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Developing the Porsche 918 Spyder (vid)

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:04:06 +0000

Want to learn more about Porsche’s new hybrid sports car concept, the 918 Spyder? Check out this official video and swoon at the sexy curves and horse power behind Porsche’ first hybrid luxury ride.

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept at Geneva Auto Show

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:55:15 +0000

The V8 is evolved from the 3.4-liter engine in Porsche’s RS Spyder LMP2 race car. It makes “over 500 horsepower,” according to Porsche, and has a 9,200-rpm redline. It joins forces with electric motors mounted in both the front and rear axles that make a combined 218 horsepower. Porsche’s PDK 7-speed, twin-clutch automated manual transmission delivers power to the rear wheels, while the two front motors drive the front wheels directly through a fixed ratio.

Get this concept car on a track and you’d be timing it at 3.2 seconds to 60 mph, says Porsche. That’s quicker than a Carrera GT and would almost certainly make it the quickest Porsche road car ever. It would also be the most fuel-efficient, as consumption is said to be on the order of 3 liters per 100 km on the European test cycle, which is round about 78 mpg.

A lithium-ion battery pack mounted behind the 918 Spyder’s passenger compartment provides juice for the electric motors. In addition to the plug-in capability, the batteries regenerate using KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), the system developed for Formula 1 that recovers energy that would otherwise be lost as heat during braking.

Via Inside Line

Porsche Gets DUBBED with Prior Design 911 GT

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:14:55 +0000

Porsche models have always been a favorite of DUB and auto enhancement enthusiasts. At the 2010 Philadelphia International Auto Show this was no different. Whether you’re in the city of Brotherly Love or on the coast of Los Angeles California, Porsche lovers of the sports car can be found tinkering and making their rides better, faster, stronger. Many DUB’bers had their Porsche 911’s on the showroom floor on the East Coast. One maker which did NOT send an enhanced Porsche to Philly was Prior Design, which is a shame because their all new 911 GT PD3 is the hottest redesign we’ve seen in ages. Check out the press release below.

PRIOR-Design – Porsche 911 PD3 – Complete Perfection

Right at the start of the New Year, PRIOR-Design presented its latest aerodynamic achievement. The goal of the new aerodynamic package wasn’t to reinvent the wheel. The motto was actually complete perfection. With this aim in mind, the PRIOR designers have succeeded in a reinterpretation of the Porsche 911 GT3, which has changed it from being a ‘straightforward’ sports car into an exclusive super sports car – the Porsche 911 PD3!

In detail: thanks to its design, the revised front section ensures an improved supply of fresh air as well as improved levels of downforce. The single most important factor behind these results is the revised dispersal of the air flows through the carbon spoiler blade and the carbon inlets. With the help of the sd-value enhancing sills, the side line of the GT3 is guided seamlessly to the rear, ending at a rear section which is also new. Along with its visuals, the rear section also offers advantages in terms of driving stability and air supply. These improvements have been achieved by a diffusor which contains two integrated carbon fins. The end of the muffler is completely enclosed, which additionally optimises the aerodynamic attributes. Air inlets which are positioned on the left and the right, are additionally strengthened with two carbon inlets.

The GT3 wing, designed in Stuttgart, was judged to be sound by the PRIOR-Design team and therefore remains unchanged. The materials used in the 911 PD3 aerodynamics programme correspond with PRIOR-Design’s latest technological advances. A newly developed carbon-flex fibre glass composite was used, which both saves weight at the same time as offering a maximum level of strength and sufficient flexibility. This means that the necessary level of stability is guaranteed at speeds both up to and beyond 300 km/h.

To convey a genuine feeling of individuality and perfection, along with the aerodynamic and visual aspects, it was necessary for the subjective vehicles dynamic feeling in the form of noise and handling characteristics to be completed. This also includes the option of an in-house designed, hand-made stainless steel exhaust system, which in addition to a positive performance development also offers the driver a virtuoso driving experience over the full rev range, all the way up to 8,400 revs/min.

In addition to this, an ultra light, multi-section forged wheel that has been developed according to the toughest requirements is also available. This can be developed in a choice of different dimensions on the basis of customer request, and due to its variable size, offers an improved distribution of performance and road handling. The adapted chassis means that the body is now some 30 millimetres closer to the road surface, and the deeper centre of gravity that results improves both the handling and feedback of the vehicle without compromising the levels of driving comfort in any way.

Porsche 911 Turbo, One Handed, with a Coke

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:40:23 +0000

The new Porsche 911 Turbo is so fast, and so easy to handle, you can get one from 0 – 100 MPH in 7.9 seconds while chugging a frosty beverage. At least that’s what Chris Harris is going to prove.

via evo.co.uk

1957 Porsche 356 – EV Edition

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:11:26 +0000

Our fellow conspiracy buffs will love this apparent response to the Al Gore documentary on global warming – An Inconvenient Truth. Oh wait, what does a 100-mile range Electric Porsche built with a 1957 Model 356 have to do with global warming? Absolutely nothing! It seems like a bunch of right wings got together and decided to use this as a way to poke fun at the lefties. But it’s still one of the most gorgeous cars in Porsche history, and watch as they take you through the process of converting this ‘57 into an all electric auto. Enjoy!

