Autoblog

9ff reveals even more bonkers GT9-R - is this the world's fastest production car?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Porsche

9ff GT9-R - Click above for high-res image gallery

Bonkers is a relative term, when you think about it. Case in point: the 9ff GT9. With 973 horsepower and a 409 km/h top speed - that's 254 mph, friends - this was already one bonkers supercar. And then 9ff comes along with the GT9-R, an even faster version with - wait for it - 1120 horsepower and a claimed 414 km/h (257 mph) top speed. That's enough to outgun the 412 km/h (256 mph) record set by the SSC Ultimate Aero TT to claim the top-speed crown. That's right: pending outside verification at least, this is the world's fastest car. On the way, it'll hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.9 seconds, 200 km/h (124 mph) in 7.4 and 300 (186 mph) in 14.9. Right, bonkers.

Although - like 9ff's tuner cars - the GT9-R is loosely based on a Porsche 911, it only bears what could barely be described as a passing resemblance. Just about the entire thing is built from scratch, with a 4.0-liter boxer six all but completely rebuilt.

Only twenty examples of the range-topping GT9-R will be offered, although the *ahem* lesser versions with 750 or 987 horsepower are also available, each built to order to the customer's specifications. We're just afraid to ask how much many euros that entails, especially when the existing GT9 went for half a million. Details in the press release after the jump and photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: 9ff GT9-R

[Source: 9ff]

Continue reading 9ff reveals even more bonkers GT9-R - is this the world's fastest production car?

9ff reveals even more bonkers GT9-R - is this the world's fastest production car? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next-gen Porsche 911 sporting double-bubble roof

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:44:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Spy Photos, Performance, Porsche

2011 Porsche 911 - Click above for a high-res image gallery of spy shots

With every iteration of the 911, Porsche makes incremental improvements to its iconic sports car and naturally, the next generation will be no exception.

This latest 911 prototype was caught at the Nurburgring sporting 997 sheetmetal, but it's what's on top and out back that deserves note. A double-bubble roof panel has been fitted, while underneath the rear camouflage is a sizeable wing and additional ducting. Look closely and you'll see a small sill at the base of the rear windscreen that's assumed to be feeding the rear-mounted flat-six - likely necessary keep the boxer cool while Porsche engineers figure out how the new contoured roof affects aerodynamics. If previous reports are to be believed, we can expect the next 911 to debut sometime in 2010, but we wouldn't rule out an appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Porsche 911 with double-bubble roof

Spy Shots: Next-gen Porsche 911 sporting double-bubble roof originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Porsche 911 in a winter wonderland

Noah Joseph — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:41:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Porsche

It must be slightly frustrating buying a new Porsche 911 these days, because there always seems to be something newer and better coming around the corner. Buy a new Carrera, and within a couple of months there's a new Turbo or GT3 you want more. Wait for the Turbo or GT3 and there's a new GT2 coming out. Wait for the GT2 and already it's outdated because there's a new generation of 911 in the pipeline. And here it is.

Spied while undergoing cold weather testing, the test mule seems to carry a more Cayman-like greenhouse, with a more swept-back windshield and sleeker profile than the traditional upright 911 silhouette. A wider, lower grille appears to cap a longer nose left exposed on this test mule, but the tail is all covered up. Sources suggest the next 911 could to hit the road as early as two and a half years from now as a 2012 model, with a possible debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Follow the link to see the next 911 test mule from all the angles.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Spy Shots: 2012 Porsche 911 in a winter wonderland originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 998 Porsche 911

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Porsche

The next Porsche 911, the 998, is doing the rounds on German public roads. By the looks of it, the headlights are more vertical than the current model, and based on what's covered, the front and rear bumpers and valances will see the majority of the work. Intriguingly, the side mirrors on the car are from the 993, which we imagine are for testing purposes only. If the lower rear valance is any indication, the exhaust outlets could come in for revision, as well.

[Source: Global Motors]

Spy Shots: 998 Porsche 911 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Time Waster of the Day: Porsche 911 GT3 RS Mini Site

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Porsche

There are few things more entertaining than watching a track-prepped Porsche being flogged around a well designed circuit and when Stuttgart decided to launch a minisite for their 997-based GT3 RS, they saw fit to put the gloriously orange tracker in its natural environment. The video allows the viewer to switch between a chase car view, an in car shot or a fender-mounted camera to catch all the action from a variety of angles. Additionally, you can see what kind of G-forces are acting on the vehicle as the GT3 RS makes its way around the Weissach circuit.

The 911 GT3 RS was shown in Paris, shedding more than 40 pounds from its predecessor's weight, even while equipped with a wider rear track and roll bar. The rear-mounted, 3.6-liter flat-six revs all the way to 8,400 RPM and produces 415 melodically mechanical horses.

The site is well worth a few minutes of your lunch break, but be sure to turn down the volume as the combination of instrumental background grooves and a rev-happy engine may irritate unenthusiastic coworkers.

