If a factory standard Porsche Taycan with options just isn’t special or impressive enough for you as a customer, fear not, get in touch with TECHART and you will end up with a completely bespoke, one-of-a-kind bespoke TECHART Taycan, and I have to admit … she looks great, both on the outside and on the inside.
To create the new aerodynamic kit for the Porsche Taycan, TECHART combined the old with the new, the styling package was designed in virtual reality, but they still made an artisan clay model, finalizing details in state-of-the-art 3D modeling before taking the design into the wind tunnel and real-life track proving ground.
TECHART calls it their ‘Premium Individualization’ program, and while they offer their new front bumper, side sills, and rear diffuser, which alter the styling of this all-electric Porsche only mildly, their press release states the customer can specify bespoke options for the new TECHART Formula VI forged aluminum wheels.
The TECHART Formula VI wheels come in 10.0 x 22-inch (front) and 11.5 x 22-inch (rear) and boast slender spokes with low weight, they are available in a two-tone grey with polished spokes, black with polished spokes, but also any custom color the customer specifies, and in case you are wondering, there is also a TECHART Formula VI Race version … with a central locking system, but that’s not available for the Porsche Taycan.
While the aero package from TECHART has a very subtle look on the Porsche Taycan, their interior modifications lift this car into a totally different segment, the factory standard cockpit looks beautiful as is, but a TECHART interior takes it into a class of its own with special leather and Alcantara, custom stitching, special piping, and the most impressive embroidery and embossing seen on a Taycan.
This truly is a Tailor-made interior, TECHART manufactory and saddlery offers the owners of the all-electric sportscar a wide-ranging and handcrafted individualization program, with high-grade leather interior or a combination of sporty Alcantara and leather, the demo car they created comes with a stunning combination of perforated leather and Alcantara combined with contrasting piping.
But there is a fascinating ‘shimmer’ effect visible on these seats, TECHART will fit a contrast color underneath the perforated honeycomb pattern that will show through in a very impressive manner, the iconic TECHART logotype is not only embroidered on the seats in matching colors but even more impressively it’s also embossed on the door trim, in the headrest, and on the floor mats … which looks magnificent.
This demo car comes with a honeycomb perforation on an all-black upholstery, but TECHART offers an endless variety of customized perforation structures of the leather which can be specified in a plethora of different colors too, while the signature feature for the TECHART interior in the Porsche Taycan is a bespoke steering wheel.
The TECHART sports steering wheel comes with a top-center ring, the driving mode switch at the lower-right, and the fitting screws in a contrasting color, and you can still custom order any combination of painted spokes, leather on the rim combined with Alcantara. But again the option of carbon fiber is also possible, as is matching pipings and stitching on the steering wheel. To make it really stand out you can even get the perforation pattern from the seats applied to the steering wheel too, all while retaining the factory standard features such as multifunction, paddle shifts, and steering wheel heating.
March 17, 2021 / Comments Off on Taycan by TECHART
British design studio ILOVEDUST commemorates its 17th year in business in high, dirty, automotive style with its own version of an art car. They took a 964 era 911, coated it in matte black paint…
The electric Porsche Taycan sedan now has a more fetching, more rugged brother, and it’s a freakin’ wagon, to boot. The new 2021 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo looks largely the same as the Taycan from…
The new Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo has just been introduced last week, but we all know there was a long path before this new model from Porsche was ready to face the world, development, simulation, prototyping, and usually several hundreds of thousands of test miles, usually in a camouflaged test mule.
But Porsche wanted to do things differently with the Taycan Cross Turismo, so they decided to hand over the keys of one of their priceless prototypes to selected journalists from various countries, this car would be taken to an intercontinental test drive over five countries during which the car would go into five different climate zones … the ultimate real-world test run.
The intention was to take this new Porsche model straight into its five most important markets, combining extreme heat and cold with various surfaces, the Taycan Cross Turismo is intended to be capable off-road too, so why not have journalists actually drive a pre-production prototype on the street, in the snow, and in the desert … because that’s what the final customer will be doing too … right?
First up was a stint in the deserts of the United States, after that the Porsche would be sent to Norway, during the winter while everything is frozen up there. The third country was the United Kingdom, where the Taycan Cross Turismo was taken onto mud and gravel that poses its own kind of challenges for a car like this. They even took the car into Amsterdam in the Netherlands, to test how this electric Porsche would handle narrow, old cobble-stone streets in real life.
And it wouldn’t be a Porsche if she didn’t perform well on the German Autobahn, where there are still stretches to be found that have no speed limit, they are getting rare in Germany too, but if you look for them, there are still really nice parts of the German highway system where you can really put your foot to the metal and go all-out … at your own risk naturally.
As the Cross Turismo is a development of the already proven Porsche Taycan sedan, the test went without any major issues, this was a late prototype, which made things a little less worrying for Mayk Wienkötter, Spokesperson Taycan & E-Mobility, they had so much confidence in their new car after it traveled five countries and apparently didn’t even get a carwash, it was this very prototype that was driven onto the stage for the live international launch event.
“To us, it made perfect sense because you always have these super shiny cars on stage at world premieres,” Wienkötter explains, “so to have a dirty and partially camouflaged car is much more eye-catching. It’s been on different continents, in different climate zones, and on different surfaces, and has collected different types of dirt and grime – all of which we wanted to preserve to tell the story of the car.”
March 6, 2021 / Comments Off on Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo shakedown
Porsche is doing its part to save the wagon from becoming extinct by unveiling a long-roof version of the Taycan electric sedan. In a couple of days, the Mission E Cross Turismo concept will officially celebrate three years since its reveal. But the team from Zuffenhausen did not wait for its anniversary to unveil its production counterpart.
The 2022 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is a true ‘all-around’ vehicle that traverses over any terrain it lands on. It has been multi-continent tested to the fullest on snow, desert sand, paved highways, cobblestone streets, muddy trails, and gravel roads. At the Taycan Cross Turismo unveiling, it came to the stage covered in dirt and elements collected from its extensive testing.
