news

Porsche returns to ‘Ring with new 911

Following the release of the next generation 911, Porsche has returned to the Nurburgring to settle a grudge.


With the Nissan GT-R setting the benchmark at an incredible 7:29, and a limit of 7:59 set by the Cadillac CTS-V to avoid humiliation, there was certainly very little room for error.

The announcement of the figures says it all, revealed only to a small gathering of press at a media event in Germany.

According to Porsche, it recorded three different lap times from three separate vehicles including the current 911 Carrera S as a benchmark.

In third place was expectedly the aforementioned benchmark Carrera S, which lapped the Nordschleife race circuit in 8 minutes and 2 seconds - just shy of the CTS-V's lap time, but heroically sporting less than two-thirds of the power.

Next up in second position came the brand new 2009 model 911 Carrera S with the standard manual transmission, completing a lap in 7:58 - a second quicker than the Caddy.

Finally, in first place was the 2009 Carrera S with Porsche's new twin-clutch automated manual Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission, featuring PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) and performance tyres.

This set the fastest lap time of 7 minutes and 50 seconds - eight seconds faster than the manual variant but still a far cry from the GT-R.

According to Porsche, the PDK shifts 60 percent faster than the former Tiptronic S automatic, and offers a small improvement in fuel economy over the six-speed manual-equipped 911.

Now while the GT-R's lap time has still eluded Porsche, Nissan should certainly be worried with the "entry level" 911's showing such great form on the track - and the Turbo, GT2 and GT3 still to come.

Source: Edmunds

Chat with us!







Chat with Agent