Time Waster of the Day: Porsche 911 GT3 RS Mini Site originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Oct 2006 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche plans 10 new models by 2010

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 10:55:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Supercars, Porsche

Motor Trend put together a list of future vehicles to come out of Stuttgart over the next few years and although most of the vehicles listed have either already debuted (Targa, GT3 RS) or are common knowledge among devout readers of Autoblog (GT2, Panamera, 928), the article contained a few minor revelations, in the form of new models and technological hurdles.

Naturally, the first order of business is the new variant of the 911, predictably dubbed the 998, which has hit the displacement equivalent of a brick wall. Porsche's engineers have found that the flat-six engine is ill equipped to manage more than 4-liters of displacement and in an effort to achieve the expected increases in performance, the 998 will focus more on weight-saving materials, such as aluminum and will come equipped with a DSG transmission to shave those valuable tenths.

Motor Trend also reports on the development of a small SUV to slot in underneath the Cayenne, which will be based off of Audi's new Q5. The new 'ute will have more performance potential than its Germanic sibling and is expected to come in a three-door body style. The comparisons to Porsche's foray into the Dakar Rally are inevitable, so this new vehicle will have massive shoes to fill if it ever sees the light of day.

Other models worthy of note include a Cayman RS, which will serve as a stripped down model of Porsche's mid-engine masterpiece, although power upgrades from the factory will be minimal as to avoid competition with the Cayman's rear-engine big brother. The new Carrera GT is also on the drawing board, but Motor Trend cites insiders as saying that the new mid-engine, V10 super car won't make it to production until after this decade.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Porsche plans 10 new models by 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Oct 2006 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hamann-ah Hamann-ah! -- Tuner offers Porsche upgrade from 996 to 997

Erin Mays — Fri, 19 May 2006 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Porsche

Got yourself a Porsche Carrera, GT2, GT3, Carrera 4S or Turbo from 1997-2004? Those were the years of the 996, which marked a change from air-cooled to water-cooled. It was also the point at which Porsche essentially canned the round headlights and flared fenders. By all accounts, the 996 was an incredible machine... but what about Porsche tradition? Well, if one can get around the whole air-cooled thing, hot-shoe tuners Hamann have got a package they'd like to show you.

The tuning shop uses original Porsche parts in combination with their own to convert the 996 to a 997, sans the cost of going out and buying a brand new Porsche. On top of the conversion, Hamann added wing doors, a cool body kit, and performance components to round out the upgrade. The result is a slick looking 997 with 620 bhp and a top speed of 217 mph.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

Hamann-ah Hamann-ah! -- Tuner offers Porsche upgrade from 996 to 997 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 May 2006 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Travelogue: 2006 One Lap Of America

Chris Paukert — Tue, 09 May 2006 11:54:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Daimler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Honda, Jeep, Lotus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi, Pontiac, Porsche, Subaru, Volkswagen

Well, the fuse has been lit on the 2006 installment of the splendiforously-titled Tire Rack Cannonball One Lap of America presented by Car & Driver (better known as 'One Lap'), and as usual, your trusty Autoblog contact is on the scene. We had high hopes for 'live-blogging' the Cannonball Run offspring this year via daily updates, but circumstances have conspired against us. At any rate, for those not terribly familiar with the event, here's the (kinda-sorta) quick and dirty:

Brock Yates, patron saint of modern American automotive journalism and founder of the original 'Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash,' created a weeklong national road rally in 1984 for gearheads and their hangers-on. In its original incarnation, the event was a bleary-eyed run around the perimeter of these United States. In more recent times (1992-present), One Lap has evolved into a more sophisticated setup that sees racers drive from racetrack to racetrack around the country (the route changes each year), with stops at major and minor tracks along the way. The race is essentially a 'rung whatcha brung' event in which cars of wildly varying description and capability duke it out in different racing venues for overall and in-class wins. The beauty of One Lap is its simplicity-- if you can find a state willing to slap a license plate on it, it's okay by Brock. Racers must attend a couple of track day schools and meet certain rudimentary safety standards (helmets, SFI-rated firesuits, etc.) and run on tires purchased from title sponsor The Tire Rack, but everything else is essentially fair game.

Entrants test the durability of their rides, their backsides, and their mental states not only with long transit stages, but also a good cross-section of events -- everything from road courses to ovals to drag strips. Transit stages on public roads are not timed or scored events, though generally there is at least one passage control along the way to keep things 'on the level.' By way of example, a few years ago, One Lappers were treated to a dirt oval, proving once and for all that auto afficianados haven't lived until they've seen a Lamborghini Diablo spraying muddy roostertails up over the catch fence.

Click through to the jump for more One Lap of America, including dozens of photographs!

Continue reading Autoblog Travelogue: 2006 One Lap Of America

Autoblog Travelogue: 2006 One Lap Of America originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 May 2006 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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