http://www.porschecar.org en-usThu, 25 Dec 2008 16:24:58 -0600http://www.porschecar.org/2008-porsche-911-gt2-997/ The 2008 Porsche 997 GT2 is the most powerful and fastest roadgoing 911 Porsche has ever created. Power for the 997 GT2 comes from a 3.6 litre, twin-turbo, flat-6 cylinder engine which develops 530 bhp @ 6500 rpm, and a tire destroying 505 lb-ft of torque @ 2200 - 4500 rpm. most of the power gains have been achieved with changes to the turbo-charging system and the addition of a high-flow titanium exhaust system. Power is transferred to the rear wheels of the 2008 GT2 through a 6-speed short-throw manual giving the car a 0-60 mph time of just 3.6 seconds and a 204 mph top speed.

Like most recent 911 versions the 997 GT2 is equipped with driver aids. For the GT2 a specially adapted version of Porsche's Stability Management (PSM) is fitted. This includes Stability Control (SC) which monitors the direction, speed, yaw velocity and lateral acceleration of the car and uses the gathered information to apply selective braking in order to correct oversteer or understeer. Traction control (TC) is responsible for adapting the cars power delivery to various surfaces the car may encounter, it also helps to prevent the back end from stepping out during hard acceleration. The 997 GT2 also features launch control which maximizes acceleration from a standing start, the 2008 GT2 is the first road going car Porsche has fitted this system to.

Visually the 2008 Porsche 911 GT2 is equipped with a new front bumper with revised aerodynamics to compensate for the increased cooling requirements of the engine and brakes. At the back a fixed rear wing with integrated lip spoiler keeps the GT2 glued to the road. The 2008 911 GT2 rides on one-piece 19" wheels specifically designed for the car. Behind the new wheels sit ceramic composite brake discs which provide shorter stopping distances and excellent fade resistance under harsh use, as well as a 50% reduction in unsprung weight when compared with conventional discs.

Under the slippery bodywork Porsche has fitted the 2008 911 GT2 with adjustable suspension, including customisable ride height, camber, toe angle and anti-roll bar settings. This is backed up by Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) which provides active damping which adjusts individual damping forces based on current road conditions and driving styles.

Inside the 2008 Porsche 911 GT2 features ergonomic sports bucket seats compatible with six-point racing harnesses. Facing the driver is the cluster of five instruments including a large central rev counter highlighted with a GT2 logo, titanium colored dial and upshift light. An optional 'Chrono Package' combines a dash mounted analogue/digital timer with a range of functions including lap times and distance traveled.

The new 911 GT2 is at the dealership from November 2007. The base price of the car is Euro 159,100 (in Germany), the market price including 19 per cent value-added tax Euro 189,496. ]>
Sat, 29 Mar 2008 14:59:30 -0500http://www.porschecar.org/2008-porsche-911-gt2-997/
http://www.porschecar.org/2007-porsche-boxster/ The Porsche Boxster is a sweet sports car that feels right at home on a race track, yet it's comfortable enough for daily use. Drop the top, listen to the engine as you accelerate down a winding road and you'll know what we mean by sweet. That classic Porsche sound, the balanced handling from the mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, and fantastic brakes are among the elements that add up to an absolute delight for driving enthusiasts.

The 2007 Porsche Boxster and Boxster S are quicker than last year's models, benefiting from additional power.

The headliner is the Boxster S, which gets a bigger engine. The 3.4-liter engine produces 295 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque, 15 more in each case than the 3.2-liter engine it replaces.

Meanwhile, the standard Boxster's 2.7-liter engine gains 5 horsepower for the 2007 model year, now outputting 245 horsepower and 201 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are now equipped with Porsche's VarioCam Plus setup, which provides variable valve intake timing and lift control, resulting in an impressive combination of power and fuel efficiency. With these changes, 0-60 mph acceleration performance has improved for 2007.

Besides being thrilling to drive, the Boxster is a comfortable sports car with ergonomically superior seating contours and a steering wheel that can be adjusted for both reach and rake. The taller driver, not always welcome in the two-seater world, is thoughtfully accommodated by a relatively low seating position and placement of the drilled aluminum pedals closer to the firewall.

