In light of all the recent press regarding the Porsche vs. Nissan Rivalry, we wanted to broach an old, but still relevant subject. It seems that every time a manufacturer releases a new or updated hi-end sports car, it is compared to Porsche (heck even Hyundai is comparing itself to Porsche now.) In the past, these type of comparisons were limited to the 911 model range as per the examples below. Read more

Prior to the GT-R bursting onto the scene, Nissan and Porsche were not competitors. They serve(d) two completely different market segments. They have little to no history as competitors in motorsports and until the introduction of the Nissan GT-R to the US, they were not really thought of as a sports car company (and no, I’m not forgetting about earlier Datsun and Nissan Z cars.) Why then is there all this commotion about Porsche vs. Nissan? Are we, the online and print media, the reason for this rivalry? Or, was it Read more

Just when the fire(s) started by the Nissan GT-R vs. (insert most any Porsche model here) had started to burn themselves out, Porsche goes and throws fuel on the flame war by calling into question Nissan’s publicly announced lap times at the Nurburgring.

If you haven’t been following the story that closely, don’t feel bad, you’re not alone. Here’s a quick refresher.

1. In January reports started surfacing about the GT-R beating the Porsche 997 Turbo in every test thrown at it. Soon there after various print and online automotive rags started a feeding frenzy about the proposed Read more

A few months back I posted an article titled “I’m not a Porsche Expert but I Play one on the Internet.” The basic gist of this post (click on the title of the article if you want to refresh your memory) was for people to submit Porsche related questions to me. I would in-turn act as a free researcher for you.

Well, the questions keep coming in and I’m doing my best to answer them (if you have something you want me to research just use the link from the article above or comment on any post.) Those that are more interesting or fit a broader audience I end up using as a post for the site, like this one today. GTRacer wrote in and asked, “Please describe the difference between a Porsche GT3 and a GT3 RS?” I think I can sum up the difference between these two cars pretty easily: Read more

What is the purpose of zero to sixty straight line comparisons, especially when the cars are not evenly matched in the first place? I think the answer depends on who is conducting the test. In the instance of this post, it’s Autocar and Chris Harris. Simply put, I think this type of test brings eye-balls to a web-site and helps to spark conversation and controversy amongst loyal readers. What other reason is there to compare a Porsche GT2 to a Corvette Z06 in a straight line speed test? Let me know what you think.

Take a look at the following video and you be the judge.

Let’s look at the following specs from MotorTrends review of the Porsche GT2 (as compared to the Corvette Z06).

0-60 mph
Porsche 911 GT2 3.4 sec (Porsche claims 3.7 seconds)
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 3.5 sec

Quarter mile
Porsche 911 GT2 11.4 sec @ 127.9 mph
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 11.5 sec @ 127.1 mph

Braking, 60-0 mph
Porsche 911 GT2 98 feet
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 104 feet

Weight
Porsche 911 GT2 3175lbs
Cheverolet Corvette Z06 3132 lbs

Horespower
Porsche 911 GT2 530 HP
Cheverolet Corvette Z06 505 HP

I admit, on paper, the cars are fairly close. However, even if you overlook the fact that the GT2 has 25 more HP, is rear-engined (helps traction off the line) and has a proper suspension, you can’t get past the fact that the GT2 is a purpose built track car from the days of “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” (the least of all those purposes is drag racing in a straight line).

Don’t get me wrong, the Corvette is a fantastic performing car (especially when you factor in the price differential) and this simply isn’t a fair or proper comparison. To me this is simply another instance of the media helping to perpetuate the legend that is Porsche. As you can tell from the image at the top of this page, comparisons like Porsche vs. Corvette have been going on for a long time and I don’t expect them to stop anytime soon. This is something I don’t have a problem with, for obvious reasons. What do you think?

Favorite Chris Harris quote from the video (in reference to the Corvette):

“The bonnet appears to end in a different time zone. It’s miles away.”

[Source: MotorTrend, Autocar]

This worked out much better than I could have ever hoped for. Last week in this post I offered myself out as your free Porsche research assistant (the offer still stands) and I’ve received a number of question this week via email as a result of that post. Yesterday, in this post, I discussed Seinfeld’s 1997 Porsche 993 Turbo S that is currently for sale at TruSpeed Motorcars. So, how very appropriate is it that the first question I get to answer was/is “What are the main differences between a 993 Turbo and a 993 Turbo S?”

Porsche 993 Turbo vs. a 993 Turbo S

• The Porsche 993 Turbo S is a product of the Porsche Exclusiv department (more on this in a later post)
• The Turbo S has two larger K-24 Turbo chargers
• The Motronic engine control unit received an electronic upgrade
• The Turbo S has an additional oil cooler installed
• The dual exhaust was modified and included Quad round tips vs. the dual ovals on the standard turbo
• Combine the above with a few other minor engine improvements and this created an engine that produced 424 hp or 25 hp more than the standard turbo
• There is an ongoing debate as to the weight of the Turbo S vs. the standard Turbo. Supposedly due to the larger turbo chargers, full leather and carbon interior that was standard on all S models, the weight could possible be 66lbs heavier than the 3307lb standard Turbo, thus negating some of the HP gain

The info above captures most of the mechanical differences between the two cars. That leads us to the second part of this post

What are the styling difference?

• Yellow brake calipers vs. “Big Reds”
• European front spoiler with brake cooling ducts
• Full-leather (including air-vent louvers) and carbon fiber interior with aluminum gauges was standard
• Carbon fiber door sills with Turbo S script
• Carbon fiber shock tower braces
• Aerokit II rear spoiler from Porsche Exclusiv
• Quad round exhaust tips (instead of two ovals as noted above)
• Air scoops in rear fenders
• Wheels were matt finish vs. gloss

I’m pretty sure I’ve captured the major differences, but if I’ve missed anything let me know. Tomorrow’s post takes a look at one of Porsche’s earliest (and perhaps most ugly) designs.

Have you ever wanted to know how a fast an F1 car is? Or, better yet, how a stock 911 would do in a race with an F1 car. This video, while quite old, is still very amusing and entertaining. It pits an early to mid 90′s Carrera versus a Peugot306 S16 versus a McLaren F1 car (all driven by professional F1 drivers).

Could the Porsche Possibly Win?

The video is well narrated and speaks for itself. Take a look.

Shouldn’t the Porsche have beat the Peugeot?

What I don’t understand is how does the 2.0 liter Peugeot stay ahead of the Porsche? I know it’s only a single 5 kilometer lap, but you would think the difference in top end and cornering capabilities would more than make up for the significant 20 second head start given to the Peugeot.

In my opinion, the best part of the entire video is the F1 McLaren as it passes both the Porsche and the Peugeot at the very end. Watch it as it comes from behind the Porsche and the speed at which it overtakes both cars.