Tag Archives: Porsche 911

Rumored Porsche 911 Sport Classic Prototype Coming With Retro Styling Cues

For the 997 generation, Porsche introduced a retro-styled version of the 911 called the Sport Classic. Produced in very limited numbers, the car was said to be inspired by the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 of Porsche fame. Now, after skipping the 991 generation, it appears as if the Sport Classic nameplate will make a return for the current 992 911.

We’ve seen prototypes of this car floating around before, but our spy photographers were able to capture it again testing out on public roads in Germany.

See Also: Mysterious 992 Porsche Prototype Could Be New 911 Sport Classic

Styling-wise, the car appears to share its front and rear bumpers with the 911 Turbo S, though its widened fenders are absent of any cooling vents. It also seems to borrow blacked-out versions of its center-lock wheels, although they’re expected to be replaced by a Fuchs-style set upon this car’s eventual debut.

That being said, the prototype isn’t just a parts-bin special, as it has a few unique styling elements in the form of a channeled hood, double-bubble roof, and a sleek ducktail spoiler finishing off the silhouette at the rear. And for what it’s worth, both that double-bubble roof and ducktail spoiler were present on the previous Sport Classic, which only solidifies even further that it is in fact what this car is.

Related: Porsche 911 Safari Spied Again Showing Its Adventurous Rally-Bred Spirit

As for the powertrain, power is speculated to come from the Carrera GTS‘s 3.0L twin-turbocharged flat-six, which makes 473 hp (480 PS / 352 kW) and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm) of torque. The car would also likely adopt a similar philosophy to the 991 R and previous 997 Sport Classic, placing a heavy focus on driver engagement with a lower curb weight, rear-wheel drive, and a manual transmission.

Only 250 units of the previous Sport Classic were ever produced, and while this new one isn’t expected to be as scarce, production is rumored to be capped at a relatively low 2,000 cars. A reveal is expected in February 2022 as a 2023 model year vehicle. And if everything surrounding this car is to be believed, and a new Sport Classic is truly on the way, then it would make perfect sense to have a debut scheduled for the 2023 model year, which would also be the Carrera RS 2.7‘s 50-year anniversary.

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Image Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

The 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 might be the best ever, and you can win one

Autoblog may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change. No donation or payment necessary to enter or win this sweepstakes. See official rules on Omaze. 

Every now and then, a car comes along in a sweepstakes that makes you wonder why in the world they would be giving something so beautiful away for pennies on the dollar. This 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 is one of them, and against our better judgment we are telling you how you could win it: Just head on over to Omaze. 

Here are the specs of the 911 GT3, according to Omaze:

  • Engine: 4.0-liter flat-6
  • Transmission: 6-speed manual
  • Drivetrain: RWD 
  • Exterior Color: Shark Blue
  • Interior Color: Black with Shark Blue stitching
  • Maximum Horsepower: 502 hp
  • Acceleration: 0–60 in 3.5 seconds
  • Top Speed: 197 mph
  • Approximate Retail Value: $195,835 
  • Cash Alt: $146,876.25
  • Special Features: carbon fiber full bucket seats; leather/Race-Tex interior with Shark Blue stitching and seat belts; 20”/21” Satin Black wheels with Shark Blue lip; carbon fiber roof, mirrors, interior trim and door sills; Chrono Package; Bose Surround Sound System; front-axle lift system
If the specs aren’t enough to entice you, here’s what we thought when we last drove it:
“Once again, the 911 GT3 features a 4.0-liter flat-six. Period, no turbocharger. Driving a naturally aspirated car these days is rare enough, let alone one that revs to 9,000 rpm and reaches its peak 502 horsepower at 8,400 rpm. So yeah, not ruined. In fact, Porsche says it’s “practically identical to the engine used in the new 911 GT3 Cup race car.” Adding to the audible joy of listening to an engine wail to nine grand is the GT3’s stainless steel Sport Exhaust.

“The thing is, though, the standard seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automated manual rarely sees the need to get anywhere close to that redline. As I wasn’t driving on a track, it mostly shifted around 6,500 to 7,000 rpm. That’s still higher than most cars’ ceilings, but is far from the zesty, Pavarotti-reaching-crescendo you get at full boil. While you don’t need to use the PDK’s paddles for the purposes of going fast (Sport+ mode knows exactly when to upshift and downshift, thank you very much), you’ll want to use them just to make things sound as interesting as possible. You could also get the no-cost-option six-speed manual. Again, not ruined.

