A while ago there were some countries in Europe used the Porsche 911 to track down speedy offenders. This was particularly effective in Porsche’s home country of Germany, where the limitless autobahn needed a quick car to track down non-speed based offenders. But are the bad guys getting away so fast in Alabama that it really needs its own 911 police car?
While it probably doesn’t take a Porsche to catch a ‘jacked-up’ truck, the latest addition to the Hoover, Alabama (just outside of Birmingham) Police fleet still serves a good purpose. The car is from a drug seizure, and Chief Nick Derzis said the Porsche will be taken to schools and special events. "There is so much dramatization of drug dealers, fast colors, money," Derzis said. "I think this is the perfect result that you will see, if you’re doing something like that and we can prove it, we can seize your automobile as this Porsche has been seized."
The Hoover PD isn’t just using this for public relations; this 911 is a fully functioning police car. So remember to slow down while going through the Birmingham area unless you want to see this Porsche up close.
German tuner 9ff loves to get the most out of Porsche engines, and we have a hard time arguing with its 1300 hp Draxster. Based on a Porsche 911 the vehicle has been extensively modified, the engine is a twin turbo 4.0-liter unit and the vehicle weighs in at 1168 Kg (2569 lbs.). Although the vehicle will not be officially used in drag races, with that amount of power the Draxster can hit 161 mph in just 9.5 seconds, fast enough to leave some space between it and a Bugatti Veyron. Unfortunately the pricing for this vehicle has not been announced nor have production plans been announced yet.
Porsche revealed today the facelifted, and more importantly, more powerful version of the 911 GT3. We’ll be there to see it make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, and then U.S. sales will begin in October at a price of $112,200.
The 911 GT3 is powered by a 3.8-liter six-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine that develops maximum output of 435 bhp, up 20 bhp over its predecessor. The new GT3 accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.1 seconds and reaching 160 km/h (100 mph) in 8.2 seconds. Top speed is 312 km/h or 194 mph.
For the first time the 911 GT3 comes with a particularly sporting variant of PSM Porsche Stability Management, offering the option to deactivate both Stability Control (SC) and Traction Control (TC) in separate steps.
The new GT3 offers even better grip and stability also at high speeds, specific modifications of the car’s aerodynamics increasing down-forces both front and rear to such an extent that the overall pressure pushing down the car is more than twice as great as on the former model. At the same time the new Aerodynamics Package gives the GT3 a brand-new look further accentuated by the new bi-xenon headlights, LED rear light clusters, as well as modified air intakes and outlets.
The GT3 holds an interesting place in the lineup because it is the fastest naturally-aspired car Porsche makes (aside from the track-only GT3 RSR), and some drivers prefer the GT3 over turbo models. This GT3 makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in four seconds and has a top speed of 194 mph. This represents only 0.3 of a second slower to 60 mph and is one mile per hour faster than the current 911 Turbo. Some of Porsche’s professional drivers have felt that the marginal power loss was worth the predictability that was gained by having a non-turbo engine.
The world is an unfair place. While most of us save every penny to possibly purchase a Porsche 911, there are others out there who just take the little coupe racing. For those select few, the bar may have just been raised. Porsche revealed the 2009 911 GT3 RSR.
Compared to last year’s model, this RSR has a redesigned front end with large air outlets on the front hood. Also, the aerodynamics and air ducts were redesigned for better air flow, the rear wing is more adjustable, and the body and some interior materials (like wiring harnesses) are lighter than the 2008 GT3 RSR.
Oh and one other thing...the engine capacity has been increased from 3.8 to 4.0-litres. Oddly enough the engine now delivers around 450 hp at 7,800 rpm, which is about 15 hp less than last year (465 hp at the higher 8,000 rpm) and develops a maximum torque of 430 Nm at 7,250 rpm, which is the same as 2008. The aerodynamics and weight loss must be what keeps this car competitive because Porsche still calls it "the quickest 911". (To Porsche: we may be willing to let you hand us the keys to the 2008 and 2009 cars for a head-to-head to settle this.)
The 2009 911 GT3 RSR starts out at €380,000 (about $494,000 at current rates). At that kind of pricing Porsche must know this car goes to a well heeled clientele, because this car now comes with one very race unfriendly compromise: optional air conditioning.
We’re just getting settled with the latest update to the Porsche 911 (997) Carrera, but we also know the 998 is just around the corner. We’ve already seen the spy shot of the future Turbo version out for a little testing, and now we see the convertible testing to make sure the new top can handle the cold stuff.
What’s really great from this spy shot is the shape of the new convertible roof. The next 911 Cabriolet may use a lower and flatter roof, which is reminiscent of the 356 Speedster. How much will this drop-top take from the classic Porsche design? We should know by 2011 when this new 911 hits the streets.
There must be something in the water in Ohio. Earlier this month we saw a 1,000 hp Dodge Challenger from Ohio-based RPD Performance, and now we have video of a 1,000 hp Porsche 911 by Switzer Performance Innovations (SPI) of the Buckeye State.
Not all companies can get Bugatti Veyron-like 1,000 horsepower from an engine (especially a six cylinder one). Even super tuner 9ff isn’t getting that much from a 911 turbo. SPI claims its car called the 997 Sledgehammer can go form 0-60 mph in the mid-2 second range, and as the video above shows, hit the quarter mile in 9.796 seconds at 146 mph and tops out at 195 mph.
SPI says the 997 twin turbo powerplant went through extensive ECU tuning, new SPI-designed headers, sports exhaust system, an intecooler pack and SPI-tuned GT30R turbos. SPI is selling the whole upgrade package for about $50,000.
SpeedART revealed details on the BTR 630 based on the 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo. Why BTR 630? Simple: because it delivers a total of 630 hp (a 130 hp increase over the 500 hp for the standard model).
The aerodynamic package includes a front chin spoiler and adjustable rear wing. The output increase has been possible thanks to a modified VTG-turbo chargers, headers, sport exhaust with sound switch, sport catalysts, sport air filter and ECU-update.
The BTR 630 sits on 20" wheels type LSC-FORGED and features a Sport suspension with PASM and stabilizer kit.
To maximize an ideal top athlete, such as the Porsche 911 GT2 in a way that can be maintained for a long time, it is essential to make far reaching modifications which have to be founded on numerous years of expertise and experience. A kind of professional expertise the Dortmund-based Porsche refiner 9ff unquestionably has.
With the 9ff GT2, the owner and head developer Jan Fatthauer and his team once again challenge their talents and produce a vehicle which has been optimized in its every existing driving capability. The goal was to create a GT2 which is able to provide the best performance on both the tracks and the streets. With its powerful 670 hp "bolt on kit" and a running gear which has been developed at the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring, the 9ff GT2 outstandingly proves that road capability and racing can overlap without having sacrifice any level of convenience and comfort.
Yesterday we saw the Techart Aerokit I for the Porsche 911 models, today the German tuner revealed its new GTstreet R package, based on the Porsche 911 Turbo. BUT WAIT...Don’t get too excited, this is for the 997 Turbo (the 998 Turbo isn’t out yet.)
The new kit includes a new aero-hood, headlight and mirror trims, new side sills, a carbon-fiber roof spoiler, a new rear apron and a new rear wing spoiler. Under the hood, with the help of the Techart performance kit TA097/T3, the engine was boosted to 660 hp and 860 Nm of torque making the car capable to sprint from 0-62 mph in just 3.4 seconds while the top speed is limited electronically due to the safety reasons at 214 mph. In order to improve the stability at high speeds a new set of Techart Formula III forged light metal wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Plus tires.
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