2021 Will See Four Taycan Cross Turismo Variants
The 2022 Taycan Cross Turismo will come standard with a Performance Battery Plus which has a capacity of 93kWh. The base model comes with 375hp or 469hp when launch control is on. It will also come with 456km of range on a single charge, capable of charging up to 270kW, which can add 100km of range in just 5 minutes of charging.
The 4S variant will come with 490hp (571hp activated with launch control), and a claimed 0-60 time of 4.1-seconds while speed tops out at 149mph (240km/h).
The Turbo variant will come with 625hp (680hp activated with launch control), and a claimed 0-60 time of 3.3-seconds while speed tops out at 155mph (250km/h).
The flagship Turbo S model will come with a staggering 750hp (560kW) when launch control is activated and maintains a zero to 60 time of 2.9-seconds with a top speed of 155mph (250km/h)
Coming Standard with Comfort
All Taycan Cross Turismo models will come standard with active air-suspension, supplementing 20mm of extra ground clearance when compared to the standard Porsche Taycan. An optional offroad package will see that clearance raise to 30mm.
The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is that of practical nature and for those that want the option to live life to the fullest. It comes with loads of cargo space (15.7cu-ft in the 4 and 4S variants) and plenty of headroom thanks to the Porsche’s body transformation.
The Taycan Cross Turismo will be available from dealers this summer and we can not wait.
But Wait, There’s More!
How could we forget to mention Porsche’s two slick new carbon fiber e-Bikes they shared in the Livestream?
These electric-assisted bicycles come packed with the best parts you can get on a bicycle. The ‘Sport’ version will come with a Shimano EP8 motor, Shimano electric shifting, a carbon frame, a color display and will weigh in at just 48 pounds.
The ‘Cross’ variant will come with a Shimano XT mechanical drivetrain, Magura forks, Crank Bros dropper post, and a Fox Racing rear shock all fixed to its carbon fiber frame. These two bikes will be available for purchase this spring.
March 4, 2021 / Comments Off on Porsche Unveils the All-electric Taycan Cross Turismo in Livestream
CLARIFICATION: An earlier version of this Reuters story said Porsche could raise its stake in Rimac to nearly 50%, but Rimac reached out to Autoblog to say that’s not so. Here is a statement from Mate Rimac:
“We have a very strong partnership with Porsche that is key for Rimac Automobili. Porsche is a shareholder in Rimac since 2018 with 15.5% ownership currently, accumulated over several rounds of investment. While it is true that we are discussing further expansion of this collaboration that will lead to increase of Porsche’s stake in Rimac Automobili, some media have mistakenly reported that Porsche would take over 50% or nearly 50% of the company.
We are very happy that the partnership with Porsche will strengthen even further, but it is in the interest of both Rimac and Porsche that Rimac is a fully independent company. We are working with many car companies that are not our shareholders and there is a clear separation between shareholding and projects. It is very important to us that our industry customers have the peace of mind that Rimac is independent and that there is an “Information Firewall” between projects and shareholders (not only Porsche, but also Hyundai and others) – and this will not change. Confidentiality is very valued in the industry and one of the basics for collaboration between companies. Our shareholders are happy with such an arrangement and expect the same level of professional behaviour and confidentiality for their projects and customer projects.
So, the point is: Porsche’s stake will increase but nowhere near to 50% and Rimac will remain independent with many industry customers that are not our shareholders/investors.”
The original story, with the 50% reference removed, appears below.
FRANKFURT — Volkswagen unit Porsche is participating in a financing round of Rimac Automobili that will see the electric supercar maker raise 130 million-150 million euros ($157 million-$181 million), its owner Mate Rimac told weekly Automobilwoche.
The fundraising should be completed in two to three months and another round is planned at the end of the year, Rimac told the trade journal.
Porsche owns a 15.5% stake in Rimac Automobili and could raise its stake in a deal that would also include the transfer of Volkswagen’s supercar brand Bugatti to Rimac, Automobilwoche said.
Volkswagen and Rimac were not immediately available for comment on Sunday.
Porsche Chief Executive Oliver Blume said earlier this month that intense discussions on Bugatti’s future were ongoing and that Rimac could play a role as the brands were a good technological fit, adding that a decision was expected in the first half of 2021.
Rimac has developed an electric supercar platform, which it supplies to other carmakers, including Automobili Pininfarina.
“Supercars have a limited market, the market for components is much bigger. That is why we are planning to expand our company,” Rimac told Automobilwoche.
That includes plans to more than double Rimac Automobili’s workforce by early 2023 to 2,500 from 1,000 currently, he said.
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February 28, 2021 / Comments Off on UPDATE: Porsche could raise its stake in Rimac, and Rimac weighs in
The Porsche Taycan range is expanding, it all began with the bang and ballistic battery power of the Taycan Turbo S and Turbo before the 4S joined the family. The latest offering is the Taycan, just Taycan. The big news is that it is the first rear-wheel-drive model liberating the front axel of a significant 90kg. Porsche marked the introduction of the car by casually setting a new world record for the longest drift at a lengthy 41km.
It costs £70,690, which is close to £13,000 less than a Taycan 4S or about half the price of a Taycan Turbo S (and they look identical…). For that you’ve got 321bhp from its single rear motor with 402bhp on overboost. Fork out another £4k and you can have 375bhp with a temporary 469bhp on overboost. Range will also climb from a 431 to 484 kilometres. 0-100km/h is achieve in 5.4-seconds with the bigger battery.
Zaid H – Taycan
5.4 is not exactly ferocious speed, is it? Well, no. The base Taycan doesn’t have that neck snapping acceleration the world has come to expect from EVs, but that isn’t all bad. I’ve had the honour of piloting every variant of the Taycan and the Turbo(S) models deploy monumental speed in such a savage manner that it is almost impossible to use it on the public road. In the latest Taycan, this isn’t the case. You can plant your right foot and be satisfied knowing that you’re using all of the oomph on tap. You can exploit all the car has to offer without finding yourself in jail.
