A quick history of what we thought we knew.

• Nissan runs a 7:29 'ring lap time, pointing out this is faster than the Porsche 911 and turbo. A lap around the Nürburgring ring is, of course, Germany's performance benchmark of choice.
• Porsche then states that they ran a GT-R with stock tires and couldn't get the same time, suggesting that Nissan cheated by using racing tires or some other performance enhancement.
• Nissan then responds by saying that they used a stock version weighed-down by recording equipment and let out a snarky note stating that "... We offer performance driving courses for prospective and current GT-R owners to help them get the best performance from their car." The suggestion is, of course, that Porsche engineers can't drive.

With all of that information it merely seemed like Porsche got themselves into an argument they couldn't win. Maybe the Porsches are faster than the GT-R around the 'ring. Maybe not. But Nissan just generated tons of media attention for their GT-R, all of which mentions their car in the same breath as the Porsche 911 Turbo and, not surprisingly, a lot of these articles mention the price difference between the two.

So what can Porsche do? Either they let the assertion that the GT-R is cheaper and faster stand or they challenge the assertion and raise a lot of media comparisons and, in this case, set Nissan up to make a classic dig at the automaker.

But could this have been Nissan's original plan? Perhaps we're giving them too much credit, but the tidbit uncovered from a Road & Track article by CarDomain makes us wonder:

That Nissan engineers used the 911 Turbo as their benchmark is not secret. At every GT-R event we’ve attended, a Porsche 911 Turbo was always lurking in the background, presumably used by Nissan engineers as a target vehicle.

The question we must answer is obvious: is it more likely that a Porsche 911 Turbo always happened to be around when the reporters and a GT-R were in the area or is it more likely that it was done on purpose to manufacture some sort of controversy?

We've got a good guess, though we can't imagine that Nissan knew just how hard Porsche would bite down.

[Source: CarDomain]

10.) Hood Ornament

Ornamentation on hoods came about as an artistic way of dealing with a technical problem: many older cars had radiator caps on the edge of the hood, requiring a removable seal. Rather than just placing a round cap on the tip, designers began adding mascots. Whether the classic flying lady from a 1930's Caddy or a leaping Jaguar from the British marque, a hood ornament signifies a period when cars were considered more than just transportation. Despite the inherent beauty of a hood ornament, automakers have been doing away with them, making the hood ornament something Cognitive Friction will have to explain to his kids along with the polar ice caps and typewriters.

9.) Corvette Quad Round Taillights

Since that first 1960 Corvette rolled off the assembly line nearly 50 years ago, every Corvette has sported two sets of roundish red taillights. There are many iconic headlight designs, but there's something poignant about crafting such memorable taillights. The designers know that, if the engineers do their job right, you'll spend more time looking at the back of the car than the front. Like glowing red afterburners poking out from a jet, the lights signify you and Rock517 were just smoked, whether by a ZR1 or a C4 Vette-amino.

8.) Tailfins

The tailfin is not only a classic design element, it is also indicative of the way car design reflects the aesthetics and aspirations of a moment in time. It is no coincidence the Tailfin Era occurs during a period in history when we, as a people, first looked confidently to the skies as the next realm of conquest. The world's fascination with rockets and rocket design is mimicked in cars, such as the 1960 Cadillac Sixty-Two Coupe pictured above. In fact, the peak of the Tailfin Era, the 1959 Cadillac Series 62, comes a year after America sent its first satellite into space. The fin isn't entirely limited to American cars of the 1950s and early 1960s; our opponents in the space race, the Russians, also had the Moskvitch 408, which sported some fairly nifty fins. Though JB may want the fins to make a comeback, we think it's something best confined to that era.

7.) The Wedge

While the wedge design may not have historically been used on the most reliable cars, it managed to end up on some of the most aerodynamic and sporty-looking vehicles. A wedge-shaped vehicle is essentially one with a front end that is lower than the rear, as on a Lancia Stratos, a Corvette or a Giugiaro-designed Lotus Esprit. It is impossible to see a wedge-shaped car and not intrinsically understand that it represents speed. SundaySunday has owned two and would be pleased to wedge himself into another one. [Photo: SeriousWheels]

6.) Dagmar Bumpers

Perhaps the most erotic and suggestive design element of all time, the Dagmar bumper refers to a style of ornamentation from the 1950s that appears to be a set of artillery shells poking out from the front of the car. The element appropriately gets its name from a female character from 1950s television endowment with a set of certain impressive physical assets. The design was popular in the post-WWII period, a sign of how the bumper guards reflect the rise of America's military might. Though the style died out in the shift to the rocket age and Tailfin Era, MikeSawyer could tell you it graced such iconic American cars as the 1957 Chevy Bel-Air. [Photo: Flickr]

