Porschepedia.org » Porsche Reviews

2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:59:54 +0000

Light weight & efficient – The Porsche Boxster has been an icon for generations of Porsche drivers. Now the all new 2010 Boxster Spyder is out – and we are ready to be amazed by it’s speed, agility & sexiness.

Press Release:

Purist Mid-Engined Roadster is the Lightest Porsche – Light, Efficient, Open: Boxster Spyder Making World Debut in Los Angeles

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is introducing a new top version of the Porsche Boxster, a light mid-engined roadster making its world debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in December.

Weighing just 1,275 kg or 2,811 lb, the Boxster Spyder is the lightest model throughout the entire range of Porsche cars. Clearly recognisable right from the start, this new mid-engined roadster represents the true, purist form of the Porsche sports car – light, powerful, consistently open, and very efficient.

This is precisely the formula already applied in creating Porsche’s most successful road-going sports and racing cars, ranging from the legendary 550 Spyder all the way to the RS Spyder so successful in motorsport today.

The Boxster Spyder now continues this clear-cut philosophy with full homologation for the road, thus reflecting a common wish expressed by Porsche customers. The new model is entering the market in February 2010 as the third version in the Boxster range, joining the Boxster and Boxster S.

The new member of the Boxster family stands out clearly at very first sight from the other versions of Porsche’s mid-engined roadster. Quite simply because the Boxster Spyder has been developed first and foremost for driving in the open air, the low-slung, light soft top extending far to the rear serving exclusively to protect the driver and passenger from bright sunshine, wind and weather. When closed, the soft top, together with the extra-low side windows and the two striking bulges on the single-piece rear lid, boasts a stretched and sleek silhouette reminiscent of the Carrera GT.

Significantly less weight than the Boxster S, a lower centre of gravity and an all-new sports suspension give the Boxster Spyder the right kind of driving dynamics clearly reflecting the unique look of the car.

The Boxster Spyder features a 3.4-litre six-cylinder with Direct Fuel Injection upfront of the rear axle. Maximum output is 320 bhp, 10 bhp more than in the Boxster S.

Equipped with PDK Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe and the Sports Chrono Package, the new Spyder, using Launch Control, accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Again with optional PDK, fuel consumption is a mere 9.3 litres on 100 kilometres (equal to 30.4 mpg imp) in the NEDC New European Driving Cycle. Top speed, in turn, is 267 km/h or 166 mph – with the roof open.

In terms of its fundamental concept, the entire Boxster family is the successor to the legendary 550 Spyder built back in 1953, both models sharing the same mid-engine roadster concept, low weight, back-to-the-roots lifestyle, and supreme agility combined with equally outstanding driving pleasure.

The 550 Spyder was the first sports car from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen developed specifically for racing but also homologated for the road. In the years following its production, this unique Spyder weighing only 550 kg or 1,213 lb, scored numerous victories on race circuits and in the road races so popular at the time.

The 550 Spyder was followed by other extremely successful Porsche Spyders such as the 718 RS 60 in 1960.

In 2004 and 2008 Porsche dedicated a limited edition of special Boxsters bearing the additional name Spyder to these legendary racing cars. By contrast, the new Boxster Spyder is a regular, specially developed and upgraded production model with far-reaching modifications versus the Boxster and Boxster S.

Market introduction of the new Porsche Boxster Spyder will start worldwide in February 2010. The base price in the Euro countries is 53,100 Euro. Including 19 per cent VAT and national specifications, the market price of the new Porsche Boxster Spyder is 63,404 Euro.

Porsche 911 Turbo Facelift Brings Back 90′s Porsche Love

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:27:03 +0000

Porsche’s 997 911 Turbo facelift reminds us of the late 1990′s Porsche redesigns, which graced the screens of Need for Speed video games and tuning magazines worldwide. Contained inside this 2010 911 is a 3.8 liter, 6-cylinder turbocharged engine with direct-injection pumping out 500 BHP. It’s a gorgeous ride, available in both hard top and drop-top. Check out full details in the press release below.

