2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

Porsche has unveiled an updated 911 GT3 RSR for 2012.



Aimed at customer race teams, the 997-based car has been built to ACO GTE regulations, which means it’ll be able to compete in next year’s inaugural FIA World Endurance Championship, as well as the American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series and International GT Open.

The most striking visual changes are the larger wheel arches, which make the 911 GT3 RSR 48 millimetres (1.9 inches) wider than before. Consequently the rear section, front valence and door sills have all had to be adapted, while modified intakes in the rear panels now feed air to the engine.



Installed in its customary place out back is a four litre, six-cylinder boxer engine that develops 453 bhp (338 kW / 460 PS) and drives through a sequential six-speed transmission. That power output might seem strangely low given that the street-legal 911 GT3 RS 4.0 boasts 493 bhp (368 kW / 500 PS), but the race version has a mandatory air restrictor fitted that’s clearly doing its job.

Deliveries of the revised Porsche 911 GT3 RSR are due to begin in January 2012. The price, excluding VAT, is €498,000 (around £428,200 or US$685,900 at current exchange rates).



Related posts:
Aston Martin Vantage GT3
Updated BMW Z4 GT3
McLaren MP4-12C GT3

Toyota is top car brand

Toyota has beaten BMW to become the number one car brand in the BrandZ™ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands 2011, as compiled by MillwardBrown.



That was achieved despite the extensive and high profile recalls for many of the company’s vehicles over the past year. However, the introduction of extended warranties, as well as independent experts finding that driver mistakes were responsible in the majority of incidents, clearly helped to minimise any damage. Toyota also topped the rankings for offering the best value, a measure of desirability versus price.

Toyota: Most valuable car brand 2011

Runner-up BMW was cited as being the most recommended automotive brand, while third-place Mercedes-Benz is the most trusted.



Eighth-place Ford was the only one of the ‘big three’ American manufacturers to make the top ten, which was due in part to it rejecting government bail-out money, unlike GM and Chrysler. Indeed, Ford made its highest profits for ten years, while launching attractive models that people actually want to buy and supporting them by innovative marketing approaches.



Heading the overall Top 100 listing was Apple, followed by Google and IBM.

BrandZ™ Top 10 Most Valuable Global Car Brands 2011
Ranking: Cars	Brand	Brand Value (US$ M)	Change	Ranking: Overall Top 100
1	Toyota	24,198	11%	27
2	BMW	22,425	3%	30
3	Mercedes-Benz	15,344	12%	50
4	Honda	14,182	-1%	56
5	Porsche	12,413	3%	66
6	Nissan	10,072	17%	88
7	Volkswagen	7,408	6%	N/A
8	Ford	7,394	5%	N/A
9	Audi	3,808	5%	N/A
10	Lexus	3,648	N/A	N/A

World Car Awards top three

Following the announcement of the World Car Awards finalists at the beginning of February, the jurors have voted once again to decide the top three candidates in each category.



There’s now a short wait until the New York International Auto Show, which begins on 22 April, to find out the winners.



The three models up for each award - in alphabetical order - are:



2011 World Car of the Year



· Audi A8

· BMW 5 Series

· Nissan Leaf

BMW 5 Series Saloon

The outsider here is probably the Audi, but whether enough jurors have been swayed by the Leaf remains to be seen. Many might have been reluctant to give their votes to the Nissan because, despite its green credentials, it nevertheless represents first generation electric car technology which comes with associated issues of purchase price, recharging time and range.



2011 World Performance Car



· Ferrari 458 Italia

· Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

· Porsche 911 Turbo

Ferrari 458 Italia

It’s difficult to foresee the Ferrari not winning this category.



2011 World Car Design of the Year



· Alfa Romeo Giulietta

· Aston Martin Rapide

· Ferrari 458 Italia

Aston Martin Rapide

Perhaps the surprise here is that the Citroën DS3, which was in the top ten shortlist, hasn’t make it through to the top three. Naturally this is a very subjective category but, from an aesthetic perspective, surely the Aston Martin just about beats the other contenders?



