Porsche 911 2007 News

Testing of prototypes in Europe points to a preview sometime next year, even with the rollout of the current 997 continuing with everything from the GT3 to the ultimate GT2 RS.  Cars have been caught by Carparazzi in both winter testing in Scandinavia and hot laps at the Nurburgring, where a radical new hybrid 911 racer - using a kinetic energy recovery system developed by Williams F1 - led the Nurburgring 24-hour race a fortnight ago. The new 911 is the 998 series and European sources hint at a first public appearance towards the end of 2011, most likely at the Frankfurt Motor Show. That would indicate Australian sales sometime in the first half of 2012. Development of the 998, says Carparazzi, is focussed on improving the car's efficiency.  The current 997-series 911 has all-new engines so there will be no change in capacity for the 998, just more work on emissions and fuel economy. The car is also likely to be lighter, with more aluminium in key areas, and will have the latest paddle-shift PDK gearbox. Porsche tries to disguise the 998 test cars with fake air vents in the rear wings, hoping to distract with talk about something on the GT2 turbo front. But the car is definitely the new model, with a slightly lower line and what looks like a longer wheelbase.  It also has giveaway mirrors which have - like a growing number of cars - been moved onto the door itself from the area around the A-pillar. The latest Carparazzi picture also shows the car's genuine tail lamps for the first time and points to headlamps which are slightly more upright.

That's the bottom line on the 911 Turbo S convertible, which will be unveiled next month at the Geneva Motor Show before local sales in September.The force-fed droptop, which also comes as a coupe for $423,300, has had a major power boost from the 'regular' 911 Turbo's 368 kiloWatts to a full-house 390 - with 700 Newton-metres of torque.Porsche says the extra punch drops the 0-100km/h sprint time to 3.3 seconds and lifts the top speed to 315km/h.  The Turbo S comes standard with Porsche's Sport Chrono package, including launch control, as well as paddles to shift the PDK seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox.It's the first new Turbo S model from Porsche in five years and comes with traction management, all-wheel-drive and a mechanical rear differential lock.Porsche says it has also improved efficiency with fuel economy of 11.4 litres/100km, no more than the regular 911 Turbo.

Only about five Porsche 911 Sport Classics — a hand-built, bespoke celebration of the 911's 40-year history — will come to Australia from a fixed global production run of just 250. So exclusive is the car that Porsche Australia spokesman Paul Ellis doesn't know the final price and has yet to take any orders. "But we know we'll sell what we can get," he says. "This is a very exclusive car that is basically hand built. It even has a woven leather interior as well as the very best components from Porsche." The Porsche 911 Sport Classic revives the aura of one of its most outstanding models, the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7. It's taken Porsche three years to develop this car and yet it will make only 250 units. To be shown at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show, the Sport Classic has been developed by the company's specialist department, Porsche Exclusive. Reflecting the Carrera's design is the Sport Classic's ducktail rear spoiler and the Fuchs-style design of the special custom-made alloy wheels. The distinctive double-dome roof is borrowed from the style of the 911 Panamericana show car and in the roofline of the Carrera GT. The coupe is further defined by its more powerful engine, unique exterior with reshaped front and rear styling, a new centre section in the roof, new side sills and new shape of front and rear lights. Porsche says that every car in this limited series comes in an exclusive paint colour called Sport Classic Grey with subtle dark trim strips. The interior is finished in Espresso Nature and is claimed to go further than the current customising portfolio available on the other 911 models. Power comes from a worked version of the 3.8-litre flat-six engine that now delivers 300kW. The engine has a unique six-butterfly intake manifold. The Sport Classic has a six-speed manual transmission and sprints to 100km/h from rest in 4.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 302km/h. Fuel consumption, for those who care, is claimed to average 10.6 litres/100km. While the limited edition 911 Sport Classic is based on the 911 Carrera S, it has aluminium doors and features the rear bodywork of the all-wheel drive models — meaning it is 44mm wider and has a rear track extended by 34mm.  

