre engine and shares distinctive bodywork
* The 911 GT3 Cup is latest edition of the best-selling racing car of all time – over 1,400 sold
* New car will race in the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB, the UK’s fastest single marque sports car Championship

The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car that will make its debut in the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship is the latest edition of the best-selling racing car of all time, having been built in a production series of more than 1,400 units since 1998.

The latest 911 GT3 Cup racer is based for the first time on the 911 GT3 RS road car, with the weight of the motor sport derivative reduced significantly versus the already lightweight road car. The 911 GT3 Cup is designed for racing in the many Porsche Carrera Cup Championships around the globe and the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup that supports Grands Prix, and was based previously on the 911 GT3.

As a consequence of being based on the 911 GT3 RS, this is the first 911 GT3 Cup car to feature the 44-millimetre (1.73″) wider body at the rear, which provides increased space for even larger wheels and slick tyres. Wider front wheel arches also clearly show that the front wheels/tyres are likewise bigger which, combined with other evolutionary changes, has enabled the dynamic performance of the latest car to reach new heights.

Engine capacity is up by 0.2 litres over the prior GT3 Cup car, with power output rising by 30 hp more than before. Thus the rear-mounted 3.8-litre six-cylinder horizontally-opposed power unit develops 450 hp, and drives the rear wheels through a sequential six-speed manual gearbox and limited slip differential.

Emphasising the Porsche ‘track to road’ philosophy which has guided the company since its beginnings in 1948, the power unit featured in the new 911 GT3 Cup is largely identical to the production engine in the 911 GT3 RS – and offers the same output of 450 hp and identical maximum engine speed of 8,500 rpm.

The 911 GT3 Cup race car is designed by the same team based in Weissach, near Stuttgart, Germany, responsible for the iconic Porsche 911 GT3 and RS road cars. In keeping with the lightweight, race-bred credentials that are synonymous with Porsche RS models, the road car weighs 1,370 kg. As befits its single-minded motor sport purpose, the 911 GT3 Cup race car tips the scales at 1,200 kg, resulting in even sharper performance on the circuit.

From the outside, the new 911 GT3 Cup clearly demonstrates its RS road car origins while at the same time maintaining the purposeful appearance of a race car. The striking daytime driving lights come straight from the current generation of the 911 and the front body panels are the same as on the 911 GT3 RS. However, the front spoiler lip is 15 millimetres (approx 0.6″) lower to provide significantly more downforce on the front axle.

Downforce on the rear axle is also increased by the rear wing, that is extended in width from 1.46 to 1.70 metres (57.5 to 66.9″) and now mounted higher up in a development feature reminiscent of that fitted to the even faster 911 GT3 R raced in international FIA GT3 series. The rear bumper valance with its distinctive air vent openings and LED technology rear lights, in turn, come straight from the GT3 RS road car.

The wider front wheel arches and the flared rear wheel housings provide ample space for even wider wheels. The front axle rides on three-piece light-alloy rims measuring 9.5 J x 18 (previously 9 J x 18) and running on 24/64-18 Michelin racing tyres. The width of the three-piece light-alloy rims on the rear axle have increased by one inch, and now measure 12 J x 18 with 27/68-18 tyres.

Additional Unibal joints are featured on the track control arms of the front and rear suspension to permit greater chassis adjustability, and the sword-shaped anti-roll bars fitted front and rear are now adjustable to seven different positions on both sides. Combined, this allows for an even more precise set-up of the car depending on the characteristics of the respective race track.

The cockpit of the new 911 GT3 Cup caters more than ever before for the specific needs of the race driver. An additional vent in the upper part of the front lid, for example, provides the driver with a better supply of fresh air. The controls for the Info Display are now positioned directly on the steering wheel which houses a total of six switches that control a variety of functions including the pit-lane speed limiter, windscreen wipers, and lights. In addition to fore-and-aft adjustment, the steering wheel may now also be adjusted for height, as on the 911 road car.

