Autoblog

Even with the world-class handling and amazing power of the 2008 Porsche GT2, a relatively mundane component stood out - the seats. Yeah, we didn't expect to come back from Daytona and do an entire post just on seating technology, but yet here it is. Then again, maybe it's OK to be so fascinated by these chairs, as they're they #1 interface between driver and vehicle.

Live Photos Copyright ©2007 Eric Bryant / Weblogs, Inc.

It's just before noon on a Thursday morning as I saunter down pit row at Daytona International Speedway and slide into the supportive sport bucket seat of a 2008 Porsche 911 GT2. I fiddle a bit with the seat and steering column adjustments until I'm comfortable, then double-check that my seatbelt is secured. It's hot and humid, but that's not why I'm perspiring - this cold sweat is a sign that my body's survival instincts are on edge, and for good reason. Fortunately, I've received personalized instruction from a quartet of legendary drivers and a complete technical briefing courtesy of Porsche Motorsports engineers, and there's little left to be learned without actually driving the car. I depress the heavily-weighted clutch pedal, muscle the short-throw shifter into 1st gear, bring the revs up, and...

A typical car-nut daydream? No - this was Autoblog's trip to the North American introduction of the third-generation Porsche 911 GT2. The folks from Zuffenhausen brought their latest no-holds-barred supercar to Daytona Beach, and allowed a select group of journalists to compare this latest effort to two other very capable 911 variants - the Turbo Coupe and GT3.


Porsche provided the vehicles for testing. Autoblog does not accept travel or lodging from automakers when attending media events.

Live Photos Copyright ©2007 Eric Bryant / Weblogs, Inc.

Click for high-res gallery

Well, just about everything there is to say about Porsche's 911 GT2 has been said already thanks to the leaked product brochure that hit the internet last week, but Porsche made it all official today. The twin-turbocharged 530-horsepower RWD supercar (and make no mistake, it is a supercar) will make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and start arriving at dealers in Europe in November. For all its performance, the 204-mph GT2 is rated 18.8 US mpg according to the New European Driving Cycle, which strikes us as not bad at all for a car whose fuel economy is the furthest thing from most drivers' minds. Pricing in Germany will begin at €159,100. Factor in the 19% VAT and the market price is €189,496. Follow the jump for Porsche's official press release, and check out the gallery below for the official photos, which have now been upgraded to high-res.

Previously:

• Porsche GT2 brochure leaked with official specs, pics
• First official images of the 2008 Porsche 911 GT2

[Source: Porsche]

Click image for photo gallery

In the wake of the Porsche 911 GT2 brochure leak on Thursday, Carscoop has posted the first official images of the mighty new 'bahn-stormer. They're clearer than the ones included in the brochure sca, which you can view by click ing here. The car'sessentials break down as follows:

2008 Porsche 911 GT2

• 3.6-liter twin turbo flat six
• 530 horsepower at 5,600 rpm
• 505 lb.-ft. of torque from 2,200 to 4,500 rpm
• 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds
• 0-100 mph in 7.1 seconds
• Top speed of 204 mph
• Curb weight:: 3,175 lbs
• Titanium exhaust
• 6-speed manual gearbox
• Launch control system

The brochure spells it all out in greater detail, but suffice to say that the new GT2 is one of the most serious sports cars to come from Porsche -- ever, and it appears to be more than worthy of the "Respect Required" tagline the automaker applies to it. Click the gallery below for the newest photos. We'll add to it as more become available.

[Source: Carscoop]