Autoblog

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the GT Street RS

The Porsche 911 GT2 has 530 horsepower, 505 lb-ft of torque and is capable of going 204 mph. And it's not enough. Not for TechArt, at least. You know TechArt. They take Porsches that already push the limits of performance and go all Chuck Yeager on them, probing for new and more crazy limits. Generally they find them, then they package them up and offer them to the moneyed public. Case in point: the new GT Street RS. What begins as a "normal" GT2 turns into a 700-horsepower, 634 lb-ft (860 Nm) warp-enabled street predator when the TechArt people are through messing with it.

The myriad changes include new bodywork that improves the car's aerodynamics, updated chassis components, a customized and caged interior, and a laundry list of underhood modifications. The turbos, intercoolers, headers, electronics, pressure sensor, air filter and exhaust system all get updated by TechArt, facilitating the transformation from factory supercar to ballistic missile with wheels. Now, where'd we leave those launch codes...


[Source: TechArt]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Gemballa Avalanche 600 GT2 EVO.

We've already sampled the mind-blowing power of the 997 Porsche GT2, but for Gemballa, it's never enough. The German tuning firm is offering a new kit for both the GT2 and its all-wheel-drive sibling, the Porsche Turbo, in the form of the Avalanche 600 EVO. As it's name would imply, Gemballa has coaxed 600 hp (not to mention 619 lb.-ft. of torque) from Porsche's turbocharged flat-six through the use of a new intercooler, race exhaust and a retuned ECU. The dash to 62 mph is dispatched in 3.5 seconds and the top speed has been increased to 199 mph.

To compliment the 911's newfound power, Gemball has fitted its Avalanche body kit, which includes a new hood, front spoiler and bumper, EVO wing and a host of air inlets and outlets. The stock suspension has been pulled in favor of a coilover setup hidden behind 405 mm front and 380 mm rear discs and Gemballa "Racing Black Edition" wheels sized 20x9-inches in front and 20x11.5-inches out back. Aluminum pedals and door plates are available to spruce up the interior, along with leather, carbon and alacantara trim, new carpet and a 340 mm steering wheel with optional "F1" paddle shifters. For interested in being corrupted by absolute power, we've posted the press release after the jump.


[Source: Gemballa via WCF]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the SpeedART BTR-XS 650.

The Porsche 997 GT2 is the undoubtedly the king of the 911s, but the crew at SpeedART has decided to add a few more jewels onto the GT2's crown. Beginning with the overly competent twin-turbocharged flat-six, the German tuning haus modified the stock snails, replaced the headers, fitted a new exhaust with freer flowing cats, installed larger intercoolers and tuned it all with a Motronic ECU. Output is now up to 650 hp and 634 lb.-ft. of torque, propelling the BTR-XS 650 to 60 in 3.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 216 mph.

In addition to the extensive work underhood, the modified GT2 gets coilovers fitted at all four corners and custom wheels, while inside, customers willing to plunk down the €27,500 can choose from an endless catalog of interior bits, including sports seats, a new steering wheel and acres of Alcantara.


[Source: SpeedART via Motor Authority]

Click on the image above to view in high resolution

We used to think the Ferrari F430 was one of the most impressive supercars on the market, but that's only the start. The 430 Scuderia kicked it up a considerable notch. The F430 Pista, as raced in the Ferrari Challenge series, is even tauter, and the F430 GT3 is even sharper than that. At the top of the track-ready 430 line-up sits the F430 GT2, and the first 2008-spec model has just been delivered.

Changes are bound to be minimal on the 2008 version for the simple reason that the 2007 model was an unbridled success. It won the GT2 titles in both the FIA GT series and the American Le Mans Series, all while the F2007 took the Formula One title. Not a bad year, then, for racing Ferraris. But just as the F1 team is already hard at work preparing next year's grand prix car, so has Michelotto prepared an even better version of the F430 GT2 in pursuit of even more trophies in 2008.

Michelotto – which has been responsible for preparing the majority of GT racing Ferraris since the late 70s, and also had a big hand in developing the 288 GTO and F40 supercars – just handed the 2008 F430 GT2 to CR Scuderia, a team that will campaign the car next year in the FIA GT series, for an initial shakedown at the Fiorano test track, and we've got the pictures to prove it. Following the test, the car was loaded onto a truck bound for the Autosport International racing-car show in England when the car will be officially unveiled.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

When will it be enough? "Never" could very well be the answer for David Richards, the head of racing freelancers Prodrive and chairman of Aston Martin. The two companies under his thumb have been collaborating on the campaigning of Aston Martin racing cars in a growing number of endurance sports car competition classes in recent years. The DBR9, DBRS9 and Vantage N24 have been ripping it up in the FIA GT1, GT3 and GT4 classes, but as you may have noticed, the Aston Martin racing program lacks a car to enter in the GT2 level. Prodrive and Aston are planning to plug that hole and strive for an eclipsing domination of sports car racing with a GT2 racer based on the V8 Vantage.

A mule is currently undergoing testing, having run laps around the MIRA test track in England, up the hill at Goodwood, and was set for more work this week at a Michelin tire test in Spain. That most recent test session, according to Prodrive's Aston racing program, will give them a better idea about the project's future.