Press Release:

Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is proudly presenting a new top model at the pinnacle of its broad range of production sports cars: The new Porsche 911 Turbo combines far-reaching innovations in technology with fine tuning and supreme refinement in design. All key features of this high-performance sports car have been significantly improved, the new 911 Turbo combining a substantial improvement in fuel efficiency and lower weight with more power, even higher speed, and enhanced driving dynamics.

Particularly in terms of fuel economy and dynamic performance, the new top-of-the-range 911 from Zuffenhausen now stands out even more than before from its competitors in the market. Porsche’s new top model will be presented to the public for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show from 17 – 27 September.

The heart and highlight of the seventh generation of the Turbo is the new power unit displacing 3.8 litres and delivering maximum output of 500 bhp (368 kW). The first entirely new engine in the 35-year-history of the Turbo comes with features such as Direct Fuel Injection and Porsche’s exclusive turbocharger with variable turbine geometry on a gasoline power unit. And as an option, the new six-cylinder may be combined for the first time with Porsche’s seven-speed PDK Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (Double-Clutch Gearbox).

Models equipped with PDK are also available with a new, optional three-spoke steering wheel with gearshift paddles as an alternative to the standard steering wheel with its proven shift buttons. Fitted firmly on the steering wheel, the right paddle is for shifting up, the left paddle for shifting down. In conjunction with the optional Sport Chrono Package Turbo both the gearshift paddle and the PDK steering wheel with its shift buttons come with integrated displays for Launch Control and the Sport/Sport Plus mode, which are however designed differently on the two steering wheels.

The combination of PDK, Direct Fuel Injection and turbocharging ensures an unprecedented standard of efficiency, agility, responsiveness and performance, the Porsche 911 Turbo reducing CO2 emissions versus its predecessor by almost 18 per cent and therefore ranking unique in its segment also in this respect. Depending on the configuration of the car, the new top model requires just 11.4 – 11.7 ltr/100 km (equal to 24.8 – 24.1 mpg imp) under the EU5 standard. And unlike most other cars in its segment, the new Turbo remains even further below the crucial level of fuel consumption for gas guzzler tax in the USA, the special tax imposed on cars with substantial fuel consumption. All this despite acceleration to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Top speed, in turn, is 312 km/h or 194 mph.

The Turbo driver of the future will also enjoy a further improvement in driving dynamics, detailed enhancement of PTM fully controlled all-wheel drive and PSM Porsche Stability Management being further supported by new PTV Porsche Torque Vectoring available as an option. This makes the car even more agile and precise in its steering for an even higher level of driving pleasure.

Sales of the new Porsche 911 Turbo in both Coupé and Cabriolet guise are starting in Germany on 21 November 2009. The Euro base price without value-added tax and national specifications is Euro 122,400.- for the Coupé and Euro 131,800.- for the Cabriolet. The gross retail price in Germany, therefore, is Euro 145,871.- for the Coupé and Euro 157,057.- for the Cabriolet, in each case including 19% value-added tax and national specifications.

Source: WCF

Porsche GT2 Hits 800 Horse Power

admin — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:33:50 +0000

Ok, so you have a brand new Porsche that already exceeds 400-500 horse power. But you want that extra boost to really wow ‘em down at the track (or your local super market parking lot). Then check out the 800 HP tuning set from Switzer Automotive.

Switzer is not a crazy German tuning company, nor is it out of Japan, or anywhere in the Eastern Hemisphere. It’s actually a US based enhancement company. Their latest work on a Porsche GT2 give the car a boost to 800 horse power on only 93 Octane. Fill her up, plus.

Porsche’s GT2 can be yours with an additional $39,000 for the tuned package. Yikes. Check out full details in the press release below.

