Autoblog

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera S with PDK

Introduced in 1963, the Porsche 911 is one of the most successful competition cars ever built. Despite its unconventional rear-engine platform, the 911 Carrera holds recorded wins in nearly every type of automotive competition. Continuously upgraded and refined, Porsche has introduced a mid-cycle refresh for the 2009 model year. While the cosmetic changes are immediately apparent, the most significant improvements – two new engines and a new double-clutch transmission – are hidden under its sleek skin. We spent a long day putting the 2009 911 Carrera through its paces on a race track near Salt Lake City framed by the spectacular snow-capped surrounding mountains of Utah. Read our impressions after the jump.

Photos Copyright ©2008 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc.

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Audi R8 GT3 car

The courtship between Audi and GT3-class racing teams has officially begun with the automaker's announcement that it has developed a GT3 version of the R8 sports car dubbed "R16" internally by its project overlords at Audi Sport . The rear-drive racer (GT3 regulations prohibit AWD) features a six-speed sequential gearbox, mostly production-spec suspension components, plus an updated front end and a large rear wing designed to keep it planted to the tarmac. No additional tech specs have been revealed at this time. Factory driver Frank Biela was at the wheel for the prototype's roll-out, and customer deliveries are expected to take place next fall. Look for the car to see wheel-to-wheel action against the likes of the Aston Martin DBRS9 and Jaguar XKR GT3 during the 2009 European racing season. We patiently await its inclusion in a future Gran Turismo update so that we can try it out, too.


[Source: Audi]

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 above for a high-res gallery of the Lotus Exige GT3.

Aussie racing fans are in for a treat during the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend, where the updated Lotus Exige GT3 will make its official debut. The revised racer is still packing the same supercharged 1.8-liter mill from the road-going Exige S, but it's been tweaked to created almost 350 hp and 224 lb.-ft. of torque (we're guessing through the use of a liquid-to-air intercooler and around 16 pounds of boost heaved into the built motor). Additionally, Lotus has revised the aero bits to increase downforce and reduce drag through the use of a lengthened nose (3 cm), a widened track (10 cm) and a rear section stretched by some 8 cm. Angelo Lazaris will be piloting the GT3 this weekend during the third round of the GT Championship.

Lotus' full press release is posted after the jump and you can check out the gallery of the Lotus Exige GT3 concept below.

Click image for hi-res gallery

Endurance racing fans have a new Porsche to look for on the circuit this year. The automaker has unveiled the GT3 Cup S racing car, which can be used in FIA GT3 events. It combines a more powerful version of the 3.6L engine used in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup and the Carrera Cup series cars thanks to changes to the exhaust and engine management systems. The GT3 Cup S makes 440 horses and 317 lb-ft of torque. The intimidating bodywork is based on the GT2-class GT3 RSR instead of the more production-looking Supercup/Carrera Cup cars, and the GT3 Cup S also sports upgraded suspension components and bigger brakes. Cost of entry is steep -- €250,000 plus VAT -- but no one ever said racing was for the faint-of-heart (or wallet). Owners of '07 GT3 Cup cars can have their cars upgraded to Cup S spec for a price as well. While it's not as slinky-sexy as the new Jaguar XKR GT3 car, the Porsche should be seen in heavy numbers and on many podiums during the coming season. Press release and tech specs pasted after the jump.

[Source: Porsche]

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!

We've seen quite a few videos on Autoblog of exotic sports cars tackling the ring, but motorcycles don't make much news here. MCN road-tester Michael Neeves braved the 'Ring back in April in a Yamaha R1 while his brother Ben followed close behind in a Porsche 911 GT3. In the wide-open, the R1 tears the lightning-fast GT3 a new one, but the Porsche consistently caught up in the twistier sections.

The 8:48 lap time pulled in by the Neeves brothers was pretty impressive considering the major traffic on the track and the two accidents that needed to be traversed. Hit the jump to check out the two-wheeled action.

[Source: Motorcycle News]

click above image for 45 more desktop wallpaper-size pics

No doubt followers of FIA GT3 racing were surprised at how well the Ford GTs from Matech ran in the first two races at Silverstone earlier this month. No one, however, was prepared for the can of whoop ass they opened up in Bucarest last weekend. Despite heavy rain at times, the two Matech Ford GTs were dominant, though not both at the same time.

The first GT3 race of the weekend was won by the #34 JMB Racing Ferrari F430, but the #43 Matech Ford GT driven by Thomas Mutsch and Martin Bartek finished second, the best result in the first three races of the season for a Ford GT. The second race of the weekend, however, concluded with the #44 Matech Ford GT driven by Stefan van Campenhoudt and Romain Bera crossing the finish line first, ahead of no less than three Porsche GT3s that were chasing it down. Romain Bera was driving the Ford GT at the race's conclusion and didn't realize until after the race that one of his rear tires had gone flat near the end. Despite that and the heavy rain, Matech left Bucharest with its first win and a solid second-place finish – an amazing result considering their program is about four months old.

We've got a gallery full of gorgeous shots from the Bucharest street race, and we threw in a lot of extra pics taken of the headlining FIA GT race, as well. We wish it were easier to follow the FIA GT series from the U.S., as watching such varied marques battling on the same track would be a dream come true, or at least better than watching NASCAR's CoT turning left all day long.

[Source: FIA GT3]

The new 911 GT3 has been praised as the finest iteration of the iconic coupe to ever come out of Stuttgart. And it's easy to see why. Lightweight components matched with an overly engineered powerplant and a superior suspension all conspire to make this 911 a perfect balance between track terror and daily driver. But KW thinks they can improve upon that last bit.

The aftermarket suspension wizards have developed a coilover setup, available in three specs, that allows users to modify the damping settings and ride height to strike a balance between optimal road-holding ability, safety and comfort.

Three flavors are available: V1, V2 and V3, each offering a range of adjustability. The V1 is the tamer setup, reducing ride height, but still offering a compliant ride. The V2 and V3 expand upon the fine-tuning capabilities, with the V3 allowing a drop of 20mm and geared towards more technically adept drivers.

You can check out KW's full line of components by following the 'Read' link below, and their full press release is posted after the jump.

[Source: KW Automotive GmbH]

A while back we posted on the impending debut of two Fords in FIA GT3 class racing – the Ford FR500GT and Ford GT. Last weekend both cars debuted simultaneously at Silverstone in the GT3 class and raced alongside other contenders like the Jaguar XKR GT3, which also debuted that weekend, the Ferrari F430 GT and Lamborghini Gallardo. The Ford factory-backed FR500GT apparently didn't make a great showing, but the two Matech Ford GTs impressed everyone by holding their own before trailing off at the end. One of the GTs actually qualified second for the race in a field of 50 GT3 cars, but it only managed to finish 16th. The GT3 class race at Silverstone was actually won in a thrilling manner by the Kessel Racing Ferrari F430 Challenge, which held off a charge at the finish by the Berg Racing Lamborghini Gallardo, finishing just a half second ahead of its Italian foe.

Check out some excellent on track photography over at Supercars.net, who had a photographer on hand during the race. The pics really tell the story.

[Source: Supercars.net]