Tag Archives: Sport Car

New 2021 Porsche 992 GTS

If there is a car model gap to be filled, rest assured that every car manufacturer will ensure it’s filled. Presenting the latest Porsche 911 GTS that has landed to fill that crucial gap between the Carrera S and the full-beans GT3. A car which possibly could be the only new 911 that you could ever need.

 

 

Porsche tell us that the new 992 GTS generation is “inspired by the 904 GTS race car of the 1960s, with the letters GTS identify Porsche models that offer a carefully curated combination of performance, style and emotion.” Either way this modern 911 GTS has been a very popular and very successful model in the 911 range. Rightly so, as it hits that sweet spot popular model in the 911 range since it was first introduced twelve years ago, with the highest retained values of any 911 Carrera model.

The GTS sits between the Carrera S and the GT3 in its specification, power and potential, but this time it has a few more tricks borrowed from the 911 Turbo to add to its arsenal. Powered by the trusty 3.0-litre flat-six turbo it produces more power than the 992 Carrera S and more than the previous GTS. There’s 473bhp on offer with 420lb ft of torque on tap, all a moderate increase from its predecessor.

 

 

Available with all the options in either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive sporting the choice of the super slick 8 speed PDK automatic gearbox and the all-important 7 speed manual, which we will come back to later. PDK is the unpronounceable ‘Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe’ which translates as Porsche dual-clutch gearbox, if you were wondering. Spec GTS with Carrera 4 All-wheel drive and using launch control with the PDK box 0-62mph will be despatched in just a mere 3.3 seconds. So really all the pace you could ever need.

Visually, there are a few clues to the GTS being the GTS. Namely, the ‘GTS’ badge and its black satin 20in front alloys and 21in rear alloys, black highlights across the body, with the exhaust tip and the spoiler lip painted black, as are the dynamic LED headlights and model-unique GTS tail-lights. All GTS cars have the fitment of the ‘Sport Design’ pack as standard.

 

 

As for a helping hand from the 911 Turbo since GT3 technology is off-limits, the suspension is 911 Turbo ‘derived’ modified for this GTS with adaptive dampers aka PASM, Porsche Active Suspension Management. The Coupe and Cabriolet GTS models get a 10mm lower Sport chassis which translates into stiffer springs, adapted shocks, anti-roll bars and a new PASM control, but the Targa GTS only gets PASM.

There are a few more Turbo tricks with rear-axle helper springs proudly explained by Porsche as “a development shared with the Turbo models”, which means it keeps the main springs under tension in all conditions, which is probably not a bad ideal when you’re knocking on the door of being a 500hp sport car. Not forgetting the legendary Porsche brakes which have also been pinched from the 911 Turbo, which are thankfully massive 408mm front and 380mm rears discs. Porsche also assures us the noise this GTS makes will be a special one, cue the standard sports exhaust with some clever upgrades.

 

 

On the inside and keeping the sporting GTS theme, there’s a bit less interior insulation and for those feeling like a GT3 driver there is the option of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) bucket seats which do look gorgeous. Along with the option of thinner window glass and a lightweight battery save up to 25kg as part of the optional Lightweight Package, which also happens to deletes the rear seats and adds rear-axle steering. Otherwise, the interior GTS is marked out by extensive use of Porsche’s Race-Tex upholstery, which is their version of Alcantara fabric with some tasty carbon fibre interior trim inserts.

For those you can’t get a new GT3 for love or money this is car to get, which is why I should strongly recommend the new generation of ‘light operation’ Manual gearbox. I’m told that over a Carrera S the excellent manual has a “particularly short lever throw” which outlines it’s GT credentials and is the must have specification for owners. Truth be told most owners will opt for the PDK which is shame as I’ve driven the manual and with all of its clever technology assistance this is unlike any old style manual gearbox.

 

 

The 911 GTS is on sale now, priced from £108,920 as the Coupé, £118,720 as the Cabriolet and £124,300 as the Targa, available now but that manual is worth a closer look.

