Friday, November 6, 2009

Schumi and a drink

Even a world champion gets thirsty on a Friday. Enjoy!

Video: Porsche original Spyder footage

If you want the get a better idea about this amuzing car, Porsches official raw-footage is the best. You get all the other details HERE

Porsche 997 Targa?


Yes, this is possible with the special hardtop that GTN Automotive in Germany has developed. Read more and get pictures in this article from Auto,Motor und Sport
It has been said for a while that the classic Targa will get a revival in the near future, and this is how to make a modern classic. Really.

Screensaver of the week


Cant say anything else than I like this picture and its contrasts between matteblack and the polished rims in a strange way. It is Mansorys version of the facelifted 997 Carrera. (Click on the pic and get higher res)

Video: EVO drives the Ferrari 458 Italia

Now this is really interesting. EVOs Chris Harris guids us thru laps at Fiorano with and without traction control.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Entering Mach 1



This is how it looks when planes break into supersonic speed at 1.236 km/h (768 mph).

Breaking: Porsche Boxster Spyder



So the special looking Boxster that has been seen around, actually was a Spyderversion based on the car. With less weight and more power in conjunction with the PDK-transmission, this ought to be very fun. And it probably marks the end of the model before a new one.



Here is the press release:

Light, Efficient, Open: Boxster Spyder Making World Debut in Los Angeles

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is introducing a new top version of the Porsche Boxster, a light mid-engined roadster making its world debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in December.



Weighing just 1,275 kg or 2,811 lb, the Boxster Spyder is the lightest model throughout the entire range of Porsche cars. Clearly recognisable right from the start, this new mid-engined roadster represents the true, purist form of the Porsche sports car – light, powerful, consistently open, and very efficient.

This is precisely the formula already applied in creating Porsche’s most successful road-going sports and racing cars, ranging from the legendary 550 Spyder all the way to the RS Spyder so successful in motorsport today.

The Boxster Spyder now continues this clear-cut philosophy with full homologation for the road, thus reflecting a common wish expressed by Porsche customers. The new model is entering the market in February 2010 as the third version in the Boxster range, joining the Boxster and Boxster S.




The new member of the Boxster family stands out clearly at very first sight from the other versions of Porsche’s mid-engined roadster. Quite simply because the Boxster Spyder has been developed first and foremost for driving in the open air, the low-slung, light soft top extending far to the rear serving exclusively to protect the driver and passenger from bright sunshine, wind and weather. When closed, the soft top, together with the extra-low side windows and the two striking bulges on the single-piece rear lid, boasts a stretched and sleek silhouette reminiscent of the Carrera GT.

Significantly less weight than the Boxster S, a lower centre of gravity and an all-new sports suspension give the Boxster Spyder the right kind of driving dynamics clearly reflecting the unique look of the car.

The Boxster Spyder features a 3.4-litre six-cylinder with Direct Fuel Injection upfront of the rear axle. Maximum output is 320 bhp, 10 bhp more than in the Boxster S.



Equipped with PDK Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe and the Sports Chrono Package, the new Spyder, using Launch Control, accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Again with optional PDK, fuel consumption is a mere 9.3 litres on 100 kilometres (equal to 30.4 mpg imp) in the NEDC New European Driving Cycle. Top speed, in turn, is 267 km/h or 166 mph – with the roof open.

In terms of its fundamental concept, the entire Boxster family is the successor to the legendary 550 Spyder built back in 1953, both models sharing the same mid-engine roadster concept, low weight, back-to-the-roots lifestyle, and supreme agility combined with equally outstanding driving pleasure.

The 550 Spyder was the first sports car from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen developed specifically for racing but also homologated for the road. In the years following its production, this unique Spyder weighing only 550 kg or 1,213 lb, scored numerous victories on race circuits and in the road races so popular at the time.




The 550 Spyder was followed by other extremely successful Porsche Spyders such as the 718 RS 60 in 1960.

In 2004 and 2008 Porsche dedicated a limited edition of special Boxsters bearing the additional name Spyder to these legendary racing cars. By contrast, the new Boxster Spyder is a regular, specially developed and upgraded production model with far-reaching modifications versus the Boxster and Boxster S.

Market introduction of the new Porsche Boxster Spyder will start worldwide in February 2010. The base price in the Euro countries is 53,100 Euro. Including 19 per cent VAT and national specifications, the market price of the new Porsche Boxster Spyder is 63,404 Euro.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

SpeedArt Panamera PS9

If you are looking for Panamera-tuning, the upcoming Essen Show at the end of the month is a MUST. Beside SpeedArts debut of this PS9, at least Techart and 9ff will show their versions. Let us also hope for Mansory and RUF, and maybe some surprises as well?




From the companys pressrelease:

speedART presents the PS9 – based on the new Porsche Panamera Turbo:

Power: Power kits with 550, 600 and 650 hp up to 890 Nm consits of bigger turbo chargers, sport exhaust with sound switch, sport cats and ECU updates. The 650 hp car accelerates in 3.5 seconds from 0 – 62 mph and the top speed is over 200 mph.

Sound: sport exhaust; optional with sound switch control and different design tail pipes, sport catalyst (OBD2-compliant) for impressive 8 cylinder sound and more power design twin tail pipes, polished or matt black.

Aerodynamic: Body kit consists of front chin spoiler for more downforce with integrated brake cooling, engine hood air outlets, rear diffuser for enhanced down force and a very sportive design, roof spoiler as a framework around the rear window for a leaner design of the back rear bumper with air outlets on the side to give the back a racy look and to
interrupt the big curves of the factory-provided back, side skirts rear spoiler on rear bonnet for more downforce and an impressive style.