2011 World Green Car



· BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition

· Chevrolet Volt

· Nissan Leaf

Chevrolet Volt

This award is hard to predict, because the three finalists represent three very different technologies: internal combustion, range extender and pure electric. However, because the Volt combines the benefits of battery power with a total absence of range anxiety, it deserves to clinch the title.



Related post:

World Car Awards finalists

Panamera S Hybrid

Porsche has announced its most economical model ever.



The Panamera S Hybrid achieves 41.5 mpg (6.8 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 159 g/km, according to the New European Driving Cycle test. The slight caveat is that those figures are only possible with specially developed - and optional - Michelin low rolling resistance tyres.

Nevertheless, even on normal rubber the hybrid manages 39.7 mpg (7.1 l/100km) and 167 g/km. Still very impressive considering that the best a purely petrol-powered Panamera will do is 25.0 mpg (11.3 l/100km) while pumping out 265 g/km of CO2.



Under the skin is the same technology that’s found in the Cayenne S Hybrid, which means a 328 bhp (245 kW / 333 PS) 3.0 litre supercharged six-cylinder petrol engine running in conjunction with a 45 bhp (34 kW / 47 PS) electric motor. Charge is stored in a nickel metal hydride battery, and an eight-speed Tiptronic S gearbox is fitted as standard.

The Panamera’s range using only its electric motor for propulsion is a little over a mile (around two kilometres). That isn’t a lot, but even such a meagre distance could prove handy in city centre stop-start driving. Perhaps of more use is the ‘sailing’ feature which, at speeds up to 103 mph (165 km/h), will completely shut down the petrol engine when it’s not actually delivering any power to the wheels.



Harnessing the combined 373 bhp (279 kW / 380 PS) from its motor and engine, the Panamera S Hybrid will accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.0 seconds, while the more relevant 50-75 mph (80-120 km/h) increment is taken care of in 3.9 seconds. Top speed is 168 mph (270 km/h).

Pricing has been set at £86,227 for the UK and €106,185 in Germany. Standard kit includes Porsche Active Suspension Management, which offers continuous electronic adjustment of the dampers. Adaptive air suspension and Servotronic speed-sensitive power steering are also fitted.



Following an appearance at the Geneva International Motor Show, the Panamera S Hybrid is scheduled to have its market launch in June 2011.

Boxster S Black Edition

Another week, another Porsche special edition...



This time it’s the turn of the Boxster S, which gets the same Black Edition treatment as recently applied to the 911.

Predictably, given its name, there’s a certain theme going on: Black paintwork, black hood, black rear side air intakes, black exhaust tailpipes, black rollover bars, black model lettering, black dashboard trim, black half-leather upholstery and black 19” alloys borrowed from the Boxster Spyder.



Not that the end result looks at all bad, provided of course that you like black.



Standard equipment on the Black Edition is generous, featuring three packages which are normally cost options. The first of these is ‘Design’, responsible for most of the black bits and pieces including the wheels.



Secondly, ‘Comfort’ adds automatic climate control, cruise control, bi-xenon headlights, headlight wash, LED daytime running lights, a wind deflector, automatic dimming mirrors and a rain sensor.



Finally, ‘Infotainment’ includes the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with 6.5” colour touchscreen, radio with RDS twin tuner, Bluetooth telephone preparation, navigation module, universal audio interface and the Sound Package Plus.

The changes aren’t just cosmetic, though. Compared to the standard Boxster S, power from the 3.4 litre straight-six engine has been increased by 9 bhp (7 kW / 10 PS) to 315 bhp (235 kW / 320 PS), while peak torque rises to 370 Nm (272 lb/ft).



Those admittedly modest increases don’t dramatically improve performance. The 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time does drop by a tenth to 5.2 seconds, but top speed is more or less unchanged at 171 mph (276 km/h).



