Wouldn't think twice about the subject: GT-R please!
Showing posts with label 911. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 911. Show all posts
Friday, December 14, 2007
GT-R Meets Turbo
Courtesy of Edmunds - Inside Line
Wouldn't think twice about the subject: GT-R please!
Wouldn't think twice about the subject: GT-R please!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Porsche: The Five Most Beautiful
By Bruce McCulloch
With around 70 years of history behind Porsche at this point, choosing just five Porsche automobiles as the most beautiful of all isn't an easy task. Oh no, in fact it's downright daunting. This is one instance where one must take into account not only every little detail, but every little niggle and nanny in approaching a general design philosophy and theme which the company has stood behind for the better part of the last 7 decades.
The Porsche design element is one which is unmistakable - especially when it comes to the 911. Aside from what is referred to as "Hitler’s revenge" - the Beetle - the 911 is pretty much one of a kind. It's unmistakable, unique and ultimately, iconic. And that being said, many of the 911's design elements have insinuated themselves into almost every other vehicle which has rolled out of the iconic gates in Stuttgart. It's a trademark look which is hard to explain with words, but clearly evident when one looks at the Porsche line-up; many of the models not branded with the eminent "911" moniker still share a family trait (or two) in appearance which is not the least bit surprising.
Even Porsche's 605bhp "Carrera GT" flagship, shares what would appear to be the same styling manner which the company's 550 Spyder sported back in the late 50's. And now-a-days, both the Boxster and Cayman - even the Cayenne - seem to have a "Porsche vibe" to them. And this is obviously something Porsche as a company has strived to perfect with every passing year; with each and successive generation of Porsche automobiles, they have the utmost unique ability to make a design fresh and modern, while retaining the design values and design cues which have made the company so successful.
And suffice to say, it's something that makes Porsche, well, Porsche. One doesn't buy a Porsche hoping it’ll look like a Ferrari, one buys a Porsche knowing they are getting a vehicle which embodies every stylistic detailing element the company has ever penned. It's a design spirit which stands alone among modern cars, and in this day and age, truly one of a kind.
Mind you, such a design philosophy is often under criticism as some enthusiasts complain that is exactly what is wrong with Porsche; that they all look too similar, that they’re bland and boring to gaze upon. Not surprisingly, I strongly disagree with such.
In any event, with output that is approaching nearly 100 different automobiles from this great company, which five are deserving of such a “best of” title? Well, here's what I think - chronologically ordered:
904 Carrera GTS (1964)
For a car which debuted in 1964 as a sports-car endurance racer, the 904 looks every bit as fresh today as it did the day it was released. It is a gob-smackingly good looking car. Unfortunately, information relating to its design is quite rare, but I think the picture speaks for it’s self.
930 Slant-Nose (1987)
Though up until the early 80's the 911 had been viewed as the cute and quirky sports car with circular headlamps, the flachbau - or "Slant-Nose" as we know it - shows that little work was required to turn the 911 into something truly more aggressive. Commissioned in 1981 by Rolf Sprenger and ordered through the specialist individual "“Porsche Exclusiv Programme”, the Slant-Nose is undoubtedly one of the most interesting vehicles to ever roll out of Stuttgart.
With a body inspired by that of the 1976 "935" racer, the Flat-Nose looks every bit the race car with its hard-edged, flat bumper bonnet design, and with the addition of what was then new sporty "air vents", "rear spoiler" and "integrated driving lamps”, it's little wonder why the Slat-Nose makes it on this list. Suffice to say, there ain't a 911 like it anywhere.
993 Turbo - (1997)
Though the 930 and 964 generations of the 911 were some of the most iconic styles of all time, the 993 - particularly the Turbo version - marks what is arguably the best looking 911 ever designed. It's a design that even after 10 years since it's release, has been able to withstand the test of time; even today, it looks fresh, modern and ultimately, Porsche-like. And as far as I'm concerned, the 993's Turbo's design is so spectacular, that it's not only one of the best-looking Porsches ever assembled, but one of the best designs anywhere. With a front end suggesting a 911 design evolution, a slightly quirky silhouette and a rear end with accentuated fenders, a large body-attached spoiler and a distinctive light bar, the 993 Turbo is the most exceptional version of one of the world's most iconic vehicles.
