Porsche has just released this trailer to promote its libidinous 2013 911 GT3 Cup car.
As well as the obvious aerodynamic enhancements, the 991-based racer is propelled by a near-identical version on the road car’s naturally aspirated 3.8-litre flat-six, which develops 338 kW (460 hp), a 7 kW (10 hp) increase over the 2012 engine.
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Porsche has tonight unveiled the new edition of its GT3 Cup car at the company’s ‘Night of Champions’ event in Weissach.
Based on the forthcoming 991 GT3 model, the Cup version is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre flat-six engine, developing 338 kW (460 hp), a 7 kW (10 hp) improvement over its predecessor. A first for a Porsche brand trophy race car is the addition of a flappy paddle-controlled six-speed dog-type transmission.
Notable features include front dive planes, a splitter, adjustable rear wing and polycarbonate rear and side windows, while the newly-designed one-piece wheels wear Michelin race slicks measuring 27 centimetres and 31 centimetres in width, an increase of 2 cm and 1 cm respectively. We really hope those mirrors make it onto the road car.
Moving inside, there’s a newly-developed race seat, multifunctional steering wheel with quick-release coupling and a welded-in roll cage. There’s also a rescue hatch in the roof allowing medical staff to extract the driver following an accident.
“The new 911 GT3 Cup is much easier to drive at the limit. The car is excellently balanced. The new axle geometry is enormously positive for the handling. Apart from that the new Cup 911 is great fun to drive,” said Porsche works driver Timo Bernhard.
The cars are designed to compete in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup series, which supports each Formula 1 race in the calendar, with prices starting at €181,200 before VAT.
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Volkswagen Motorsport has unveiled the rally-ready version of its Polo R WRC car in Monte Carlo tonight.
Developed over a 17-month period with the double World Champion and Dakar rally winner Carlos Sainz, the Polo is propelled by a turbocharged 1.6-litre TSI four-cylinder engine, limited to around 224 kW (300 hp) thanks to a regulatory air restrictor, with gears in the six-speed transmission shifted sequentially.
The aerodynamically optimized wheel arch extensions, doors and tailgate are constructed from carbon-Kevlar, helping the Polo to tip the scales at 1,200 kilograms – its minimum weight in accordance with FIA rules, while the width has grown to 1,820 millimetres, which is 138 mm wider than the regular road car.
Inside is strictly business, with the seats moved back to improve weight distribution with the centre console now just a fuse holder, while the lengthy handbrake lever is conveniently placed for the driver. On the other side of the cabin, the co-driver is treated to a rally computer relating critical data, such as distance travelled or the remaining time until the next time control.
“The launch of the Polo R WRC, which is now ready and raring to go, heralds a new era in motorsport for Volkswagen: the FIA World Rally Championship offers Volkswagen the opportunity to prove its sporty qualities in an environment, in which our cars have always been at home: on real streets,” said Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg.
Backed by Red Bull, Castrol and Michelin, the team will return on January 5 for the Rally Monte Carlo from 15, with Frenchmen Sebastien Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia, and Finland’s Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila hoping to hit the ground running.
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Here’s an answer to the age-old question that nobody asked. A French company called Easydrift has developed hyper-resistant plastic rings to fit over the rear tires of front-wheel drive vehicles, resulting in a car that drags it backside around like a Labrador with festering anal glands.
Easydrift also offers skill building and drifting lessons in its MINIs. Or you could just buy yourself an E30 from the classifieds and do it properly.
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Californian styling specialist Misha Designs has developed a GTM body program to suit Porsche Panamera models from 2010 onwards.
The basic aero package consists of a replacement front bumper with large air intakes, wider fenders with functional air outlets, a ventilated hood, side skirts, rear fender flares, diffuser, and spoilers for the roof and trunk.
Options include a carbon fibre front lip and diffuser, and even wider rear fender flares and bumper. If that’s your bag. Misha can provide a range of alloy wheels, including these 22-inch Mecca Concave items by Giovanna.
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Up until now, we’ve only been teased with images of the pre-production GT3 road car, but Porsche has just released this preview video showing its 991-based GT3 Cup car in action on track.
The 2012 Cup cars use a near-identical version of Porsche’s current GT3 RS, namely a naturally-aspirated 3.8-litre six cylinder – good for 336 kW (450 hp).
After several thousand attempts, we also managed to capture a frame from the video. Those mirrors.
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