Autoblog

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]

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]

We're expecting to see the redesigned 911 unveiled later this week, but Autocar's spies have caught the next iteration of the GT3 RS running at the Nurburgring ahead of its unveiling later next year. As is often the case with Porsche, it's hard to discern any substantive differences between this newest version of the GT3 RS and the current model, but when the new 911 makes its debut, it'll be wearing a redesigned front bumper, along with LED headlights and taillights, all of which will carry over to the GT3 RS.

Granted, these subtle changes aren't that compelling, but Porsche has big plans for what's underneath the new model's sheet metal. The GT3 RS will supposedly be packing another 40 hp over the outgoing model, developing 450 hp at peak output. However, there's been considerable debate about whether or not the GT3 RS' engine will be equipped with direct-injection, considering it's traditionally been based off the GT1 racecar. Harnessing those extra ponies will be a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission (Porsche Doppel Kupplung or PDK in Porsche parlance) that will provide seamless and ultra-quick shifts through steering wheel-mounted paddles. Purists might complain about a lack of a manual gearbox, but that's what purists do. So expect a manual version to be an option when it goes on sale in late 2009 or early 2010.

[Source: Autocar]

Click image for a high-res gallery of Michelin booth pics by Drew Phillips

At last year's SEMA show, one of our favorite booths by far was the one from Michelin, which brought together the world's fastest supercars for one massive display of speed. We eagerly anticipated what they had in store for us this year, and we headed straight for it. It would have been virtually impossible for Michelin to top itself, but they sure made a stab at it. While last year focused on production cars, the display this year was broadened to feature tuner cars as well as race cars. Taking the unique approach of having a production model, tuner version and race car from three prominent manufacturers, Michelin showed us that they build a tire for all sectors of the automotive kingdom. While we were particularly fond of the Audi R8 by APR, there was also a Champion Motorsport F77 Turbo and out back a Lingenfelter Corvette sporting 1,100 HP. Race cars included the R10 from Audi, an RS Spyder from Porsche, and a Corvette C6.R as well. While a production R8 and GT3 RS represented the stock crowd for the German marques, the Corvette slot was left suspiciously vacant, perhaps giving us a preview of what shoes the ZR1 might be donning for its debut. Nice follow-up, Michelin.

Tiff Needell has solidified his place in our minds as the be-all, end-all of motoring show presenters. Sure, Jezza's wit and rhythm is second-to-none, but it wouldn't surprise us to learn that his skills behind the wheel are more a product of clever post-production rather than outright talent. With Needell, his deft touch at the helm of everything from a Suzuki Swift to a BMW/Sauber F1 machine shows his racing roots. And when the time came to run the new GT3 RS through its paces, there is only one man that can make it look so easy.

In the video after the jump, Tiff pits a lime-green GT3 RS against the GT3 Clubsport to see what, if anything, Porsche left on the table. Enjoy!

According to What Car?, Porsche isn't immune to the recall woes that normally plague much larger automakers. The article states that 43 911 GT3s and their harder-core RS siblings are suffering from faulty seatbelts. The optional six-point belt's unlocking mechanism apparently won't come loose, causing concerns that if a crash were to take place, the occupants wouldn't be able to escape the vehicle without the belts being cut.

Porsche will be contacting the owners of said 911s to arrange a date for inspection. Unfortunately, the website What Car? referred to for further information, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), didn't have any details about what specific models were affected and in what part of the world the vehicles were sold. As soon as we get more information, we'll update this post.

[Source: What Car?]

So we'll go from the mildly ridiculous to the absolutely sublime. The Panda Sport, with its whopping 100 HP, is certainly a compact runabout we'd like to see Stateside, but watching it spend time on the tarmac is akin to a dachshund running around a greyhound track.

As if the Porsche 911 GT3 RS needed any more promotion, the ass-engined junkies of Stuttgart put together a beautiful piece of hi-def cinema, starring the GT3 in its natural environment. If the sound of a 3.6-liter flat six isn't enough to make the Panda tremble in its tires, we're sure the RS' 415 HP and 8,400 RPM redline will cause the lil' hatch to scurry of the track, pissing coolant.

We can't embed the video here, so follow the 'read' link for the clip.

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.

A Porsche 911 is almost always an object of desire. A fast 911 is even more so, but take a practically race-spec Porsche and give it a touch of nostalgia and you have a recipe for a tongue-out drool fest. Like its ancestor, the 1973 911 Carrera RS, the GT3 RS is modified to serve as a homologation model for racing. The GT3 RS takes the standard GT3 and goes a step further in distilling it to purpose for motorsport. The rear of the car is widened 44mm, and the body is lightened through the use of carbon fiber on the hood and the adjustable rear wing. Changes are also made to meet race-regulations, like the use of special rear wheel carriers and split rear-suspension wishbones. Peak output from the 3.6L boxer six is the same 415 hp, but the GT3 RS uses a unique, single-mass flywheel to interface the engine with the clutch and transmission. The GT3 RS will be offered in two standard finishes, black and silver metallic, and in two optional colors, orange and green. The graphics and wheels are offered in either orange or black to coordinate with the chosen paint scheme. The 911 GT3 RS will reach North America in the spring of 2007, and we're sure a few wealthy Porsche-o-philes will find the as-yet-unannounced price a palatable ransom for this street-legal racing machine embellished with nostalgia. Special thanks to Eric Bryant for the pictures you find on the post, here and after the jump.

During next week's Paris Motor Show or, if you want to get stuffy about it, "Mondial de l'Automobile", Porsche plans on taking the wraps off a few new models that involve more revisions and additions than outright redesigns.

Porsche's slow selling, but helplessly desirable, 911 Targa will gain all-wheel-drive and will be offered in both "S" and non-"S" form. The 911 Targa 4S' new powerplant will churn out 355 BHP, while it's "S"-less sibling will have to make due with 325 BHP. As is the case with any 911 equipped with all-wheel-drive, the rear haunches are widened - 44 mm in the case of the Targa.

Also due for release is the RS variant of Porsche's gloriously maniacal GT3. The race-ready 911 will benefit from a variety of track inspired equipment, notably the 415 BHP, 3.6-liter, flat-six, which will rev all the way to 8,400 RPM, before the rev-limiter stops the madness.

Those of us stuck on this continent are starting to get jealous.

[Source: Carpages.co.uk]