5 mars 2017 10:20:25
It will likely be just a 991 "GTS RS" with a big markup...
Wouldn't see the point of this car personally, the whole point of the Carrera line is everyday practicality and versatility while still providing in the sportiness and performance of a 911, even in its sportiest form like the GTS it still achieves that balance. If I want more sportiness and performance past the tipping point of everyday practicality and versatility I would go for a GT3/RS with the NA engine, PDK-S, chasis setup, etc. and not the downsized 3.0LTurbo engine, etc.
So they will give it a special name and make it limited so it has an artificially created appeal to justify the pricetag, i.e. another Sport Classic exercise
⇒ Carlos - Porsche 991 Carrera GTS
5 mars 2017 12:01:32
5 mars 2017 12:38:19
5 mars 2017 12:45:24
It won't be a surprise for many to hear that Porsche are planning to use a flat-six naturally aspirated 4.0 engine across a number of models, including R, GT3, GT3 RS, GT4 RS, RSR, GT3 Cup, GT4 Clubsport, Speedster, Spyder, 960, etc...
Indeed, this engine will be used to uphold Porsche's reputation as a manufacturer of great engines and to mitigate the criticism of lost "emotion" and "character" in the turbo-charged engines.
This engine will also help to differentiate a number of "special" models from the more plain-vanilla models.
The engine has already been developed with both manual and PDK transmissions available.
There will be a lot written about this engine in the next couple of years...
5 mars 2017 13:33:23
“Ten things we can expect from Porsche's GT department”
Top Gear learns the future of hardcore Porsches with boss Andreas Preuninger...
(5 March 2016)
Porsche used the [2016] Geneva motor show to unveil its most purist-focused car in a long time, the 911 R. In short, it’s a GT3 RS stripped of its paddleshift gearbox and downforce, answering the cries of Porsche die-hards who miss the involving manual transmission of GT-badged cars past.
We used it as an opportunity to sit down with the head of Porsche’s GT cars, Andreas Preuninger, to discuss what it means for the models that follow it. And we’re delighted to say it means very good things indeed.
So, dear reader, we gaze into the Porsche crystal ball with ‘Mr GT3’. Some of its contents are quite exciting...
The next 911 GT3 will have a manual...
Yup. Over to Preuninger: “I really think there is a good chance we will see the manual gearbox in the next GT3.”
Sounds pretty conclusive, eh? “For the pure joy and engagement of driving, is the manual a better option? I can imagine offering the manual as an option on the GT3. It would be completely stupid to restrict the manual gearbox to the R.”
So for the second-generation version of the 991 GT3, expect its engine to edge closer to 500bhp, and for it to come linked to your choice of two gearboxes: the existing seven-speed PDK, and the newly crafted six-speed manual from the R.
But the next GT3 RS will not...
Don’t think that Preuninger hearts stick-shifting unequivocally, though. “A lot of the 911 GT3’s success comes from its bandwidth of usability, and its usability lives on its PDK gearbox,” he says.
As well as usability, it also shaves tenths off laptimes. “There would be no sense in offering, say, a generation two GT3 RS with a manual gearbox, as it needs to be quick on the track.” The concern is that a PDK-equipped GT3 would outstrip a manual RS.
Future model range may include 911 R...
Preuninger sees two tribes of Porsche GT buyer: the purists, and the racers. And while the cars that appeal to each use the same tech, they take it in different directions.
Fit a manual to the GT3 again - as he seemingly plans to - and a blurred line between the 911 R and GT3 RS exists. “For the far future maybe it would be worth thinking about an RS and an R, but no GT3, because there’d be overlapping,” he says.
If you’ve just spat tea over your computer, grab a cloth and then try to calm down. Nothing’s certain.
Don’t expect a seven-speed manual in a GT car...
The seven-speed manual transmission fitted to the 991-generation 911 has its plaudits and its detractors. We can probably file Preuninger under the latter, particularly as he commissioned a completely bespoke six-speed transmission (stick pictured) to give 911 R buyers the sensations they’re after.
