Friday, June 7, 2019
2018 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Review
With the exception of the track focused 500 horsepower 911 GT3 and 700hp 911 GT2, the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS is the most powerful rear-wheel drive 911 money can get you. It’s yet another in the line of turbocharged 991.2 generation 911s that don’t bear the ‘turbo’ badge. In Carrera GTS guise, it packs the wider body from the Carrera 4 on a RWD package, a more powerful engine, and all the performance packages pretty much arrive as standard – It’s one giant performance package Carrera. Where the 911 Turbo is more akin to a supercar in its performance, the Carrera GTS is the pinnacle of sports car 911s.
InteriorWith the standard Sports Chrono package, the interior of the GTS features the analog stopwatch atop the dash and the 918 Spyder inspired drive select switch on the steering wheel. There’s the same touch screen system found across the rest of the updated 991.2 range, with the same clutter of buttons beneath it – a clutter that shows this as a mere update rather than an all-new 911 model. Elsewhere, the cabin’s layout is logical and ergonomically accurate, if staid. Most of the cabin trim is the same as lesser Carreras, but instead of chrome and aluminum trim elements the GTS uses black trim pieces which feel surprisingly cheap. The rest of the package feels as solid and as high quality as we expect from Porsche, and the cabin features the same 2+2 seating layout with semi-usable rear seats for short journeys that fold away to reveal 9 cubic feet of cargo volume.
Driving (Ride and Handling)The GTS’ party tricks include the standard equipment of Porsche Traction Management, Porsche Active Suspension Management with a 0.4-inch drop in ride height, and the Sport Chrono Package including dynamic engine mounts. Optionally, the GTS can also be equipped with rear wheel steering and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control. Combine the lot and the GTS offers a chassis that wants to so desperately be a 911 GT3. Brake assisted torque vectoring keeps the front end keen and direct, while expertly tuned electrically assisted steering offers the best feedback of any EPAS system around. PDK equipped versions get a torque-vectoring active rear differential, which makes the GTS even more cohesive, incisive, and precise through any slew of corners. Ride quality is nearly completely adjustable – brittle and firm in Sport mode, but in comfort modes it’s supple and responsive – despite being resistant to body roll. It’s not a standard Carrera – the lower ride height precludes that level of comfort, but it’s close
Performance (Engine and Transmission)The 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat six lurking beneath the rear deck lid is largely the same as the Carrera’s, but the turbos are bigger and pump an extra 2.1 psi worth of pressure through the intake. The recipe serves up 450hp and 405 lb-ft, directed to the rear wheels via two 7-speed gearbox choices – a manual or dual clutch PDK automatic. With the latter equipped, 0-60 arrives in a mere 3.5 seconds, and while the new boosted motor may lack the character of the old naturally aspirated one, the mule-kick of torque from as low as 2 150rpm more than makes up for it.
Equipment and SafetyPorsche’s never come cheap, and the 911 Carrera GTS is no exception, but with the standard performance upgrades, usually options on lesser Carreras, you get most of what you’ll need. Standard, you’ll get the Sound Package Plus with 150-watt sound system, as well as an LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, though optional Bose and Burmeister systems are available. Power adjustable Adaptive Sports seats Plus are also available, as are a wealth of other options that can quickly drive the price sky-high. On the safety front, stability control is standard, as are Bi-Xenon headlamps with Porsche’s Dynamic Lighting System, but LED units are available, as are carbon ceramic brakes.
VerdictWith a wider chassis, more power, and a slew of performance options like the Sports Chrono Package and active suspension all standard, the 911 Carrera GTS is an out-of-the-box road-going champion. Though the options may be nice-to-haves, the base GTS is arguably the greatest value proposition of the 911 range.
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Porsche Cayman S (987) F6-3.4L P Code
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Porsche Explains Every 911 Variant In Less Than Five Minutes
A little while ago, we decided to tackle one of the most difficult tasks that automotive enthusiasts can take on - explaining the Porsche 911 lineup. Porsche currently sells 24 variations of the 911, so keeping them all in order can be a bit tricky. Even Porsche itself admits there may be some people who simply don't know which 911 is which.
