2012 Porsche 911 2dr Cabriolet Carrera S on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Porsche tipped to reveal purist's 911 R in Geneva

Update: The 911 R dam has broken well ahead of its official reveal at Geneva. Stay tuned for full coverage, but take a look at this image from Twitter user @PistonHeads and let us know what you think in the comments below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. The original post continues below. With much of the 911 family going turbo, there's room in the lineup for a purist's Porsche: a naturally-aspirated, rear-drive, manual-only model that'll essentially be a stripped-down GT3. The latest reports indicate that this model, initially expected to be called the 911 GT but now more likely to get the 911 R moniker, will be unveiled in Geneva. It's also tipped to wear skinnier tires that will sacrifice grip for a more linear driving experience, and jettison the big wings in favor of a sleeker, more classic profile. What that all boils down to is a GT3 in its essence, and it will likely pack the non-turbo engine from either the GT3 or GT3 RS (pictured above) – or some version thereof. Recall that both the GT3 and the GT3 RS are PDK-only, although Porsche has decided that the next-generation GT3 should give customers the option of shifting for themselves. According to Motoring.com.au, which recently spoke to 911 product line manager August Achleitner, the purist's 911 will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show less than two months from now. "Come to Geneva and you'll find out," said Achleitner "but for now this is all I can talk about." Don't get your hopes up too much, because production is expected to be severely limited, with the entire production run likely to be pre-sold. Related Video:

Porsche 911 GT2 test mule caught in the snow

This may look like a weird, cobbled-together Porsche, but insiders tell us we're actually looking at the forthcoming GT2. Maybe even a GT2 RS. Those schooled in the intricacies of Zuffenhausen nomenclature will be suitably excited by now. But for the rest of us, the GT2 (with or without the RS) represents the pinnacle of the most hardcore 911s. It's essentially a 911 Turbo without the all-wheel drive but some other goodies thrown in – or to put it another way, it is to the Turbo what the GT3 is to the 911 Carrera. Porsche first did a 911 GT2 back in 1993 based on the 993-generation model. It then did another based on the 996, and then on the 997. But the last one we saw was the GT2 RS that came out in 2010, packing 612 horsepower channeled exclusively to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. The German automaker didn't do a GT2 version of the 991, but now that the entire model line is undergoing a transformation – and an near-complete switch to turbo power – it apparently has another one in store for us. Aside from ditching the Turbo's all-wheel drive, the new GT2 will be lighter and pack more power – as much as 700 hp, from what we hear. As you can see from the spy shots, the test mule spotted romping in the snow is also wearing larger exhaust tips and the signature GT2 RS black hood. Expect the finished product to wear its own shoes and a more extreme aero kit as well. The question on everyone's minds will be whether it will, like the latest GT3 and GT3 RS, be offered only with a dual-clutch transmission, a conventional manual, or the buyer's choice of either. We'll find out sooner or later as the most extreme of Elfens is tipped to surface late next year. Related Video:

Juan Pablo Montoya tests Porsche 919 Hybrid in Bahrain

Sealing the FIA World Endurance Championship wasn't the only thing that Porsche did this past weekend in Bahrain. Alongside its rivals from Audi and Toyota, the German outfit also participated in a test session for potential new drivers, including Juan Pablo Montoya. Driving the Le Mans- and championship-winning Porsche 919 Hybrid at the Bahrain International Circuit this weekend, Montoya set the fastest time of the day. His "qualifying" lap was clocked at 1:40.86, barely more than a second behind the 1:39.67 lap that earned Timo Bernhard pole position in the previous day's race – and a second faster than the fastest lap set in the race by Neel Jani in another 919 Hybrid. That's a mighty impressive feat for a driver relatively unaccustomed to driving a modern hybrid LMP1. Racing fans will know Montoya as a multi-talented driver. The Colombian has competed successfully in Formula One, Indy, NASCAR, and sports prototypes, winning races in all disciplines. Aside from the International Formula 3000 title, three outright victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona, and a handful of NASCAR street-course races, Montoya can count among his many achievements the CART title, two Indianapolis 500 wins, and the checkered flag at the Monaco Grand Prix (along with six other F1 races). Those victories have brought JP among the closest to winning the Triple Crown of motorsports of any driver in racing history, and he's still competing. For those unfamiliar, the Triple Crown is an unofficial measure to gauge the diverse talents of professional racing drivers in three disciplines: Indy, F1, and Le Mans. To win, a driver has to win the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and either the Monaco Grand Prix or the Formula One World Championship. Graham Hill is the only driver in history to have swept all the categories, but others have come close. The list of near-winners includes Tazio Nuvolari, Mike Hawthrown, Phil Hill, AJ Foyt, Bruce McLaren, Jim Clark, Mario Andretti, and Emerson Fittipaldi. The only contenders still active are Montoya and Jacques Villeneuve, who won at Indy in '95, the F1 championship in '97, and came second at Le Mans in 2008. Villenueve could still steal the crown if he gets another shot at Le Mans, but the more likely scenario would be to see Montoya rise to the throne. Especially if this test session is any indication. Also driving the Porsche was in the rookie test session was Mitch Evans, a former GP3 champion and GP2 race winner from New Zealand.