993 GT1 "Strasseversion” (1996)
It's not often that I get worked up about a homologation special, but the 933 GT1 is the perfect example of road vehicle finely blended with a racing car. It's unquestionably from the 911 family, but makes the transition in a manner which is completely unique. Sure, being insanely long and wide, and having no rear window, it might be absolutely absurd to drive it on the road, but hell, I wouldn't mind. It's an angry and bulked-up 911 on steroids, and it's just great.
Carrera GT - (2004)
It's largely accepted that most supercars of this sort have designs which are often compromised for aerodynamic efficiency. And with vehicles such as the Ferrari Enzo running around, how could one argue? The Enzo is a vast, almost tortured array of Formula One-inspired hard edges - all for the sake of keeping the car aerodynamically efficient. The Carrera GT though, is very much a different story; rather being an edgy and hard-to-digest shape, it's clean and undoubtedly Porsche. And there are no compromises about it - the Carrera GT looks 100% Porsche. It's aerodynamically efficient, without alienating any of the company's classical design traits. From it's smoothly and fastidiously styled front end, to it's rear-end profile boasting a carbon fibre undertray, a retractable wing and an exquisite set of mesh engine grills setting above the 10-Cylinder motor, this exclusive flagship supercar is styled like few other comparable cars. It manages to look all-racy, without being the least bit boy-racer or over-the-top.
The design detailing of the Carrera GT is also particularly interesting because it showcases a number of styling elements found in the company's past; one of the most evident examples being the brake cooling slots behind that of the front wheels which are near identical to those seen on the 993 GT1 which I previously spoke of.
So, there you have it – the Fabulous Five.
With around 70 years of history behind Porsche at this point, choosing just five Porsche automobiles as the most beautiful of all isn't an easy task. Oh no, in fact it's downright daunting. This is one instance where one must take into account not only every little detail, but every little niggle and nanny in approaching a general design philosophy and theme which the company has stood behind for the better part of the last 7 decades.
The Porsche design element is one which is unmistakable - especially when it comes to the 911. Aside from what is referred to as "Hitler’s revenge" - the Beetle - the 911 is pretty much one of a kind. It's unmistakable, unique and ultimately, iconic. And that being said, many of the 911's design elements have insinuated themselves into almost every other vehicle which has rolled out of the iconic gates in Stuttgart. It's a trademark look which is hard to explain with words, but clearly evident when one looks at the Porsche line-up; many of the models not branded with the eminent "911" moniker still share a family trait (or two) in appearance which is not the least bit surprising.
Even Porsche's 605bhp "Carrera GT" flagship, shares what would appear to be the same styling manner which the company's 550 Spyder sported back in the late 50's. And now-a-days, both the Boxster and Cayman - even the Cayenne - seem to have a "Porsche vibe" to them. And this is obviously something Porsche as a company has strived to perfect with every passing year; with each and successive generation of Porsche automobiles, they have the utmost unique ability to make a design fresh and modern, while retaining the design values and design cues which have made the company so successful.
And suffice to say, it's something that makes Porsche, well, Porsche. One doesn't buy a Porsche hoping it’ll look like a Ferrari, one buys a Porsche knowing they are getting a vehicle which embodies every stylistic detailing element the company has ever penned. It's a design spirit which stands alone among modern cars, and in this day and age, truly one of a kind.
Mind you, such a design philosophy is often under criticism as some enthusiasts complain that is exactly what is wrong with Porsche; that they all look too similar, that they’re bland and boring to gaze upon. Not surprisingly, I strongly disagree with such.
In any event, with output that is approaching nearly 100 different automobiles from this great company, which five are deserving of such a “best of” title? Well, here's what I think - chronologically ordered:
904 Carrera GTS (1964)
For a car which debuted in 1964 as a sports-car endurance racer, the 904 looks every bit as fresh today as it did the day it was released. It is a gob-smackingly good looking car. Unfortunately, information relating to its design is quite rare, but I think the picture speaks for it’s self.
930 Slant-Nose (1987)
Though up until the early 80's the 911 had been viewed as the cute and quirky sports car with circular headlamps, the flachbau - or "Slant-Nose" as we know it - shows that little work was required to turn the 911 into something truly more aggressive. Commissioned in 1981 by Rolf Sprenger and ordered through the specialist individual "“Porsche Exclusiv Programme”, the Slant-Nose is undoubtedly one of the most interesting vehicles to ever roll out of Stuttgart.
With a body inspired by that of the 1976 "935" racer, the Flat-Nose looks every bit the race car with its hard-edged, flat bumper bonnet design, and with the addition of what was then new sporty "air vents", "rear spoiler" and "integrated driving lamps”, it's little wonder why the Slat-Nose makes it on this list. Suffice to say, there ain't a 911 like it anywhere.