That's why the company has decided to post a clever explanation video, which details each of the 24 variations of the 911 in less than five minutes. If you've always been confused by the 911 lineup, this is the video for you.
The video is filmed like a story, detailing all of the 911 models from the base Carrera model up to the bonkers GT2 RS. All of the variants act as their own page in a book and we are introduced to a new 911 variant on each page, along with a short backstory.
The explanation begins with the base Carrera model, which was named after the famous Carrera Panamerican race in Mexico. It then goes into detail about the various 911 body styles and drivetrain options, including the convertible and all-wheel-drive models.
After delving through the more "pedestrian" 911 model, the video moves on to the hardcore, race-inspired GT models. The GT3 was designed for race and road use, while the more hardcore GT3 RS is more track-focused. Finally, the GT2 RS acts as the most powerful and fastest 911 model, pushing the 911 platform to its absolute limit.
We thoroughly enjoyed Porsche's explanation of the 911 lineup. It may not be as detailed as ours but it does give viewers a quick and straightforward explanation of an otherwise complicated model lineup.
Thursday, June 6, 2019
BREAKING: This Is The New Porsche 911 Before You're Supposed To See It
Later this year, Porsche will unveil the all-new 911 (codenamed the 992). Several prototypes wrapped in camouflage have already been spotted undergoing testing, in what is fast becoming one of the most photographed prototypes of the year. Porsche seems to be struggling to keep the car under wraps, as a clear shot of the sports car’s sleek rear was leaked online earlier this year. More recently, we got another peek at the new 911 undisguised, but our spies only managed to capture the rear end of the car again as it was being pushed by Porsche employees.
This, however, is by far our best look yet at the 2019 Porsche 911, as these new spy shots show the car with practically no camouflage – and this time it’s been captured from almost every angle for our viewing pleasure months before the car's world debut. Some thin layers of tape cover the taillights and a sticker has been placed over the headlights, but the car is otherwise completely uncovered.
To the untrained eye, the 992-generation looks a lot like the old 911. And you’d be right since every new 911 arrives with evolutionary rather than revolutionary design changes. There are several key changes for the 992-generation, however. Firstly, it rides on an updated MMB platform, which is stronger and stiffer and can incorporate hybrid powertrains. Your eyes aren’t deceiving you: the new 911 is slightly longer due to this new platform.
The overall design looks more muscular thanks to the car’s wider wheel arches, and the hood now extends down to the front end. New LED headlights adorn the front along with a redesigned front bumper with large intakes at each corner, and the slimmer taillights are connected by a full-width light bar similar to the Cayenne, Macan, Panamera and old air-cooled 911 models. Like the car that was spotted last month, quad exhaust tips are integrated into the rear bumper, so we’re probably looking at the new Carrera 4S.
As is traditional, the new 911 range will be powered by a rear-mounted flat-six engine. The base 992 Carrera is expected to have around 400 hp on tap, while the output of the Carrera S could increase to 450 hp and the range-topping Turbo S will allegedly pack 620 hp. A hybrid version will eventually join the range for the first time in the model’s history, and it’s expected to be the most powerful 911 ever made (with rumors suggesting it will pack 700 hp). Inside, the interior will borrow some tech from the Panamera such as a larger infotainment screen. The 2019 Porsche 911 is expected to officially break cover at the Paris Auto Show in October, but at this rate Porsche won’t have much left to reveal.
7 Cars From Geneva 2018 We Can't Wait To See On The Road
The 2018 Geneva Motor Show was filled with some spectacular metal, some of which will eventually reach production. The show floor had plenty of awesome concept cars, but we wanted to save those for another time. We have compiled a list of our seven favorite cars from the Geneva Show (all of which have been designated to reach production). These are the cars we can't wait to drive when they are finally available to the public.