Cancer as a boy left him blind in one eye, but it hasn't slowed him down. The 51-year-old Gold Coast businessman has owned a host of performance cars from a Mini Cooper S to his current 400 horsepower Trans-Am Mustang and has raced since he was 40. Except for the years 1998-2001 when CAMS took away his race licence because of his sight.Rigon loves a good stoush, so he took CAMS to court and won and is now the only one-eyed driver licensed to race in national events. His first car was a 1968 Mini Cooper S former NSW police pursuit vehicle."The police had GTHOs, Chargers and Mini Cooper Ss back then," he explains. "It had great handling and was very quick, but I eventually blew the engine up driving it too hard."He then moved to a Mazda RX4 Coupe "rocketship", followed by several company cars, a GTV6 Alfa Romeo in 1989 and a Porsche 911 Carrera. "The Alfa stayed with me for some time and was picked up by a collector in Western Australia, an 81-year-old lady who had it fully restored it," he said. "Being Italian it never stayed together and spent more time in the repair shop than it was on the road, but it was a great car to own."His current everyday cars are a 2007 V8 SS Commodore and an ex-police Ford Typhoon F6: "I like to buy ex-police cars because they are looked after and have a few trick bits."Rigon was a late starter to racing at the age of 40 competing in the WA Formula Ford series against eventual winner Garth Tander. He's made up for it since with a host of race cars, including two Subaru WRX STIs. But the Trans-Am Mustang he bought early last year is his favourite."It's the most pleasurable car to drive because it is not as technical as a modern race cars which are very forgiving," he says. "Modern race cars take a lot of technology to make them run quick but there is a lot more driver skill required in old cars. They tend to go sideways quite a bit.""It's something about our age group. It was the car that always appealed to me. "I was heavily inspired by Steve McQueen in Bullitt and always loved American Trans-Am (1964 to '74 American V8-powered cars) racing series as well as the Australian equivalent with Bob Jane, Allan Moffat driving around in Mustangs and Comaros. That was the style of racing I could really identify with."He's now the treasurer of the fledgling Australian Trans-Am Series which, not surprisingly, doesn't operate under CAMS licensing. "The average age of the racers is 45 to 60 and those drivers wouldn't necessarily get a CAMS licence which can take a year to get a full licence," he says.The series has 24 members with about 12-14 cars lining up on the grid. "We believe that will grow to a full field of 24 in about six months and about 34 in 12 months at any race meeting making it the largest Trans-Am series outside the US."Needless to say, his dream machine is a race car. "One of those limited edition GT3 Porsches," he is quick to answer. "I have always had a love for Ferraris but Porsches can take a pounding. They are a bullet proof car. For my driving style - while I love Italian cars - they just don't stay together." 

The race is estimated to generate about $60 million a year for the Queensland economy, and it is regarded by the United States-based Champ Car organisation as the 'jewel in its crown.'While the Champ Cars previously held top billing they now share equal status with the Aussie-bred V8 Supercars.While the Champ cars are purebred, state of the art racing machines that scream through the streets of Surfers Paradise at speeds of close to 300km/h. The V8s are not far behind in speed and thunder through one of the toughest overtaking tracks on the motoring calendar.For all the latest coverage on Indy this weekend, go to www.goldcoast.com.auThe traditional V8 rivals; Ford and Holden; command huge armies of followers that descend on the Coast each year to witness their heroes battle, it's ours on the demanding street circuit.The event is held in late October each year (18-27 October, 2007), providing organisers with a huge logistical challenge, to erect a 4.2km track through the streets of Surfers Paradise.The heart of the holiday capital is transformed into a motoring mecca which boasts not only the Champ Cars and V8 Supercars but also drag races, Carrera Cup (Porshces), V8 utes and a bevy of other motoring attractions.And if you can’t get here then you can join the estimated half a billion television viewers that tune in to watch the motoring extravaganza each year.But it hasn’t always been smooth driving for the race that winds through the streets of Surfers Paradise and boasts the best scenic backdrop of almost any motor race in the world.When the event was established in 1991, Queensland’s political leaders were sceptical of its long-term future and when it hit the skids in 1998, losing $8 million, it took a courageous Queensland Government to come forward with a $10 million a year funding grant to keep it afloat.Now, to complement the racing schedule, scores of off-track events are held, including a Brazilian street parade and the Indy ball, which attracts 800 heavy hitters.Indy chairman terry Mackenroth says the event’s future is secure after negotiations took place recently to extend the contract with Champ Car bosses to 2012.“It’s the pre-eminent major event in Queensland and we want to keep it that way,” he said.“I think the success of Indy is very much a reflection of what can happen when a go-ahead city like the Gold Coast embraces it with such enthusiasm.”  Will you be watching the Indy race from your lounge?   View great photos of the 2008 Bartercard Miss Indy finalists 

Here's the scenario. With a trip to Queenstown on the horizon, my two travelling companions were constantly in my ear about bungy jumping.

