Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid Coming To US Soil
Saw this on the Porsche Press site this morning. Looks like Porsche is going to race the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid in the 1,000 mile/10 hour American Le Mans Series Finale Petit Le Mans. A showing on American soil! That'll be cool. If anyone has access to this race, you really need to send in some pics.
In November, Porsche plans to take the 911 GT3 R Hybrid to China for the season final of the Le Mans International Cup which is a 6 hour race in Zhuhai, China.
Here's the full press release from Porsche:
Porsche Announces 911 GT3 R Hybrid Racecar will run at the American Le Mans Series Finale Petit Le Mans October 2nd at Road Atlanta
ATLANTA – July 21, 2010 – Following the impressive performance at the Nürburgring 24-hour race where the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid demonstrated the potential of its groundbreaking technology over 22 hours and 15 minutes, and led the overall classification for more than eight hours, the orange and white liveried 911 racer will now travel to the USA and Asia.
Porsche has received an invitation to contest the season final of the American Le Mans Series, the race series featuring the world’s fastest sport cars, at the ‘Petit Le Mans’ at Road Atlanta on October 2. The race runs over a distance of 1,000 miles or a maximum of ten hours. The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid will not be eligible for points, as hybrid technology is not yet included in the GT regulations.
For November 7, Porsche then plans to race the 911 GT3 R Hybrid at the season final of the new Le Mans International Cup, the six hour race in Zhuhai, China. Again here, the vehicle is not competing for points.
“After the 911 GT3 R Hybrid’s fantastic performance at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, we are now eager to gain more experience with the hybrid technology on a variety of race tracks,” says Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport. “At the same time, we would like to show fans and customers in our most important markets how our ‘race lab’ performs under racing conditions,” adds Kristen.
The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid, featuring two electric motors at the front axle each developing 60 kilowatts to supplement the 480 horsepower normally-aspirated rear-engine, expressly typifies the philosophy of “Porsche Intelligent Performance”: Under braking, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid converts kinetic energy into electrical energy and stores it in a flywheel. During acceleration, this energy is automatically delivered to the front wheels, supporting the combustion engine. This leads to a reduction in fuel consumption and increases the cruising range. Moreover, drivers can manually utilize the stored energy with a boost-paddle on the steering wheel for overtaking.
Why Porsche RacesThe connection between the Porsche 911 and racing is unlike any that exists in the world of sports cars. To Porsche, motorsports is a breeding ground, a mobile laboratory where engineering ideas are tested under the harsh light of competition. The lessons learned on the race track translate directly to Porsche sports car on the road. To see 911 race cars in action on the world’s most challenging tracks is to witness Porsche working out the fundamental questions of performance engineering.
What innovations will make a 911 accelerate faster, stop quicker, steer with more accuracy and corner with higher levels of grip? What efficiencies are still to be achieved in the critical areas of fuel consumption? What technologies can be devised to surround the driver with the most advanced safety systems?
So while there are trophies to compete for, and championships to win, we race for a prize far more relevant: the evolution of real-world performance. One place you’ll see Porsche proving its engineering theories on the track is in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). Founded in 1999, ALMS is an endurance racing series that has established itself as a vital forum for developing new technologies and transferring them to the street. It has established itself as the most important race series for GT sports cars and prototypes in North America.
Porsche customer teams have more than 100 class wins in the ALMS. And for nine of the 11 years of ALMS’ existence, Porsche has earned the GT/GT2 manufacturers title in the ALMS—all with the Porsche 911 GT3 R/RS/RSR family of race cars. Since the 2006 season, Porsche has also been lining up on the starting grid with a prototype in the LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2) class: the RS Spyder. In winning the LMP2 manufacturers’, drivers’ and team championships in 2006, Porsche made an impressive return to prototype racing.
Since 2008, more customer teams have taken their place on the starting grid in the RS Spyder, not only in the ALMS, but also in the European Le Mans Series (LMS) and the legendary Le Mans 24 Hour race. In 2010, RS Spyder continues to write Porsche’s story of success in motorsport. With such a commitment to the proving grounds of motorsports, it’s not far from the finish line to the Porsche assembly line. The race-ready street versions of the 911 like the GT3 RS are made within the same assembly facilities as all other 911 models.
About Porsche Cars North America, IncPorsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., is the exclusive importer of Porsche vehicles for the United States. PCNA is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG. It employs 213 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 199 dealers. The dealers, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service. Throughout its more than six-decade history, Porsche has developed numerous technologies that have advanced vehicle performance, improved safety and spurred environmental innovations within the automotive industry. The company continues to celebrate its heritage by adding to its long list of motorsports victories dating back to its first 24 Hours of Le Mans class win in 1951. Today, with more than 28,000 victories, Porsche is recognized as the world's most successful brand in sports car racing. PCNA, which imports the iconic 911 series, the highly acclaimed Boxster and Cayman mid-engine sports cars, high-end Cayenne sport utility vehicles and the four-door Panamera Gran Turismos, strives to maintain a standard of excellence, commitment and distinction synonymous with its brand.
[Source & Image: Press.Porsche.com]
Thanks Everyone!!!
Just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone for pitching in to try and track down the rear wing one of our readers was interested in finding for his 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo. It will come as no surprise to the regulars here that James O is THE MAN once again. He tracked it down as a Porsche factory wing. Thanks James!
I searched a little more and found references to a 2008 Press Release from Porsche. They called the option the Aerokit Turbo option. It included a front spoiler lip and new engine cover design with the fixed wing. A pretty nice looking addition in my opinion.