Switzer Announces GT2 Porsche Tuning PKGs to 800HP

Oberlin, OH – 2009 has been a busy year for Switzer Performance. In January, Switzer’s thousand-horsepower, 9-second SLEDGEHAMMER project car introduced the world to the Ohio-based tuning house, which followed up its debut act in February when a number of Switzer’s customer cars run 10 second 1/4 miles in 700 hp fully-automatic 997 turbo Porsches. March saw the introduction of Switzer’s Nissan R35 GTR performance upgrades, good for up to 800 hp on 93 octane pump gas.

This week, Tym Switzer is introducing his latest customer-ready performance packages for Porsche’s outstanding 997 GT2. The new GT2 packages range from a simple software revision to Switzer’s comprehensive flagship offering: the $39,000, 800 hp GT2 PKG shown (installed) in these pictures. “This 800 horsepower pump-gas package has evolved from those first SLEDGEHAMMER builds,” explains Tym, “but unlike the SLEDGEHAMMER, which used a stand-alone system, we’ve been able to keep the factory DME, making this a true bolt-on package. Everything else that went into the SLEDGEHAMMER builds is in this package, running on pump 93.”

Switzer’s 800 hp GT2 package makes use of custom Garret GT30R-based turbochargers with custom billet compressor wheels on ball-bearing center sections in lightweight stainless turbine housings. Switzer’s upgraded turbos compress massive amounts of air, while generating heat than the stock units – heat which is channeled to the engine through Switzer’s own MONSTER intercoolers. The engine itself is fed air and fuel through larger injectors and a custom intake plenum with an oversized throttle-body. All this hardware is managed by the stock ECU, running Switzer-specific DME software calibrations. Perhaps the most controversial part of Switzer’s package, however, is the exhaust system. Switzer’s GT2 exhales through a GT2-specific version of the company’s existing 997 TT exhaust. “As much as we would have liked to stick with the GT2′s titanium canister, there was just no way to hit our power goal on pump gas with the stock system. It was just too restrictive and not designed to handle this much airflow.”

Switzer’s stated goal for the GT2 project was 800 crank horsepower on 93 octane pump gas with an efficient, linear power curve that efficiently put power to the ground and didn’t punish the driver with sudden spikes in torque and power. One look at the final dyno results reveals those goals have been met. “We were very happy to hit our target numbers, of course, but the best part is that the car is still so manageable on the street, at this power level. It is an everyday hyper-performing exotic, and I can’t wait to get it out on the track and see how it performs in the hands of a pro driver.”

The Switzer Performance 800 hp GT2 Porsche package is available now through Switzer Performance dealers.

2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR – Hold Onto Your Hats

admin — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:18:49 +0000

Many Le Mans championships have been taken home by Porsche thanks to their 911 GT3 racers in the past. So when it was time to update one of their fastest automobiles the German car maker took the Nine-Eleven to an all new level.

Porsche’s 4.0-liter boxer-six is capable of producing 450b horse power at 7800. The rev-limiter kicks in at 9,000 rpm, just in case you get a little ahead of yourself. Engine output is limited based on the class the GT3 RSR runs in, but it’s capable of more when properly opened up.

Not only will the 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR be featured at the next American Le Mans competition, you can have one of your very own – if you have a spare $493,392 laying in a vault somewhere. Check out all the details in the Porsche Press Release below.

The successful Porsche 911 GT3 RSR takes off into the new model year with extensive modifications. The most powerful race car based on the Porsche 911, which last season secured wins in the American Le Mans Series and at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, competes in the GT2 class at international long distance races. The most distinguishing feature of the new GT3 RSR is the redesigned front with large air outlets on the front hood. Under the light-weight body shell, as well, major changes were made to the quickest 911.

Noticeable at first sight are the air outlet slots, or the so-called louvers, on the front hood: an indication of the completely redesigned air ducting of the radiators, which became necessary through the new design of supply and discharge air with the installation of an optional air-conditioning unit. The aerodynamics under the rear underwent further optimization. The rear wing now features a wider adjustment range. The weight-optimized brake system and the lighter wiring harness contribute to further improved handling, compared to the predecessor model.