5.) Curved Hip

As with humans, all cars have rears but not all of them have discernible hips (and they're often much better looking when they do). In automotive terms, a hip is created when the rear wheels, and therefore the fenders, extend outside of the line of the greenhouse beyond the car's shoulders. Truly curved hips can be found on coupes and GTs such as the Aston Martin DBS and Ford GT. They indicate a vehicle designed for strength and performance. They're found on the cars that haunt SeanKHotay's dreams.

4.) Quad Round Headlights

Before designers began placing a car's various lights into one piece of sealed plastic they were forced to separate them into distinct elements. This led to various designs, the classiest of which is the quad round headlight. What else links the XJ Jaguar to a Lancia Fulvia? Or a 1968 Fairlane 500 to a 1937 Pierce Arrow? PtMeyer wonders why you would have one pair of headlights when you can have two headlights?

3.) Flying Buttress

The most Gothic of all car design elements, the flying buttress borrows its name from a buttress typically found on religious buildings that carries a design element across towers or other features in need of a support. Similarly, the "flying buttress" on a car is a way of supporting it aerodynamically. A flying buttress is formed when the C-pillars on a car stretch beyond the rear glass, adding stability at high speeds without the need for a large wing or spoiler. Think Jaguar XJS or C3 Corvette. Think Ferrari 308 or the modern and radical 599 GTB Fiorano. We're guessing P161911 would be pleased to put his buttress in any of those fine autos. [Photo: Flickr]

2.) Porsche 911 Silhouette

It is nearly impossible to confuse the silhouette of a Porsche 911 with anything else. Unlike the profiles of most cars, which are the sum of multiple elements, the silhouette of a 911 is formed by a single angled line that extends up from the sharply angled A-pillar that bends up from the edge of the greenhouse and then takes a long curve to the taillights to form the signature sloping roofline. The details of the rest of the car vary by model and year, but that one element remains the most familiar and striking. A product of necessity — there are only so many ways to package a rear-engined sports car, AcaciaGebeh knows that necessity is sometimes the MILF of invention.

1.) Hoffmeister Kink

Though most people will recognize a BMW by its trademark kidney-shaped grille, the true enthusiast will recognize the small wedge at the base of the C-pillar, which highlights the rear wheels of the rear-wheel-driven cars. Though some have argued this element first appeared on the 1960 Dodge Dart, Wilhelm Hoffmeister rightly gets credit for creating such a distinct and memorable element for the Neue Klasse Bimmers of the 1960s and 1970s. This element is present in nearly every BMW you'll ever see, which is why Ash78 and so many others nominated it. It looks great even on a Bangle-ized Bimmer, but we think one of the best examples is the 1965 BMW 2000C/CS coupe.
[Photo: ConceptCarz.com]

In polite German fashion, the Porsche folks state they aren't trying to start a battle, just satisfy their own concerns. "The Nissan is a good car. I don't want to make anything bad with my words," August Achleitner, the 911 product chief for Porsche, told a CarsGuide reporter. At the time of this writing, Nissan hasn't responded to Porsche's claims of foul play, but we're interested to see if a mea culpa is forthcoming or if Nissan will provide irrefutable proof of Godzilla's triumph. Stay tuned. [CarsGuide; thanks Jack!]

We're expecting to see an engine with direct fuel injection, either mated to the current GT3's 3.6-liter flat-six, or a tuned-up 3.8-liter flat-six from the new 911 — potentially bringing the new GT3 to the 440 HP neighborhood. Either engine could possibly be coupled to a seven-speed DSG gearbox, marking an evolutionary step in the right direction. We're expecting this newest GT3 to show its stuff at either the 2009 Geneva Motor Show or Frankfurt Auto Show, so until then you'll have to sit tight for the full details. [Automobile]

PORSCHE® RELEASES INITIAL INFORMATION AND PHOTOS OF 2009 911® TARGA 4 AND TARGA 4S

New Targa Blends Stunning Looks With Latest Porsche Technology Atlanta, July 28, 2008

Completing a triple update of the 2009 911 model lineup, Porsche is introducing the new 911 Targa, executing this generational change in record time. Two new Targa models will join their brethren, the new generation Carrera coupes and cabriolets that have been introduced in the past two months. The new 911 models will be available at Porsche dealerships in the U.S. starting in September of this year.

