2002 Targa 996 Carrera Power Spoiler Sunroof Dual Exhaust Porsche 911 22k on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Porsche considering turbo for new GT3 RS [w/poll]

Some automakers make one hardcore version of a sports car and are done with it. Or at least they make one at a time. Think Ferrari 458 Speciale, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera (or Super Trofeo Stradale or Squadra Corse) or Maserati GranTurismo MC. But not Porsche. It transforms the 911 into the hard-core GT3, the even harder-core GT3 RS, the you've-got-to-be-psychotic GT2 and the do-you-have-a-death-wish GT2 RS. The RS models take things to a further extreme, but what separates GT3 from GT2 models has traditionally been the use of foced induction: GT3s are naturally aspirated, while GT2s go turbo. But that could all be about to change.
According to the rumors making their round of the webosphere, Porsche is considering using a turbocharged engine for the next GT3 RS. The reason is that, as we all know, Porsche has already pushed the 3.8-liter flat-six in the existing GT3 about as far as it can go, and then some. And buyers expect not only a more bare-bones package with the GT3 RS, but also a bit of extra power.
Given that everything seems to be going turbo these days, the move might make some measure of sense, especially if Porsche wants to avoid with the GT3 RS the spontaneous combustion issues it faced with the GT3. But we can't help but wonder why, at that point, it wouldn't just skip the GT3 RS and go straight for the GT2.

Lamborghini could be sold or spun off from the Volkswagen Group

Volkswagen is reportedly considering a sale or stock listing for its high-end Lamborghini brand. The German automaker is looking to fold the Italian supercar brand into a separate legal entity, reports Bloomberg, which cites "people familiar with the matter" who don't want to be identified "because the deliberations are confidential and no decisions have been made." Any of this sound familiar? The goal of spinning off Lamborghini would be to stockpile more cash and other resources for VW's massive planned push into electric vehicles. Back in March, reports circulated that Volkswagen's "Vision 2030" corporate plan might include plans to focus on the brand's core brands — VW, Audi and Porsche. That means the futures of fringe players like Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, motorcycle brand Ducati and design firm Italdesign (and note this isn't a comprehensive list of brand's under the expansive VW Group umbrella) are up in the air. VW, according to the report, is targeting a market value of $220 billion, which is a big jump from the brand's current $89 billion valuation. Bloomberg pegged Lamborghini's valuation at around $11 billion back in August, buoyed by sales and profits generated by the introduction of the Urus sport utility vehicle. On the flip side, Lamborghini is currently grappling with how best to update its supercar lineup in the face of ever-increasing emissions regulations.

Porsche's baby Panamera delayed until 2019 or later

If you're enticed by the idea of a Porsche sedan but find the Panamera to be too big, your hopes may have been raised by the development of the so-called Pajun. But don't get those hopes up too much, because the latest word coming in from the Old World has it that the Panamera Junior has been delayed.
The Pajun was (and theoretically still is, despite tardiness) a project to apply to the Panamera the same winning formula that Porsche used to transmute the Cayenne into the smaller Macan. Its size would be closer to the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class than the larger Panamera, and employ an array of six-cylinder engines.
The smaller five-door was set to be the cornerstone of Porsche Product Strategy 2018, a plan that included several new models to be launched within the next four years. However, reports now indicate that the Volkswagen Group is counting on Porsche to help bolster its profits and is not keen on investing in new products at this time, pushing the Pajun and other projects back until 2019 at the earliest. Although much of the strategy remains undisclosed, it is believed to include (or have included) a sub-Boxster sports car and a supercar to slot in between the 911 and the 918 Spyder. There was also talk of a shooting brake version of the Panamera based on the Sport Turismo concept pictured above. What will become of those projects, however, remains to be seen.