Spotted: MINI Cooper S 'Porsche 911 GT3 RS' Edition

Similar to the Fiat 500, the MINI is one of those cars that can be modified to mimic the design themes of other models without losing any of its personality. But while the MINI Rolls Royce Edition that we showed you yesterday is an official creation, this Porsche 911 GT3 RS-themed MINI Cooper S that was snapped in a parking lot is a private car. As with the GT3 RS, all vehicle insignia and the wheels themselves on the neatly modded Cooper S are finished in an orange color that contrasts the black body finish. Gallery after the jump.

A Video Tour of the Porsche Classic Workshop

Porsche Classic is a specialized workshop owned by the German automaker, responsible for repairing, servicing and even restoring classic vehicles, like this 1973 911 T Coupe. Every year, a team of 30 highly trained specialists work on around 250 cars, keeping Porsche's heritage alive. According to the Stuttgart-based company, more than 70 per cent of all Porsches ever built are still on the roads today, which is pretty impressive if you think about it. Video follows after the break.

More Power, Please: Wimmer RS Tunes Porsche GT2 RS to 703HP

With 620-horsepower on tap from the twin-tubo'd boxer engine for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of just 3.5 seconds and top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph), we'd argue Porsche's 911 GT2 RS is lighting quick. However, German tuning house Wimmer RS has a mind of its own when it comes to performance even if we're talking about a sports car that will be produced in a limited run of just 500 units.

The tuner's upgrades are concentrated on the 911 GT2 RS' 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer which benefits from a remapped engine controller, optimized turbochargers, a sport air-filter, new air-intake and a valve-controlled sport exhaust system along with sport catalysts.

These modifications bump output from 620 to 703-horsepower, while peak torque rises from 700Nm to an even more impressive 810Nm or 597.5 pound-feet. According to Wimmer RS, the powered-up 911 GT2 RS can now complete the sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 3.3 seconds and pass the 200 km/h mark after just 9.5 seconds (stock model: 9.8 seconds), while continuing up to a top speed of 356 km/h or 221.2 mph.

VIDEO: New Porsche 911 GT2 RS "Driven to Extreme"

Gordon Robertson is back. Having previously tamed the GT3, the chief driving consultant of the Porsche Experience Center at Silverstone now takes on another of Stuttgart's iconic 911s: the GT2 RS.

Capable of 620 hp and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque, the 911 GT2 RS is the most powerful road-going Porsche ever built. It accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.5 seconds and hits the 200 km/h (124 mph) mark in a staggering 9.8 seconds. Clearly, you need some impressive skills to drive pace the GT2 RS through a twisty circuit, but for now, you can enjoy Mr. Robertson at work in the video after the break.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Cayenne and Panamera Help Boost Porsche Sales by 86.4% Compared to Previous Quarter

Even in this harsh economical climate, Porsche sales continue to grow, as the German maker shifted 21,218 units in the first three months of the 2010 short fiscal year (August 1 – December 31). That's an impressive 86.4% growth compared to the same period last year, although Porsche management admits that the prior-year quarter was "relatively weak", so a higher growth rate was expected.

Revenue amounted to €2.06 billion (+80.3%), while the company's operating result reached €395 million for the same three month period.

The new Cayenne fared particularly well with 10,292 units sold (+151%), followed by the Panamera with 5,778 vehicles and a growth rate of 94%. The success of the 4-door coupe is due to the fact that last year it wasn't available on all markets and the six-cylinder model went on sale in May 2010. The 911's sales were also up, reaching 3,130 units (+20.4%), while the Boxster with 1,089 and Cayman with 929 vehicles remained the least coveted Porsches.

The Americas lead in terms of regional sales, up by 82% and totaling 7,268 units, of which 6,632 went to North America. Europe is close behind (7,082), while Asia and the rest of the world are third (6,868), albeit with the biggest growth rate (126%), fueled by the strong demand in China.