The most striking visual highlight of the 911 Targa is its 16.58 square-foot glass roof made up of two segments - an elegant sliding roof at the front and a more practical tailgate at the rear. The roof slides smartly beneath the tailgate within seven seconds, conveniently offering almost five square feet of open space above the passenger cabin when opened completely. The sliding roof comes standard with a new sunblind offering even greater privacy than before. When closed, the sunblind covers the entire area of the sliding roof, opening and closing electrically independently of the roof itself. The glass roof and tailgate are made of special tinted glass, which protects the occupants from UV radiation and excessive heat even in bright sunshine.

The focal point of the Targa's interior is the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) 3.0 which features a touchscreen for simplified operation of the audio system as well as the optional hard-disk-drive navigation system. Other important additions to PCM 3.0 are the new options of XM satellite radio with XM NavTraffic capability, Bluetooth® connectivity, iPod® port, USB port and auxiliary jack. Technological highlights of the 2009 Targa include two new engines, with direct fuel injection to improve both performance and fuel economy; the seamlessly-shifting PDK Porsche- Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, or double-clutch gearbox, replacing the optional Tiptronic S automatic transmission; and the electronically controlled Porsche Traction Management (PTM), which takes the place of the former all-wheel drive system.

As before, the latest addition to the new generation of the 911 will come in two variants: the 911 Targa 4 and the 911 Targa 4S. The 911 Targa 4 is powered by a new 3.6 liter flat-six engine, developing a maximum output of 345 horsepower for a top track speed of 176 mph. The 3.8 liter 911 Targa 4S engine delivers a maximum output of 385 horsepower that accelerates this exclusive sports car to a top track speed of 184 mph.

Like the previously announced 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 models, direct fuel injection technology continues to be a central point of the efficiency enhancements in the 2009 Targa. Direct fuel injection increases engine power, while simultaneously contributing to a reduction in fuel consumption. The new-generation Targa models will be available with the Porsche seven-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, or double-clutch gearbox. An intriguing alternative to the manual six-speed gearbox, the PDK features unparalleled speed during gear shifts combined with superior fuel economy.

The electronically controlled PTM system replaces the viscous multiple-plate clutch all-wheel drive system of the previous Targa models, which results in a more pronounced, Porsche typical driving characteristic. To ensure maximum traction and agile handling at all times, PTM feeds exactly the right share of engine power to the front wheels, as needed, in every driving situation through an electronically controlled multiple-plate clutch. As on all new Carrera 4 models, a standard rear-locking differential gives the car even greater driving dynamics. The 2009 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S will be available in the United States in October at a MSRP of $89,500 and $100,100 respectively.

Say your '73 Porsche 911, which you bought brand-new, failed to pass the Washington smog test 17 years later. Would you break out the wrenches and make it pass... or would you convert it to electric power? Exactly! And that's what the owner of this 1973 Porsche 911T did, installing electric motor, batteries, the works. We may have to dock some PCH points here for the good grammar and detailed description (and where's the official eBay CAPS LOCK style?), especially since the seller has a big website full of info on the project, but don't worry- the hell is still there! See, the electric 911 stopped running after 357 miles, and it's been sitting since 1999. The seller straight-up says "This was an electric car. To be one again, a lot of work is needed." There's corrosion from battery-acid leakage. The brakes are garbooned. There's all the stuff you'd normally have to deal with on a car that's been sitting in a damp climate for a decade. But still, electric 911! Imagine getting this thing geared up for some Tesla-hunting!

Could a fully restored, turn-key electric car really be considered a project? You bet... as long as it's a British Leyland product. I don't care how many components you replace, the spirit of Joe Lucas will always come along for the ride in this electric 1980 Triumph Spitfire. The Spitfire is a popular subject for electric-drive conversion; it's small, light, sporty, and the fact that nobody in his or her right mind wants one makes Spitfire deals quite cheap. This one has a 120-volt motor and ten 135AH batteries, and the seller claims it will do 75 MPH. Range? Who knows? The seller says it's at least 35 miles. We suggest ditching all that lo-po gear and building it up to White Zombie standards... well, once you've fixed all the stuff that will break just getting into your garage. Thanks to BZR for the tip!

