New Car Porsche upgrades factory racing 911 GT3 RSR

Porsche has updated one of its three factory racing 911s, the GT3 RSR, for the new model year with a number of enhancements designed to ensure it continues a successful GT2 series run.

On the outside Porsche made significant changes to the bodywork to ensure the GT3 RSR is more aerodynamic and has more even downforce front and rear. The changes include new air outlet slots to allow for an optional air-conditioning system and more adjustment on the rear wing to modify the handling for the conditions. Also improved is a “weight optimised” brake system and the installation of lighter wiring harness compared to the previous model.

Underneath the hood are more improvements, with the legendary six-cylinder Porsche boxer engine getting a capacity upgrade from 3.8 to 4.0L. Due to a reduction in the size of air restrictors for the 2009 season, the new RSR produces 450hp (compared to 465hp for last year’s model) and a maximum torque of 430Nm. Despite the lower horsepower figures, Porsche claims the 2009 model is easier to drive because the engine produces a higher output at lower rev levels throughout the range and a better torque curve.

Inside the racing cockpit is a new display that tells drivers when the best time is to change gears. Although Porsche did not go in to specifics about this, it looks similar to the system used in the Ferrari F430 and 599GTB supercars. As you can see from this gallery picture, the interior is completely stripped bare compared to a standard 911 and comes with the usual assortment of race-specific buttons.

The cost for a racing 911 is mind-boggling when compared to a standard 911. The RSR, for example, costs €380,000, which is around US$500,000 at today’s exchange rates, well above the price of a 911 GT2 at $200,000.

2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR Wallpaper

Porsche Panamera Tuned by 9ff and Russian firms Top Car and Cardi

(Update 1) Our Russian friends over at Cardesign have sent us a new set of sketches depicting one of the first tuning proposals for the just revealed Porsche Panamera sports sedan. Although it was initially believed that 9ff was the only one company working on the Panamera, turns out that the German tuner has also joined forces with two Russian companies, called "Top-Car" and "Cardi". The role of each firm in the tuning project is defined as follows: Top Car will handle the management and marketing, Cardi the design and 9ff, the performance upgrades and production of the bodykits..

This isn't the first time that the three tuning firms have collaborated on a Porsche project as last year, Top Car introduced the Cayenne-based Vantage GTR.

According to the folks at Cardesign, Cardi has designed two distinctive bodykits for the Panamera. The complete kit replaces every external body panel aside from the rooftop while the second package adds new front and rear bumpers, side skirts and a restyled bonnet. In both cases, the visual upgrades are rounded off with a set of newly designed alloy wheels. 9ff has not disclosed any details about the mechanical upgrades it is preparing for the Panamera

It remains unclear whether or not the Panamera project will be offered exclusively by Top-Car and/or by 9ff.

Via: Cardesign - 'Spasiba' for the translation and the photos Grigory!