Hopefully Ken can track one down, then send us pictures once it's installed on his car!
[Image: Press.Porsche.com]
Teen Trades Up To Porsche Boxster
This is just too good not to post. I'm sure most of you have already seen this, but in case you haven't, you gotta check this out. This kid, Steven Oritz, started out with an old cell phone and, through a series of trades over the last two years, ended up with a 2000 Porsche Boxster S.
If you're thinking about the guy in Canada who started with a paperclip and ended up with a house, this is the same kind of deal. Steven has done his bartering primarily through Craigslist's barter section. It took him 14 trades to end up with the Boxster. Through the process he had stuff like a better cell phone than he started with, an i-Pod Touch, MacBook Pro, 1987 Toyota 4Runner, dirt bikes and an older Bronco valued at $15,000. Someone even offered him a locksmith business for the Bronco.
I love stories like this. I find them inspiring and love to hear how people think outside the box. Of course, being the dreamer I am, guess what the first thing I did was? Yep, went to the Portland Craigslist Barter section. After about an hour of searching, I started looking around the house for things to start with. Replicating Steven's success would be a heck of a challenge and I don't know that I'd have the patience to do it. It's still fun to dream though.
Thanks to everyone who send in this story. Funny how quickly things like this spread.
[Source & Image: SGVTribune.com]
Calling All Porsche Enthusiasts
This is a bit of a unique request, but I figure there are lots here who wouldn't mind helping a fellow Porsche enthusiast. Especially one looking to add a little something to a 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo!
Ken, a fellow PorschePerfect.com reader, emailed me a couple of days ago asking about a spoiler pictured on a car he ran across. The shop doesn't know who the spoiler is made by and can't get ahold of the customer. He's looked at wings made by Wicked Porsche, Techart, Speedart, Gemballa and Ruf, but hasn't found THE ONE yet.
I told him I'd post up the picture here. If anyone has any idea who the wing is made by, add it in the comments section of this post. Ken would greatly appreciate it!
The picture is from Shoreline Motoring. Check out some of the great pics they have on their site here: ShorelineMotoring.com.
Porsche Boxster Inner Fire Video
We haven't had a Porsche Boxster video for a while. This one won't blow your socks off, but it's a great couple of minutes of a pair of Boxsters in some unbelievable scenery. If we were to base car buying decisions on the inspiration from videos, this week we'd all have a Boxster in the garage. Porsche does such a great job with their promo videos.
Porsche Drag Racing Video
I don't usually post the car racing videos. For some reason I've never been all that into who's car is faster. This one caught my attention though because of the Switzer tuned Porsche racing a BMW, Lamborghini and a 9ff tuner Porsche. It's pretty entertaining.
1957 356 Cabriolet Restoration – Part 8
1957 356 Cabriolet Restoration – Part 7
We've got some serious progress to report. Well, I use the term "we" very VERY loosely since I'm just posting the work James is actually DOING.
From James…
I know that at the end of the last installment I said that we would cover the outer rockers but I moved to the back instead. We ordered a new tail section and it arrived so we will work on getting that fitted.
The new tail skin. Read More
Three…ummm…interesting Porsches
World's Worst Cayenne
The first is a bastardized Porsche Cayenne. A reader on Jalopnik.com came across an older Asian man that was literally supergluing fake rhinestones onto his Porsche Cayenne in the parking lot of a store. He had already added reflective tape, thermometers, compasses, pins, badges and lights as part of his customization treatment.
Add it to the long list of sad things people have done to Porsches over the years.
[Source & Images: Jalopnik.com]
2011 911 GT3 RS – Smokey and the Bandit Edition
I'm not sure what to think about this customized Porsche 911 GT3 RS. It's a Smokey and the Bandit version styled after the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am from the movie. Great movie, especially for a car nut, but this rendition just doesn't sit quite right.
Maybe the person who owns this is an avid fan and is pushing for a remake of the movie with a Porsche as the star car.
[Source & Image: RideLust.com]
Panamera Race Car
N.Technology has decided that given how well received the Porsche Panamera has been, it should also do well on the track. They've focused on the Porsche Panamera S and have made what appear to be extensive modifications, at least to the exterior, to make it race ready. It's already 1212 pounds lighter than a stock Panamera.
Here's a quote from the driver, Fabrizio Giovanardi: "We are very pleased with the work today, a really good way to start the development of the Porsche Panamera S! My first impressions on the car are positive, even this has been the first real check on the track. Thanks to today´s activities, engineers have now a good amount of data available to better prepare the next testing sessions. We expect to debut in the Championship at Mugello (July 25) and continue to better development in the coming weeks."
Given all the room in the back of the Panamera, maybe they should sell rear passenger seat time for the race. They could fund their entry with the proceeds.
[Source & Image: N.Technology.it]
Porsche 918 Spyder Pricing
It looks like Porsche has released preliminary pricing for the Porsche 918 Spyder concept car. Bloomberg is reporting it will be priced at 500,000 euros ($630,000) topping the previous most expensive production Porsche by $59,000. The Porsche Carrera GT was priced at $571,000. USA Today is indicating that at least 2,000 people have already committed to buying the 918 Spyder if it actually rolls off the production line.
So far I have seen any indication of how limited of a production run there would be for the Spyder. That alone could pump up demand even more.
I suppose it's a great sign that Porsche has attached a dollar figure to the 918 Spyder. Hopefully it's a sign of things to come.
[Source: Bloomberg.com, USAToday.com; Image: Press.Porsche.com]