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Jerry Seinfeld Porsche Vehicle Description This 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo 'S' is the only one ever produced in the unique BLUE TURQUOISE color. The car was special ordered by Jerry Seinfeld and flown over to CA when the car was completed - this $4K charge is on the copy of the window sticker. I also have the certificate of authenticity and copies of some service records. Vin # - WPOAC2991VS375741. I also have a copy of the Jerry's original title.

Jerry put 7,839 miles on the car before he sold it on 4/14/05 and it has been in the hands of several collectors since that time. He had the special phone console installed at the dealer in Los Angeles as well as European springs added - everything else in 100% stock condition.

The car has zero flaws and I just had the car service at the local dealership here in Atlanta. The special ordered yellow seat belts are a beautiful blend w/ the stock 'S' brake calipers and is simply a breath taking Porsche. The car also features the carbon fiber steering wheel as well as the carbon fiber backed heated sport seats.

I am condensing my collection and it must go. Some Porsche collectors view this 'S' has the ultimate one of the production run.

[eBay Motors via Motive Formus]

New Engines, Double-Clutch Transmission and Electronically Controlled All-Wheel-Drive

Atlanta, June 25, 2008 - New engines, all-wheel-drive systems, transmissions, interior features and exterior cues will mark the evolutionary advances of the new 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models upon their introduction this fall when they join the already announced two-wheel-drive 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S.

Like the improvements to the rear-wheel-drive models, the combined changes for the Porsche 911 Carrera 4/4S will result in enhanced performance coupled with better fuel economy and reduced emissions.

The output of the 3.6 liter engine in the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 increases by 20 horsepower to 345 hp. The Porsche 911 Carrera 4S with its 3.8 liter engine is equally impressive, with an increase of 30 horsepower to 385 hp.

The revolutionary PDK works in conjunction with direct fuel injection for the flat-six engines and electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system to provide these seemingly diverse improvements to performance, fuel-economy and emissions.

The new generation of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4/4S replaces the former all-wheel drive viscous multiple-plate clutch system with a more dynamic electronically controlled PTM (Porsche Traction Management) system. This system, originally developed for the Porsche 911 Turbo and adapted for the normally aspirated variants, combines the driving pleasure typical of Porsche with a high level of driving stability, traction and agility, which is further enhanced by a (now standard) mechanical locking rear axle differential.

Standard on all versions of the new model are a proven six-speed manual transmission. As an alternative, the new Porsche 911 Carrera 4/4S are available with the Doppelkupplungsgetriebe or double-clutch, which replaces the Tiptronic S automatic transmission. The PDK offers faster gearshifts and better fuel efficiency. The PDK gearbox comes with seven gears shifting hydraulically without the slightest interruption of traction and pulling force.

The new generation of the Porsche 911 series visually stands out through discreet, but striking, modifications to the front and rear lighting. The new models come with BI-XENON™ headlights and new LED daytime driving lights. The redesigned rear-light clusters feature LED technology. For the first time in a 911, Porsche offers dynamic bending lights as an option, which moves in the direction the steering wheel and the car is turning.

The Porsche Carrera 4 models retain a rear muscular stance, as before, 1.73-inches wider than the two-wheel drive version. A new reflector trim bar between the LED rear lights gives the rear end of the new car even more character.

The most compelling interior upgrade is the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) 3.0 which features a touchscreen for simplified operation of the audio system as well as the optional hard-disk-drive navigation system. Other important additions to PCM 3.0 are the new options of XM radio with XM NavTraffic capability, Bluetooth® connectivity, iPOD® port, USB port and auxiliary jack.

The 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Coupe and Cabriolet models will be introduced in the U.S. on October 25, 2008. The 911 Carrera 4 Coupe is priced at $81,700, while both the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet and 911 Carrera 4S Coupe are $92,300. The 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet is $102,900.

To make Porsche feel better, many other companies will be racing around the 'Ring, lowering the average times. We're cool with the Audi R8 V10, and the TT-RS is probably pretty quick but... the 2010 9-4x? We're guessing the Porsche is faster than that. [InsideLine]

If you guessed the one on the left, you're right. This is the first official interior shot of the facelifted 2009 Porsche 911, though sometimes we wonder why Porsche even bothers trying to "update" their designs. Function over form, right?