“The same cannot be said for the drive route. Mention “the snake” to any car enthusiast in the Greater Los Angeles area, and they should immediately know you’re not referring to a reptile or Jake Roberts. It’s a sublime, twisty bit on Mulholland Highway north of Malibu just east of Kanan Dume Road. Though I used to drive it weekly as part of routine vehicle testing, I hadn’t done so since moving in 2017. I still haven’t. The snake has been ruined, not by Covid obviously, but by catastrophic wildfires in November 2018 that to this day render it impassable. It’s not the only bit of my old Malibu stomping grounds that remains scorched and closed to traffic.

“I knew that going in, but instead of looking up which spots were closed, I decided to find out for myself. The worst that could happen would be needing to turn around and re-running some serpentine bit of road. In the new GT3. Oh no. I start off on Las Flores Canyon Road, an almost comical collection of steep, tight turns. Bigger, more powerful cars like the 911 typically aren’t well suited to it, but this GT3 is indeed different.

“This is the first series production 911 to have a double-wishbone front suspension, with a design adapted from the Le Mans-winning 911 RSR race car. Porsche says it results in “extraordinarily agile turn-in behavior.” No kidding. The first turn of the wheel is a genuine surprise, as the steering is noticeably quicker than the 911 norm. It’s almost Italian. Not surprisingly, it’s also beautifully precise and communicative, but replacing the 911’s usual rubber suspension bits with ball joints increases the feedback even more. If this isn’t the best steering, period, it’s probably the Cayman GT4 or some exotic I just haven’t driven.”

You’re probably asking yourself, what does it take to win? First of all, according to Omaze, “No donation or payment is necessary to enter or win this sweepstakes.” $10 will get you 100 entries, while $50 will get you 1,000 entries and $100 will get you 2,000 entries.

The donations themselves benefit The Dempsey Center, which Omaze says, “is committed to making life better for people managing the impact of cancer by providing a variety of diverse, personalized, high-quality services all at no cost to the client. Your donation can help ensure the Dempsey Center is able to continue providing a haven of support for cancer patients, their loved ones and care partners with services like counseling and support groups, movement and fitness classes, nutrition consultation and education, and more, all with no financial barrier for clients.”

If you want this Porsche, and who wouldn’t, enter here. The deadline to enter is April 1, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.

Other Omaze sweepstakes:

Mansory Teases Bodykits For SF90, MC20, Roma, 765LT, DBX, And 911

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Mansory has teased a handful of new models that it is developing bodykits for.

The first teaser posted to Facebook previews kits for both the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and Ferrari Roma. The SF90 Stradale is Ferrari’s most potent model and Mansory is planning to make it even more menacing with custom parts for the front fascia, side skirts, and rear diffuser. This teaser also previews an extended rear wing, trim around the headlights and taillights, and new trim around the side air intakes. As for the Roma, it has also been previewed with a unique front splitter, side skirts, rear lip spoiler, and rear diffuser.

Read Also: Mansory’s Latest Bentley Flying Spur Project Isn’t For Traditionalists

The second teaser previews kits for the Maserati MC20 and McLaren 765LT. The kit for the Maserati is perhaps the most outlandish and in addition to revised front and rear bumpers, plus distinctive side skirts, it also includes a large fixed rear wing and a roof scoop. Changes being readied for the 765LT are a little more subtle but will still beef up its road presence.

Last but not least is a teaser for the 992-generation Porsche 911 and Aston Martin DBX. The 911 can be seen with unique bumpers, a large rear wing, and accents around the side air intakes. The DBX’s bodykit is also very aggressive and includes flared wheel arches, re-designed bumpers, a power bulge on the hood, a tailgate spoiler, and a roof spoiler.

Mansory has yet to announce when it will introduce these bodykits.

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Base Porsche 911 Carrera Vs. BMW M3 Competition: Which Is The Best Sports Car Of The Two?

If you’re a fan of German performance cars, desire excitement, and happen to have £90,000 ($124,000) lying around, you might want to consider having a look at the latest offerings from BMW and Porsche: the M3 Competition, which costs £87,000 ($119,000 converted), and the £85,000 ($117,000) Porsche 911 Carrera.