The Porsche Boxster feels all grown-up, self-assured and solid in purpose, as though it no longer has to lag in the shadow of the 911 Carrera. Turn the key and the Boxster's flat six burbles to life; there's no mistaking it for anything but a sports car engine. Both engines are more powerful on the 2007 models, and it shows. Porsche claims the Boxster can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, while the Boxster S can perform this feat in 5.1 seconds. Top speeds are 162 mph for Boxster, and 169 mph for Boxster S. It's worth noting that Porsche's factory performance numbers are generally on the conservative side. Both cars are quite fast enough to satisfy any delinquent desires.

At the heart of all good sports cars is a good, balanced chassis. From inception, the Boxster has been the epitome of balance. The result of the stiff, light suspension is a bigger helping of sports-car goodness, a more savory blend of power and control. Even with a curb weight of some 3,000 pounds, the Boxster is like a dancer that seems able to accept or reject gravity's rule as it suits its own, artful progress down the road. The car's structure is stiff and strong, and stiffer is definitely better when it comes to building sports car chassis.

The Porsche Boxster is big enough to keep its place in the daily dogfights and is just the right size for an escape from the maelstrom. Top up, it's quiet and comfy; top down, the world wraps itself around you and you can't help but blip back a jolly response with your right foot. The Boxster is pure Porsche. Our only cautionary note against impulsively rushing down and snapping one up is to check off options carefully, as they can escalate the price considerably. ]>
Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:58:17 -0600http://www.porschecar.org/2007-porsche-boxster/
http://www.porschecar.org/porsche-cayenne-v6/ Porsche AG, or just Porsche, is a German manufacturer of automobiles. It was founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche, an Austro-Hungarian engineer. Currently they are producing sports cars, super cars and sport utility vehicles.

Over the years, Porsche transformed itself from serious money-loser into one of the most profitable car companies in the world. Porsche has constantly rolled out new products and despite the costs and risks is has quadrupled its annual unit sales in just under a decade. The most recent debuts are the Boxster and the Cayenne. We are going to consider Cayenne V6 more in details.

When it goes on sale in the UK from February 2008, the Porsche Cayenne GTS will cost from 54,350 British pounds. Being the first Porsche to be priced under $100,000 in 20 years is a worthy achievement. In price terms it also matches up okay against other six-cylinder petrol-engined luxury SUVs like the new BMW X5 3.0si, the Mercedes-Benz ML and the Audi Q7.

The 3.6-litre narrow angle V6 - not a flat six as is the Porsche tradition in its sports car models - is sourced from the Volkswagen Group. The same fundamental engine is used in both the Touareg and Q7. This makes sense because Cayenne also shares its fundamental structure with those vehicles. The engine is a dohc, 24-valve design with variable valve timing and direct fuel injection, producing 213kW and 385Nm. It enjoys a rev and hauls the Cayenne's 2160kg kerb weight along pretty impressively. However, its 0-100km/h acceleration claim is slower than the BMW X5 and its official fuel consumption average is higher.

The Cayenne is competent rather than special in this regard. On air springs the ride is quite acceptable, while noise intrusion is not a big issue. The seating is comfortable in both rows, but there's nothing particularly clever or simple about the way the interior is folded and flipped to create space. Other vehicles in the class do it better. Modified suspension and a lower chassis are said to improve handling. Air suspension, which provides great dynamics, is still available as an option. Standard equipment includes traction control, four-wheel drive and active suspension management to smooth the ride and improve handling. Interior tweaks include new front sports seats and additional use of leather and Alcantara trim.

No NCAP independent crash test rating available for the Cayenne, but Porsche's engineering standards are high enough to have faith in its structure. Safety equipment includes six airbags, traction and stability control, ABS and roll-over sensing. The Cayenne's impressive dynamics are a fundamental primary safety asset.

Overall verdict: it would be a great gift to the Porsche fans with its quite low cost! ]>
Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:30:16 -0600http://www.porschecar.org/porsche-cayenne-v6/