“Six is enough. We didn’t try [with the seven-speed]. When you operate this seventh gear quickly [in the regular 911], it can get very confusing. The 911 R shines best between second and fourth gear, lots of short shifting. I think a seventh gear would only harm the experience.”
Oh, and ditching that seventh cog saves 1kg, too...
Cayman GT4 RS...
It’s not the first time Preuninger has been asked about the possibility of a GT4 RS, and his answer feels well-versed. “If you would make a GT4 RS it would be a pretty quick car, and I don’t think we could produce that car at a lower price than the GT3 RS. You would have a positioning problem with that thing.
“We are aware of the need for something like this in the market, but there are no plans on something like this at the moment.”
718 Cayman GT4...
“Based on the huge success we had on the GT4, you can imagine we won’t ditch that project. The next generation might get a GT4 as well,” he continues. So that means the 718.
Does the fact it’s a four-cylinder turbo scupper things, when one of the current GT4’s best assets is its howling flat-six engine?
“Not necessarily,” he says, with a knowing smile. “On the GT models we want the six cylinders, the atmospheric engines.” That suggests some dug in heels, and a range-topping 718 that stays old-school with its choice of engine.
In fact, natural aspiration is here for a long time yet...
“We have no decision on going turbocharged,” Preuninger tells us. “There has been turbo engines before, and we have huge expertise, and we can really afford to have both [setups] in the product programme.
“If we can live with the fact a Carrera GTS will be a little quicker in the mid-range, which could be the situation in the future thanks to turbocharging… I wouldn’t care to be honest. It’s a totally different driving experience. As soon as the revs are above 5,000 we’d be gone anyway.
“I think it would be the smart and right move to stay with normally aspirated engines for the GT cars for the future.”
But he’ll happily strap some turbos to a modern-day GT2 [RS]...
“We always had a GT car with a turbo,” he says, referring to the GT2 and GT2 RS models of old. “But that was a different line, for a different customer group. This ‘beast’ appeal.
“We wouldn’t want to ditch that model because it’s a successor to the first turbo, an animal of a car. It might be that we are thinking of working on something like that for the future.”
At the end of the current, 991-generation 911’s life perhaps, much like the GT2 RS drew a line under the 997? “A car like that makes most sense at the end of the life cycle of each platform,” he adds.
It’s not a ‘yes’, but it’s damn close to one...
GT cars aren’t about outright power...
This much we can surmise from Preuninger’s dedication to naturally aspirated engines, but it’s nice - in a world where the limits of sports cars have long since climbed beyond sensible road speeds - to hear him say the words.
He confirmed that motorsport applications have proved that much more power can be extracted from the 4.0-litre engine in the GT3 RS, but his engineers won’t be going nuts.
“There is still meat left in that engine,” he says. “But don’t expect the next RS to be a 600bhp car. There’s a certain limit of adding power. Make it lighter [instead], make it feel better.”
And the Boxster Spyder is probably here to stay...
Preuninger excitedly talks up 911 R, and its ‘purist’ credentials. And he reckons it shares DNA with the Boxster Spyder, even if that isn’t a full-strength Porsche motorsport model.
“It’s devoid of everything luxury, and has a manual gearbox. It falls into the same category as the R. Total devotion to looking for [saving] every single gram.”
So if there’s going to be a 718 Cayman GT4, it would seem foolish to bet against a 718 Boxster Spyder, too.
Article Link: http://www.topgear.com/car-news/geneva-motor-show/ten-things-we-can-expect-porsches-gt-department
5 mars 2017 14:15:17
5 mars 2017 14:21:20
nberry:I enjoyed reading the article. Thanks for posting. But his interview was before the explosion of diesel gate. Much could have changed.
At Porsche not much has changed in the GT cars department, not even in the sportscar department. Luckily, the worst didn't come true.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet (2015), Porsche Cayenne S Diesel (2017), Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mini JCW (2015)
5 mars 2017 21:43:35
EnglishManInNY:Because it implies another GT3RS is coming and will only be PDK.
