Porsche cars

2014 Porsche 911 GT3

The Porsche 911 started its run back in 1963 - and oh what a run it is -, but it wasn’t until 1999 that a GT3 version was offered up for our ravenous consumption. It came to complete the series of performance vehicles that started back in 1973 with the 911 RS, a model that was capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and to 100 mph in 13 seconds.

Why the short history lesson? Well, the new generation GT3 has just made its world debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and would be nice to make a comparison between the things that were and the things to come.

The new GT3 is lighter and more powerful than the model it replaces, and it brings innovative features like the first active rear wheel steering in a production Porsche. There is a bad news too unfortunately: the new GT3 will only be offered with a PDK transmission - at least for now!

UPDATE 05/20/2013: Porsche has unveiled a new video further detailing the GT3’s technical highlights. Enjoy!

Hit the jump to read more about the next generation Porsche GT3.

2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S by Eibach

The 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S was unveiled with a series of updates that made it even better than the previous generation. Even so, when a tuner comes with some updates we can be nothing but happy.

German suspension expert, Eibach, is offering its Pro-Kit Performance Springs that lower the new 911 Carrera’s center of gravity, offers improved handling and gives it a more balanced appearance. With the new springs, the car’s ride was lower by 40 mm (1.57 inches), giving the Porsche a more aggressive stance.

The tuner is also offering a pro-spacer kit made from high-tensile-strength aluminum alloy that widens the car’s stance for added stability and a more aggressive appearance. These new wheel spacers also weigh significantly less than steel wheel spacers.

Eibach’s offerings for the 911 end there, but the new suspension kit may just be the perfect addition for the Carrera 4.

Click past the jump to read more about the standard Porsche 911 Carrera 4S.

2014 Porsche 918 Spyder

When Porsche unveiled the 918 Spyder concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show we were all in amazement. Within that amazement was a sense of a sense of pessimism, as we were unsure exactly how this future successor to the Carrera GT would look and run in the real world. We all know that manufacturers have a habit of “overestimating” its cars at these shows, to put it nicely.

Here we are about two years later and the 918 Spyder is nearing the end of its testing phase and we have all gotten a good hard look at what we figure to be its final design. The 918 has also made many passes around the “Green Hell,” thrashing its predecessor’s time in the process. All of these laps around the famed Nürburgring and at Porsche’s test facilities have given the automaker enough details to allow it to piece together all of its specs.

Remarkably, there have also been a few leaky valves throughout the process that let us in on the 918 Spyder’s top-secret pricing.

So, is the 918 Spyder everything it has been hyped up to be?

Updated 05/16/2013: Porsche revealed today new images and details on the 918 Spyder - a supercar that combines pedigree motor racing technology with excellent everyday utility, and maximum performance with minimum consumption.

Click past the jump to read our review and find out.

Video: Chris Harris Drives Pre-Production Porsche 918 Spyder

Now this is a ride we have been waiting to see for a very long time!

Chris Harris - our favorite presenters when it comes to reviewing performance cars - was invited by Porsche to test a pre-production version of the 918 Spyder. Of course, when you receive an invitation like this, you forget the fact that you are not testing the finished car, that there is no time to prepare and that you only get three laps in the driver’s seat; you just take the first plane and go for the quick spin.

So, what do you think, was Harris impressed by the upcoming 918 Spyder? We bet he was, after all the 918 Spyder is powered by a V-8 engine combined with a pair of electric engines, one powering the front axle and one on the rear.

This system delivers a total of 887 horsepower and 920 pound-feet of torque and sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and up to a top speed of 202 mph.

One of our favorite parts was watching the Porsche rep in the passenger’s seat as Harris whipped the crap out of the Automaker’s £20 million project. It looked like he was on the verge of tears at certain points.

James Eastwood Sheds Some More Light on the Porsche 918 Spyder

In a recent interview with British magazine CAR, Porsche’s product manager James Eastwood offered new details on the company’s new limited-edition supercar: the 918 Spyder. According to Eastwood, the company has no plans in transforming the 918 Spyder into a competitor for models like LaFerrari or McLaren P1.

Eastwood said that the 918 Spyder is heavier at 3,747 pounds and a little less powerful, but more fuel efficient than both the other two supercars. Also, he said that in “certain conditions” the 918 Spyder will be a little bit faster than the P1 and Laferrari. It will be especially faster in and out of corners, thanks to its Torque Vectoring.

The 918 Spyder will also be offered with the same four-wheel-steering system we saw in the GT3; in fact, the system was developed for the 918 and adopted to the GT3.

The 918 Spyder is priced at about $845,000 for the base model, or $929,000 when equipped with the Weissach Package. Even with the price hike, half of the customer opted for this package because it reduces the car’s total weight by 110 pounds. Eastwood confirmed one more time that even though the model is still not sold out like the other two supercars, the company is not worried that it won’t manage to sell them all.

Click past the jump to read more about the Porsche 918 Spyder.

2002 Manta Porsche by OK-Chiptuning

The Porsche 911 is in its sixth generation (991), but for most Porsche fans the real 911 is the 996 series - especially if you consider the body hasn’t changed that much since then and that was the first 911 with a water-cooled engine.

With this in mind, German tuner OK-Chiptuning unveiled the Manta Porsche tuning kit. If you were wondering where the name comes from, the answer is rather strange: the kit was inspired by the cult classic model Opel Manta developed between 1970 and 1988.

The kit is based on a 996 Turbo model, which in standard form, delivers a total of 360 horsepower. However, for the Manta Porsche kit, the tuner managed to squeeze an amazing 650 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque from its six-cylinder engine.