Fitted with smaller 19-inch wheels and optional PASM air suspension in conjunction with acoustically insulated laminated glass, this Taycan is a fantastic cruiser. When not focusing on the insane speed which other Taycans are capable of demonstrating, you focus on different elements of the driving experience. You are absorbed by and relish the tranquility and technology. There is regeneration under braking but you wouldn’t notice this when you’re hitting the pedal, feel is uncorrupted. One pedal driving is difficult as the force of the regen is rather mild and not configurable as it is in other EVs.
Taycan Dynamic
The screens in the Taycan are sublime. The curved driver’s display is a masterpiece that I found mesmerising. This is a seriously comfortable car to cover vast distances in. That’s not to say it cannot be quick when you need it to be. Yes, you’ll need to look for a bigger gap for overtakes, but it still has that ‘point and squirt’ instant torque. It’s agile too, assuming you remember that it weighs 2,130kgs DIN. The steering provides good feel and is well weighted. The seating position is as good as a 911’s and the infotainment is the best in class.
If only my experiences outside of the car were as good as those within the plush cabin. The charging infrastructure in the UK is abysmal and does a disservice to the Taycan and its marvellous refinement and quality. It will get better, hopefully soon.
Taycan Details & Interior
Porsche GB have just started their own charging network across the UK meaning there will be fast, easy to use chargers. You’ll also be able to have a look around the Porsches on offer instead of a boring service station.
For most people the entry level Taycan will suit all of their needs with a significant saving over the rest of the range. However, if I was in the market for a Taycan it would have to be the 4S as it offers more of the allure of EVs with 530bhp and shocking acceleration (4.0 to 100). I can’t comment on the true hooligan facets of the rear wheel drive Taycan as the car I was driving (Coffee Beige) was not fitted with the optional torque vectoring rear differential. Perhaps that will add a touch of excitement to the Taycan. For now, the base Taycan is all that you could need from an EV and it’s a very good one by any measure.
Taycan Rear Wheel Drive
February 23, 2021 / Comments Off on 2021 Porsche Taycan (Rear Wheel Drive) Review
Anyone who followed the ‘World Championship of Makes’ (essentially an International championship for long-distance Sports Car racing), will remember their surprise at the shape of the new Porsche 935 when it first appeared at Mugello in March 1976. Subsequently, these ‘Flatnose’ 935s and 936s (in Group 6) were to prove very competitive in the hands of Ickx, Mass and Stommelen and during the next two seasons managed four victories in eight World Championship races and a triumph at Le Mans in each year.
However, Porsche began to worry that all these victories by the works Flatnose cars might alienate the vast number of private clients who were investing their own money in conventionally-shaped competition 911s, and decided to restrict their efforts for 1978 to an entry at Le Mans.
The distinctive look of the “Flachbau” (literally translated as Low Build) obviously retained its appeal in the minds of their road car customers and, from 1981 until early 1989, Porsche 930 Turbo buyers could specify their car in this style to special order. Just 50 ‘C16’ cars were manufactured for the UK-market, initially equipped with an uprated engine of 330bhp (from 300) mated to a 4-speed transmission. However, at the end of 1988, the uprated 5-Speed G50 gearbox was introduced, dramatically easing the peaks in power delivery by reducing the effects of ‘turbo-lag’. The factory SE also benefited from a dual-exit exhaust system, limited-slip differential, heated front seats and a sunroof.
This example is a genuine, factory-produced, C-16, Porsche 930 Turbo SE G50 Cabriolet built in 1989 under the ‘Sonderwunchprogramm’ (Special Wishes Programme). It’s superbly finished in White Pearl with a matching leather interior and has covered just 33,168 miles in the hands of three private owners prior to spending time in two of the highest-profile exclusive collections in the UK since 2014.
It’s supplied with an extensive history file detailing expenditure of over £45,000 lavished on this stunning Porsche during 2017 to ensure that it presents today in the best possible condition for an enthusiast or collector alike. The history file also contains all its previous MOTs and the service book displays sixteen service stamps helping to corroborate the indicated mileage.
With only seven C-16 examples of this specific model produced in 1989, this really is the ‘Holy Grail’ when considering a 930 and we would welcome any inspection of this rather special Porsche.
The Right Hand Drive on this specific Porsche might limit the possible market for it, but I still think Silverstone Auctions will find a buyer for this one, I personally really love this generation of Porsche, and a Slantnose Convertible is just the ultimate one … I even had a 1/18 scale model of this exact spec, white on white … but it was a LHD.
February 20, 2021 / Comments Off on Porsche 930 Turbo SE G50 ‘Flachbau’ Cabriolet
This Porsche Type 301 10″ Knife comes in. With a refined Japanese steel blade and an ergonomic stainless handle, this knife make slicing, dicing and chopping as easy as ever so you can prepare restaurant…
The head of the Taycan model line, Stefan Weckbach, took on very mildly camouflaged Porsche onto the open roads around Waissach for some real-world testing … boasting a long roofline combined with an increased ride height. And while the front looks like the Porsche Taycan, the rest looks more like the Mission E Cross Turismo concept from 2018.
This is the brand new Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, a car for those people that love the Taycan, but need some more space and versatility … this Cross Turismo feels at home on the city streets, but also out in the country on sand roads, and while this model comes with increased ground clearance, it’s not a replacement for a Cayenne … the Cross Turismo is intended to be able to cross gravel roads and some mild off-roading, it even comes with bespoke CUV (Cross Utility Vehicle) driving modes.
Compared to the Porsche Taycan you’ll immediately notice the extended roofline, making it look like a sporty estate, but they also added roof rails for practicality, the rear seats are more spacious and the luggage area has been enlarged to create the Cross Turismo, this is the first all-electric cross utility vehicle from Porsche.
Until now the Taycan Cross Turismo was a closely kept secret beyond the walls of Weissach and the Taycan production line in Zuffenhausen, but the appeal of Porsche’s first all-electric sports saloon will only grow now, taking the Taycan (of which 20,000 units were sold during the first year of production) onto a different market segment, customers who want to take this all-electric Cross Turismo off the streets, onto the open fields.