[via AutoExpress, about.com]

Porsche today disclosed photos and details for the next generation 911 model series. Four new 911 models go on sale in September in North America - the 911 Carrera Coupe, 911 Carrera Cabriolet, 911 Carrera S Coupe, and 911 Carrera S Cabriolet. All offer a higher level of performance thanks to their all-new flat-six engines displacing 3.6 and 3.8 liters respectively. And for the first time in a Porsche sports car, engines utilize direct fuel injection (DFI) and can be coupled with the new optional 7-speed double-clutch gearbox Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK), racing inspired technology and a Porsche first. The result of these new technologies allows Porsche to once again boost performance of the 911, yet improve fuel efficiency by up to 13 percent as measured in the European driving cycle.

Maximum output of the 911 Carrera with its 3.6-liter engine is up by 20 horsepower to 345. The 911 Carrera S with its 3.8-liter engine is equally impressive, up by 30 horsepower to 385. With this extra power, the Carrera S now offers a top speed of 188 mph.The new generation 911 is available for the first time with the new Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK), Porsche's double-clutch gearbox. The seven speed gearbox combines the driving comfort of an automatic transmission with the gearshift capacity of a sequential gearbox used in race cars. Since Porsche's double-clutch also boasts an automatic gearshift function, it replaces the former Porsche Tiptronic S automatic transmission on both the Carrera and Carrera S. PDK improves acceleration while reducing fuel consumption over the previous generation of Tiptronic S equipped 911s through optimized and adaptive gearshifts.
Porsche developed this gearshift principle for racing no less than 25 years ago. It features two parallel clutches to eliminate any interruption in power delivery and eliminates even the slightest break between gears. Porsche factory drivers benefiting from this technology were able to accelerate faster than their competitors and keep both hands on the wheel while shifting gears, thus avoiding even the slightest distraction. This pioneering achievement from Porsche's racing efforts now gives the new 911 Carrera and Carrera S even better performance. The Carrera equipped with PDK covers 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and the Carrera S reaches the same speed in 4.3 which is 0.2 seconds faster than with a manual six-speed gearbox. The customer in search of optimum driving dynamics even has the option to combine PDK with Porsche's optional Sport Chrono Plus including Launch Control. The result is high-speed acceleration free of wheel spin from a standstill and a racing shift pattern to further boost performance. The Carrera equipped with the Sport Chrono Plus accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds while the Carrera S sprints to 60 mph in an outstanding 4.1.

Exterior enhancements of the new 911 stand out clearly through innovations in design and technology. The refined front bumper has larger air intakes which signal an increase in power and the newly designed dual-arm exterior mirrors give a larger field of vision to the rear of the car. LED daytime driving lights and bi-xenon headlights will be standard on all new models, as well as LED tail and brake lights. This gives the 911 an even more distinctive style and a truly unique look from the front and rear. As a further option, Porsche now also offers Dynamic Cornering Lights on all models. In Porsche fashion, these new refinements do not change the drag coefficient of the 911 as it stays at a remarkable 0.29.

The latest Porsche Communication Management system, PCM 3.0, which includes a new touchscreen feature, will be standard on all new 911s. Along with this upgraded system, options such as a hard disk drive navigation system, XM radio with XM NavTraffic capability, Bluetooth® connectivity, iPOD® port, USB port, and aux jack will be available.

2009 911 U.S. pricing starts at $75,600 for the Carrera Coupe, $86,200 for the Carrera Cabriolet and the Carrera S Coupe, and the Carrera S Cabriolet is $96,800.

Swapping a Chevy V8 into a 914 is pretty commonplace, but you have to be serious to tear out a 911's highly sophisticated boxer six in order to drop in a crude-yet-potent pushrod V8 in its stead. Sure, the Porsche engine makes more power per cubic inch, but nothing on the planet can beat the ol' small-block Chevrolet when it comes to power per cubic dollar. So coming at you from the hometown of John Waters, here's a 911 with a Chevy V8 for the absurdly cheap price of $2,800. Whiners will point out that several crucial details have been left out of the car's description (e.g., year of the Porsche, type of Chevy engine, rust status, etc.), but you can rest assured that there's "NO CUTTING!" This might be a 912 with a no-name body kit, floorpan completely rusted through, and a Malaise Special 267 engine crudely welded into the framerails... or it might be just a few easy steps from emerging from the sulfurous flames of your garage! Either way, we recommend a bigger engine than what's in it now.