"We can be satisfied with the key indicators of the first three months. Porsche AG is continuing on a profitable growth course" said Matthias Müller, chairman of the executive board of Porsche AG.

"Due to the order intake worldwide in the past few months, we expect a good double-digit return on sales in the short fiscal year from August to December 2010. With this current order situation, we also anticipate a good start to the new fiscal year 2011" Lutz Meschke, member of Porsche AG's executive board in charge of finance and procurement, added.

Porsche's sales growth also helped create new jobs, with the company currently employing 13,043 people, a 2.5% increase over July 2010.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Wimmer RS Presents Porsche 911 GT2 Bi-Turbo with 680HP

Feeling the need for more speed? Don't worry, German tuning house Wimmer Rennsporttechnik Solingen (RS) has it all figured out for you as long as you have a Porsche 997 GT2 and something in the likes of €29,800 or about $40,500. The tricked out GT2 gains reworked twin-turbochargers, an improved ECU, sport camshafts and a custom made sport exhaust system for a total output of 680HP and 870Nm or 641 pounds of torque, up from the stock car's 530HP and 505 lbs/ft.

Together with a new sport clutch system, Wimmer RS' 911 GT2 accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 3.4 seconds, to 200 km/h or 124mph in just 9.78 seconds and to 300km/h or 186mph in 25.8 seconds. The modified GT2's top speed is said to reach 356km/h or 221mph.

Other improvements included in the package are new 20-inch Sportec alloy wheels in Dunlop tires size 235/20 up front and 325/25 at the back, upgraded suspension and carbon fiber door mirrors and rear lip spoiler along with new decals.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

VIDEO: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Spied on the 'Ring

Not entirely satisfied with the new 911 GT3? No need to worry as Porsche is putting the final touches on the 2010MY 911 GT3 RS that is set to make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The RS, which is essentially an even more hardcore version of the 911 GT3, is said to retain the standard GT3's naturally aspirated 3.8-liter flat six with 435HP adding to the mix extra aerodynamic doodads some of which are made from carbon fiber, along with numerous other improvements that include a series of weight saving measures. Turn up the volume and hit the jump to watch the spy video of the 911 GT3 RS prototype on the Nurburgring race track.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

New Cars 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

As standard, the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS has a six-speed manual gearbox and the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK), is available as an option. Compared Carrera S. The upper speed GTS with manual transmission increases 2mph to 190 mph. In general, the acceleration from zero to 62mph is improving, 0.1 seconds; for GTS Coupé with PDK and Sport Chrono Package Plus Sport Plus mode, the source sprint takes only 4.2 seconds.

Special attention was paid to charge exchange in the 3.8-litre flat engine delivering 408 hp: In a special resonance intake manifold, six vacuum-controlled tuning flaps switch between power- and torque-optimized geometry whereas in a Carrera S power unit there is only one tuning flap. Thus, maximum torque of unchanged 420 Nm is already available at 4,200 rpm, 200 rpm earlier compared with the Carrera S. Add to that a sports exhaust system with two dual tailpipes. Their outer shells are painted in black and their inner tubes are polished on the outside and nano-coated.

Unique within the 911 Carrera family, the GTS combines the 44 millimetre wider body of the all-wheel drive Carrera 4 models – including widened rear track – with a classic rear-wheel drive configuration. The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS sits on 19-inch centre-locking RS Spyder alloy wheels, painted in black with high-gloss finished rims, with 235/35 ZR 19 tyres on the front axle and 305/30 ZR 19 tyres on the rear. Further features include the SportDesign front apron with spoiler edge painted in black, special side skirts also in black, and the Carrera GTS logotype on doors and rear lid, in black or silver depending on the body colour. The area between the two tailpipes on the rear apron is also finished in black.

The new Porsche 911 Carrera GTS will have its global debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show on October 2 and goes on sale in the UK in December, priced from £76,758 for the Coupe and £83,493 for the Cabriolet.