The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup costs £94,600 plus VAT and deliveries to customers will begin in early 2011. Next season it will be raced not only in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, but also in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup on the occasion of Formula 1 races and many other Cup Championships around the world.

With than many new Porsche models coming out as well as unique variants Porsche and other aftermarket companies have to offer, we can’t help but to keep you updated on all of them. Porsche will now offer the 911 Speedster that hits back at the classic design of the hunchback profile. The widebody stance is similar to that ound on the Carrera 4 and GTS. A 408-horsepower flat-six engine will pull the speedster through the PDK dual-clutch gearbox. Check out these high resolution pictures as well as the video below.

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THE 356 LEGEND CONTINUES: THE NEW PORSCHE 911 SPEEDSTER

* Open-roof, two-seater 911 recreates the spirit of the classic Porsche 356 Speedster
* Designed by Porsche Exclusive department and limited to just 356 examples worldwide
* 408 hp flat-six engine drives the rear wheels through seven-speed PDK transmission
* Debut at Paris Salon October 2 – 17: on sale in January 2011 priced from £144,100

The Speedster name is one of the most evocative in the history of Porsche1. First used on the classic 356 model of 1953, the Speedster quickly became synonymous with low-slung, open-top, two-seater Porsche sports cars that attracted free-spirited driving enthusiasts seeking the ultimate ‘wind in the hair’ experience. Now, in celebration of the Speedster legend, Porsche is introducing a new 911 Speedster at the Paris Salon on October 2, and to commemorate its famous ’50s forebear, the production run is limited to just 356 examples.

Designed and conceived by the Porsche Exclusive department in Stuttgart, the two-seater 911 Speedster is significantly different from the other members of the 911 family. Every Porsche Speedster was traditionally distinguished by its shortened windscreen and sleek tail, and the new 911 likewise features a 60mm lowered and raked windscreen and the characteristic ‘double-bubble’ hardcover for the manual soft top.

The striking profile of the new 911 Speedster is further defined by the use of the Carrera 4 body, the 44 millimetre wider rear stance of which additionally gives powerful visual emphasis to the rear wheel-drive configuration of the car.

Just as the style of the new 911 Speedster features contemporary re-interpretations of classic Porsche Speedster iconography, the characteristic rear-engined chassis features the best from the current 911 generation. The 3.8-litre flat six has been tuned to deliver 408 hp (300 kW), 23 hp more than in the 911 Carrera S. With average fuel consumption of 27.43 mpg (10.3 litres/100 km) (NEDC), the new Speedster uses no more fuel than the standard 911 Carrera S Cabriolet – a consequence of Porsche Intelligent Performance2.

The 911 Speedster features as standard a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) gearbox which transmits power via a limited slip differential to the rear axle, which lends further finesse to the chassis dynamics. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are also standard. Added to this is exemplary protection for the driver and passenger, with the safety roll-over protection system, which is standard in all open-top Porsche cars, being specifically tailored for the unique Speedster design.

The conception of the current Speedster comes from Porsche Exclusive – the department of Porsche that specialises in individualisation of Porsche cars and low volume production. The 911 Speedster heralds the 25th anniversary of Porsche Exclusive which will be celebrated in 2011, and further demonstrates the competence of the in-house technical experts after the recent success of the 911 Sport Classic.

The 911 Speedster has a generous level of equipment as standard and, as is to be expected from the artisans at Porsche Exclusive, its appeal also comes from the meticulously hand-finished interior in black smooth-finish leather with numerous exterior colour painted details – each one bespoke to the Speedster. These include decorative designs with black and white patterns reminiscent of a chequered flag on the centre sections of the sports seats, and leather side bolsters in the exterior colour.