While you'd certainly get points for your huge, stainless steel testicles (or ovaries) by risking your life with a tail-heavy brute such as a small-block 911, you lose Sleeper Points for having a car that most folks associate with high performance. That's not a worry when you drive a Porsche 924, because even the turbocharged models suffered from some serious Malaise issues in stock form. But drop in a great big Chevy 350 and the 924 becomes an acceleratin' machine like few others. Just take a look at this fine Chevy-motivated '78 924 to see what we mean! Well, sure, the handling takes a bit of a performance hit when you replace the meticulously engineered Porsche rear suspension with a Ford 8" solid axle and simple link setup, and some might object to the automatic transmission... but take this thing to the local dragstrip and you'll be a hero. This car seems to run and drive, but the statement "its not perfect and still needs some fine tuning" might well be Craigslist-ese for "driveshaft vibrates so bad that your vision will remain blurry for a full day after driving this car" or even "only the left front brake works." No problem, though- you'll get it all dialed in, and then you'll be on top of the world!

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Besides, some people just think that all Porsches should be air-cooled. Is this brilliance, a monstrosity or somewhere in between? [VLMspec via VWvortex]

THREE PORSCHE FIRSTS TO BE SHOWN AT THE GREATER NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

World's first 300+hp Boxster, world's first 400+hp naturally aspirated Cayenne, world's first 500+hp 911: all in the Porsche stand at the Javits Center

New York, March 17, 2008 - In 2003, many pundits speculated that Porsche's move into the Sport Utility field would herald the end of the brand and the sports cars with which its name is synonymous. This year's press day's display at the 2008 Greater New York International Auto Show proves once and for all that every drop of that sports car DNA flows strong through the veins of every vehicle Porsche makes, today and in the future.

In 1960, Porsche earned its special place in motorsports history when the relatively small displacement Type 718 RS 60 Spyder took Porsche's very first International endurance win at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Overnight, Porsche became "The Giant Killer" having knocked off its bigger-bore, higher horsepower competition, including several factory Ferrari, Maserati.

To pay homage to that "Giant Killer," Porsche will introduce the Limited Edition Boxster RS60. With over 300 horsepower and a number of special "Boxster RS60" features, this commemorative sports car promises to capture the legacy of its forefathers in a package you can drive everyday.

Since the first Cayenne was introduced in 2003, Porsche has worked tirelessly to improve the breed. The latest of the new generation Cayennes is the 405 hp GTS. This vehicle proves that once again, Porsche has elevated the standard by which all other SUVs will be be judged. The Porsche Cayenne GTS, which has been called "the best handling SUV in the world," will be on display with its Porsche siblings.

For those who continue to insist in the face of overwhelming facts that Porsche has lost its focus on its core business, sports cars, Porsche will be displaying the ultimate 911 - the 530 horsepower, 505 lb. ft. of torque, 200+ mph Porsche 911 GT2. The GT2 demonstrates how Porsche is continuing to refine, improve and invest in its core sports car business.

In 2007, the Porsche RS Spyder proved once again that Porsche's heritage as a giant killer is alive and well. The Penske Team went to battle against the previously all-dominating Audi LMP1s with a lighter, more nimble, more fuel efficient, smaller displacement LMP2 car. The results will stand as one of the most spectacular seasons of racing seen in North America in decades. Taking 11 of 12 class victories and a stunning eight overall victories, Porsche once again demonstrated its technological prowess and reinforced its reputation for winning.

Last weekend, the RS Spyder once again proved the name "giant killer" remains appropriate by not only winning its class at Sebring, but winning the overall victory over more powerful competition in America's most famous sports car race. The 2008 Porsche RS Spyder will be on display at the Porsche booth for the duration of the Greater New York International Auto Show.

The Limited Edition Boxster RS 60, Cayenne GTS, 911 GT2 and the RS Spyder are currently on sale in the United States with a base price of $64,900, $69,300, $191,700 and $1,500,000 respectively.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc., based in Atlanta, GA, and, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., based in Mississauga, Ontario, are the two importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada respectively. Each is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG. Combined, these two subsidiaries employ approximately 250 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for 200 U.S. and 12 Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.

So, what is the Sportech SP600? Glad you asked. It's a modified Porsche 911 turbo with extra care put into lightening things up, improving airflow to the engine, providing more downforce, bigger and better brakes, etc. You can begn your "Pleasure" with SP530 with — obviously — 530 horses and all the way up to a top-of-the-line SP680 at — ta-da! — 680 horses. The rest of the "Pleasure" below:

A New Dimension: Sportec SP 680

Equipped with more than 680hp, the SP680 goes out hunting in the territory of the so-called supercars. Sportec's sporty understatement made the 997 Turbo a cheetah in a wolf's clothing.