Starting with the exterior design comparison, the elephant in the room is predictably the beaver-tooth grille of the M3 that’s totally different from the relatively subtle and, perhaps, “smiley” face of the 911 Carrera. From the back, the M3 maintains its aggressiveness, with sharp lights, a noticeable diffuser, and relatively large quad exhausts. Still, the simple design of the Porsche coupled with new elements like the single bar taillight and a spoiler that pops up once you reach a certain speed might give it a little bit of competitive advantage.

The interiors are, as you’d expect, impressive, with the 911 paying tribute to its heritage with the gauge layout, even though the steering wheel obscures some of it. Mat Watson from Carwow points out a few minor issues with the infotainment system, too, including small icons that can be a little fiddly and the rather apparent lack of Android Auto (although we expect that to be updated soon). Less impressive is the fact that, after a few hard launches, a nasty rattle rears its ugly head. The M3, on the other hand, does have Android Auto, as well as Apple Carplay, and although it might not feel as ‘racey’ as the Carerra’s 2+2 layout, the Carbon Pack adds some rather fetching carbon-backed seats.

See: 2021 BMW M4 Competition Vs Base Porsche 911 Carrera

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With design out of the way, it’s time to start talking numbers. The M3 Competition is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six with 503 hhp (510 PS) driving the rear wheels, although a four-wheel-drive version is an option. The 911 has a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six driving the rear wheels and although it comes with “just” 385 hp (390 PS/287 kW), it’s evidently more than enough, considering that it reached 60 mph (96 km/h) from a standstill in 3.7 seconds during its run with Watson, beating the M3 which needed 4.0 seconds for the same sprint.

But what you lose for a couple of tenths of a second in the M3 is gained by a rather spacious rear seat that can be accessed with the extra set of doors and will comfortably accommodate two adults. The Porsche, on the other hand, should never have more than two people sitting in it – and two small kids, at best, at the back. Trunk space isn’t that impressive either, giving you just 132 liters in comparison to the Bimmer’s 480 liters, but then again the Porsche could never compete in practicality.

As a daily driver, the 911 Carrera happens to hold its own pretty well. Watson finds fault with the slightly stiff suspension and annoyingly loud tire noise, but it’s bearable. In Sport mode is where the Porsche performs how it’s meant to after inheriting bits from generations of 911 perfection. The M3 does stiffen up quite a bit more than the regular model, but it also manages to feel a little cushier than the Porsche on the daily commute. When you start to push it, though, the BMW brings out its wilder, more playful side that could be good or bad depending on your driving style.

Go Full 911 Geek With This Video Comparison Of The Porsche 996.1 And 996.2

Porsche’s 996-generation 911 hasn’t had the easiest of lives. When it was new some Porsche fans criticized the soap-bar styling, the switch from air- to water-cooled engines and the fact that it shared substantial hardware with the cheaper Boxster.

And then there were the scare stories about engines going pop, either as a result of cylinder bore damage or the intermediate shaft bearing collapsing and taking the entire power unit with it.

As a result, and despite being excellent to drive, the 1998-2004 cars have mostly missed out on the Porsche price boom that has gripped the market over the last few years. But as Lee Sibley, editor of Total 911 magazine and the man behind the That 911 Guy YouTube channel explains, that’s all changing.

Yes, the wider world has finally cottoned on to just how good the 996 is. They still look great value next to an earlier 993, but values are climbing fast, so if you want one, now’s the time to jump in.

Related: Remember When The Porsche 911 Turbo Was Sold With A Six-Speed Manual?

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Prices of Turbo versions of the 996 have already increased over the last few years, so we’re talking specifically about the Carrera model here. But do you go for the earlier 996.1 with its 3.4-liter flat six and runny-egg headlamps, or the later 996.2 with its Turbo-look face and extra 200 cc of capacity?

By his own admission Sibley goes full-geek in this video, giving us a deep dive on the pros and cons of each model. We get a detailed walkaround of each car, followed by a proper road test, meaning that by the time you hit the 18 minute mark, you should be pretty sure whether the 996.1 or 996.2 is the right choice for you – presuming those different headlamp designs haven’t already helped you make up your mind.

2000 Porsche 911 (996) Millennium Edition