February 19, 2021 / Comments Off on Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo on the road
The announcement of a new 911 always gets us excited. The announcement of a new 911 GT3 is downright excitement-city for days on end. It has been two days since the announcement of the new 911 GT3 and we decided to go through the color options and see which one we would pick. Frankly, nothing crazy here in terms of color options. Shark Blue and Lava Orange are clearly the colors to choose if you want to make an entrance, but for us, we would go a little more subdued. Give us a GT3 in Agate Grey or Chalk and we will be happy forever.
Porsche 911 GT3 In Agate Grey (Metallic)Porsche 911 GT3 In Black (Standard)Porsche 911 GT3 In Carrera White (Metallic)Porsche 911 GT3 In Chalk (Special)Porsche 911 GT3 In Dolomite Silver (Metallic)Porsche 911 GT3 In Gentian Blue (Metallic)Porsche 911 GT3 In GT Silver (Metallic)Porsche 911 GT3 In Guards Red (Standard)Porsche 911 GT3 In Jet Black (Metallic)Porsche 911 GT3 In Lava Orange (Special)Porsche 911 GT3 In Python Green (Special)Porsche 911 GT3 In Racing Yellow (Standard)Porsche 911 GT3 In Shark Blue (Special)Porsche 911 GT3 In White (Standard)
February 18, 2021 / Comments Off on The Full List of New Porsche 911 GT3 Colors
Last year, Marc Philipp Gemballa, the eponymous supercar company started by Uwe Gemballa’s son, said it would build a heavily modified 911 Turbo S inspired by the Porsche 959 Dakar Rally cars. Based on the official render and past announcement, it will have retro-inspired body work and the ability to drive fast even on rough dirt roads. Since last year’s announcement, the company has developed a number of partnerships for development, and the latest was announced this week: RUF.
Yes, the legendary Porsche tuner and supercar builder is working with MPG to develop the engine for what the company is only calling “Project Sandbox.” It will be based on the 911 Turbo S engine, which starts with 640 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. MPG and RUF say that the upgraded one will make more than 750 horsepower and 686 pound-feet of torque. The MPG car won’t be the only car to benefit, though, as the company said that RUF’s upgrades will be available for owners of regular 911 Turbo S cars looking for more power.
Other major automotive partners helping develop the MPG Project Sandbox include KW Automotive, Michelin, Akrapovic, VELA Performance and KLK Motorsport. The finished car will be revealed this spring, and production will begin later this year. MPG will build 40 examples, and the 10 first edition models have already been sold.
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February 18, 2021 / Comments Off on Marc Philipp Gemballa’s 959-inspired supercar will have an engine tuned by RUF
If names like 911 Extremo, Avalanche, Mirage GT, or MIG-U1 ring a bell, you probably know Uwe Gemballa’s creations from the past, back in the Eighties two famous families already partnered up to create some of the world’s most impressive Porsche engines, Uwe Gemballa and Alois Ruf … today these families join forces again.
Uwe’s son, Marc Philipp Gemballa (not associated with Gemballa GmbH) set up his own company to create an off-road capable sportscar based on the Porsche 992 Turbo S, and he’s going to partner up with RUF Automobile GmbH for the creation of an upgraded engine … the Porsche sourced six-cylinder boxer unit will be tuned to deliver over 750 hp and 970 Nm of torque.
This new Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH car is called the ‘Sandbox Project, powered by RUF’, and while the car hasn’t been officially launched on the market, ten units are already sold simply based on 3D-renders. This will be the first project from this young entrepreneur takes the famous Porsche 959 ‘Paris-Dakar’ racecar and reimagines it as a new off-road supercar.
“We enjoy working with my father’s trusted business partners. Many of them rank among today’s leading suppliers in the automotive industry, and in addition to their decades of experience, they know the standards we strive for and perfectly understand what matters. My father trusted the technical expertise as well as the high-quality standards and the well-proven working methods of Alois Ruf. Consequently, the choice to partner with RUF Automobile for the engine development was a natural decision for us. I am pleased that we can continue this very special friendship and partnership”, says Marc Philipp Gemballa
An official World Premiere is scheduled for Spring 2021, but only 40 units will be built of the Sandbox, powered by RUF, and the initial ten units are even more special ‘Launch Edition’ models, these are all sold out already, only the remaining 30 units are still available … no MSRP has been listed, however.
Marc, now 27, starts a new era with his company Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH, exactly ten years after his father, Uwe Gemballa passed away, being raised with supercars around him, he worked at companies like Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche … but now he intends to create the next evolution of supercars, not just a focus on extreme high hp figures, or being the fastest on the ‘Green Hell’ track … his Sandbox vision is a supercar that can be taken off-road … just like the legendary Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar cars.
After two years of development, he created a contemporary supercar with an almost timeless design, offering comfort and daily driving possibility for a road car that can be taken off-road too, to build his vision Marc gets the support of his father’s worldwide network of clients, dealers, suppliers, and partners. Alan Derosier as a designer, KW Automotive for the suspension, RUF Automobile for the engine work, Michelin to supply the tires, world-renowned Akrapovič for the exhaust, VELA Performance as an engineering partner, and KLK Motorsport as aerodynamic specialists.
February 18, 2021 / Comments Off on The return of Gemballa?
Porsche have taken out the new 992 GT3 on the Nürburgring and managed to do a lap in 06:59:93 min
Porsche takes the new 911 GT3 off the leash. The seventh edition of this high-performance sports car was also developed in close collaboration with Porsche Motorsport. It transfers pure racing technology into a production model even more consistently than ever before. With a top speed of 320 km/h and 318 km/h with PDK it is even faster than the previous 911 GT3 RS. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. It clearly isn’t just straight-line fast, because a sub 7 minute Nürburgring lap time is pretty amazing.
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February 17, 2021 / Comments Off on Watch the New Porsche 911 GT3 Crack A 06:59:93 Nürburgring Lap
Earlier today, Porsche unveiled its new 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 via digital livestream on YouTube. First deliveries are currently scheduled to begin sometime in the later half of 2021, where it may likely be designated as a 2022 model. This new GT3 becomes the seventh iteration of one of Porsche’s most established and beloved automobiles. More importantly, it continues to embody the spirit of previous GT3 models by amalgamating all that is awesome about the 911 – and the Porsche brand – in a single road car.