The sporting flavour is enhanced further by the ‘Pure Blue’ exterior colour that has been developed exclusively for the Speedster, and which provides an intriguing contrast with the tinted front lights, black headlight surrounds, black windscreen border and other black decorative designs. It also features a bespoke front spoiler, specific side-skirts and a distinct rear apron. Porsche fans will also note the colour-coordinated black stone guard ahead of the rear wheels, reminiscent of prior editions of the 911. Upon request, the Speedster is available in Carrara White, at no extra cost.

The new Porsche 911 Speedster will have its global debut at the Paris Salon on October 2 and goes on sale in the UK in January 2011, priced from £144,100.

Fitted to every 911 Speedster is a Porsche Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), a sophisticated vehicle security package approved to Thatcham Category 5 standard, and customers will also be able to explore the potential of their new car by participating in a complimentary course at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone.

The Porsche Speedster legend 1

In 1953, the Speedster series was launched with a pure sports car based on the Porsche 356, which had two sports bucket seats, doors with slide-in plastic side windows, and a shortened, elegantly curved windscreen. 1,234 examples were built.

By the time the 356 A was introduced in 1955, the Speedster reputation was firmly established and 2,910 examples were produced.

In 1989, the Speedster celebrated its revival with an edition based on the 911 Carrera 3.2, this time with an added feature; for the first time, the hood compartment lid had the characteristic ‘double bubble’ styling. Initially, a limited run of 171 were produced, but a wide-bodied ‘Turbolook’ version introduced shortly afterwards was sold to 2,103 customers.

In 1992/1993, the next evolutionary stage of the 911 Carrera – the Type 964 – ushered in a further Speedster edition, of which 930 examples were built. A further 15 widebodied ‘Turbolook’ versions were specially commissioned by customers.

Most recently, two examples of the Type 993 911 Speedster have been built to special order.

Performance Data 2
Power 3.8-litre flat six 408hp
Torque 420Nm
0-62mph 4.6 secs
Top speed 189.5mph
Combined mpg 27.43 mpg
CO2 242 g/km
Weight 1540kg
7-speed PDK gearbox

Porsche claims the 4,784 pound, 500 horsepower Cayenne Turbo goes from zero to sixty in 4.4 seconds whereas the 3,219 pound, 385 horsepower 911 Carrera 4S with PDK does this in 4.3 seconds. Autocar took these numbers into their own hands and felt the only way to determine which is faster is to take it to the track. Watch the video to see who wins…

[Source: Autocar]

EVO’s Chris Harris compares the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Check out this two part video for some amazing supercar action.

Source: Inside Line

We’re pretty fond of the Jalopnik gang–partly for their insults against The Truth About Cars, and partly for their grassroots fondness for automotive and aeronautical performance. Joining a common trend this is their “Best10″ (a play on Car and Driver‘s “10Best”) cars of the decade.

Here’s the list with the watered-down specs:

1. BMW Z3 M Coupe (1999 to 2002)

Price: $42,000
Engine: 3.2 L I-6
Power: 315 hp
Weight: 3,230 lbs.

2. Chevrolet Corvette (2005 to Now)
Price: $50,000 to $100,000
Engine: 6.2 L V-8 to 7.0 L V-8
Power: 430 to 638 hp
Weight: 3,180 to 3,330 lbs.

3. Audi R8 V-8 (2006 to Now)
Price: $114,000
Engine: 4.2 L V-8
Power: 420 hp
Weight: 3,450 lbs.

4. Honda S2000 (1999 to 2009)
Price: $35,000
Engine: 2.2 L I-4
Power: 240 hp
Weight: 2,780 lbs.

5. Mini Cooper (2001 to 2006)
Price: $18,000+
Engine: 1.6 L I-4
Power: 114 hp
Weight: 2,520 lbs.

6. Porsche 911 GT3 (2004 to 2005)
Price: $100,000
Engine: 3.6 L H-6
Power: 375 hp
Weight: 3,050 lbs.

7. Ferrari F430 (2004 to 2009)
Price: $188,000
Engine: 4.3 L V-8
Power: 483 hp
Weight: 3,200 lbs.

8. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (2003 to 2006)
Price: $32,000
Engine: 2.0 L I-4
Power: 286 hp
Weight: 3,340 lbs.