Cases of theft aside, the thrill of driving a new Porsche has been limited to the seriously rich.

As Australia's new car juggernaut rolls on towards the magic million sales mark, the number of available models continues to swell. Already recognised as one of the most diverse and competitive car markets in the world, Australian importers continue to add to the mix.With half the year nearly gone, buyers have taken almost 500,000 new vehicles into their garages with some of the traditional biggest selling months still to come.At least three new marques will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of  the year; Hummer, Mahindra and Skoda,  testament to the vibrancy of what is, in world terms, a minor market.However, it is the expanding model range within existing brands that will drive the Aussie market over the million mark for the first time.Over the next six months more than 50 new or revised models will arrive in Australian new car showrooms. Here's a look at what's coming soon:ASTON MARTINDip your lid in style in September with the V8 Roadster, a gorgeous extension of the Vantage. AUDI Audi starts its end-of-year program in September with the R8, the biggest, baddest Audi in the garage The Supercar looks with enough performance to keep most on their toes. Also on the cards for October is the A5, Audi's first coupe since the TT. An all-new platform which comes as a front-wheel-drive and quattro. In November the V8 4.2 TDi may answer some questions for the Q7, including on fuel economy. BMW You'll have to wait until October for the new M3, but the latest offering from the M garage has something special. It's the first V8 for an M3. CHRYSLER A Sebring convertible, topless cousin of the sedan launched in early 2007, arrives in December. DODGE The Nitro SUV joins the Caliber for Dodge next month and the US marque backs that up with its Avenger sedan in August. FIAT The baby Ritmo, sold as the Bravo in Europe, will be Fiat's second passenger offering in Australia when it lands in October. Expect petrol and diesel. FORD The rush to oil-burners continues with the Focus getting the honour of being Ford's first passenger diesel next month before the Focus CC, the drop-top concept that set hearts aflutter at Frankfurt two years ago lands in October. The other big news for Ford is the return in November of the Mondeo for a third tilt at Australia. HOLDEN The key second-half model from the General is the VE Ute, bringing all the developments in the VE sedan to the working man's Holden. HONDA The Civic Type-R is razor-sharp styling built around a high-revving fun package. Next month. HUMMER The iconic offroader from the land of the large truck opens its Aussie account in October, a couple of months later than anticipated as a result of production delays for the H3. Surprisingly agile with real offroad ability. HYUNDAI An important second-half for the Korean marque. It starts with the popular Santa Fe SUV finally getting the 3.3-litre V6 from the Sonata to give it some extra punch. In October, the new Elantra hatch joins the sedan in the Aussie line-up after a wait of almost 12 months. JAGUAR An October styling refresh for the marque's luxury sedan, the XJ, is all from the Big Cat this year before a big 2008. JEEP The second of Jeep's non-Rubicon Trail-rated soft-roaders arrives in August to join the Compass for duty around town. KIA The Carens compact people mover has never really taken off here. The new generation is a little bigger and more stylish. It will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine with five- or seven-seat capacity. On sale in October. LAND ROVERThe baby Freelander gets a complete makeover for this generational change. New engines and a new family look all go on show in July. MAHINDRAIndia's workhorse ute, the Pik-Up, starts to roll out to Australia in July. MAZDA A new generation and a new look for the little Mazda2. Sharper styling is the key to this one's October debut. At the same time Mazda will add a diesel option to its top-selling Mazda3 range. MERCEDES-BENZThe key model for Mercedes this year is the meat-and-potatoes C-Class. Bigger, brighter and ready to meet the masses it is available from July. Also on Mercedes' new-model list is an upgraded ML500 and R-Class in September, both getting the 285kW V8 engine. October is a big month for the three-pointed star with the crackingCL65 AMG (a bi-turbo V12 with 450kW and 1000Nm) and the more sociable S320 CDi, which marries diesel with uber-luxury. MITSUBISHI You have to love a fighter. Australia's “other” family car, the 380, wins a minor refresh with some interior updates from next month. In August the automatic turbo diesel, traditionally the model's top seller, completes the Triton range while in October the point guard for the red-hot Evo X (due late in the year), the new Lancer, promises look-at-me-styling and more punch than the current model. NISSANThe baby Micra finally gets the green light for Australia with an October date with sales. In November the X-Trail, a core model for Nissan and the compact SUV that set the benchmark for those who actually can go off-road, gets a full generational change. The Dualis arrives in December. A softer option to the X-Trail, it sits on a similar platform but is more plush. PEUGEOT It's all about size for the French manufacturer. In July the 207CC, the previous generation of which set the standard for accessorising small cars, is back and promising to reclaim the crown. Its far more focused and athletic sibling, the GTi arrives in August with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The station wagon derivative of the base 207 goes on sale in October. PORSCHEThe 911 turbo cabriolet proves Porsche's belief that if you can go fast in a sedan you should be able to go just as fast in a cabriolet. In September you can prove it for yourself. RENAULT August sees the Megane diesel join the Renault fleet, while the Clio Sport returns in November in an all-new guise. SAAB The new 9-3 will highlight Saab's first all-wheel-drive system in a completely renewed model range. All models arrive in November. SKODA Launches into Australia with a two-pronged attack in October. The Octavia medium-sized hatch and the quaintly named Roomster compact MPV will carry the flag initially. SMARTIn September the next next-generation smart ForTwo arrives, a little bigger and a little smarter. SUBARU The new Impreza is one of the most polarising styling departures of the year. In basic and WRX fettle the hatch arrives in September. A cult car heads mainstream and the jury is out. SUZUKIIf it ain't broke ... A freshen-up for the car that put punch back in Suzuki's local range, the brilliant Swift is in showrooms in October with the sedan version of the SX4 “tall hatch” joining the stable in September. TOYOTA The first product from Toyota's new “hot shop”, the Aurion TRD, arrives in August with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with sports manners and a load of plastic kit. Also in August is the generational change for Kluger with the SUV getting a substantial facelift and the 3.5-litre V6 from the Aurion. November brings the Landcruiser 200 Series and a TRD version of the HiLux. VOLVO The highlight for the Swedes in the second half of the year is the all-new generation of the XC70 due in November. About the same time the C30 will get the in-line five-cylinder diesel. VW A hot version of the Passat, the R36, is heading Down Under in November. 