The first Porsche bigwig introduced by presenter Sarah Elsser to offer insight into the project, was Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser – former Porsche-Motorsport chief and current VP of the 911 model line. Dr. Walliser began by speaking candidly about the pressures associated with perpetually improving the GT3, but felt that the development team has fulfilled this goal with hard work; all of this, while facing the monumental challenge of navigating stricter emissions regulations and an industry-wide transition to EVs.
Andreas Preuninger – Director of Porsche’s GT program – was the next appear, first by driving the GT3 from behind the curtains and onto the stage, while making sure to throw in a few revs of the engine to excite the viewers. Once out of the car, he immediately reiterates the tremendous undertaking that was required to create the 992 GT3 , stating that it was “…the most complex, demanding task over the last three and a half years…” but asserts that “…the end product is the most extreme and exciting GT3 ever made.”
Finally, testimonials by Porsche racing legends Jörg Bergmeister, Lars Kern and Walter Röhrl really hit home just how incredible the car is, from sources that are as credible as it gets. All of them were particularly impressed by how much an improvement the car was compared to its predecessors, justifying the earlier proclamations made by Walliser and Preuninger.
Below are some key takeaways from the presentation.
Presentation Synopsis
Walliser: He talks about improving the naturally-aspirated engine, aerodynamics, chassis and suspension for the 992 GT3. Aside from the obvious technical features needed to make the GT3 better than ever, Walliser displays his deep-rooted understanding of driving enjoyment, depicting how important it was to preserve the spirit of the GT3 car from previous years, and “…bring this baby to life”.
To him, the GT3 is the 911. This is something he says “…can be immediately understood when driving in the countryside, or at the race track. That is the essence of the GT3 and what has made it so special over all the years.”
Getting back into the technical side of things, Dr. Walliser would go on to iterate that while the new GT3 has a bigger footprint, the extensive use of lightweight materials throughout have kept the weight the same as its predecessor. He glosses over a number or items, such as a carbon-fiber roof, carbon-fiber hood and ultra-thin glass, which Preuninger would go into a bit more detail later on.
Preuninger: When speaking about the technical details of the GT3, Preuninger starts by mentioning the 4.0L naturally-aspirated engine with a 9,000 rpm redline, which carries over from its predecessor with some improvements. The 510 PS (502 hp) engine he says, is “…one of the most emotionally involving engines out there.”
But the enhancements don’t stop there. “Bigger wheels, bigger brakes, wider rims.” In normal circumstances, this means more weight, which he addresses by stating “It’s a little bigger…a little bit more competent. It needed some lightweight trickery to keep the weight down, and that is dispersed all over the car. So, all boxes ticked.”
How is this achieved? He points to the carbon-fiber hood, roof and rear wing mentioned earlier by Walliser. Also introduced were some things that weren’t shown up close, such as a super lightweight battery, lighter wheels, carbon-fiber cross members, lightweight interior appointments, etc. The weight reduction was very much an exercise of shedding “5 kg here, another 1 kg there, 3 kg somewhere else, and so on”.
The end result is a weight of just 1,435 kg, hitting the “sweet spot for a driver’s car and perfect track tool for the weekend.” Essentially, the 992 GT3 has achieved the same weight as its predecessor, but is loaded with a lot more technology. For the first time, a double wishbone suspension configuration is used in the front of the car. One of the most visually notable changes is the swan-neck rear wing derived from the 911 RSR competition car, which further emphasizes the link between Porsche’s race cars and its road cars. “What works on a race car, works on a street car, doesn’t it?”
Bergmeister: “Obviously, as a race car driver, when you get in a street car you have to lower your expectations. But on that car especially, I was shocked, how good it is… it’s so close to a race car, it’s really, really impressive.” As part of a response during the Q&A session, Bergmeister remarked that the GT3 impressed him most in the high speed sections of the Nürburgring, and that it was comparable to the 991.2 GT3 RS. “It hardly pitches when you brake, transition phases are very neutral. It has more downforce. It is the best street car we’ve ever driven in our lives“.
The 992 GT3 achieved a sub-7-minute (6:59.927) lap time at the Nürburgring. This is an absolutely insane, 17-seconds-faster than its predecessor and essentially the same time as the 991.2 GT3 RS, backing up all statements made by Bergmeister, Kern and Röhrl. This also sets the tone for the soon-to-follow GT3 RS – will a 6:40 lap time be possible?! Shortly after the livestream, Porsche uploaded onboard footage at the Nordschleife with Lars Kern behind the wheel, as well as the official ad for the car.
Engine & Performance
Engine Type & Size: 4.0L naturally-aspirated flat-6
Horsepower: 502 hp @ 8,400 rpm
Torque: 346 lb-ft @ 6,250 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK, 6-speed manual
0-60 mph: 3.2 seconds (PDK), 3.7 seconds (manual)
Top Speed: 197 mph
Porsche has continued the use of the naturally-aspirated 4.0L 9A1 flat-6 power plant in the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3. The only key differences between the engine used in the race car and the one used in the 992 GT3, are the exhaust system and ECU. Otherwise, the two engines share virtually all the same components, such as individual throttle bodies. As such, the new GT3 needed no “sound engineering” and inherently sounds amazing. With its astronomical 9,000 rpm redline, the GT3 produces 502 hp @ 8,400 rpm and 346 lb-ft of torque @ 6,250 rpm.
The GT3 will continue using the 7-speed PDK transmission, instead of a version of the 8-speed used in the rest of the 992 line-up. In essence, this saves weight (40 lbs) and makes for a better synergy with the GT3 and its intended application. But if you’d like a more hands-on approach, Porsche will offer the new GT3 with an optional 6-speed manual transmission as well.