Anyone wanting slightly better acceleration could specify the optional, seven-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission instead of the usual six-speed manual gearbox. This lets the Boxster complete the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 5.1 seconds, although it reduces top speed a tad to 170 mph (274 km/h).



Sales of the Boxster S Black Edition are set to begin in March 2011, and volumes will be limited to just 987 examples - a nod to the current Boxster’s internal Porsche model code.



Pricing has been confirmed at £47,426 (£49,567 with PDK) for the UK, which represents a saving of around £2,000 compared to a similarly specified Boxster S.



In Germany, the Black Edition will cost €63,404.

World Car Awards finalists

Sixty-six jurors from across the world have completed a first round of voting to determine the 2011 World Car Awards finalists.



With four different awards up for grabs, the shortlist models - in alphabetical order - are:





2011 World Car of the Year

• Audi A1


• Audi A8


• BMW 5 Series


• BMW X3


• Jaguar XJ


• Jeep Grand Cherokee


• Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG


• Nissan Leaf


• Porsche Cayenne


• Volvo S60 / V60

Obviously, this is the big prize. Each of the finalists will be judged on ‘overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal and significance’, a combination that has lead to some previous winners being very worthy but also just a bit dull.



What’s striking is that 2011’s entire crop is from premium or, in the case of the Volvo and Jeep, semi-premium manufacturers. Even the Nissan isn’t exactly mainstream, given its relatively high price.

The Leaf could well repeat its 2011 European Car of the Year victory, but it does tend to divide opinion. There are those who believe it almost makes petrol or diesel cars obsolete, while others won’t back an all-electric car until both battery range and the recharging infrastructure improve.







It’s hard to see either the SLS AMG or Cayenne winning, given their comparative lack of environmental responsibility. The BMW 5 Series has to be a contender given its all-round ability, but it would be good to see the Jaguar XJ clinch it, simply because it represents such a brave departure from previous generation XJ models.



Audi’s A1 probably ticks all the boxes. However, it’d be a shame for it to win because it’s essentially a tarted-up version of last year’s World Car of the Year, the Volkswagen Polo.





2011 World Performance Car

• Aston Martin Rapide


• Audi RS 5 Coupe


• Cadillac CTS-V Coupe


• Ferrari 458 Italia


• Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera


• Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG / CL 63 AMG


• Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG


• Porsche 911 GT2 RS


• Porsche 911 Turbo


• Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250

This category is wide open, as it includes everything from a compact hot hatch to numerous supercars for the jurors to choose from. Audi has won the performance car award three times in the past five years, but it’ll be a surprise if the feat is repeated with the RS 5.









2011 World Car Design of the Year

• Alfa Romeo Giulietta


• Aston Martin Rapide


• Audi A7


• Citroën DS3


• Ferrari 458


• Honda CR-Z


• Kia Sportage


• Nissan Juke

There were originally fifty-one candidates in this category, which is expected to ‘highlight new vehicles with innovation and style that push established boundaries’ - a demanding set of criteria.

On that basis, the Aston Martin would seem to be a strong challenger, but arguably it’s the Nissan Juke that truly stands out as a unique design.



The shortlist was decided by a panel of five design experts but, as with all of the other awards, it’s now solely up to the jurors to arrive at a winner.







2011 World Green Car

• BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition


• Chevrolet Volt


• Hyundai Sonata Hybrid


• Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell


• Nissan Leaf


• Smart electric drive

Three environmental experts were asked to draw up the finalists for this award based on emissions, fuel consumption and the power plant technology employed.

Perhaps the Leaf stands a stronger chance of winning this category, but it may be the case that more jurors consider the Volt’s range extender concept as being more practical for everyday use.







But with its 109 g/km and combined cycle 68.9 mpg (4.0 l/100km), the 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition proves that cars with a traditional internal combustion engine can still be impressively green.







The next stage is that during February the jurors will vote again, but this time just on the finalists.



Following that ballot, the top three cars in each category will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on 1st March.



Then, bringing the process to a close, the 2011 World Car Awards winners will be declared during the New York International Auto Show in April.

