by John Glynn | Mar 5, 2013 | New Models, Porsche News
The new Porsche 911 GT3 is packed with technology, but one of the most interesting aspects is this active rear-wheel steering.
Active rear-wheel steering/four-wheel steering is perhaps best remembered on the Honda Prelude of the late 1980s. In typical Japanese style, the effects were overly obvious, so I remember the Prelude as curious to drive, but the Honda’s mechanical 4WS system (below) was much vaunted by one of my favourite motoring writers (and noted Porsche hater), LJK Setright. BMW used the system on the 850 CSI, and it is still found on current 5-series.
Porsche patented a form of passive rear-steer on the 928, with its famous Weissach Axle, but active is a whole new ball game, made easier by the introduction of electric power steering. Active rear wheel steering has been added “to achieve higher precision and lateral dynamics”. Depending on the speed, the rear steers in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels, improving stability and agility.
Other new modules to improve dynamics on the 991 GT3 include a fully variable electronically-controlled rear diff lock (sounds very very trick), and the dynamic engine mounts. The 20-inch forged alloy wheels with centre locks are also new.
Based on the light, yet stuff aluminium body of the current 911, the 991 GT3 is 44 millimetres wider than a 911 Carrera S across the rear axle. Porsche says that the fixed rear wing makes a decisive contribution to the ‘exemplary’ aerodynamics of the new 911 GT3, which combines low air resistance with even more power.
That’s about as much as I can say on new 991 GT3 tech until we get some cutaway drawings from Stuttgart – normal service is henceforth resumed! I will blog about the 928’s Weissach axle, as that is quite interesting.
by John Glynn | Mar 5, 2013 | New Models, Porsche News
Initial response on the 73,000-likes Ferdinand Facebook page to first official pics of the all-new Porsche 991 GT3 – latest and greatest of the 911 line – can only be described as muted. Unless you want to talk about the lack of a manual transmission option.
I understand the rationale of a PDK-only production choice for the latest supercar, but am predicting a number of implications for the used Porsche market.
- Bragging rights for the “best driver’s 911” will now go to the 997 GT3 RS with ceramics and manual transmission.
- There will be an aftermarket manual transmission kit for the 991 GT3 down the road.
- Cost of PDK repairs on 991 GT3 will feature large in future buyers’ guides.
Regards bragging rights, 997 GT3 RS still has a ton of driving aids, so what negative difference the PDK as standard makes I don’t know. But predictions don’t always have to make sense – ask your man Nostradamus. I predict the debate will be less about outright lap times and more about driving pleasure: the feeling that you actually have input and control over the car. It won’t make sense to the lap time gods, but watch the forums for lift-off.
Aftermarket manual transmission on a 991 GT3 will be a huge headline and someone will definitely sink money into achieving this. The PDK version will still be faster, and the manual conversion is likely to be less than pretty, but someone will do it as there’s a buyer out there. They will need to solve a whole lot of software problems first, though.
PDK is heavy and who knows how reliable in the long run. One look at a technical drawing for the transmission shows what could go wrong with water or a voltage spike frying the gearbox ECU and sending everything moving forward at once. Never say never!
What do you think about the 991 GT3? Looking forward to buying one or not? I know you have an opinion! Mine is that a 1000-kilo 911 with 200 bhp and no aircon is enough for me just now.
by John Glynn | Mar 4, 2013 | New Models, Porsche News
Porsche has just sent out the first official pictures and details of the new 911 GT3: series 991.
Technical highlights are:
- New engine and gearbox, bespoke crank and valve gear helping it to 9,000 rpm, PDK standard
- All new body
- 3.8-litre flat six giving 475 hp, 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, top speed 315 km/h or 195 mph.
- Nurburgring lap time is less than 7:30
- Active rear wheel steering, optional LED headlights
by John Glynn | Feb 1, 2013 | Porsche News, Race and Rally
Porsche’s plans to run a pair of works 991 GT3 RSRs in the World Endurance Championship and at this year’s Le Mans were confirmed today by the respective championship organisers: FIA and ACO.
Stuttgart is keeping us gagging for all-new RSR pics, but the drivers have been rubber stamped. Porsches number 91 and 92 will be run by Manthey and driven by six works pilots: Lieb and Lietz in the 91 car, partnered by Romain Dumas at Silverstone, Spa and Le Mans, while the 92 car goes to Bergmeister and Patrick Pilet, with support from Timo Bernhard at the same three races.
Everyone else will be battling it out in ALMS for the year, so I wonder what the chat is like at the Porsche drivers’ training camp in Tenerife right now (pic from today by Michael Christensen).
The works cars race in LM GTE Pro at Le Mans, while three customer cars fall into LM GTE Am. IMSA Performance Matmut and Proton return, both running 997 GT3 RSRs. Shame no Nic Armindo with the tri-coloured IMSA team, instead Raymond Narac will drive with Jean-Karl Vernay: reigning champion of Carrera Cup France.
Vernay has support from Porsche to race in Supercup this year, which should be interesting. IMSA will also run a second GT3 RSR featuring Pascal Gibon as lead driver. All we need now is Seb Loeb, and we’ll have most of France driving Porsches this year. Loeb Racing’s entered an ORECA-Nissan, but a lot can happen in 24 hours.
As for the second customer team, Mrs Glynn will be delighted to see newest ALMS GTC Porsche driver, Patrick Dempsey, popping up in Ferdinand posts from Le Mans this year. The Gray’s Anatomy heart throb and rather handy racing shoe will chalk up 24 hours in the number 77 Dempsey Racing-Proton Porsche RSR at Circuit de la Sarthe, along with topping Sarah’s list for the fifth or sixth year running. Patrick Dempsey & Ewan McGregor: nothing else matters to SG on TV. Apart from David Tennant.
by John Glynn | Feb 1, 2013 | Classic Porsche Blog, Race and Rally
Lot of Porsche buzz online about the upcoming ALMS winter test at Sebring. Nick Tandy has already been confirmed to drive the Falken Tires Porsche GT3 RSR, and Jeroen Bleekemolen has also just tweeted confirmation of a drive with Alex Job Racing in their ALMS GT3 this year.
In the midst of the excitement around their upcoming event, Sebring tweeted this great Porsche 906 pic with the text: “I would say this photographer got pretty close to the action at Sebring ’67.” I loved it: the sliding Carrera 6 must have clipped that tyre by microns. Clearly whoever was driving knew their Porsche well! I set out to find the driver.
First place to look was an entry list for Sebring 1967 and the drivers of car 49. Car 48 was the MG of Timo Mäkinen and 50 was another MG. All the 906s were up in the 30s, including one with Hans Hermann and Jo Siffert, but there was nothing for car 49.
A quick look on the Sebring Facebook page showed the same pic, but a few people dating it to 1966, when Siffert and Charles Vogele drove Charles’ 906 with number 49 to sixth overall. But that car was red. I dug around a bit more and found a few pics of the Sebring 1967 4-Hour, but this was another dead end.
Weighing just 600 kilos and with perfect balance, the 906 Carrera 6 with eventual fuel injection was successful into the 1970s as the 906E, so I looked at later years. Google didn’t help much, so I switched to the next most powerful search engine: eBay.
A quick search on ebay for 906 Sebring threw up this pic from 1969. Checking an entry list from 1969 confirmed a Porsche 906 raced as number 49, driven by Dr. Merwin (Merv) Rosen and Dave Morrell.
A quick google for Merv found a hardcore Illinois racer and an SCCA legend in his Porsche 906, with great results all across America. I also found an email address and have sent him a message: would be cool to hear more about his career. Merv if you’re out there, please say hello!
