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Porsche 911 GT3 RS reportedly laps the 'Ring in 7:33

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Porsche

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - click above image for hi-res gallery

Another day, another Nurburgring time report! These posts are fun for a wide variety of reasons, not the last of which is the outpouring of love and understanding showered upon me whenever I link to my pal Jack's fascinating article on what 'Ring records really mean (hint: not much). Still, what is good about Nordschleife times (and the reason why we report on them) is that it gives you a good general idea of how a car performs under the most adverse and challenging conditions possible (barring weather). Green Hell, it's said, is a bitch.

And the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (you know - the funny looking one with the pink lipstick) just lapped it in seven minutes and thirty-three seconds. Very impressive. That's almost a full minutes faster than a Chevy Cobalt SS. Er, it's almost nearly as fast as Godzilla, which can get around the Nurburgring's north track in 7:27. What's most impressive about the GT3 RS's time is the absence of forced induction and AWD. Remember, there's a 3.8-liter flat-six out back producing 450 horsepower and the car weighs very little - especially when compared to the porcine GT-R.

No word on if the record was set with PASM on or off, though we imagine off. Also, and this is going to be of special note to you Porsche fanboys, when the nameless Porsche test engineer ran the 7:33, he did it in light traffic. Meaning that Porsche feels the theoretical best for the GT3 RS is right around 7:30, whatever that means.

Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

[Source: EVO]

Porsche 911 GT3 RS reportedly laps the 'Ring in 7:33 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: Porsche 911 GT3 RS goes 180 mph before coming to the show [w/VIDEO]

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, Porsche

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - click above image to watch the video

"You don't go from A to B -- you drive around in circles." So says Andreas Preuninger Manager of High Performance Cars at Porsche. First -- YES -- we want his job. Second, our buddy JF took a video camera into the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and went 180 mph on die Autobahn with Andreas at the wheel. This was ~~Sunday~~ Monday night. Then they turned around, washed it, put on some new tires and had it out on the show floor for all the world's automotive ~~hacks~~ journalists to see by Tuesday. We'll take two. Third, we want Herr Preuninger's job. For reals. Jealousy inducing video can be found after the jump.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Porsche 911 GT3 RS goes 180 mph before coming to the show [w/VIDEO]

Frankfurt 2009: Porsche 911 GT3 RS goes 180 mph before coming to the show [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS is pretty dang sweet

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Porsche

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - click above image for hi-res gallery

Yes, we made fun of the GT3 RS's pink lips when we saw the PR shots. But in person the Guards Red accents look, well, Guards Red. However, even in these hot off the show floor photos, Guards Red comes off pink against the slate gray body. So, the photos are tinted pink, but trust us, in reality they ain't. Got it? Good! Now, as for the rest of the car, it's truly, incredibly wonderful.

Now more than ever we wish we were fabulously wealthy, because we would so buy this car. From the carbon fiber seats to the built in roll cage to those intensely sexy wheels, we're just smitten. Big time, wreck your life, drain your 401K, run-off-to-Argentina-with-your-mistress-at-the-expense-of-your-family-and-political-career smitten. To refresh your memory banks a bit, the new RS has a 3.8-liter flat-six that pumps out 450 naturally aspirated horses. And it only comes with a stick, which makes it that much dreamier. Plus, for the hardcore amongst you, there's the optional lithium-ion battery that saves 22 pounds. Sigh... Full press release after the jump.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS is pretty dang sweet

Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS is pretty dang sweet originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Porsche 911 GT3 RS doing what it does

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Porsche

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - click above image to watch the video

Yesterday brought news of the new and improved 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. More power from a bigger engine, shorter throws from its six-speed manual gearbox, rejiggered PASM and a wider track for better handling and a don't-eat-the-brown-acid paint scheme all conspire to produce what is no doubt the most track killingest naturally-aspirated 911 ever.

And now we have video! We must say that at speed doing what a GT3 RS is supposed to do, the infantile neon pink graphics don't look nearly so silly. Still, the lipstick on a porker has got to go. Also, mad bonus props for the cantilevered piece of sculpture holding up the carbon fiber wing. Plenty of B-roll after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Continue reading VIDEO: Porsche 911 GT3 RS doing what it does

VIDEO: Porsche 911 GT3 RS doing what it does originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Porsche unveils sportier 2010 911 GT3 RS

Drew Phillips — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Porsche

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hot on the heels of introducing its latest 911 Turbo model, Porsche has unveiled details and photos of its 2010 911 GT3 RS. The new model gets a host of upgrades that should make it even more potent, including an additional horsepower from a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six (previously 3.6-liter) that brings total output to 450 bhp -15 more than its GT3 counterpart. As expected, power is routed through a six-speed manual transmission with shorter ratios than the one in the GT3.

Handling has been further improved with a purpose-built PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) suspension, a wider track both front and rear made possible by larger wheel arch covers, and dynamic engine mounts that are able to adjust their stiffness and damping effect depending on driving conditions.