Wheels and brakes: speedART designed 22” three-pieces forged wheel type „LSC FORGED“ in 9,5 + 11 x 222 with 305/25 ZR22”. On the rear axle, improved brake system with bigger discs and calipers for higher engine power.

Interior: upholstered sport steering wheel with F1-shift paddles (available in 340 mm and 365 mm with aluminium-, wood- or carbon inlays), real-carbon body trim in special colours, colored stiches on door panels and seats (many colors availiable), instrument dial plates (many colors availiable), design car mats.

Exclusive: BMW M3 GTS


Allright! All the speculations regarding a possible CSL-version of the M3 lately, has evolved into this wildchild. The M3 GTS. It does not take much imagination to realize that the car is heavily inspired by the clubsport- and racingbiased models from Porsche and Ferrari. And wow do I like it!
Thanks Kjetil for this great tip!



From www.m-power.com:
Even when you see it from a distance, you are instantly electrified. As a BMW M enthusiast, every step you take towards the orange painted concept vehicle of the BMW M3 GTS with its numerous matt black applications raises your adrenaline level a little more.
Exclusive 19-inch wheels with ample 255/35 tyres at the front and 285/30 at the rear catch your eye.
All this is certainly nice looking and sensible, but what you glimpse through the spokes of the aluminium wheel rims is even more exciting: a generously sized fixed caliper brake system with six pistons at the front and four at the rear.
The wheels almost fill out the wheel arches, but if you look closely you discover the next highlight. Yellow springs with a small M logo provide the crucial clue: a threaded suspension, adjustable in compression and rebound. “The rear axle support is bolted in place,” adds the responsible engineer.
The expert will also spot the adjustable front splitter and rear wing. One thing is clear: this car is serious stuff. Not only can a high level of downforce be generated but it also precisely adjustable at front and rear. Fast bends can look forward to welcoming the BMW M3 GTS - but they won’t get to see it for long.
“The serial production BMW M3 is already weight-optimised with a whole range of measures reserved for the BMW M3 CSL in the last model - the striking carbon lightweight roof, for example.”
So the engineers had to get back to work again to come up with more. Light body-contoured seats are a must.

A cluster of lightweight construction measures such as optimisation of the insulation, the use of lightweight parts in the interior, the use of Macrolon for the car's windows in the back, the lack of air conditioning, navigation and radio and the entire rear seat also gets the scales the down.
And the new titanium rear silencer not only looks great and contributes to the thrilling sound of the BMW M3 GTS, it is also much lighter than its serial production counterpart.
Indispensable for safety reasons: the lightweight construction body has been prepared for installation of the 6-point seatbelt included for use on the race track. There are also mounts for the roll-over protective structure bolted on from the B column. A fire extinguisher and a battery master switch/emergency shut-off preparation do not make the car lighter either - but safer.
So the BMW M3 GTS concept vehicle puts the scales up to around 1490 kilograms - causing the engineer to give an appreciative nod.

And the drivetrain? The heart of the BMW M3 GTS?

The car is fitted with a 7-speed M dual clutch transmission with adapted shift characteristics. But an absolute highlight is to be found under the bonnet. Exclusively for the BMW M3 GTS, the engine builders of BMW M - recent winners of the Engine of the Year Award once again - have developed a power unit based on the M high-performance engine of the current BMW M3: with a capacity of 4.4 litres and an output of some 450 bhp, it will catapult the light BMW M3 GTS into a whole new sphere.

After all, the aim is to clearly beat the lap time of the legendary M3 CSL on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. And test runs certainly give grounds for optimism.






Stunning TopGear-video: Murciélago LP670-4SV

This video is a "must-see". It does not get more tasty than this.

Update: Mercedes-Benz SLS




MB has released new pictures of the SLS. A wonderful car with 571 HP and breathtaking details like drive shaft made from carbon, dry sump lubrication, special paints, forged brake pistons and so on. (Pics in hi-res by clicking)

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Auto, Motor und Sport video: MB E63 vs Panamera Turbo

Two great cars, but also very different. High-quality test from the German magazine.

Video: Ken Block and...ehhh, a snowmobile-Subaru...!

Ken does it again. This time he has come up with a Trax STI-model. Think the video is selfexplaining.

Ferrari Enzo, complete round at Nürburgring

Nice video of a true supercar. The driver is Marc Basseng, mostly known for competing in Porsches.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Video: Tech bible Porsche 997 Turbo facelift

Uploaded this official video from Porsche, which explains the new tech in this fantastic car. Loads of nice details.

The sound. THE SOUND! Ferrari FXX Evo

Just listen. It does not get rawer than this. Period.

Porsche Carrera GT at Nordschleife

Quick lap with one of my absolute favorite cars, the Carrera GT. It supposedly is Marc Basseng behind the wheel.

Nice garage, Mr. Peter Saywell

Amazing private collection of cars.



His one-off Zonda PS (Peter Saywell)

AutoBild TV: MB SLS

Nice! (in German)

MB SLS wallpapers

With the nose buried into the web-special for the SLS, I found some cool and funny pictures I haven´t seen before. Well done, Mercedes-Benz! (Click on pics for larger images)

Link to the webspecial: HERE







Pure engine: McLaren MP4-12C



Displacement 3,8 litres, twin-turbo V8 with max rev 8.500. "The lump" is expected to have an output around 600 HP, with lots of torque from low revs. McLaren themselves is not in doubt for a second, this engine will revolutionize engines in supercars.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

BBC Top Gear: Budget Supercars

I think the guys has managed to pinpoint the ups & downs regarding old supercars here. Very fun.