Half of our average day at the office is spent staring longingly at a huge, framed picture of a Kermit-green 2007 Porsche GT3 RS (shot by our crack staff photographer, Scott Jacobs).
We're afraid we might have to soon re-decorate the joint. Or we will once we get our sweaty hands on the car pictured here, the 2010 Porsche GT3. Porsche will unveil the car at the Geneva auto show in March. Join us after the jump for the details.
More power is always a good thing. And the '10 model comes with 435 hp (or 20 more than the '07 model we tested) thanks to its new 3.8-liter flat 6 (up 0.2 liters). That engine now has the company's VarioCam technology on both the intake and exhaust sides. Porsche modestly claims the new car will be good for 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds. Considering that the less powerful '07 cranked out a 3.9-second run on our test track, we reckon the 2010 will be quicker even than that. Top speed is listed at 194 mph.
The new motor sits on new mounts filled with magnetic fluid (similar to the shocks of a Corvette or Ferrari 599) that stiffen automatically to form a more solid coupling between engine and chassis when the car is driven with verve. While kicking around town, the mounts soften, allowing for better isolation and a less frenetic demeanor.
The company claims grip and stability have been improved by the use of automatically adjusting shocks (Porsche Active Suspension Management). For the first time, the GT3 comes standard with a stability control. The driver can, of course, turn stability and traction control off independently. The standard brakes are bigger than before and have aluminum hubs to reduce weight. The PCCB ceramic brakes will be optional, as before (in 2007, that upgrade costed $8,840).
The 2010 becomes a bit more useble on the street too thanks to the optional and cleverly named Front End Lift system. Similar to systems that Lamborghini has offered, the system uses an onboard air compressor to raise the front ride height by 1.18 inches at speeds up to 30 mph. When we drove the '07, we remarked that the car turned every driveway into the Rubicon Trail, so this is a welcome addition. New wheels, modified aero package and bi-xenon headlamps round out the changes to the new car.
The new GT3 goes on sale in the fall of 2009 and starts at $112,200, $5,405 more than the '07.
Follow the link for Inside Line's news story on the 2010 GT3.
flicmod says:
11:52 AM, 01/29/09
My WORD, this is a sexy automobile!
altimadude00 says:
01:38 PM, 01/29/09
Apart from the Terminator headlamps, I can't see an angle that makes this car look bad. Owners will need to have a roll of towels ready to wipe off the drool of passers-by.
billt9 says:
05:55 PM, 01/29/09
That wing must have been codesigned by Mitsubishi. I bet they have an optional wing that's full roof height.
cwc1 says:
06:59 PM, 01/29/09
"Terminator headlamps"....good one. I don't think it looks quite right either, having those two tiny lights inside the large housing. But it seems to be a growing trend.