2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder vs. 2011 Audi S4

2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder vs. 2011 Audi S4 - Comparison Test

The Audi’s mistake-proof grip and Porsche’s pinpoint precision are interesting counterpoints…

Slideshow >>

Video >>

Talk about an embarrassment of riches. On one hand, we have the most powerful, most firmly sprung, lightest and quickest production Porsche Boxster on the planet (albeit with a fussy 2-piece carbon/canvas “emergency” top that remained in place only long enough to take a static photo). And on the other, the Audi S4 whose 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 delivers whip-quick, preternaturally strong surges of acceleration from seemingly everywhere in the rev range, each wheel driven through a sophisticated awd system that’s augmented by the optional rear torque-vectoring differential.

Read More

2012 Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 can be considered as classic as a Rembrandt, becoming an artistic addition to the often style-less sports car category. The shape has remained constant because well, why toy with perfection? The fact that it is well know for its iconic look might explain why the 911 has only been changed three times in its 48 year history. The 2012 911, known by its codename “991”, is the latest interpretation of Porsche’s classic 911.

This new 911 is going to undergo a bit of makeover with a 4 inch longer wheel base and wider axle tracks. However, the biggest change happens under the hood. Porsche appears to have decided to downsize the flat six engine from 3.6 liters to 3.4 liters. Motor Authority also points out that the base engine will be based on the one found on the Boxster S and Top Gear says Porsche has ”fitted it with new cylinder heads to allow it to rev higher.” Don’t react to this with angst though because the base power plant pushes out a meaty 350 horses. The Carrera RS version (replacing the Carrera S) will have a nice 400 horsepower which is 15 more than the previous model. As the power goes up, torque goes down in the base model by 8 lbs/ft, while in the RS it goes down by 15 lbs/ft. According to Top Gear, Porsche has also been shaving away the weight (30-40kg) by using aluminum for the floor and most of the external panels. This was done by Porsche to improve fuel economy and lower emissions. Then supporting these new power plants will be a new seven speed manual or the optional double clutch automatic.

Hit the jump for the full story.

gallery:2013 Porsche 911 / 991

• 
• 
• 

Top Gear also points out that though it is definitely distinctive from the previous 911, describing it as, “... less rear-engined. Less 911-ish, more Cayman-like. Because, in a way, it is. Of course, the engine’s where it always was, hanging out the back. But the rear wheels have moved 70mm back.” This new Porsche is positioning itself right along side its main competition - the BMW M3 - and it looks like it is going to be too close to call. Top Gear points out that Porsche says it will do 60 in about 4.5 seconds which is exactly the same as the BMW M3. We think this will be the first time that Porsche can really challenge BMW. The engineers from Stuttgart have not only risen to the challenge mechanically, but also in the aesthetic battle over the somewhat conventional looking counterpart, the M3. All in all, we believe this latest incarnation of the classic 911 will be well received by both critics and Porsche fans alike. It will undoubtedly lead the marque forward with advances in performance and fuel efficiency. This points to a new direction for Porsche in which it will keep the faithful, but will also help it to gain many more fans along the way.

Source:Top Gear

Read More

Porsche 911 GT3 tuned RSR Wins Nurburgring

Porsche managed to overtake the competition this past weekend at the Nurburgring 24 hours race with a new distance record of 156 laps and 3,958.968 kilometers. Driven by Porsche works drivers, Marc Lieb (Germany), Timo Bernhard (Germany), Romain Dumas (France) as well as Lucas Luhr (Switzerland), the Porsche GT3 RSR won the 39th running of the long distance classic in the Eifel.

"We already knew before the start that we could only win if we worked together as a team, from the drivers through to the mechanics. And this worked very well for the entire time," Timo Bernhard said. Indeed, aside from the usual tensions on the track, there was just one truly critical situation – strangely enough in the pits. Lucas Luhr: "During a pit stop the petrol pump didn’t work. Fuel simply didn’t come out. So we had to push our car back to another pump and in doing so lost almost a minute."

Read More

Classic Porsche Throwdown: 993 RS and 964 RS take off their gloves

What do you get when you have two iconic Porsche sports cars, miles of empty road ahead of you, a camera crew, and soundtrack music courtesy of Moby?

We’ll spare you the answer: you get a pretty awesome three-and-a-half minute video, that’s what!

Arguably two of the most famous Porsche 911 models in history - the 993 RS and the 964 RS - are the subjects in this video, and by asking us, we’ll tell you that they play the roles of protagonists very, very well.

It’s a scenic video comprising the two classic 911s blazing their rubber on a vast expanse of open land with a cargo plane serving as a noteworthy extra. There’s plenty to like about this video, including the soundtrack music courtesy of Moby that provides the feeling of buoyant serenity while watching the twoPorsches in their natural habitat.

As a reminder to those that have forgotten, the 993 RS was a lightweight version of the 993 Carrera - 100 kg lighter, in fact - and was the first Porsche to ever use a 3.8-liter engine that produced 300 horsepower. On the flip side, the 964 RS was notable, not just because it was a lightweight rear-wheel-drive 911, but because it was sold in the US on a limited basis only. It came with a six-cylinder engine that had an output of 260 horsepower and 230 lb/ft of torque.

Two classic 911s getting their own video with Moby in the background. Good morning, indeed.

Source:Clash Production

Read More