The prospect of another Aston Martin hopped up on steroids and storming the track has got us watering at the mouth, so watch this space for more news.

[Source: AutoWeek]

General Motors still hasn't announced whether the factory GT1 Corvette C6Rs will be return to the American Le Mans Series in 2008, but there will be 'Vettes on the grid next year. Riley Technologies is building a pair of GT2 C6 Corvettes that will be run by Lou Gigliotti's team. GM has approved of the program, but they are not directly involved. They aren't the only new entrants in the GT2 class. Primetime Race Group will be preparing a customer Dodge Viper with factory support that is expected to debut at Sebring and Doran Racing is prepping a Ford GT. The GT2 class looks like it might the series to watch in 2008 with Porsches, Ferraris, Corvettes, Vipers and a Ford GT.

[Source: American Le Mans Series]

Click the pic above for more high-res images of the EDO Competition 911 GT2 R.

Don't be deceived. Although the front clip of this EDO-tuned GT2 may look like the 997 variant that debuted last week in Frankfurt, it's actually a carbon fiber replica that makes use of the headlight design employed on the new breed of 911s. Obviously, there's much more to the EDO Competition GT2 R than just a facelift, as evidenced by its massive fender flares, extreme body kit and Chicago-style deep-dish wheels.

The GT2 R gets a series of upgrades, beginning with the engine, which benefits from a new exhaust and a retuned ECU bumping power output to 542 HP and 557 lb.-ft. of torque. The stock suspension has been ditched in favor of KW adjustable coilovers, while the brakes have grown to 380 mm up front and 350 mm in the rear, clamped by 4-piston fixed calipers.

The rolling stock is comprised of 18-inchers at all four corners, measuring 10-inches wide up front and a massive 13-inches in the rear. All four wheels are shod in top-of-the-line Michelin Pilot Sports, sized 235/45 in front and 335/30 out back.

Top speed: 205 MPH. 0-62: 3.8 seconds. 0-124: 11 flat. Bad-ass factor: immeasurable.

[Source: EDO Competition]

click above image for high-res gallery of live shots

We're a little eager for this year's 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show to start, so while attending the official soiree of media professionals at the Frankfurt Messe, we poked around until something caught our attention. That would be the 2008 Porsche GT2, the most fierce piece of hardware that Stuttgart has to offer. We already know its specs: 530 horsepower from a twin-turbo version of the automaker's famous flat-six, 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds, a 204-mph top speed, and 18.8 mpg makes a nice cherry on top. Numbers on a page didn't prepare us, however, for the awesome presence of Porsche's new GT2. Take a look at the rear rolling stock, for instance, which look Viper thick at 325mm across. Actually, Vipers wear 345 in the rear, but the Porsche's rear rubber is tucked inside a much smaller derriere. Or how about those ginormous disc brakes, which we guess are carbon ceramics based on the fact the calipers were painted yellow. The seats, as well, are bolstered like a big bear hug, while being as thin as your favorite lawn chair to save weight.

We poked around the empty room in which Porsche will officially unveil the GT2 in public tomorrow, but were eventually tossed out like a used set of the GT2's rear tires. Check out the entire group of pics we managed to nab in our gallery below, before getting the big boot, that is.

[Source: Porsche]

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: messing with perfection is a risky business. And when it comes to motoring bliss, the Porsche 911 sits atop a heap of high-dollar, high-power machinery. However, Gemballa has proven over the years to respect Stuttgart's rear-engine masterpiece, but by the looks of things, they're skating on the razor's edge of acceptability.

The Avalanche GT2 650 EVO R (catchy, ain't it?) comes in two flavors: one packing 650 hp and a claimed run to 60 in 3.3 seconds, while the other boosts output to 750 hp and will eclipse the double century mark by eight miles-per-hour.

While prodigious power output is all well and good, what concerns us more is the styling direction the German tuning haus took with this orange monstrosity. The wing is one thing, but the blistered fenders, air intakes and mid-mounted dual exhausts leave us as cold as the setting for the photo shoot. And while Porsche's tiptronic tranny is one of the best we've sampled, we're a bit perplexed as to how it will handle all those extra ponies.

[Source: Pistonheads]

click above image for gallery

From its 530 hp, low curb weight of 3,179lbs, and 204 mph top speed, the 2008 Porsche GT2 is a supercar in every sense of the word. Heck, even its €189,496 sticker places Porsche's most potent 911 in the land of the F430 and the Gallardo. Where the Ferrari and the Lamborghini can't match up against the GT2 is where it matters most, on the track. Not just any track, either. We're talking about the track by which all great sports cars are judged... the vaunted 'Ring. Porsche claims the new GT2 can lap the legendary 14-mile course in a mere 7:32, which is 10 seconds better than even the 599 GTB. That ridiculous lap time puts the GT2's average speed at over 110mph, which is just sick. Must be the Titanium exhaust. The 2008 Porsche GT2 is scheduled to appear in Frankfurt in September, and the newest 997 will hit European streets in November.

[Source: Motor Authority]