Our Favorite Porsche Chase Scenes

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:59:39 +0000

This past weeks release of The Belgrade Phantom in Amsterdam has us thinking about other great Porsche Chase scenes. The film, based during soviet-era Serbia, revolves around Vlada Vasiljevic, who stole a white Porsche 911, using it to torment police over a 10 day period. The feature includes some amazing chase sequences:

Exciting! But what about other great car chases from film history, starring the Porsche? Here’s a few which stand out in our minds:

Bad Boys

Sorry about the poor video quality, but it’s hard to get anything produced by Fox on YouTube. This 90’s classic shows off the driving (and stereotyping) skills of both Will “The Fresh Prince” Smith and Martin “Martin” Lawrence. It’s without a doubt my personal favorite Porsche chase.

No Man’s Land

A big dud from the 80’s features A-Lister Charlie Sheen and B-Lister DB Sweeney as two grifting car thieves. They lead cops on a car chase in Southern California, spouting badly scripted puns the entire way.

Miami Vice

Buddy cops chasing a Porsche 910 through Miami streets – ok it’s TV not film, but Michael Mann is always good for an action sequence or two.

Real Porsche Chase (Music on vid is NSFW)

This apparent “real” high speed pursuit between cops in Stockholm and a runaway 911 took place last year.

Highway Racer

A little known Italian film from the 70’s features great sequences, a tight finish and lots of terrible “try not to look at the camera, just stare out into space” moments.

Porsche-Volkswagen Merger Official

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:33:08 +0000

Via Worldcarfans: The Porsche and Piech families, which still control Porsche, are set to put their signatures to a merger contract today (Friday, November 20, 2009). The VW board is said to also be signing off on a series of contracts, thousands of pages long, detailing a multi-stage process for the merger. VW said in a press release it wants the process to go as smoothly as possible and will propose a resolution to issue new preferred shares at its Extraordinary General Meeting on December 3, 2009. The new shares will allow VW to maintain its “medium term financial flexibility,” the company said.

From the press statement, “The creation of an integrated automotive group with ten strong brands follows a compelling industrial logic. It represents a unique opportunity for Volkswagen and is in the best interests of all shareholders. Volkswagen will further expand its position as the leading global multi-brand group with the inclusion of Porsche AG and the automobile trading business of Porsche Holding Salzburg.”

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.

Stay Green – Drive a Porsche

admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:40:00 +0000

If you love to drop $70,000 on a “green car” it seems like a Porsche is the way to go – well, kind of. Joe Eaton of Rumblenote in Slate presents the following rationale for sports car ownership: “it costs much less both in financial and environmental terms to commute with public transportation during the working week then drive on the weekends for fun in a car built just for that. Here’s how the author describes his escape from the travails of daily automotive commuting:”

In spring 2007, my wife and I sold our Volvo and committed to public transportation. Since then, it’s been no traffic jams, no mechanics, no gasoline, and no insurance bills. With the money we saved, I started a “hot rod” bank account dedicated to making driving fun. Public transportation is paying for my Porsche.

So, it’s not the car that really any better on the gasoline but the money you save from not having a car to commute will get you a sports car to cruise around in on weekends.

Source: Slate

This is What the Fastest Porsche 997 Looks Like

admin — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:52:33 +0000

Cargraphic has constructed what can easily be the fastest Porsche 997 Turbo GT ever. With time trials finishing up with the 997 Turbo GT RSC 3.6, it topped records for Fastest Sprint from 0-100 and 0-200kph.
[nggallery id=1]

Sport Auto, a German car magazine, reported on test runs featuring an Aston Martin DBS, 997 Turbo GT, Geiger Ford GT, Gumpert Apollo, Königsegg CCX-R, and the Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV, the 997 took the title of fastest 0-100 km/h, posting a remarkable 3.0-second time. The same car reached 0-200 km/h in 9.1 seconds. But it was the Geiger Ford GT that reached 300 km/h first, hitting that mark in 22.8 seconds. The same car had the best time going from 0-300-0 km/h, coming to a full stop at 30.3 seconds, a full half-second faster than the 997. Here’s the results of all three segments:

0-100 km/h:
3.1 s – Porsche 997.2 Turbo PDK, 500 PS/1606 kg
3.2 s – Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SV, 670 PS/1751 kg
3.9 s – Gumpert Apollo, 700 PS/1148 kg
3.9 s – Koenisgegg CCX-R, 806 PS/1473 kg
3.9 s – Wiesmann GT MF5, 507 PS/1421 kg
4.0 s – Porsche GT3, 435 PS/1453 kg
4.5 s – Aston Martin V12 Vantage, 517 PS/1709 kg
4.7 s – Cadillac CTS-V, 564 PS/1955 kg

0-200 km/h:
9.5 s – Gumpert Apollo, 700 PS/1148 kg
9.8 s – Koenigsegg CCX-R, 806 PS/1473 kg
10.3s – Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SV, 670 PS/1751 kg
10.8s – Porsche 997.2 Turbo PDK, 500 PS/1606 kg
11.6s – Wiesmann GT MF5, 507 PS/1421 kg
12.8s – Porsche GT3, 435 PS/1453 kg
14.0s – Aston Martin V12 Vantage, 517 PS/1709 kg
14.3s – Cadillac CTS-V, 564 PS/1955 kg

0-300 km/h:
24.7s – Koenigsegg CCX-R, 806 PS/1473 kg
26.7s – Gumpert Apollo, 700 PS/1148 kg
29.7s – Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SV, 670 PS/1751 kg
40.6s – Wiesmann GT MF5, 507 PS/1421 kg
41.9s – Porsche 997.2 Turbo PDK, 500 PS/1606 kg
50.3s – Porsche GT3, 435 PS/1453 kg
53.7s – Aston Martin V12 Vantage, 517 PS/1709 kg
69.3s – Cadillac CTS-V, 564 PS/1955 kg

via WCF