For the exterior, the new RS is by far the most outrageous looking car Porsche has ever built with large-and-in-charge graphics, revised front and rear fascias consistent with Porsche's current design themes, and a new carbon fiber rear wing mounted on aluminum supports. Lowering weight was also a priority, and the new GT3 RS gets an optional lithium-ion battery that saves 22 pounds over the standard unit and a lightweight titanium exhaust system. Pricing is listed as $132,800 for the U.S., with an official introduction coming at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Hit the jump for more details in the press release and click away on the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading BREAKING: Porsche unveils sportier 2010 911 GT3 RS

BREAKING: Porsche unveils sportier 2010 911 GT3 RS originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spotted running wild: Porsche GT3 RS in SoCal

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Porsche

Porsche 911 GT3 RS running wild - Click above for high-res images

Typically when we're photographing cars for a review, we pick a location where we'll be largely be left undisturbed. Last week was a bit different since I was in Southern California on business rather than my usual Michigan home. While shooting a press car at a spot overlooking the Pacific, I heard a loud growl approaching up the canyon road. I turned around just in time to catch a couple of shots of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS being exercised as its creators intended rather than just cruising in the hands of some South Beach or Hollywood poseur.

While California has its share of issues with fires, land slides, earthquakes, drought and on and on, there are some upsides to the region. The area northwest of Los Angeles is filled with mountains and canyons sprinkled with some of the most amazing driving roads on this planet. I've been fortunate enough to drive some great cars in this region over the past several years but nothing quite like GT3 RS. There wasn't a radar gun handy, but this particular Porsche was traveling at a rate slightly higher than the posted speed limit.

A very fortunate driver and passenger indeed.

Gallery: Spotted running wild: Porsche GT3 RS

Spotted running wild: Porsche GT3 RS in SoCal originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 May 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: New Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Noah Joseph — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Porsche

With the coupe, cabrio, targa and turbo variants of the latest Porsche 911 already out on the road, Zuffenhausen is preparing similar updates for its flyweight road rocket, the GT3 RS. Test mules have been spotted roaming the French alps, which in this season would probably be the last place we'd want to drive a rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive track car. But then we're not zany German engineers, now are we?

We can expect that the latest 911 GT3 RS will receive the same updates as its brethren (including the Turbo's LED light strips up front) and be updated with the retro decal stripe and badge graphic down the quarter panel, plus colored wheels, contrasting wing-mirror housings, a big rear wing and an interior roll cage. A carbon fiber rear wing and hood plus a plastic rear window will help keep the weight down versus the conventional 911 Carrera, which should help the new RS hustle to 60 in a scant four seconds flat.

[Source: Wheels24.co.za via German Car Blog]

Spy Shots: New Porsche 911 GT3 RS originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Porsche GT3 RS

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Porsche

Coming to the meaty part of the 911 model line revamp, the 2010 GT3 RS has been spotted after some time in wardrobe wearing slightly different clothes. These are subtle alterations, with LED daytime running lights, bigger intakes, a new air dam lip up front and revised taillights out back. The bigger news is that the GT3 RS will get more power with the addition of direct injection, and even faster gear changes when equipped with the PDK gearbox. And that means even faster acceleration, because you can never get enough of that. The car should start making its rounds around the auto show circuit next year.

[Source: Global Motors]

Spy Shots: Porsche GT3 RS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: New Porsche 911 GT3 spied in Spain

Noah Joseph — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Porsche

Hardcore Porschephiles rejoice, for Stuttgart is preparing a new 911 GT3. It should come as no big surprise since the entire 911 range has once again received a facelift, so following the Carrera, Carrera 4 and Targa models, we can expect a new Turbo, a new GT3 and a new GT2. Apparently the naturally-aspirated hardcore model is the next up to bat, if these spy shots snapped cliffside in Spain serve as any indication.

The shots make for easy comparison: the new GT3 seems to blend elements from the outgoing model and its yet more hardcore brother the GT3 RS, both of which can be seen alongside the new test mule (second from the right, straight on till morning). Expect the same updates found on the rest of the revised range, plus a wing that lies somewhere in between that found on the current GT3 and the current GT3 RS. The centrally-mounted exhaust pipes look bigger than the previous version, but that's all we can tell from the rear shots at this point. With a little patience, we'll be able to see the new GT3 undisguised shortly.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: New Porsche 911 GT3 spied in Spain originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Supercar road test

Siddharth Raja — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:38:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Supercars

The lads at Autocar magazine really do have one of the best jobs in the world. They recently put together a "test" comparing some of the fastest cars in the world, including the Bugatti Veyron. Other cars include the brand new Lambo Gallardo Superleggera, Audi R8, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and the Aston Martin DB9 with Sports Pack.

While this video isn't a review per se, you do get an idea of the different personalities of each car and some flaws. If nothing else, watch it for the shots of a DB9 drifting through a corner or hearing the bark of the 530hp V10 engine in the Gallardo.

[Souce: YouTube via German Car Scene]

Continue reading VIDEO: Supercar road test

VIDEO: Supercar road test originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari to debut new model in Frankfurt, not the Dino

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Supercars, Ferrari

Looks like we'll be seeing the F430 Challenge Stradale at Frankfurt. Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo basically told reporters as much at the Geneva auto show. The model that will debut in Frankfurt is an evolution of the F430, which is expected to be more powerful and lighter than the current coupe through the use of F1 engineering and technology. This will follow the pattern Ferrari set with the 360 series, when a Challenge racecar was built off that platform, then a street version of that racecar sold to the public. We still aren't sure whether the F430 version will wear the Challenge Stradale moniker, but we do suspect that power will be around 525 (up from 489) and that weight should drop by a couple hundred pounds to keep it on par with Lamborghini's recent Gallardo Superleggera and Porsche's 911 GT3 RS. Whatever they call it, we will officially go on record as saying it will be our new favorite Ferrari. Until the 599 Barchetta pops up, that is.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Continue reading Ferrari to debut new model in Frankfurt, not the Dino

Ferrari to debut new model in Frankfurt, not the Dino originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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