Purists, rejoice! Walliser said that we shouldn’t count on the GT3 going electric or even hybrid, anytime too soon. It is much more likely that Porsche will transition to using synthetic fuels for motorsport and its GT line of production cars, before even considering going full-on EV. This aligns with Porsche’s intention to keep the naturally-aspirated engine alive for as long as possible – regulations and emissions standards will serve as the eventual ultimatum.
Chassis & Handling
Aerodynamics & Weight Reduction
The new 992 GT3 spent more than 160 hours across 700 simulation sessions in the wind tunnel. It generates 50% more downforce than its predecessor, and up to 150% more downforce in its “high downforce” setting. For the first time, the GT3 features an adjustable front diffuser and a fully closed rear diffuser, which on its own generates 60 kg of downforce at top speed. This means that now, both front and rear aerodynamic components are fully adjustable and can be manually set to one of four positions.
Its low weight of just 1,435 kg is achieved with a myriad lightweight components. This is includes a carbon-fiber hood, roof and rear wing, along with other items such as a super lightweight battery, lighter wheels, ultra-thin glass, carbon-fiber cross members, and lightweight interior appointments. Essentially, the 992 GT3 has achieved the same weight as its predecessor, but is loaded with a lot more technology.
Suspension & Chassis Control Systems
Porsche’s seventh iteration of the GT3, shows an unwavering dedication to the precision that has influenced the GT line of cars since day one. Inspired by the 2013 911 RSR competition car, the 2022 911 GT3 will receive a new front suspension setup consisting of unequal-length control arms instead of conventional struts, making it the first time a double wishbone suspension configuration is used in the front of a GT3. This will provide better tire contact through turns and during moments of compression and rebounding. Porsche’s new adaptive dampers are capable of adjusting every 10 milliseconds, which means the spring rates have doubled without affecting the ride quality of the GT3.
There are three available driving modes: Normal, Sport and Track ,which all provide varying degrees of driver-aid involvement and chassis settings. Aside from providing the most firm, performance-biased setup with the least amount of computer-control, initiating Track mode also changes the instrumentation and displays to “Track View”. This compiles all pertinent information to the immediate field-of-view of the driver. Important details such as oil temperature, oil pressure, tire pressures and shift indicators, are all in plain sight and easily visible.
Brakes & Tires
Porsche will continue to offer the GT3 standard with cast-iron rotors and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Likewise, upgrading to carbon-ceramic brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, remain as options.
Design, Styling & Interior
Overall, the silhouette of the new 911 GT3 remains a largely familiar one – and that’s not a bad thing. In fact, this is probably great news for Porsche and GT3 enthusiasts, who would contend that there was never anything wrong with the previous GT3 in the first place. One of the most visually notable changes is the “swan-neck” rear wing derived from the 911 RSR competition car, which further emphasizes the link between Porsche’s race cars and its road cars.
The Club Sport Package (roll cage, 4-pt harnesses) will be a no cost option. However, this will probably only be for the European markets. This package was not available on past iterations in North America due to safety regulations. I anticipate that the aftermarket will step-up to fill the void with some quality products, though.
The Touring trim was confirmed by Preuninger, and there’s no reason this won’t be available state-side once again. Though he believes the standard trim is the most complete representation of the GT3, he acknowledges the appeal of the GT3 Touring for the “gentleman” crowd, who want something a bit more understated. He goes on to affirm that the Touring trim is very popular, and will therefore make a definite return for the 992.
Walliser also announced that Paint to Sample (aka, custom paint colors) will be available for the GT3 line-up. The program will commence sometime later this year. On the subject of paint, the new GT3 will be available in 14 standard colors when orders are open.
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“The emotions and the joy of driving. That’s why we desire the car from the heart to the stomach” – Andreas Preuninger
Porsche takes the new 911 GT3 off the leash. The seventh edition of this high-performance sports car was also developed in close collaboration with Porsche Motorsport. It transfers pure racing technology into a production model even more consistently than ever before.
The double wishbone front axle layout and sophisticated aerodynamics with swan neck rear wing and striking diffuser originate from the successful GT race car 911 RSR and the 375 kW (510 PS; 911 GT3: Fuel consumption combined 13.3 – 12.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 304 – 283 g/km) four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine is based on the drivetrain of the 911 GT3 R, tried and tested in endurance racing. The acoustically impressive, high-revving engine is also used practically unchanged in the new 911 GT3 Cup. The result is a brilliant driving machine: efficient and emotional, precise and high-performance – perfect for the circuit and superb for everyday use.
The distinctive strength of the 911 GT3 lies in the sum of its characteristics. With a top speed of 320 km/h (911 GT3 with MT: Fuel consumption combined 13.3 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 304 g/km) and 318 km/h with PDK (911 GT3 with PDK: Fuel consumption combined 12.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 283 g/km) it is even faster than the previous 911 GT3 RS. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Porsche also offers the new model with a six-speed manual transmission for a particularly puristic driving experience.
Aerodynamics from motor racing
The sophisticated aerodynamics benefit from the experiences gained from motor racing and generate significantly more downforce without noticeably affecting the drag coefficient. In the performance position, the manually set wing and diffuser elements significantly increase the aerodynamic pressure for high cornering speeds.
This is the new 911 GT3
This is, however, reserved strictly for outings on the circuit, as it is there that the 911 GT3 can play all its trump cards. During final testing, it lapped the Nuerburgring-Nordschleife, traditionally the ultimate proving ground for all sports cars developed by Porsche, over 17 seconds quicker than its predecessor. Development driver Lars Kern took just 6:59.927 minutes for a full 20.8-kilometre lap. The shorter 20.6-kilometre track, which had previously served as a benchmark, was completed by the 911 GT3 in 6:55.2 minutes. Running on the optionally available Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres, the new model consistently delivered its performance over several laps in the expert hands of Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister. For Bergmeister, it is “by far the best production car” that the experienced professional driver has ever driven in the “Green Hell”.