In order to obtain this amazing increase, the tuner offers a K24-Turbolader, a GT2-RS air cooler, larger injection valves and a higher-flow fuel pump. There is also a Sachs-Performance-clutch and an exhaust system with continuous 70 mm (2.75 inches) tubes.

Click past the jump to read more about the Manta Porsche by OK-Chiptuning.

Next Porsche 911 GT2 to go Beyond 200 mph

Now that Porsche has officially unveiled the new-generation 911 Turbo, it’s time to start wondering what the next GT2 version will bring to the lineup. According to British magazine AutoCar, things are going to be more than surprising.

The GT2 will borrow technology from the Turbo S, including the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six engine that delivers a total of 552 horsepower. The engine will mate to a dual-clutch automatic gearbox and will sprint the sports car from 0 to 60 mph in just 3 seconds. Additionally, the upcoming GT2’s top speed is expected to go beyond 200 mph. Things will be even more impressive for the GT2 RS version, which is rumored to deliver around 620 horsepower.

Also, when compared to the current Turbo S, the future GT2 version will ditch the four-wheel drive system in favor of a rear-wheel drive one.

The new 911 GT2 is set to arrive at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show with the RS version rumored to debut sometime in 2015.

Click past the jump to read more about the recently launched Porsche 911 Turbo S.

2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel S by TECHART

At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, TECHART unveiled cool aerodynamic kit based on the diesel version of the new Porsche Cayenne S. The model displayed in Geneva featured a deep-black metallic paint combined with a black leather interior and a new set of wheels, sized 23 inches with light-green applications. However, each customer can opt from a wide selection of colors and materials.

The aerodynamic kit includes a three-part front spoiler with integrated air outlets for a better cooling, a new carbon-fiber aero hood with integrated double-sided air outlets, a new front apron and side skirts, a roof spoiler and a rear apron with integrated diffuser and two reflectors. TECHART is also offering a Lighting Package that includes twin headlights with LED or halogen lights.

When it comes to wheel choices, customers will have a wide selection to choose from: Formula 5-spoke light-alloy wheels ranging from 20 to 23 inches or Formula III 5-spoke forged light-alloy wheels sized 21 or 22 inches. The tuner is also offering a new sport exhaust system that will further improve the diesel engine’s sound.

For the interior, the tuner is offers high-quality materials, exotic woods or carbon and lots of individual colors.

Just months after unveiling the base kit, Porsche has added in an engine tune that includes the tuner’s TA 058/SD1 powerkit. When you press the “Sport” button in the center console, this powerkit bumps the Diesel S’s power by 38 horsepower to a full 420 ponies and 73 pound-feet of torque to 700 pound-feet. This helps drop the SUV’s 0-to-100 km/h (62 mph) time to 5.2 seconds – 0.5 seconds faster than the stock time – and increase top speed by 4 km /h (2.48 mph) to 256 km/h (159.07 mph).

Also added in is TECHART’s TECHTRONIC system that improves acceleration and driving dynamics without interfering with the standard control software.

Submit an inquiry to TECHART for pricing and delivery times.

UPDATE 5/12/2013: TECHART has released a new engine tune for the Cayenne Diesel S

2013 Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible

Now that Porsche officially unveiled the new generation 911 Turbo Coupe it’s time to focus on the convertible version that is set to arrive a few months later. As no surprise, the convertible version will feature the same design language and technology features as the coupe version.

The new-generation 911 Turbo is the widest model of entire 911 lineup, as it is about 28 mm (1.10 inches) wider than the 911 Carrera 4. Additionally, it receives a new all-wheel-drive system, active rear-axle steering and adaptive aerodynamics.

Up front, the new 911 Turbo Convertible receives a new front fascia with redesigned headlamps and larger air intakes, new full-LED headlights that feature four-point daytime running lights. For the rear, you will see new taillights and a new exhaust system with four tailpipes. The convertible version will also feature a soft top that allows buyers to cruise with the top down.

Under the hood, the 911 Turbo Convertible receives a turbocharged 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 520 horsepower in the standard model and 560 horsepower in the S version.

Updated 05/10/2013: Today we have a new rendering for you, inspired by the new generation 911 Turbo Coupe revealed the other days. Enjoy!

2013 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Martini Racing

The world of motor racing has seen many cross-industry partnerships, but when it comes to Porsche’s racing history, there are two brands that are normally associated with it: Gulf and Martini.

The latter, in particular, has had a long partnership with the German automaker that dates back to 1968. Since then, Porsche racecars dressed in the iconic Martini Racing livery has become the stuff of legends.

With the Italian multinational alcoholic beverage company celebrating its 150th anniversary, it was only right to bring back its racing colors and return to racing.

And it did so with the return of the Martini livery on the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup when it competes in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Barcelona, Spain. The car itself will be driven by nine-time world rally champion Sébastien Loeb. Loeb will compete in the first two races, while a still-to-be-determined driver will take the reins of the Porsche racer at a third race later this year.

It goes without saying that Martini Racing’s involvement is not only a way of celebrating its esteemed history as one of the premier alcoholic brands in the world, but also as a hat tip to the bygone days when the two companies won multiple titles together, including a handful of Le Mans 24 hours victories.

As for the car itself, the 911 GT3 Cup is a bonafide bad-boy, built and designed for racing purposes and anchored by a 3.8-liter flat-six engine that produces 460 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque while mated to a six-speed "dog type" transmission. The racecar’s performance numbers allow it to hit 0-to-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 193 mph.

Click past the jump to check out other vehicles dressed up in Martini Racing livery