It is the result of interminable development work in Höri near Zurich. Breathtaking performance and torque values and the resulting driving performances enable the SP680 to take higher orders.

Presently, the introduction to the Sportec Pleasure begins with the SP530 delivering 530hp and ends with the top-of-the-line model SP680 revealing 680hp.

The ingredients for this exclusive high-performance and precision engine from Switzerland are, among others, two special Sportec turbochargers K24.700, Sportec titanium connecting rods, Sportec sports camshafts, a modified fuel system, large charge-air intercoolers as well as a Sportec sports exhaust system with sound flap system and high-performance catalysts. Modifications to the suction unit and a special sports air filter with an optimised airflow take care of the necessary amount of intake air required for this high-performance and precision powertrain. In order to make sure that all accumulated powers will find their way to the wheels, Sportec has given the vehicle an additional sports clutch.

Each vehicle's electronic system is individually reprogrammed at the Sportec all-wheel test rig. The result of the great pains taken to achieve Sportec's top-of-the-line model, the SP 680, which generates 680hp, is a gigantic torque of 820Nm - already available at 3.200rpm. Thus, the SP680 manages the standard acceleration from zero to 100km/h in only 3.1 seconds. In 9.8 seconds, the SP680 will catapult its breathless passengers from 0 to 200km/h. And, not before 348km/h, the rev limiter will bring an end to the speed rush.

Viewed from the outside, only the powerful 20" Sportec SPR forged wheels and the brand-new and exclusive Sportec aerodynamics package ("discreet but effective") will betray that this is not quite a mass-production vehicle anyone who happens to come along may take home. An aerodynamically optimised Sportec front spoiler, unobtrusive side skirts as well as a larger GT-style rear wing (optionally made of carbon) will complete the SP680 - if desired - technically, but also visually.

For those who desire an even more individual touch and apart from the must-have suspension kit, Sportec offers a matt-finished carbon covering for the exterior mirrors and the air intakes. For the interior, aluminium pedals, an aluminium footrest and highly comfortable Sportec bucket seats are available.

Start talking about Steve McQueen's cars, and the first one that'll come to mind for most people is the Dark Highland Green 1968 Ford Mustang from Bullitt. Thing is, McQueen never actually owned the car. Of course, that doesn't disqualify the 'stang for this contest, but it does raise an interesting question. Did McQueen even particularly like the Mustang? His personal garage was filled mostly with European sports cars, not American muscle. Watching the chase scene, you'll notice that neither the Charger nor the Mustang take turns all that well. It's even been said that the shot of the 'stang overcooking one of the corners wasn't planned at all. Though I suppose if I'm going to start critiquing the film too closely, I would also have to start counting green VW Beetles, and I really don't want to do that. Besides, this isn't some class for a film student; we're here for the car. And it must be said the dark Mustang fastback with a 390ci V8 looks and sounds fantastic. It's an automotive icon. But there's a problem with that. Being famous to a degree is cool, but being a tool for a marketing department is not. In recent years, Ford has made not just one "special edition" Bullitt Mustang, but two. Which means that you really don't have to be "in the know" to know about the car. It's like having your favorite rock band from the '60s all of a sudden become hugely popular again. You like the music still, but the all the teenage fans, the Broadway musicals, and the appearances on daytime television just sort of ruin the cool factor.


Unlike the Mustang, McQueen actually owned the '70 Porsche 911 S from Le Mans. He wanted a car to drive around in Europe while he was shooting the film, so he bought the Porsche, and when shooting was finished, he had it sent back to America. Now sure, there's no on-screen hoonage starring the 911, but you can only imagine that McQueen drove the snot out of the thing when he was off-camera. But that's not the point—this car was was cool not because it drove around jumping over hills and chasing baddies. The 911 is cool because it is understated and relaxed; it's what the tormented race car driver drove when, as McQueen's character famously put it in the film, he was "just waiting" between races. It has what the Mustang lacks: inconspicuousness. You really need to be obsessed with cars to appreciate the Porsche. For example, the current owner of the 911 was a Porsche collector who bought the car a few years ago without even knowing that it was in the Le Mans film; he just liked the car. Watch it cruise through France and you can't help but like it too.