2011 Porsche Cayman R

As anticipated, Porsche has revealed a range-topping Cayman at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Named the Cayman R, the formula is a familiar one: reduce weight and increase power.

Compared to the Cayman S, the Cayman R is 55 kg (121 lbs) lighter while the 3.4 litre engine now produces 325 bhp (243 kW / 330 PS) - an additional 9 bhp (8kW / 10 PS). With the standard six-speed manual gearbox, that means the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration time drops from 5.2 to 5.0 seconds, but buyers can turn to the Porsche options list to get that down even more.



Go for the seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission, and another 0.1 of a second is shaved off. A side effect is that fuel consumption is slightly improved too, with the PDK-equipped car recording a combined cycle figure of 30.4 mpg (9.3 l/100km) compared to 29.1 mpg (9.7 l/100km) for the standard Cayman R.

Top speed of the Cayman R is 175 mph (282 km/h) with the manual gearbox, or 174 mph (280 km/h) with PDK.



Also available is a Sport Chrono package, which will further reduce the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time to 4.7 seconds. Interestingly, that’s exactly the same time as the 911 Carrera S manages.



The interior leaves you in no doubt that the Cayman R has been on a diet. Lightweight sports seats are fitted, helping to reduce the overall weight of the car by 12 kg. Some comforts have been dispensed with though, and there’s no air conditioning or cup holders. Even the small plastic shroud over the instruments has been ditched. Porsche don’t bother with a stereo either, but one can be specified as a zero-cost option.

Visually, the R is distinguished by its fixed rear spoiler, lightweight 19” alloy wheels, side graphics and black headlight surrounds and door mirrors. 20 mm lower suspension also gives it a more purposeful stance.



The Porsche Cayman R is due to reach showrooms in early 2011. The UK price has been confirmed at £51,731, a premium of £5,102 over the Cayman S.

Even more 911 derivatives

Carrera, Turbo, Carrera 4S, GT2 RS, etc., etc. Coupé, Convertible and Targa. With seventeen models, representing just about every conceivable engine, body style and transmission permutation, nobody could accuse Porsche of not trying to offer a 911 to suit the tastes and wallets of every potential purchaser.



But it appears that there were still some tiny niches being ignored, because now there are another three variants: Carrera GTS Coupé, Carrera GTS Cabriolet and Speedster.



911 Carrera GTS

The role of the GTS is to satisfy those who clearly think that the Carrera S doesn’t have quite enough power, but the GT3 simply has too much. Hence the 3.8 litre flat six Porsche has specified for the GTS produces 402 bhp (300 kW / 408 PS), an output that ideally fills the narrow chasm between the 379 bhp (283 kW / 385 PS) of the Carrera S and the GT3’s 429 bhp (320 kW / 435 PS).



Predictably, its performance slots neatly between those other two 911 models, too. The GTS Coupé gets from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.6 seconds, while the real world 50-75 mph (80-120 km/h) increment takes 5.6 seconds in fifth gear, and top speed is 190 mph (306 km/h). Acceleration times for the GTS Cabriolet are marginally slower, but flat out it’s as fast as the hardtop.

The GTS also addresses another omission in the 911 line-up that has, up until now, gone unsatisfied: it combines rear-wheel drive with the slightly wider bodywork from the all-wheel drive Carrera 4. Further differentiating the GTS is a SportDesign front apron with black spoiler edge, special side skirts, nicely subtle graphics and a black Alcantara interior. Helping to show off the wider track are 19” centre-mount RS Spyder alloys, finished in black but with high gloss rim flanges.



In fairness though, the overall effect is appealing. The result is a car that’s less anonymous that a normal Carrera, but not as brash as a GT3. Mid-way between the two, then.

It’s not quite the same story with the pricing, though. In the UK, the Carrera S Coupé and GT3 cost £74,606 and £87,935 respectively, so it would be reasonable to assume that the 911 Carrera GTS Coupé would be around £80,000. It is, in fact, £76,758 which, by comparison, seems like rather good value. The Carrera GTS Convertible is £83,493.