The capacity of the well-known six-cylinder boxer engine increased from 3.8 to 4.0-litres. After another reduction in the size of the air restrictors for the 2009 season, the engine now delivers around 450 hp (331 kW) at 7,800 revs per minute and develops a maximum torque of 430 Nm at 7,250 rpm. The rev limiter of the efficient six-cylinder unit kicks in at 9,000 rpm. Compared to the forerunner, the rev level for a given power output was significantly lowered. Thanks to this, the engine features an optimized torque curve and offers better driveability.
In the cockpit, a new multi-function display located above the dashboard indicates the moment to change gears. Another new feature is the programmable multi-function, onboard supply system control device, giving teams the choice of many individual functions. One of these is the infinitely adjustable blinking frequency of the lights in the front apron, which helps to immediately recognize race cars when they enter the pits in the dark. For eas-ier servicing under race conditions, other modifications were made. The GT3 RSR now features a new air-jack system with overpressure valve. The oil refill with fast filling function has now moved to the rear lid, giving mechanics better access.

Aside from GT3 Cup and the GT3 Cup S, the GT3 RSR is the third race car based on the Porsche 911 offered by Porsche Motorsport. About 20 of the successful long distance racers have been built in Weissach and are now being delivered to customer teams around the world. The GT3 RSR costs 380,000 Euro plus VAT specific to each country.

Technical Description Porsche GT3 RSR (2009)

Engine: Water-cooled, six-cylinder boxer engine; four valves
per cylinder; dry sump lubrication; individual throttle
butterflies; fuel injection; air restrictors 2 x 29.5 mm.

Bore: 102.7 mm

Stroke: 80.4 mm

Capacity: 3,996 cc

Power output: 331 kW (450 bhp) at 7,800 rpm

Max. Torque: 430 Nm at 7,250 rpm

Max. revs: 9,400 rpm

Transmission: 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%.

Body: Monocoque body (basis GT3 RS) of hot-galvanized steel;
aerodynamically optimized front end with front spoiler;
aerodynamically optimized front underfloor; adjustable
rear wing; 90-liter safety fuel tank with fast filling function;
air jack; welded-in safety cage; bucket-type racing seat
(on driver’s side only) with flame-resistant seat cover;
six-point seat belt adapted for use of the HANS
Head and Neck Support; electric fire-extinguishing system.

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

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

Brakes: Brake system with balance bar control.

Front: Single-piece six-piston aluminum fixed calipers;
inner-vented, 380 mm in diameter; racing brake pads.

Rear: Single-piece four-piston aluminum fixed calipers;
inner-vented, 355 mm in diameter; racing brake pads.

Front Wheels: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (11J x 18-34);
central bolt;

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

Electrical System: Motec display with integrated data recording; multi-function
display with integrated gearshift indicator; adjustable
traction control; battery: 12 volt, 50 Ah, 140 Ah alternator.

Weight: Approx. 1,220 kg complying with A.C.O. regulations,
1,245 kg complying with FIA regulations.

Dashboard Porn – Porsche Panamera

admin — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:57:19 +0000

Thanks to Teamspeed.com and World Car Fans for sneaking this excellent spy shot of the Porsche Panamera instrument panel. First and foremost, what’s with all those buttons? Is this a Porsche or the Mach 5? Maybe Porsche will be a new Bond car, or they are gearing up for a guest shot on the new Knight Rider. The steering wheel is also huge, but we will forgive it. Porsche probably stole it off the Cayenne.

If that doesn’t wet your appetite enough, we also snagged a quick spy video from Edmunds – featuring the Porsche Panamera cruising around a desert test track, right out of a Mad Max feature!

2008 Porsche Cayman Review Pictures & Video

admin — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:19:09 +0000

Porsche not only offers their Boxster entry-level sports car, but the Cayman coupe brings a higher level of performance to the table. Coming in regular and S-trim, the 2008 Cayman has the looks, power and performance to please any sports car enthusiast.

