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Porsche has a big anniversary coming this September – the ubiquitous 911 is reaching the 50 year milestone. In order to properly celebrate this historic event, the Stuttgart based company is carefully generating hype. They have just announced a 911 50th Anniversary Edition set to be unveiled to the public in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and the Porsche Museum just opened its doors with an extensive special exhibition dedicated to the model.
This year the Porsche 911 Turbo is 40 years old. So to celebrate that milestone, Porsche did what any self-respecting car manufacturer does when something like this comes up. They had their PR people make a big deal about it, and carried on making cars.
The 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S sit atop the varied and growing mountain of different 911′s on offer. This year’s 911 Turbo sees a number of major changes and updates; including the removable of a manual gearbox as an option, and the introduction of rear-wheel steering. They’re fast too. Obviously. The 911 Turbo can scoot to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, while the Turbo S can accomplish the same feat in just 2.9 seconds. Top speed of both models is 197 mph.
At the heart of the 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo is its 3.8 litre flat-six engine. Force fed by two variable geometry turbochargers the engine produces 520 horsepower in the Turbo, and 560 horsepower in the Turbo S. Power is sent to all-four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission.
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Today Porsche unveiled the fifth-generation of the hardcore Porsche 911 GT3. The engine, transmission, body and chassis are entirely new. Combined, they help make the new GT3 faster on the track, but also more usable as a daily driver.
Powering the 2013 9111 GT3 is a purpose-built normally-aspirated 3.8-litre flat six engine which produces 475 horsepower @ 8,250 rpm. The six-cylinder engine is a derivative of the engine found in the 911 Carrera S. However numerous components have been upgraded; in particular the crankshaft and valve train, were specially adapted or developed for the GT3. In addition titanium connecting rods are connected to forged pistons.
The engine is mated to double-clutch PDK gearbox which sends power to the rear wheels. The transmission was specially designed for the GT3 and offers two modes for the driver; manual shifting or the adaptive shift program – which itself has two modes, Sport or Race Track.
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Following on from their 911 Attack package, Anibal Automotive Design, a Canadian tuning company with a penchant for German metal, have just unveiled their rather over-the-top aero kit for the Porsche Panamera.
The “upgrade” takes what is arguably Porsche’s ugliest model, and hides it under some even uglier bodypanels. There’s more air scoops and grilles on the this Panamera than can be found on a Japanese SEMA show car. By my count there’s at least 14. And several of them are in places where vents don’t have any business being for a front-engined car.
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Classic face-off is a feature where we show you a couple of similarly priced classic cars from the same era, and you vote for the one you find most appealing.
This week the selection is a bit different from usual. Instead of showing you a couple of motors which should get you salivating. We have a couple of sports coupes who are ready to get you reaching for that wallet so often you’ll have an RSI before the engine is warm. One probably more so than the other. Both of them were rather tasty coupes back in their day, and for some buyers age has only heightened their appeal, it’s certainly made them significantly more attainable. It’s important to remember that when new, these two autobahn legends could have set you back somewhere in the region of $150,000 combined. But today either of them can be picked up for a few thousand dollars. It’s no wonder broken AC and leaking fluids are now standard features. Sadly just because their overall price has been decimated, it doesn’t mean the parts are always cheap!
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The world-renowned German tuning company Gemballa have just put the finishing touches to their latest aerodynamic and chassis package for the Porsche 991 Carrera S Cabriolet. The upgrade includes new front and rear bumpers designed to increase downforce and improve cooling airflow. At the rear an integrated air diffuser plays host to no less than six exhaust tips, which are part of the all-new exhaust system which provides a deeper and louder note than the standard pipes.
As well as the new bodywork and exhaust, Gemballa have developed 30mm shorter springs which have been calibrated to work seamlessly with the factory PASM (Porsche Active Stability Management) system. Brembo were drafted in to design an exclusive brake package unique to Gemballa which offers reduced brake fade under extreme conditions.
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Now that both the Cayman and Boxster have been comprehensively made over, there is a question which may trouble many soon-to-be Porsche owners. Cayman or Boxster? While the two cars are incredibly alike in many ways, they are more than just the hardtop and convertible equivalents of each other. Each has a distinct character and appeal which draw in buyers for different reasons.
So, lets say the decision is yours. You have the choice between a brand-new equally specced Cayman or Boxster, which would you go for? And just to take money out of the equation whatever difference there is in price is handed to you in folding money.
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When the all-new, third-generation Porsche Boxster got revealed earlier this year, you knew it would be only a matter of time before the Cayman had its own comprehensive update. Well that time is now. Porsche chose the 2012 LA Auto Show as the venue for the car’s unveiling, and highlights include a reduction in weight coupled with more power and a stiffer chassis.
The Cayman is arguably Porsche’s most driver-orientated model, and in an effort to reinforce that aspect of its character, Porsche have paid particular attention to the car’s dynamics and handling. The new chassis is 40 percent stiffer than its predecessor, and its 60mm longer wheelbase is designed to provide greater stability at speed – without sacrificing agility. The new Cayman is also fitted with the latest generation of Porsches PASM active damping system, which now has additional sensors to help monitor and adjust the suspension damping to suit different road conditions. But perhaps the biggest change to the Cayman’s handling will be felt through the new electro-mechanical power steering system, which replaces the previous hydraulic system. Porsche say this setup provides the driver with more direct feedback through the steering wheel, while reducing negative or unnecessary “noise”.
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If you’re a fan of what Singer can do to a Porsche classic 911, then the chances are you’ll be a fan of this thing. The Porsche 356 Silver Bullet is a one-off vehicle which is made up from a number of elements taken from a variety of Porsche vehicles. The body is an extensively modified 356, the chassis is from a Porsche 914, the 280-horsepower 3.0 litre engine comes courtesy of a 911 RS, and the gearbox is from a 915.
The lengthened body and chopped roof is complimented by the streamlined exterior and numerous exquisite design touches. For example, the vents were inspired by the 718 RSK Spyder. Hidden behind the solid billet wheels are brakes from a 934.
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Got a new Porsche 911? Not happy with it, but also not tempted by any of the dozens of aftermarket kits already available for the car? Then Anibal Automotive Design in Canada would like a word.
Their new “Attack” package for the 991 generation 911 is currently in the last stages of development. The upgrade includes a number of rather obvious body modifications, including a new front bumper, carbon fiber hood, wider front and rear arches, new side skirts, a new rear bumper, and a new rear spoiler.
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