Audi A6The Audi A6 enters into a very competitive luxury segment. The A6's main rivals are the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. We believe the new A6 will be a solid competitor in this segment thanks to a radically new interior featuring dual touchscreen controls. The A6 is not the most exciting car in its class, but it does many things well and is a huge improvement over the old model.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS (991.2)The 991.2 generation 911 GT3 RS was leaked just prior to its Geneva reveal. This didn't stop it from being our favorite sports car at the show. The 2019 911 GT3 RS is powered by a 4.0-liter flat-fix with a 9,000 rpm redline. The engine produces 520 hp: 20 more than the previous model. The GT3 RS is already a track-focused monster, but Porsche made it even more enticing by showing it off with an eye-catching green paint job.
Volvo V60It may not be nearly as flashy as the 911, but the Volvo V60 may go down in history as the prettiest wagon ever. Volvo continues to be committed to wagons when other automakers have abandoned them in favor of crossovers. As with other Volvo models, the V60 will be available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged or twin-charged four-cylinder, which can be paired with a hybrid system. Total output ranges from 250 hp to 390 hp, which should make it a solid competitor in the small luxury segment.
Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door CoupeOn the sportier end of the spectrum, Mercedes revealed a four-door version of its AMG GT sports car. Even though the AMG GT four-door is actually based on the E63 wagon platform, it should be a worthy rival to models like the Porsche Panamera. The AMG GT four-door picks up where the old CLS63 left off in the AMG lineup. Mercedes will offer a variety of powertrains including a 3.0-liter inline-six and a 4.0-liter V8. Power will range from 429 hp to 630 hp. No matter which engine powers the AMG GT four-door, we can't wait to drive it.
Jaguar I-PaceThe Jaguar I-Pace has the potential to be the most important car we saw at Geneva. Almost every automaker wants to beat Tesla at its own game, and it appears that the I-Pace looks will be the first production EV to actually give Tesla a run for its money. Not only will the I-Pace be less expensive than a Tesla Model X, it will offer 395 hp and around 240 miles of driving range.
Lamborghini Huracan Peformante SpyderThe Lamborghini Huracan Peformante Spyder wasn't much of a surprise after we saw numerous spyshots of the car prior to Geneva. Still, the drop-top Lambo adds even more drama to an already exciting car. Like the coupe, the Peformante Spyder is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 producing 630 hp. It may be heavier and a bit slower than the coupe, but the Spyder should be more dramatic thanks to the open cabin, which will let in more of that V10 soundtrack.
Ferrari 488 PistaThe Ferrari 488 Pista is the more hardcore, track-ready version of the standard 488. Ferrari has a tradition of offering a lightweight, stripped out version of its mid-engine sports cars. The Pista weighs only 2,822 pounds and should be extremely fast courtesy of a 720 hp 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8. McLaren has been dominating the supercar segment, but Ferrari can potentially catch up with this incredible car.
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Everything You Need To Know To Understand The Porsche 911 Model Range
Have you ever looked at the entire Porsche 911 lineup? It's like trying to order food off the menu at the world's greatest diner. There are a million good choices, but you still don't know what to get. Porsche currently sells 24 distinct variations of the 911 – we know, we checked. The 911 ranges from around $91,000 on the low end to around $293,000 on the high end, so understanding the lineup can make a big difference. The current 991 generation car will be replaced later this year by an all-new 992 generation, but before it does we wanted to help break down Porsche's dizzying array of 911 models. Here's everything you need to know to decipher today's 911 lineup.
The BodystylesThe first thing you should know about the 911 is that it is available in three different body styles: Coupe, Cabriolet, and Targa. Most of the specialty models are only available as coupes, but we'll get to that later on. A coupe is exactly what you would expect - a fixed roof with no hidden tricks. The cabriolet is also pretty self-explanatory with a droptop that retracts without taking up any trunk space (because the trunk is up front).
