Serving up a quick preview before the grand unveiling in a few short weeks, Porsche has given up the goods on two of its newest road-ready racers, the 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo, and the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
Like the 2010 Turbo, the 2010 GT3 RS ditches the 3.6L slant-6 of years past in favor of a 3.8L (albeit a naturally aspirated one), boosting engine output to 450-horsepower, a full 15 units higher than the current GT3. Befitting a sports car of its pedigree, the GT3 RS is only available with a 6-speed manual tranny features shorter gear ratios specifically revised to enhance performance on the track. Also new for 2010 is the optional lithium-ion battery that can be ordered to the conventional lead-acid battery. Although it sounds vaguely green, the lithium ion battery shaves roughly 22 lbs off the GT3 RS’ total weight and was introduced specifically for track day improvement.
To ensure the garments of bystanders and/or fellow motorists remain properly soiled, the 2010 GT3 RS also comes with PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) actively and continuously regulates the damping force for each wheel according to the road conditions and driving style, simultaneously allowing the suspension to be lowered by 10 mm. In addition, both the front and rear tracks have been widened, and the front axle comes with 9″ wheels running on 245/35 ZR 19 sports tires while the rear axle features 12″ wheels incorporating 325/30 ZR 19 sports tires.
Lagging about 6 months behind the 2010 Turbo, the 2010 911 GT3 RS will hit the U.S. in early spring of 2010 with a price tag beginning at $132,800.
A full three weeks ahead of its scheduled unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Porsche has lifted the sheet off the new, more powerful 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo. Marking the first total engine upgrade in the Turbo’s 35 year history, Porsche has completely abandoned the previous gen’s 3.6L in favor of a 500 bhp (368 kW) DFI 3.8L. If optionally equipped with Porsche’s 7-speed PDK Doppelkupplungsgetriebe dual-clutch gearbox, the 2010 911 Turbo also comes with a custom 3-spoke steering wheel fitted that swaps the lifeless shift buttons in favor of track cred-enhancing gearshift paddles.
For your sister, the 2010 911 Turbo can also be fitted with an automatic transmission which, thanks to the new direct-inject technology, boosts fuel economy from the PDK-equipped Tubro’s 24.1 mpg to a whopping 24.8 mpg.
Regardless of your competence the gearbox, both models come with a heavily upgraded AWD system employing the use of PTM (Porsche Traction Management), PSM (Porsche Stability Management), and PVT (Porsche Torque Vectoring) that, combined with the slight weight reduction and hp boost, basically means it’ll blow your toupee off. More specifically, it’ll blow your toupee off at 194 mph after sprinting 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds.
Scheduled to hit the U.S. in November 2009, the cost of hooning in the 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo coupe is $132,800, and if your trophy wife insists on feeling the wind in her bleached hair, the cabriolet will set you back $143,800.
We won’t even pretend to think that Lotus won’t tweak, snip or otherwise improve upon the 2010 Exige Cup 260. Each time we conclude they have taken the current model of their street-legal race car to the highest levels of performance, (and minimalism), they come back with another slightly improved version that tops the last. But nevertheless, even knowing that an even better Exige will surely be forthcoming, at least right now, the 2010 Exige Cup 260 is the best Lotus ever.
Like its predecessor, the design of the Exige Cup 260 is led in both performance and style from the Lotus Exige GT3 race car. The consequence of being motivated to copy this machine as closely as possible means that the Exige Cup 260 receives subtle, but measurable improvements in a wide array of areas, including a little more power, a 30 percent stiffer rear chassis, more carbon fiber in the bodywork, impossibly light alloy wheels, a new and improved aerodynamic package and the adherence to the goal of stripping weight out whenever feasible. This involved replacing most of the aluminum body panels with carbon fiber and removing such extraneous pieces like the carpets, mud flaps, battery cover, rear view mirror and sun visors.
Lotus proudly proclaims the new model “one of the most exhilarating, focused and pure sports cars on the road today,” and it would be hard to argue against them. The 257 horsepower supercharged and intercooled Toyota-derived engine in the Exige Cup 260 reaches maximum power output at 8000 rpm, which as you can imagine, is an insane amount for a car that weighs only 1958 lbs, 84 less than a standard Exige S. Not only is the top speed of this glorified go-cart 150 mph, but it reaches 60 mph in only 4.1 seconds. Of course, you would want to confirm these numbers for yourself, which makes the available launch control option a must have.
