Porsche: The new models

Here's a summary of the newest Porsche's that money can buy. Enjoy the read and follow the link for an extensive gallery!

When Porsche starts talking about race-bred technology for the road, listen carefully. That slight rustling noise? It’s the sound of cheque books opening…
The new £79,540 911 GT3 is unlikely to be the car to break this tradition. With a 3.6-litre engine developing 415bhp at 7,600rpm, it summons up a staggering 115.3bhp per litre – incredible for a normally-aspirated car.
Changes include a revised air-intake system and a new exhaust, which is not only freer-flowing but also features flaps to bypass the pre-silencers for better performance at speed. With a closer-ratio six-speed gearbox fitted as standard, the GT3 makes 62mph from standstill in 4.3 seconds, and hits 99mph (160km/h) in only 8.7. Top speed is 192mph, and the rev-counter lights up on approach to the 8,400rpm redline, helping drivers make the most of the performance.
The aerodynamics aren’t bad either. Despite a new rear wing and increased downforce over both axles, further tweaks mean the GT3 has a drag coefficient of only 0.29. Another feature may see “purists” muttering darkly to themselves, however. This is the first extreme 911 to feature Porsche Active Suspension Management – meaning the dampers have more than the usual single hardcore setting. No need to panic, though; the default setting is equivalent to the previous non-active suspension, and pressing the Sport button makes the set-up even more aggressive. With track-work in mind, the suspension and chassis can also be tailored to individual circuits as necessary.
On the inside, you’ll find swathes of Alcantara and special sports seats – although these can be swapped for ultra-lightweight carbon fibre versions at the factory, saving over half the original weight. Other goodies include 19” lightweight alloy wheels – a massive foot wide at the rear, 8.5” at the front – a limited-slip differential, and traction control lifted from the Carrera GT supercar. This integrates all the safety acronyms (ABD, ASC, EDC) into one easy to describe place. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes are available as an option, should the stopping power from the standard 350mm discs be less than adequate.
When “GT3” isn’t enough
Could try harder. If that’s what you thought when you looked at the specification of the new Porsche 911 GT3, then the GT3 RS launched alongside it is the car for you. It has the same 415bhp engine as its “lesser” sibling, but is 20kg lighter and comes fitted with a rollcage as standard. Together with a close-ratio gearbox, this means 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds – a tenth quicker than the GT3’s time – and 0-124mph in 13.3 seconds. Top speed is down slightly to 187mph (anyone counting?), but the wider Carrera 4 bodyshell does allow for an increased rear track and higher cornering speeds.