GT3...manual and PDK.
GT3 RS...only PDK (if a 991.2 GT3 is coming).
GT2 RS will also be only PDK.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet (2015), Porsche Cayenne S Diesel (2017), Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mini JCW (2015)
6 mars 2017 01:26:12
Carrera R... manual
Carrera RS... PDK
Carrera RSR... PDK+hybrid racing tech
1986 BMW 325i Cabrio Alpine Weiss/Black Leather - German Spec
2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS 500 Black/Black Leather
Ex: ''91 BMW 535i, '91 BMW 318i, '89 BMW 525i, '74 Mercedes-Benz 280E, '87 BMW 325is, '86 BMW 325e, '05 Ford Focus ZX4 S, '85.5 Porsche 944
6 mars 2017 07:46:50
Dear all,
if I can share my frustration right now . This is just becoming a mess, with more and more cars in the line up, at the point where people are almost lost in the value proposition.
Where are the times when the product lines where clearly identified ? When owning a GT3 would give you the assurance to get the top of the line 911 interms of performance (track and road feeling), with a feeeling as well you will not have a depreciation to kill you after 2 years ?
The only positive that Porsche is giving to his customers : the willingness to evaluate seriously competition, which is coming with better HP.... and at some point with a better car.
I'm now hesitating to buy a NEW GT3, as there will be other models coming in the next months thta could affect the value and porpose may be a better alternative ( like a CS with 4 seats, which would be perfect for my family).......
This is just annoying..on top of this, when you go to the dealer, they know anything ..... Even one said from a reliable source from HQ : NO GT3 in geneva !!!!! ahaahahah
997 Carrera S Triple Black Sold now ... Good car 997 GT3 triple black wow what a car !!!
thierry:Dear all,
if I can share my frustration right now . This is just becoming a mess, with more and more cars in the line up, at the point where people are almost lost in the value proposition.
Where are the times when the product lines where clearly identified ? When owning a GT3 would give you the assurance to get the top of the line 911 interms of performance (track and road feeling), with a feeeling as well you will not have a depreciation to kill you after 2 years ?
The only positive that Porsche is giving to his customers : the willingness to evaluate seriously competition, which is coming with better HP.... and at some point with a better car.
I'm now hesitating to buy a NEW GT3, as there will be other models coming in the next months thta could affect the value and porpose may be a better alternative ( like a CS with 4 seats, which would be perfect for my family).......
This is just annoying..on top of this, when you go to the dealer, they know anything ..... Even one said from a reliable source from HQ : NO GT3 in geneva !!!!! ahaahahah
There has always been better models coming . That will never stop, and you will not be able to buy THE car that will have it all for all times .
The model line is pretty clear . And even more, this time around there is a slight chance there will not be a GT3 RS , which would make the .2 GT3 more special .
The new GT3 is going to be a fantastic car, no dought . It will keeps it s value much better then most Porsche models . Just like it has always done . Actually at the moment they keep better values then 5 years ago .
If you are thinking about the club sport ( or T ), that will be a very different car then the GT3 , and the '' problem'' will be to get one if it is limited . Do you have any chance ? Would you have been able to get an R ?
If you like the GT3 , just get it ! If you need back seats, then a GTS or maybe the upcoming CS ( T ) if... you have a chance to get it ( but it will not be better then the GT3 )
964 Carrera 4 -- 997.2 C2S , -20mm -- 991 GT3 RS
Guys, if you buy your cars only based on resale value or value increase, then you have to rethink your (buying) priorities. I get the frustration but we all knew that this is going to happen.
Just get the car(s) you want, enjoy them and if you're lucky, they increase in value and if not...well...at least you had a nice time enjoying them.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet (2015), Porsche Cayenne S Diesel (2017), Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mini JCW (2015)
nberry:Will there be a Porsche webcast tomorrow?
http://www.porsche.gomexlive.com
throt
"I Have Done It!".
991 GT3 pick up in October 2014.
Rennteam Hairy Chest Advisor.