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It's true, the builder claims a 0-100 km of 5.1 seconds and a top speed is above 270 km/h. That's crazy talk if you ask us. Such creations should be turning circles at the local 7-11 and rockin' out all night to bad remakes of German techno classics. Of course, you'd do that in a hammered out jalopy, but this sucker will run you 145,000€, so it damn well better be a runner. (Yes we know the engine shot is from the more pedestrian Transporter van version) [via ]

The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is entering the 2008 motorsport season with engine output increased to 420 bhp. The car will be raced in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, the world's fastest international brand trophy, and worldwide in national Porsche Carrera Cups and GT3 Cup Challenges. 265 units of this production-based racing car developed in Weissach will be built on Porsche's production line in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, marking a new record for a car of this category.

The most significant modification compared with last year's model is the new rear end following the design of the production model. Air venting slits ensure better dissipation of heat at the rear. The 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine developed in Weissach is also based on the street-legal GT3 and develops maximum output of 420 bhp, 20 horsepower more than on the previous model. The sequential six-speed transmission with interruption of engine power enables the driver to shift up under full throttle without disengaging the clutch. The transmission itself has been optimised and the gear ratios adjusted to the characteristics of the engine. Weighing 1,150 kg in race trim, the new 911 GT3 Cup has a power-to-weight ratio of 2.7 kg per horsepower.

The 26 units of the 911 GT3 Cup built for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup feature a special exhaust system with an even more striking sound pattern reminiscent of the Formula 1 racing scene as well as PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes as exclusive highlights. Compared with conventional brake discs, PCCB reduces unsprung masses by 20 kg and sets new standards in terms of responsiveness, resistance to fading, and a long service life. The racing cars entered worldwide in the Carrera Cup feature a modified exhaust system and steel brake discs.

Porsche's Racing Department in Weissach is responsible for the fine-tuning and running in the 911 GT3 Cup cars. Deliveries will be directly from Weissach, depending on the country of destination and the schedules to be observed. While the cars for the Carrera Cup New Zealand have already been shipped, delivery of the racing cars for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup and the Carrera Cup Germany is scheduled for early March 2008.

Specifications

Power Unit
Water-cooled six-cylinder boxer; 3,598 cc; stroke 76.4 mm (3.01"); bore 99.98 mm (3.94"); max output 420 bhp (309 kW); max torque 420 Nm (310 lb-ft); max engine speed 8,400 rpm; four-valve technology; dry sump lubrication; two-stage resonance intake distributor; central air intake; electronic MS 3.1 engine management; fuel injection (multi-point, sequential); fuel grade 98 RON premium plus unleaded; racing exhaust with fully controlled catalytic converter (400 cells); rear silencer with centrally mounted double tailpipe; special exhaust tailpipes for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup.

Power Transmission
Six-speed gearbox with sequential jaw-type shift; compressed oil lubrication; oil/water heat exchanger; single-mass flywheel; hydraulic disengagement lever; 5.5-inch three-plate sintered metal clutch; limited-slip differential 40/60 %; rear-wheel drive.

Body
Monocoque body made of hot-galvanised steel; aerodynamically optimised front end with front spoiler; doors with side frames made of CFP and reinforced plastic door panels; rear lid with adjustable rear wing made of CFP; rear body panels made of CFP; air jack; welded-in rollcage; bucket-type racing seat (on driver's side only) with flame-resistant seat cover; six-point seat belt adapted for use of the HANS Head and Neck Support; electric fire-extinguishing system; 90-litre fuel tank; safety bar holding the battery in position.

Chassis and Suspension
Front: McPherson spring strut axle; Sachs gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and ancillary spring); front axle arms adjustable for camber; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar; reinforced front axle crossbar with six-point fastening and double clamping; power steering with electrohydraulic pressure supply.
Rear: Multi-arm axle with rigidly mounted axle subframe; Sachs gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and ancillary spring); rear axle track arm adjustable for camber; rear axle tiebar reinforced and infinitely adjustable; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar.
Complete suspension infinitely adjustable (height, camber, track).

Brakes
Brake system with balance bar control.
Front: Single-piece six-piston aluminium fixed callipers; Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), inner-vented, 380 mm (14.96") in diameter; racing brake pads.
Rear: Single-piece four-piston aluminium fixed callipers; Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), inner-vented, 350 mm (13.78") in diameter; racing brake pads.

Wheels/Tyres
Front: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (9J x 18); ET 43 with central locking;
Michelin rain tyres (24/64-18).
Rear: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (11J x 18); ET 30 with central locking;
Michelin rain tyres (27/68-18).

Electrical System
Motec display with integrated data recording; battery: 12 volt, 50 Ah, 90 Ah alternator.

Weight
Approx 1,150 kg (1,130 kg with PCCB).[Porsche via World Car Fans]