The first thing you’ll notice is the power you are controlling. The reason for this power is the six-cylinder engine with Porsche’s VarioCam variable valve timing system. The base trim gets a 245 horsepower 2.7 version that teams with a standard five-speed manual or an optional six-speed manual transmission. The higher level Cayman S gets a 3.4-liter variation that can get up to 295 horsepower and comes standard with the six-speed. Porsche also offers both models the Tiptronic S five-speed automatic transmission that boasts a manual-shift provision. Change your driving preference to either “economy” or “sport” depending on how you drive and road conditions. The middle positioning of the engine allows for a trunk under the hood and under the rear hatch.

The flawless setup and spacious storage come on the distinctive teardrop shaped coupe. Inside the aerodynamic eye candy is an equally appealing inside. Leather upholstery covers the two accommodating sports seats. The steering wheel, gearshift and other surfaces also are doused in leather to provide better grip and a dose of luxury. The functional center console houses controls for the audio system, automatic climate control and more. Above the controls there rests a 5.8-inch color display that shows maps with directions from the Porsche Navigation system. This control gauge also holds the onboard computer, electronic logbook and hands-free mobile phone system controls.

The two-occupants are protected with dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags; all of these are standard! Other safety features include antilock brakes, an electronic stability system, Bi-Xenon headlights, an anti-theft system and more!

This mid-level sports car can holds it own on the road and give you the feeling of driving on the racetrack.

2008 Porsche Cayenne Review, Pictures & Video

admin — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:14:14 +0000

The Cayenne SUV spices up Porsche’s sports car line up. This family car proves that you can combine practicality with luxury, style and performance. The Cayenne comes in base model, as a Cayenne S trim, Cayenne GTS trim and the Cayenne Turbo. All give an exhilarating show.

The design was created with optimal functionality kept in mind. The Cayenne models have a resonance air-intake system that uses intake valves to create waves that siphon more air into the engine. This natural power burst helps the base 3.6-liter V6 engine get up to 290-horsepower. The Cayenne S 4.8-liter V8 gets kicked up to 385 horsepower and the higher levels are boosted to 500 horsepower in the 4.8-liter V8 engine. V6 Cayennes have the choice of a six-speed manual or automatic transmission and the V8 models only come with the automatic; all models have standard four-wheel drive. The engines are improved with other useful technologies such as direct fuel injection, variable valve timing, lubrication and efficient engine management system.

This powerful drive train propels the sports-like SUV not only on the road, but off-road as well. With technology such as Porsche Traction Management, Porsche Stability Management and Porsche Hill Control, the 2008 Cayenne almost seems like it was meant to be off-road.

Inside the Cayenne is the familiar Porsche interior. There is a beautiful combination of leather upholstery on all five seats and a visually compelling instrument cluster; the gauges give various vehicle diagnostics from the onboard computer such as tire pressure, engine status, fuel status and more. The display monitor on the center console is surrounded by controls for features such as climate control and audio setting. The display screen shows maps that are created from the Porsche Navigation System and displays from the Rearview Camera and ParkAssist. Underneath this sits the gearshift; the higher models get the option to switch between “sport,” “comfort” and “normal” drivetrains, so you can customize your ride to your liking. To add icing to the cake, there is also an option for the Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment system. This puts displays on the back of the headrests so passengers can view whatever you select to play.

Everyone keeps safe as well. The standard safety features include antilock brakes, an electronic stability system, Anti-theft protection and optional Bi-Xenon headlights. In addition, the slew of airbags also provides further protection from the unexpected. The airbags include dual-stage frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags.

Whether you’re going for a stylish look, off-roading, pure power, functionality or all of the above, the 2008 Cayenne can deliver what you need, with some spice.