This article was provided by our friends at www.911uk.com – the Porsche enthusiast club.

Introducing The Emira – Lotus Launch New Model

The Emira is an all-new mid-engined premium sports car that perfectly embodies the ongoing transformation of the Lotus business and brand. It features all the hallmarks that the automotive world has come to expect from a Lotus – striking design, thrilling dynamic performance delivering best-in-class ride and handling, outstanding aerodynamics and an unrivalled experience ‘For The Drivers’.

  • All-new mid-engined sports car perfectly embodies ongoing transformation of iconic British sports car manufacturer
  • Striking design, delivering exotic supercar appeal in sports car segment
  • Inspiration from Lotus Evija hypercar clear in fluid surfaces and crisp feature lines
  • Developed on Lotus’ recently announced Sports Car Architecture
  • Two petrol engines available, including new-to-Lotus 2.0-litre turbocharged ‘i4’ from technical partner AMG
  • Much-loved and characterful 3.5-litre supercharged V6 from Exige and Evora to feature as ‘First Edition’ range-topper
  • Manual, automatic and Dual Clutch Transmission to maximise global appeal
  • Power output from 360 to 400 hp at launch
  • 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in less than 4.5 seconds
  • Top speed of up to 180mph (290km/h)
  • Target weight of 1,405kg in its lightest form
  • Prices will start from under £60,000 (under €72,000)
  • Find out more at www.media.lotuscars.com

Building on the legacy of the Elise, Exige and Evora, the Emira represents a quantum leap forward for Lotus. Those instantly recognisable brand signatures and core values have been combined with a paradigm shift in levels of practicality, comfort, functionality and technology.

Matt Windle, Managing Director, Lotus Cars commented: “The Emira is a game-changer for Lotus. It stands as a beacon of everything we have achieved to date in the transformation of the business, the embodiment of our progress. It is a highly significant milestone on our path to becoming a truly global performance car brand.”

The Emira has been developed on a new lightweight bonded aluminium chassis, technology pioneered by Lotus and which remains an intrinsic part of the company’s sports car DNA. That innovative vehicle architecture is wrapped with a bold and sculpted design using cues clearly developed from the Evija. Key dimensions of the Emira are length 4,412mm; width 1,895mm; height 1,225mm; and wheelbase 2,575mm.

First customer cars will start to be delivered around the world from next spring. Powering the Emira will be a choice of two petrol engines, both globally respected for their performance characteristics. At launch, the first cars will be available as limited-production ‘First Edition’ models powered by the much-loved and Lotus-honed 3.5-litre V6 which cut its sports car teeth powering the Exige and Evora.

From summer 2022, the first new Lotus sports car engine for more than a decade makes its debut, with the Emira powered by AMG. The new-to-Lotus AMG unit is a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder ‘i4’ from the performance division of Mercedes-Benz.

Working with Lotus for the first time, AMG has come on board as technical partner on the Emira programme, with some fundamental changes made to the in-line four-cylinder set-up for its Lotus debut. Transverse-mounted and delivering rear-wheel drive, the unit has been modified with a new air intake system and new exhaust to suit the character of the Emira. The second engine is more familiar, the 3.5-litre supercharged Toyota V6 that is so loved by drivers of the Exige and Evora. Cars will be available with a manual, automatic and Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).

09Across the Emira range, power output will between 360 and 400bhp at launch, with 0-62mph (0-100km/h) acceleration in less than 4.5 seconds and top speeds of up to 180mph (290km/h). Maximum torque will be 430Nm and CO2 emissions will start below 180g/km. The car has a target weight of 1,405kg in its lightest form, and prices will start at less than £60,000 (less than €72,000).

Manufacturing will take place at Lotus’ famous home in Hethel, Norfolk, following more than £100million of new investment in the company’s UK facilities. The highly skilled operations teams will be supported by new processes and technologies to enhance production efficiency, volume capability and overall quality.

This article was provided by our friends at www.thelotusforums.com – the Lotus official communication partner.