Despite a wider body, larger wheels and additional technical features, the weight of the new GT3 is on a par with its predecessor. With manual gearbox it weighs 1.418 kilograms, with PDK 1.435 kilograms. The front bonnet made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), lightweight glass windows, optimised brake discs and forged light-alloy wheels ensure weight discipline, as does the cover for the rear seat compartment. The lightweight sports exhaust system reduces the weight by no less than ten kilograms. With infinitely electrically adjustable exhaust flaps, it harmonises a highly emotional sound experience with the Euro 6d ISC FCM (EU6 AP) emissions standard. The combined consumption of the 911 GT3 is 13.3 litres/100 km (PDK 12.4).
Cockpit of the new 911 GT3 has racing genes
Its racing genes are expressed in practically all the details of the new 911 GT3. The cockpit is in line with the current model generation. A new feature is the track screen: at the touch of a button, it reduces the digital displays to the left and right of the central rev counter, which reaches up to 10,000 revs, to information such as tyre pressure indicator, oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel tank level and water temperature, which are essential when driving on the circuit. It also includes a visual shift assistant with coloured bars to the left and right of the rev counter and a shift light derived from Motorsport.
The interior of the new 911 GT3
Especially for the Porsche GT models, customers are increasingly requesting customised equipment. For this reason, the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur range is also available for the new 911 GT3 and is supplemented by GT 3-specific options such as a lightweight roof made of exposed carbon fibre. Other highlights include exterior mirror tops made of carbon, darkened LED matrix main headlights and matching Exclusive design rear lights with an arc of light with no red components. Guards Red or Shark Blue painted wheel rims enhance the black alloy wheels. In the interior, equipment details such as the dials for the rev counter and Sport Chrono stopwatch, seatbelts and trim strips set elegant accents in the body colour or other desired colour.
As exclusive as the 911 GT3 itself is the individual chronograph that Porsche Design offers exclusively to customers of the high-performance sports car. Like its motorised role model, it boasts a dynamic design, consistent performance and high-quality workmanship. Its housing reflects its Motorsport genes. Just like the connecting rods of the GT3 engine, it consists of robust, lightweight titanium. The timepiece is powered by an individual winding rotor reminiscent of the wheels of the 911 GT3. The coloured ring of the dial can be customised in the paint colours of the 911 GT3.
Info
The delivery of the new 911 GT3 is set for May 2021.
Customer enquiries
February 17, 2021 / Comments Off on 2022 Porsche 911 GT3: Ultimate Guide
Porsche has just released the full details of the 2022 911 GT3 and we couldn’t be more excited.
The new GT3 does have some newly added features but will mostly remain the same. This is great news for Porsche fans as there was never anything wrong with the GT3 in the first place. It has always had a high-revving naturally aspirated flat-six, track-oriented suspension, and the absence of unnecessary items found in a typical sports car.
Porsche’s fourth iteration of the GT3 shows the attention to the precision that has fueled the GT family since day one. The 2022 911 GT3 will receive a new front suspension setup consisting of unequal-length control arms instead of conventional struts. The GT3’s suspension setup was influenced by the 2013 911 RSR race car. This setup provides better tire contact through turns and when the suspension compresses and rebounds. Porsche’s new adaptive dampers are capable of adjusting every 10 milliseconds, which means the spring rates have doubled without affecting the ride quality of the GT3.
The new GT3 will also come sporting some aggressive aerodynamics capable of 150 percent more downforce than the previous model. Both front and rear aero are fully adjustable and are able to be adjusted to one of four positions, manually. The aerodynamics of the new GT3 was able to secure a sub-7-minute lap time on the Nurburgring.
Porsche has continued the use of a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter 9A1 flat-six in the 2022 GT3. Porsche also mentioned they did not have to put the GT3 through any “sound engineering” as the engine’s sound was already perfect. Thanks to the independent throttle bodies and a 9,000-rpm rev-limiter, the GT3 will have a snappy 502 horsepower at 8400 rpm and 346 lb-ft of torque.
Porsche has also continued the use of the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic PDK transmission from the previous GT3 model, which saves about 40 pounds in comparison to the eight-speed transmission from other 992-generation models. It will have an updated gear selector along with shift paddles. But if you’d like a more hands-on approach, Porsche will offer the new GT3 with a six-speed manual transmission. Porsche announced zero to 60 times of just 3.2-seconds with its PDK transmission and 3.7-seconds with the manual transmission. It has a top speed of 197 mph (317km/h) with the PDK and 199 mph (320km/h) with the manual transmission.
It’s safe to say that the 2022 GT3 will have a price tag higher than the previous GT3 ($145,650) and even more so if you plan on upgrading from cast iron rotors to carbon-ceramic or from Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires to the Pilot Sport Cup 2R’s. Deliveries are set to take place in the fall of this year.
February 16, 2021 / Comments Off on The 2022 Porsche GT3 Remains a Sports Car for Purists
It looks like there could be some supercar (or new sports car) cogs turning over at Porsche. Maybe, if you take a recent patent Porsche filed seriously. A member at the TaycanEVForums discovered that Porsche filed and was granted a patent with the European Union Intellectual Property Office for a design of a new sports car not currently in Porsche’s lineup
One look at the images associated with this patent will instantly remind you of the Le Mans Living Legend design study (below) that was only just revealed late last year. The vehicles look nearly identical in proportions and design details alike. Photos of the car in the patent make it look like an awkwardly elongated and flattened 911, but the real-life car that Porsche put together for its design study is significantly better looking with a more cohesive overall look.
It’s intriguing to see that Porsche just filed for the patent now. Whether or not this will lead to an actual production car is anybody’s guess. Car companies file for patents of things all the time that don’t result in any sort of a production vehicle. Seeing as how Porsche has thought this one out enough to release photos of a design study, there could be something brewing here.
Porsche doesn’t make many supercars. The most recent two are the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder. If built, this car looks like it could fall into a similar limited-run hypercar/supercar category. As for the possible powertrain, the Le Mans Living Legend Concept is powered by an eight cylinder engine. It’s hard to imagine Porsche developing a brand-new V8 or horizontally-opposed eight-cylinder engine today, but it’s worth pointing out the possibility. A more likely scenario would be to leapfrog off the 918’s hybrid powertrain, use a smaller combustion engine and develop a stronger electric portion of the powertrain.