9. Pontiac G8 GXP (2009)
Price: $40,000
Engine: 6.2 L V-8
Power: 415 hp
Weight: 3,800 lbs.

10. Ford F-150 Raptor (2010 to Now)
Price: $39,000
Engine: 5.4 L V-8
Power: 310 hp
Weight: 6,000 lbs.

1969 corvette for sale

Swiss tuner Sportec is looking to make the SPR1 its starmaker in the tuner world.  Besides trimming weight through composite panels (now under 3,000 lbs.) and adding a re-enforced cabin for protection, tuners have pushed the 997 Turbo’s 3.6 L flat-six to put out 858 hp.  That extreme figure allows the SPR1 to hit sixty in three seconds and achieve a top speed of 236 mph.

According to CNN, the Sportec is so extreme that Swiss police have had to detain it upon hearing North Korean agents sought to stuff it full of uranium and ram through the DMZ.

Porsche execs have killed off rumors of a new sports car in the lineup.  The blogged-of fifth model was to be an entry-level roadster priced below the Boxster–which made no sense since the Boxster is as base as a Porsche can get, while still being good.  Instead, execs are fully promoting the visual monstrosity known as the Panamera and insisting enthusiasts ignore the unfavorable financial news which will probably kill CEO Wendelin Wiedeking’s career.

When asked about the decision to not pursue any new sports car development, Porsche USA rep Jan Fuckelbach went into a anti-Semitic tirade, blaming Stuttgart’s misfortune on “them Jews” and calling for the industry’s purification from “corrupting elements.”

Just kidding–Fuckelback is just some homeless guy we found walking by the Porsche dealership at Figueroa in Downtown.

So it seems Porsche’s CEO, Wendelin Wiedeking, is furious that people within his company are leaking info about its dire financial situation.  It wasn’t long ago that Porsche was the most profitable enterprise in the business.  Now that’s over, and Wiedeking is begging the German treasury to provide billions in emergency cash to save his company from bankruptcy.

All this chaos in just a few months.  What a man.

I’m not going to hide it: I think Wiedeking is the worst auto exec still employed.  This is a guy who took a wealthy and promising concern, and got it screwed harder than Kim Kardashian in the Saints’ locker room.  Plenty of folks want to give Robert Nardelli of Chrysler that title, but Nardelli did nothing more than hurt an already broken company.

I like to point to the Panamera as a symbol of all that’s wrong with Wiedeking and Porsche’s whored identity.  What is Porsche today?  A fashion statement.  It’s a brand Jerry Seinfeld markets.  It’s a line of apparel.  It’s an overpriced and overweight Volkswagen SUV.  It’s a sedan that’s uglier than Joy Behar at a nude shoot.  The tragic thing is that I’d rather get into Behar than the sedan.

Some of that is unfair.  The Cayenne was a key reason why Porsche prospered over the past decade, and it is a good SUV–just not a good Porsche.  Porsche’s own status has been somewhat wounded since it became a yuppie icon in the 1980s.  I also have to give Porsche Design its dues: those varsity jackets are pretty damn fine.

That is beside the point.  Porsche is billions in debt, it’s probably going to be annexed by a bigger company, and it’s set to win the dubious honor of having the ugliest machine on wheels since the Aztek.  I don’t think even a Cayman Turbo could redeem this once-great marque in the eyes of true enthusiasts.  Frankly, I don’t care kind of flattering words Jay Leno or Jeremy Clarkson have for Panamera.  (If they do have them, that is.)

There’s only one rational thing that can be done to help remedy this: Sentence Wiedeking to death by impalement, with no chance for appeal.

We must let reason prevail.