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Porsche takes its track learnings and puts it directly onto the 911 sportscar with the global reveal of the newest 911 GT3. The 911 GT3 packs Porsche’s racing technology such as the double wishbone front suspension, swan neck rear wing and diffuser from the 911 RSR, and combines it with a normally-aspirated 510 horsepower, 4.0-liter 6-cylinder boxer engine practically unchanged from the 911 GT3 Cup car to create a high precision machine that’s perfect for the circuit, yet superb for everyday use. With a top speed of 320 km/h (318 km/h with the dual clutch PDK) it’s even faster than the previous 911 GT3 RS. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Moreover, the sophisticated aerodynamics enable the GT3 to generate more downforce without noticeably affecting drag. In the “performance” position, the manually set wing and diffuser elements significantly increase the aerodynamic pressure for high cornering speeds. Thus, during its final testing, it lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife, traditionally the ultimate proving ground for all sports cars developed by Porsche, over 17 seconds quicker than its predecessor. Despite a wider body, larger wheels and additional features, the weight of the new GT3 is on a par with its predecessor. With manual gearbox it weighs 1,418 kilograms, with the PDK 1,435 kilograms. The front hood is made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), with other weight saving measures coming from the lightweight glass windows, optimized brake discs, and forged alloy wheels. The lightweight sports exhaust system alone reduces the weight by no less than ten kilograms. For those who want to go on a more extreme level, the roof can be optioned to be made of exposed carbon fiber. The cockpit is in line with the current model generation. A new feature is the track screen: at the touch of a button, it reduces the digital displays to the left and right of the central rev counter, which reaches up to 10,000 revs, to information such as tire pressure indicator, oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel tank level and water temperature, which are essential when driving on the circuit. It also includes a visual shift assistant with colored bars to the left and right of the rev counter and a shift light derived from motorsports.

[extract] When we watch racing competitions on the telly, regardless whether it is GT racing, rallying and etc, we would see track versions of production cars that we like or own. Many automakers built or prepare higher performance versions of their cars to be used in racing events. When people buy a similar base model, they would usually modify their rides

It seems the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S, one up from the base 911 Carrera model, has recorded a Nurburgring lap time of 7 minutes and 40 seconds. Nothing to actually shout about actually as you may know of cars that lap the 'Green Hell' faster than that. But the amazing thing about this figure is that this slightly better than the basic model 911 actually lapped the Nurburgring as fast as the 997 Porsche 911 GT3, the previous generation's Porsche 911 track day special. This is amazing indeed. This piece of news was brought about during a GoAuto.co.au interview with the Porsche 911 Product Director Mr. August Achleitner. The 2012 (surprisingly numbered Type 991) Porsche 911 Carrera S is powered by a 3.8-liter unit with an output of 400 PS (294 kW / 394 hp). The 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes just 4.3 seconds (4.1 with the Sport Plus function in the optional Sport Chrono package) and top speed is 302 km/h (188 mph). The 997 911 GT3 made 415bhp from a 3.6liter flat 6. So even with that firmer race car suspension and more focused demeanor overall, the newer more civilized car somehow manages to clock a faster lap time. This clearly shows that there is still much progress and magic that can be made through chassis tuning. I can't wait to see how the new 911 GT3 will perform. - A 997 Porsche 911 GT3

Porsche has unveiled a swan song of sorts for the current 911 Carrera, the 911 Carrera GTS. This current crop of 911s, the 997.2 (the '2' being the second revision of this chassis) is scheduled to be replaced by a new 911 sometime in 2011 and in line with this, they've decided to release a higher performance version of their venerable 911 Carrera which is the entry level line for the 911s. The car you see here is scheduled for its live debut at the Paris Motor Show shortly. This new Carrera range will be the base Carrera, the Carrera S and now the Carrera GTS. One rung higher up will be the 911 GT3. This model could be for those yearning for a more powerful Carrera S but not willing to suffer from a lack of refinement that would happen when buying a GT3. Actually, this could be just a way to milk customers a little as the 997.2 GT3 and its GT3 RS sibling aren't as ridiculously unbearable according to road testers. What you would gain from the Carrera GTS is more power, a 44mm wider body at the rear from the Carrera 4 (and the GT3 RS) and more goodies, when it comes to specification. The car now hits 306km/h, up 4km/h from the Carrera S and now accelerates to 100km/h from nought 0.1 seconds faster in PDK (dual clutch gearbox) together with Sports Chrono Plus package if the car is set in Sport Plus mode. Fuel consumption is still very livable, making 10.2ltr/100km and CO2 emissions are 240g/km. Good figures for a sports car. The power gets a nice bump in order to achieve the above figures. The Carrera GTS makes 402bhp. The previous top Carrera S makes 380bhp and the GT3 makes 429bhp. This makes the Carrera GTS fall somewhat right smack in the middle of both when it comes to being a bridge between the two latter models mentioned above. Torque however remains the same as the Carrera S but the reworked 3.8 flat-6 engine ,which has a new variable intake manifold with 6 vacuum controlled flaps, allows for the maximum torque figure to come in at 4,200rpm instead of 4,400rpm. There is also a sports exhaust system added with the tail pipes painted in black and polished mid-piping for those who want to gawk when looking under the car. The Carrera GTS will have a Porsche SportDesign front bumper with lip spoiler section painted black. There is black GTS specific side skirts and the usual Porsche self advertising Carrera GTS graphics (which aren't as 'in your face' as those on a GT3) on the doors and the rear cover . The car sits on 19inch RS Spyder wheels all round which has special centre hub mounted wheels (like the GT3 RS instead of using individual wheel nuts). The interior gets black alcantara suede material as standard and used specifically used in places where the driver is in contact with the car, namely the steering wheel (a new three spoke SportDesign wheel), the handbrake lever and the gear knob. The Carrera GTS will start selling in Germany by December this year and later to other major markets. It will cost 104,935Euro for the coupe and 115,050Euro for the cabriolet version of this car over there. Something good for those who do not want to go totally extreme or a slightly faster Carrera S and nothing more.