The ultimate drop-top will be on sale in Australia from September at a premium of $20,000 more than the outgoing model and $30,000 above the new turbo coupe.“It is going to cost more than the old model but you are getting a whole lot more for your money,” says Porsche Australia's Paul Ellis.“The all-wheel drive system is a huge improvement over the previous car, far more proactive and packed with new technology. There is the variable turbo geometry, the extra power and torque, 353kW against 309kW, and sub-four second performance.”Porsche claims the new Turbo Cabriolet returns average fuel consumption of 12.9 litres/100km and a top speed of 310km/h.The Cabriolet features the same 3.6-litre twin-turbocharged boxer engine as the recently released Coupe producing 353kW and 620Nm.Porsche engineers have kept the Cabriolet's weight increase in check at just 70kg more than the Coupe, a result of the additional reinforcement of the chassis and inclusion of the rollover protection system behind the rear seats.The Turbo Cabriolet comes standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Stability Management (PSM) and the all-wheel-drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system, all of which optimise grip and performance.The six-piston front calipers brakes are from the Porsche Carrera GT.Available as an option is the lightweight Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) system.The Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet will retail from $357,500 for the six-speed manual with the five-speed Tiptronic S model priced from $365,500.

The ultimate drop-top will be on sale in Australia from September at a premium of $20,000 more than the outgoing model and $30,000 above the new turbo coupe.“It is going to cost more than the old model but you are getting a whole lot more for your money,” says Porsche Australia's Paul Ellis.“The all-wheel-drive system is a huge improvement over the previous car, far more proactive and packed with new technology. There is the variable turbo geometry, the extra power and torque, 353kW against 309kW, and sub-four second performance.”Porsche claims the new Turbo Cabriolet returns average fuel consumption of 12.9L/100km and a top speed of 310km/h.The Cabriolet features the same 3.6-litre twin-turbocharged boxer engine as the recently released Coupe producing 353kW and 620Nm.Porsche engineers have kept the Cabriolet's weight increase in check at just 70kg more than the Coupe, a result of the additional reinforcement of the chassis and inclusion of the rollover protection system behind the rear seats.The Turbo Cabriolet comes standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Stability Management (PSM) and the all-wheel-drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system, all of which optimise grip and performance.The six-piston front calipers brakes are from the Porsche Carrera GT. Available as an option is the lightweight Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) system. The Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet will retail from $357,500 for the six-speed manual with the five-speed Tiptronic S model priced from $365,500.