The exterior of the Exige 260 has a number of extroverted cues that indicate its capabilities. The oversized roof scoop feeds air into the intercooler and the rear wing and front spoiler were given meticulous attention over the previous model to increase down-force and stability at high speed. Because the Exige 260 is catering to the weekend racer crowd, the car comes with two-way adjustable dampers in the suspension system that allow for a custom setup for the driver. Similarly, other nods to its track abilities include a smaller flywheel, a light weight race battery, a heavy duty sports clutch that is mated to a C64 six-speed gearbox, the aforementioned launch control, FIA compliant seats, a roll cage and a torque sensing limited slip differential. Stopping power comes from huge 12.1-inch front and 11.1-inch rear cross-drilled and ventilated brake discs with AP Racing and Brembo calipers.
There is not a definite timeline for the vehicle in North America, though it will certainly arrive at some point. Prices are expected to be in the $80,000 range.
The upcoming 2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic is reviving some classic Porsche details by fitting new versions of the iconic Fuchs wheels, and a freaking ducktail spoiler, a la the famous 2.7RS (and an indeterminate but huge amount of lesser 911s cloned to look like one) lightweight factory road-racer of the 1970s. Perhaps just as shockingly as this heretofore unprecedented mining of the venerable sport car’s legacy, it actually looks pretty good on the 997-series car. And check out the houndstooth cloth seat inserts! But probably the best part is unlike the countless special edition 911s that are merely some tack-on appliques and a shiny numbered plaque, this one gets some more than trivial underhood tweaks. More on the mechanical enhancements, plus a gallery and press release, after the jump.
Nestled under that upturned spoiler rests a new intake manifold with variable-length intake runners that are good for a 23 HP increase over stock – that really isn’t too shabby. You also get Porsche’s hallowed carbon ceramic brake system, and their Porsche Active Suspension Management sport suspension. So they nailed the look, and added some serious goodies, making this one of the only limited editions we’ve seen in a long time that actually seems worth the added bread and exclusivity. Only 250 will built, and you know, if you have to ask, you definitely aren’t old or impotent enough to afford one. Look for it to bow at Frankfurt. Press release below:
The 911 Sport Classic – Exclusive for 250 Fans of the 911
Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has refined the DNA of the 911 to what must be the most supreme standard of class and style in the 911 Sport Classic available to a strictly limited number of very special 911 enthusiasts. Creating this unique model, Porsche is bringing back the tradition of exclusive small series built in very small numbers. The 911 Sport Classic will be presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and is limited in production to just 250 cars.
This very special 911 from Porsche Exclusive has been developed over a project period of about three years, with lots of love for detail, catering especially for the most demanding group of genuine aficionados. Porsche Exclusive is Porsche’s Specialist Department for the most outstanding customised versions of Porsche cars going beyond even the highest standard of the Company’s regular production models.
The unique character of this very special 911 comes out at very first sight in the newly developed double-dome roof. A further highlight of this sports car based on the rear-wheel-drive Carrera S is the wider rear body up by 44 millimetres or 1.73″ and the wider track on the rear axle. The striking SportDesign front apron with its unique spoiler lip and the rear spoiler fixed in position like the legendary ducktail on the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 round off the unmistakable look of the 911 Sport Classic. Power comes from Porsche’s 3.8-litre with Direct Fuel Injection, increased in this case, also through the introduction of a newly developed resonance intake manifold with six vacuum-controlled switching flaps, by 23 bhp to 408 horsepower for even more outstanding performance.
The 911 Sport Classic comes exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox. PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes ideally reflecting the sporting character of this exclusive 911, PASM sports suspension lowering the entire car by 20 mm or 0.79″, as well as the mechanical rear axle differential and custom-made 19-inch wheels with their rim star painted black all come together to offer a perfect match for the character of this most exclusive car.
The very special, highly sophisticated interior of the 911 Sport Classic bears powerful testimony to one of the core competences of Porsche Exclusive and is characterised by new materials never used before even by Porsche. One example is woven leather made up of smooth leather strips and woven yarn featured on the seat centrepieces of the newly designed adaptive sports seats complete with light-grey piping and on the door panels.
The dashboard including a wide range of inserts and add-on components is finished in Espresso Nature natural leather, providing a distinctive contrast to the exclusive body paint in Sport Classic Grey.