The Targa is a bit trickier to explain because it has changed from generation to generation. A Targa is a semi-convertible car with a removable roof section with a full-width roll bar behind the seats. Some 911 Targa generations, like the 993, simply had a sliding glass roof instead of a simple removable one. The current 991 generation uses a complicated power system to remove a section of the roof and store it behind the seats. Why get a Targa over a cabriolet? Because it looks cool and is far less common.
Carrera, Carrera S, and Carrera GTSThings get a bit complicated with the Carrera models, which can also be ordered in S or GTS power levels, and as coupes and cabriolets. Each comes standard with rear-wheel drive, and models with a '4' in their name have all-wheel drive. You can also distinguish a 4 model by its wider hips and taillight bar across the rear. RWD and AWD can be combined with all Carrera trim levels, except for the specialty Carrera T (see below). Targas are treated as separate models and can only be ordered with AWD.
The base Carrera is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six producing 370 horsepower. The Carrera S brings the power up to 420 hp and the GTS to 450 hp. All of these 911s can be ordered with a seven-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch. The manual is more fun, but the PDK is quicker.
Carrera TPorsche loves special lightweight editions, but these are typically reserved for the higher priced models in the 911 range. The Carrera T takes a base Carrera and strips as much weight as possible out of it to create the purest driving experience possible. Power is the same as a base Carrera at 370 hp, but this specialty model certainly feels more special to drive. This is the 911 to buy if you would like to be a bit more unique than the other lawyers in the office but don't want to spend the cash on one of the more expensive models.
Turbo and Turbo SIn the world of 911s, the Turbo has always been the ultimate speed machine. The 911 Turbo has been overlooked in recent years as variants like the GT3 and GT2 RS have taken over the spotlight because of their exclusivity and staggering performance. The Turbo name also makes a bit less sense now that all 911 models, besides the GT3, are turbocharged. All 911 Turbos come with AWD and PDK, making them the quickest off the line.
The base Turbo comes packing 540 hp from a 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-fix, while the Turbo S produces a meatier 580 hp. Porsche claims 0-60 mph times of 2.9 and 2.8 seconds for the Turbo and Turbo S respectively, but some outlets have tested them at just 2.5 seconds to 60 mph. Despite such savage acceleration, the Turbo is known as one of the quietest and most comfortable 911s, making it the ideal Grand Touring car. Both the Turbo and Turbo S are also available as Cabriolets, which lowers the 0-60 time by a minuscule tenth of a second. Porsche also introduced a Turbo S Exclusive Series, which ups the power to 607 hp.
GT3 ModelsAll 911s are special, but the GT models are really special. These are the most track-focused in the range for owners who like to race on the weekends. The GT3 is the most suited for public roads but is still powered by an awe-inducing 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six with 500 hp. Why use a naturally aspirated engine instead of a turbo one? Because it sounds better, of course. The 991.1 GT3 was only offered with a PDK, but demand from enthusiasts forced Porsche to offer a six-speed manual on the refreshed 991.2. Porsche also sells a Touring Package, which removes the rear wing for a more subtle look.
The GT3 is really a street car for the track, whereas the GT3 RS is more of a track car for the street. Here, the 4.0-liter flat-six produces 520 hp and additional weight is taken out. It is also PDK-only to keep it as fast as possible. The GT3 RS can also be ordered with a more extreme Weissach package that makes it even lighter. Porsche is also rumored to be working on a new Speedster model, which will be based on a GT3 for the first time in the specialty model's history.
GT2 RSThe 911 GT2 started off as a hardcore, RWD version of the Turbo. The current GT2 RS is the ultimate 911, powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six producing 700 hp. Think of the GT2 RS as the best of the GT3 RS and Turbo mixed into one: a savage creation that managed to lap the Nurburgring in just 6 minutes 47 seconds (the quickest time ever for a rear-wheel-drive production car at the time). The GT2 RS is the most expensive 911 with a $293,000 starting price, but like most modern Porsche 911 GTs, the price has already gone up on the second-hand market due to high demand.