2008 Porsche Boxster Review, Pictures & Video

admin — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:04:18 +0000

Only the best sports cars come from German automaker Porsche and the 2008 Boxster model is a prime example of what Porsche is capable of producing. The Boxster comes in regular trim, S trim and a limited edition of both of these. The Boxster gests a standard 2.7-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine that can make 245 horsepower and the S-trim gets a 3.4-liter that can make 295 horsepower; both engines have VarioCam Plus for variable valve timing. The 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual and 5-speed automatic transmission are available with overdrive. The automatic features an auto-manual feature.

The sleek and stylish design of the Boxster is specially designed to optimize all airflow for maximum performance. The curving front air ducts channel the air to cool the engine radiators; the directional spoilers then pass it to the brakes to cool them off. The large intakes on the front and rear also help the airflow work in the sports cars favor even more. The smart design sits on standard 17-inch quality wheels, while the S trim gets a further impressive 18-inch wheel set. There are other wheels available as options. The retractable convertible top is the cherry on the top. In 12 seconds, your convertible or optional hard top can provide you with an open or closed cabin.

The cabin pampers two inhabitants in an interior that features a larger amount of space. There are standard leather-upholstered bucket seats that can be electrically adjusted to give the occupant that perfect fit. There are other comfort-orientated seats are available. Speaking of comfort, the 2008 model is completely stock piled with it! The interior is spoiled with commodities such as climate control, a Bose® Surround Sound audio System, heated seats, MP3 capabilities, water-repellent side windows and more!

Amidst all of this is an impressive set of safety equipment. Along with the usual front airbags are side-impact and head-protection airbags. The other safety features the 2008 Boxster carries include an electronic stability system, tire pressure monitoring, antilock brakes, Bi-Xenon lights and an intelligent alarm system that uses radar to protect against theft.

The driver is provided useful touches as well. The LCD screen that rests just under the dash allows the Navigation system to give visual direction displays. In addition, the onboard computer will offer the driver various vehicle diagnostics such as average fuel consumption, how many miles until the gas runs out and more. Other optional features to improve the driving experience include Park Assist, a hands-free mobile system and an electronic logbook.

This is one sports car that you don’t want to miss out on!

2008 Porsche 911 GT2 Review, Pictures & Video

admin — Tue, 27 May 2008 17:56:42 +0000

The 911 sports car has roughly a dozen variations for 2008. The 911 GT2 is the new and most powerful addition to the lineup this year.

The aerodynamics has been revised on the front of the GT2 to provide more cooling airflow. This increase is needed to compensate the major upgrade to the engine and brakes in the model. The six-cylinder 3.6-liter engine produces a whooping 530 horsepower and 505 lb.-ft. of torque. Porsche claims that the 2008 911 GT2 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 204 mph. The engine performance is magnified because of systems such as Variable Turbine Geometry, VarioCam Plus, Dry-sump Lubrication and a Limited-Slip Differntial. The engine teams with a six-speed manual gearbox that was designed to accommodate the GT2 enhanced performance. The engine is made with a lighter weight material and has a special design scheme to make the 911 GT2 lighter than the 911 Turbo. The titanium exhaust system also helps reduce the vehicle weight.

The inside of the GT2 is equally innovative as the sleek exterior and muscled infrastructure. The four-person occupancy is doused in leather-upholstery and the front seats have power-adjustable options. Various storage compartments in the car provide plenty of space. The front and back trunk space make carrying cargo much easier as well. Back inside, the GT2 has the entertainment and communications system that makes Porsches shine. It combines the CD player, radio, audio settings, navigation system, onboard computer readings and more into one convenient color-display screen that sits on the center console. Other features allocated to the driver include ParkAssist, Cruise Control and automatically dimming lighting.

The safety features makes this sports car as secure as it is prevailing. It combines features such as Tire Pressure Monitoring, antilock brakes, Bi-Xenon headlights and the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake, which is used with vehicles on the racetrack. The six airbags include seat-mounted side-impact airbags, head airbags in the windowsills and the normal frontal airbags.

Everything about 2008 911 GT2 model is fresh, stylish and functional. This new model really demonstrates Porsches potential.