Marking the introduction of this special limited edition model, Porsche Design Driver´s Selection is likewise introducing a range of new andThe 911 Sport Classic – Exclusive for 250 Fans of the 911
Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has refined the DNA of the 911 to what must be the most supreme standard of class and style in the 911 Sport Classic available to a strictly limited number of very special 911 enthusiasts. Creating this unique model, Porsche is bringing back the tradition of exclusive small series built in very small numbers. The 911 Sport Classic will be presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and is limited in production to just 250 cars.
This very special 911 from Porsche Exclusive has been developed over a project period of about three years, with lots of love for detail, catering especially for the most demanding group of genuine aficionados. Porsche Exclusive is Porsche’s Specialist Department for the most outstanding customised versions of Porsche cars going beyond even the highest standard of the Company’s regular production models.
The unique character of this very special 911 comes out at very first sight in the newly developed double-dome roof. A further highlight of this sports car based on the rear-wheel-drive Carrera S is the wider rear body up by 44 millimetres or 1.73″ and the wider track on the rear axle. The striking SportDesign front apron with its unique spoiler lip and the rear spoiler fixed in position like the legendary ducktail on the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 round off the unmistakable look of the 911 Sport Classic. Power comes from Porsche’s 3.8-litre with Direct Fuel Injection, increased in this case, also through the introduction of a newly developed resonance intake manifold with six vacuum-controlled switching flaps, by 23 bhp to 408 horsepower for even more outstanding performance.
The 911 Sport Classic comes exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox. PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes ideally reflecting the sporting character of this exclusive 911, PASM sports suspension lowering the entire car by 20 mm or 0.79″, as well as the mechanical rear axle differential and custom-made 19-inch wheels with their rim star painted black all come together to offer a perfect match for the character of this most exclusive car.
The very special, highly sophisticated interior of the 911 Sport Classic bears powerful testimony to one of the core competences of Porsche Exclusive and is characterised by new materials never used before even by Porsche. One example is woven leather made up of smooth leather strips and woven yarn featured on the seat centrepieces of the newly designed adaptive sports seats complete with light-grey piping and on the door panels.
The dashboard including a wide range of inserts and add-on components is finished in Espresso Nature natural leather, providing a distinctive contrast to the exclusive body paint in Sport Classic Grey.
Marking the introduction of this special limited edition model, Porsche Design Driver´s Selection is likewise introducing a range of new and very special products at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The limited edition AluFrame Trolley as well as a polo-shirt, a cap and a personalised lanyard take up the colour concept of the 911 Sport Classic, and in good time for the introduction of the new car a top-quality 1:43 model will also be available.
Sales of the Porsche 911 Sport Classic are starting in January 2010. The Euro base price of the car without value-added tax and national specifications is Euro 169,300.-.
The retail price and market launch date vary by region or country. Please contact the Porsche PR Manager of your country in order to receive country-specific information. very special products at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The limited edition AluFrame Trolley as well as a polo-shirt, a cap and a personalised lanyard take up the colour concept of the 911 Sport Classic, and in good time for the introduction of the new car a top-quality 1:43 model will also be available.
Sales of the Porsche 911 Sport Classic are starting in January 2010. The Euro base price of the car without value-added tax and national specifications is Euro 169,300.-.
The retail price and market launch date vary by region or country. Please contact the Porsche PR Manager of your country in order to receive country-specific information.
With few exceptions, when given a choice between convertibles and hardtops we usually default to the latter as their performance tends to trump their topless brethren. Not to mention that wind buffeting tends to wreak havoc on our ear-to-ear comb over. Nevertheless, as summer fades to fall, it would be a shame not to single out some affordable convertible options that could convince even the most follicly-challenged among us to lay down an extra layer of hair spray and drop our tops.
Not only is fall an ideal time to enjoy a convertible, but sales of convertibles peak in spring, making the next few weeks a perfect time to get a great deal on a new car. Realistically, since convertibles account for only around 2% of domestic auto sales, their limited versatility will always trail traditional solid roof cars. This is especially true in a down economy where few people can afford to buy a new car just for fun days in the sun. But with the evolution of better tops and an emphasis on increasing a convertibles “livability” for every day driving, there is no reason that many new convertibles could not be drafted into all-season service as a primary vehicle.
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