If the car ever does get made, we hope the gullwing-style doors stick around. At this stage, we haven’t spied any Porsches with a design looking like this one, but we have no idea where Porsche might be in the process, if any engineering process has even begun. Now that Porsche has half showed its hand with the patent, though, we’ll be on the lookout for an extra sleek sports car from Stuttgart.
Related video:
February 10, 2021 / Comments Off on New Porsche sports car design shown in recently-filed patent
When two motorsports juggernauts like Porsche and TAG Heuer come together, you know something great will come of it. The new TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph marks the first collaboration between the two, and it…
Adding a genuine 1973 Porsche 911 RSR to your collection at this point in time will set you back several million, but there is another option … how about a 1973 Porsche 911 RSR Rebel Gulf Porsche tribute for less than $300,000?
Ok, I admit, it’s not a real ’73 RSR, but it’s also only about 10% of the price, and it comes with a bigger engine. The car in question is listed for sale at Ferraris Online and has chassis number 102808, it is the first of only three Porsche RSR ‘Art Cars’ built by Jon Gunderson, renowned for ground-up Ferrari 246 GT and 246 GTS rotisserie restorations.
Chassis 102808 comes in the classic 917 Gulf livery combining light blue and orange on the exterior … note that this Porsche RSR Tribute scheme is completely painted, there is no vinyl used anywhere, every detail is painstakingly painted by hand, even the famous Porsche crest on the hood, and this attention to detail is visible throughout this amazing looking 911.
Both the front and rear bumper have been formed manually, as is the new front hood that has a center-mounted fuel-filler, machined from a single metal piece, to fill up the 100-liter tank underneath.
The traditional ‘Ducktail’ rear wing on this RSR tribute has been made by hand too, and on the grille, the 3.5 badge indicates this car isn’t using the 2.8-liter engine found in the genuine 1973 RSR, but a completely rebuilt 3.5-liter version.
The engine inside this RSR tribute is built from the ground up as a fuel-injected Rothsport Racing 3.5L flat-six combined with a Type 915 5-speed manual transaxle with a Giken limited-slip differential … work started in 2017 and took three years to complete … to date this engine has little over 3,000 miles on her. Instead of the original 280 hp from the 2.8-liter engine, this new 3.5L Rothsport Racing version was dyno-tested after tuning by Sakata Motorsports at 355 hp.
The impressive black wheels on this Porsche RSR tribute are 15-inch Braid units. Michelin TB5 Racing Radial X tires are fitted, 215/55 R15 for the front wheels (9×15″) while wide 295/40 R15 was fitted to the rear wheels, which measure a massive 11×15 inches, they are almost square. The chassis is fitted with Elephant Racing suspension components including Poly bronze bushings, sway bars, shock mounts, and a matched set of torsion bars and Von shocks. Porsche 930 trailing arms have also been added. Porsche 930 finned brake calipers and cross-drilled and vented 930 rotors at all four corners haul it down from high speed. RSR tribute s/n 102808 was corner-balanced by Rothsport Racing after the engine was installed.
Autos International, a well-known shop for Porsche interiors, created the beautiful black interior for this tribute car combining black Alcantara and leather. The dashboard and door panels received black Alcantara while the steering wheel and adjustable Recaro RSR seats got leather wrapped around them.
Same with the built-in roll bar, black leather with contrasting orange stitching to match the seatbelts, while the headliner comes in black Alcantara, the dials consist of a single, white tachometer flanked by black auxiliary gauges, all rebuilt by Joe’s Speedometer. Weight saving is visible everywhere with thin side windows and a special wiring harness, if you look closely at the door handles, they are even cross-drilled to safe weight, while on the door panels, you’ll notice RSR leather door pulls.
Built as a passion project, no expense was spared and no budget was set, so the attention to detail is on par with the bespoke quality of a Singer, this car cost over $500,000 to build, but it’s now listed for a quick sale at $299,500.
February 9, 2021 / Comments Off on The 1973 Porsche 911 RSR tribute
Porsche has launched the fourth variant of its first all-electric sports saloon which lines up alongside the Taycan Turbo S, Taycan Turbo and Taycan 4S. The model is available in two sizes of batteries and for the first time in RWD, effectively making it the cheapest Porsche Taycan on the market.
The new-entry model with standard performance battery provides up to 300kW or 408hp, fuel consumption combined 0L/100km, CO2 emissions 0 g/km and electric consumption combined of 28.0 kwh/ 100km. Overboost mode with launch control increases the output to 350 kW or 476hp and electricity consumption increases to 28.7 kwh/100km with the optional performance battery plus. Models fitted with the regular non performance battery can deliver 240 kW (326hp) or 280 kW (380hp) respectively.
The new Taycan has a top speed of 230km/h and the acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 5.4 seconds. The maximum charging capacity of the car is 225kW for the performance battery and 270kW for performance battery plus. Both batteries can be charged from 5% to 80% in 22.5 minutes.
The Plug and Charge option on the Taycan model enables convenient charging and payments are processed automatically. Optional equipment on other variants include a colour head-up display and an on-board charger.
Porsche Taycan has a choice of 2 batteries, a Single-deck performance battery with gross capacity of 79.2 kWh as standard and the Two-deck performance battery with gross capacity of 93.4 kWh. The range of the batteries are up to 431km and 484 km respectively.
The car is fitted with a set of aerodynamically optimised 19 inch Taycan Aero wheels and black anodised brake callipers. The synchronous motor on the rear axle is 130mm long, same length as the one the Taycan 4S and the pulse- controlled inverter operates up to 600 amps. The standard interior features partial leather and front comfort seats with eight-way electrical adjustment.
The Taycan has had a successful start in the market, with over 20,000 units sold in 2020. In Norway, 70% of the Porsches sold are Taycans. Deliveries of the new RWD model will begin in mid 2021.
Price: £70k in the UK, $81,250 in the USA.
Porsche Taycan RWD
January 22, 2021 / Comments Off on New Porsche Taycan with RWD Revealed: Cheapest Model to Buy
