and sometimes I write about them here
It’s fast, it’s wider than all the other 911′s and it has dynamic aero bits and pieces to help it from taking off. Oh, and 0-60 in 2.9 seconds in case you were wondering. And of course, no manual option on this one either (which was hardly surprising given the GT3 release earlier in the year).
Men after my own heart – read their take on the new 911 GT3 here
Today should have been an exciting one for me. The full press release for the upcoming 911 GT3 finally came out, and you can see from the pics, it looks freakin awesome. Carrying over the traditional GT3 lines from previous generations with the deep front spoiler, fixed rear wing and enough aggression to scare most other cars off the road. And they I read the text, and yip, Porsche has done the unthinkable and is releasing this without a manual gearbox. I almost shed a real tear.
So it’s with a heavy heart that I tell you all the other exciting details – 9000 rpm redline from the naturally aspirated fully reworked engine (based on the 911 Carrera S engine, not the previous gen GT3 version), 0-60mph of 3.3 seconds, 195mph top speed and a lap time at the Nurburgring under 7 min 30 seconds. And I’m sure it’ll handle fantastically well, sound incredible, and stir the heart of boys around the world. So why didn’t the most favorite of real drivers cars end up with a real gearbox?
Cost wise, this one will set you back $20k more than the last version, coming in at a base price of $130,400 when you can finally buy it at the end of this year. And for the first time, Porsche is employing active rear wheel steering to achieve even higher steering precision and improved lateral dynamics. Depending on the speed, the rear wheels steer in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels, improving stability and agility. Other new features that improve driving dynamics are an electronically controlled, fully variable rear differential lock and dynamic engine mounts. Contact with the road is made by new 20-inch, forged alloy wheels with center-locking hubs in place of conventional wheel bolts.
So, in summary, it looks gorgeous, probably sounds and handles like it was delivered from the gods, but they put a PDK gearbox in it, and that makes me sad. Guess I really am one of those grumpy old men who doesn’t like new technology. I have a feeling there will be one silver lining in all of this – if you can pick up a decent 997 GT3 right about now for a reasonable price, it’ll likely go on to become on of the collectible 911′s of the future, being the last GT3 with a real gearbox. Now, back to searching for those pennies so I can afford one…..
So on my travels back yesterday from a work gig on the west coast, Chris Harris announced the latest Drive video (posted blow so you too can drool, although yellow!! What were Porsche thinking for the demo car?) was being uploaded. This prompted another journalist from my fave car mag (Evo) to chime in, and I couldn’t resist throwing out the question that has been keeping me awake for the last few weeks. Of course, I don’t think there’s going to be a wrong answer, but what is the right answer? Anyone else have an opinion? I was leaning towards the GT3 until I watched that video. Now I have no clue again. Luckily I still don’t have the cash, so no pressure on making a decision just yet…..
And yes, the conclusion is it’s pretty freakin amazing. Now just have to work out a) how to save up my pennies to get one, and b) given the cost, is it better to buy a new one of these, or a second hand 997 GT3?
Of course, given my inability to get past point a), I have a while to answer point b). If you have any opinions, I’m happy to hear them.
I posted a video a little while ago about someone obsessed with 911′s, and it’s obviously something that happens a lot. Take a look at this video (another half an hour, but again, worth every second) and try to tell me at the end of it you don’t want to find some way to get hold of half a million bucks to buy one. If you somehow have the cash, here’s the site (and there’s lots of great pics there too that are worth checking out)
As a side note, Chris Harris is up there as one of my (if not the) favorite car journalists, and it’s good to have him back in 2013. Those couple of weeks at the end of 2012 when he took some time off from his weekly posts were harder than I expected.
GoPro have released a few pretty incredible videos in the run up to the holidays (and for the record, if you don’t own one of these things but want to start recording some action shots in the car, on a snowboard or anywhere else you fancy, I’d highly recommend them). I have another none (or less at least) car website that I posted the surfing one a few days ago, and now they’ve released in-car footage of some 911 RSR’s being driven in anger around Road Atlanta. I think that’s more than enough words. Press play and enjoy.
No more need for the rendered speculation and spy shots – Porsche released all the details of the new Porsche Cayman (and Cayman S) today. Nothing too surprising given the earlier release of the Boxster and all of the speculation. It looks (really) good in it’s final form, and they kept the increase in power down to a max 325bhp for the Cayman S so that it wouldn’t clip too closely to the 911.If you’re interested in more details,
Porsche have opened up a microsite here, so you can check out all the details and updates available, and click your way to a very expensive car (base is around $64k but as with all Porsches, it can get stratospheric pretty quickly). There’s also an exhaust sound section in there where you can very easily convince yourself that your life wouldn’t be complete without one of these installed with the optional sports exhaust. Now I just have to stay away from the dealership until I’ve saved all my pennies….
Automobile provides the first non disguised view of the new Porsche Cayman – allegedly getting ready for the LA Motor Show. It’s looking pretty impressive, and given the reviews so far of the Boxster and Boxster S, I’m thinking this might make it onto the want list for next year if I can save the pennies, given the new 911 is ridonkulously expensive and the reviews have been far from stellar with the new electric steering and all the other electronics making it feel very un-911′ish (cheers to Todd for the original link)
A few weeks ago my brother-in-law, Gareth, forwarded a 30 minute video about a Porsche addict who restores old cars (among other things). It was on my list to watch but the last few weeks have been a little on the crazy side, so finally got some time today to watch it. And it’s great, so thoroughly recommended. It will take 30 minutes of your day though, but even if you’re not a Porsche guy, it’s a good watch.