911 Speedster

Depending on your point of view, the Speedster is either an essential addition to the range, or a cynical marketing exercise.



Of course, the name is taken from the original 356 Speedster and, in a move that’s not at all tacky, only 356 examples of the 911 Speedster will be produced.



With its 402 bhp (300 kW / 408 PS), rear-wheel drive and wider bodywork, the Speedster is essentially a Carrera GTS Convertible fitted with a 60 mm lower windscreen, manual roof, two seats and a ‘double bubble’ cover for the retracted soft top. It also gets bespoke side skirts and front and rear aprons.



The only transmission choice is the seven-speed PDK (double clutch) gearbox, and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes come as standard. Performance is similar to that of a PDK-equipped GTS Convertible, with 0-62 mph (100 km/h) taking 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 189 mph (305 km/h).



Available only in Pure Blue or Carrera White paintwork with a black leather interior, UK pricing for the 911 Speedster is yet to be confirmed.



However, in Germany, it will cost a shocking €201,682 - that’s 75% more than a Carrera GTS Cabriolet. On that basis, the Speedster could end up being around £146,000, which is lunacy when the quicker and more practical 911 Turbo S Cabriolet is ‘only’ £130,791.

Porsche Cayman Awards

The Cayman has been the recipient of a number of awards, including:

* Automobile – All-Star 2007, Best Sports Car 2006
* Car and Driver – One of the 10 Best Cars 2007-2009
* World Car of the Year (WCOTY) – World Performance Car of the Year 2006
* Top Gear – Sports Car of the Year 2005
* Auto Express - Greatest Drives & Best Sporting Car 2007 & 2006
* Frankfurt Motor Show - Autoweek Editors' Best in Show 2005
* Playboy Magazine - Car of the Year 2006
* J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study, Best Compact Premium Sporty Cars 2006
* J.D. Power's Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study, Best Compact Premium Sporty Cars 2007 & 2006
* Wheels Automotive Design Awards, Best Exterior 2006
* Car Plus Magazine Car of the Year Award, Best Sports Car 2006
* Motor Trend, Best Driver's Car 2009




Porsche Cayman


Porsche Cayman


Porsche Cayman


Porsche Cayman


Porsche Cayman


Porsche Cayman


Porsche Cayman


Porsche Cayman


Porsche Cayman




Porsche Cayman


Porsche Cayman


Porsche Cayman




Porsche Cayman










All Review videos and more of:• Infiniti• Mitsubishi• Aston Martin• Isuzu• Nissan• Audi• Jaguar • Pontiac• Bentley• Jeep• Porsche• BMW• Kia• Rolls Royce• Buick• Lamborghini• Saab• Cadillac• Land Rover• Saturn• Chevrolet• Lexus• Scion• Chrysler• Lincoln• Smart• Dodge• Lotus• Subaru• Ferrari• Maserati• Suzuki• Ford• Maybach• Tesla• GMC• Mazda• Toyota• Honda• Mercedes-Benz• Volkswagen• HUMMER• Mercury• Volvo• Hyundai• MINI.and MORE....

Porsche 911 2010 top Specs

The Turbo version of the 997 series featured the same 3.6 L twin-turbocharged engine as the 996 Turbo, but this time it developed 480 PS (353 kW; 473 bhp) and 620 N·m (457 lb·ft) of torque.
Porsche 911 2010


Porsche 911 2010


Porsche 911 2010


Porsche 911 2010


Porsche 911 2010


Porsche 911 2010


Porsche 911 2010


Porsche 911 2010


Porsche 911 2010




Porsche 911 2010




Porsche 911 2010


Porsche 911 2010


Porsche 911 2010




This was in part due to the 997's VTG (variable turbine geometry), which essentially combines the low-rev boost and quick responses of a small turbocharger with the high-rev power of a larger turbocharger. As well as producing more power and flexibility, the new turbocharger improved fuel consumption over the 996 Turbo.