993 Turbo - (1997)
Though the 930 and 964 generations of the 911 were some of the most iconic styles of all time, the 993 - particularly the Turbo version - marks what is arguably the best looking 911 ever designed. It's a design that even after 10 years since it's release, has been able to withstand the test of time; even today, it looks fresh, modern and ultimately, Porsche-like. And as far as I'm concerned, the 993's Turbo's design is so spectacular, that it's not only one of the best-looking Porsches ever assembled, but one of the best designs anywhere. With a front end suggesting a 911 design evolution, a slightly quirky silhouette and a rear end with accentuated fenders, a large body-attached spoiler and a distinctive light bar, the 993 Turbo is the most exceptional version of one of the world's most iconic vehicles.
993 GT1 "Strasseversion” (1996)
It's not often that I get worked up about a homologation special, but the 933 GT1 is the perfect example of road vehicle finely blended with a racing car. It's unquestionably from the 911 family, but makes the transition in a manner which is completely unique. Sure, being insanely long and wide, and having no rear window, it might be absolutely absurd to drive it on the road, but hell, I wouldn't mind. It's an angry and bulked-up 911 on steroids, and it's just great.
Carrera GT - (2004)
It's largely accepted that most supercars of this sort have designs which are often compromised for aerodynamic efficiency. And with vehicles such as the Ferrari Enzo running around, how could one argue? The Enzo is a vast, almost tortured array of Formula One-inspired hard edges - all for the sake of keeping the car aerodynamically efficient. The Carrera GT though, is very much a different story; rather being an edgy and hard-to-digest shape, it's clean and undoubtedly Porsche. And there are no compromises about it - the Carrera GT looks 100% Porsche. It's aerodynamically efficient, without alienating any of the company's classical design traits. From it's smoothly and fastidiously styled front end, to it's rear-end profile boasting a carbon fibre undertray, a retractable wing and an exquisite set of mesh engine grills setting above the 10-Cylinder motor, this exclusive flagship supercar is styled like few other comparable cars. It manages to look all-racy, without being the least bit boy-racer or over-the-top.
The design detailing of the Carrera GT is also particularly interesting because it showcases a number of styling elements found in the company's past; one of the most evident examples being the brake cooling slots behind that of the front wheels which are near identical to those seen on the 993 GT1 which I previously spoke of.
So, there you have it – the Fabulous Five.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Porsche Storms "Supertest"
As if recent news of the Pagani Zonda F Clubsport completing the Nürburgring Nordschliefe in 7:27.82 (see here) wasn’t enough of a shock, earlier today German publication “Sport Auto” announced that in their monthly “Supertest” the recently released 530bhp Porsche 911 GT2 has completed the Nordschliefe in 7 minutes, 33 seconds.Such a figure indicates a new echelon in Porsche 911 history. Not only does this particular lap time match what Sport Auto driver Horst Von Saumra was able to do in the Pagani Zonda F, but it’s just a tad whisker – 1 second, actually - behind that of the Porsche Carrera GT which completed the Nordschliefe in 7:32.44 back in early 2005. Thus also means the RWD 911 flagship out performs other such supercars as the 806bhp Koenigsegg CCR, the 640bhp Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 - let alone its normal competition such as the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera and Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06. In short, thanks to regular testing at the ‘Ring and Porsche’s great attention to engineering detail, the heavier and much less powerful 911 has been able to annihilate most every car that has previously run in the Supertest – regardless of the power, weight and/or price.
And of course, the new GT2 was able to erase the previous fastest 911 lap time of 7:46 - set in 2002 – with the 996-generation of the GT2
Additionally, Sport Auto’s Supertest revealed the GT2’s amazing cornering abilities as it peaked at 1.35G’s through the corners, and more or less made runny eggs of the both the Porsche Carrera GT and Pagani Zonda F throughout both the 18 and 36 metre slalom course. And as per usual, the frenetic 911 did not fail to shock when it came to straight line performance, hitting 200 km/h (124 mph) in just 11.5 seconds and hitting an indicated 293 km/h (182 mph) on the Dottinger Hohe straight line of the ‘Ring; just 1 km/h (.62 mph) short of the Carrera GT and some 12 km/h (7 mph) faster than the Zonda F.
Suffice to say, Porsche engineers deserve mad props. With each and every successive generation of the 911, just when you think they’ve hit the peak, they manage to out-do themselves.
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