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Stock Miata beats bunch of high-powered cars in wet 1/4-mile drag race

When is a stock, 167-horsepower Mazda MX-5 Miata quicker than a Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang, Lamborghini Gallardo, Lotus Elise and a Porsche 911? When it's raining. Sort of.
Mazda Canada arranged a unique drag race to show off the fact that the Miata's optional power retractable folding hardtop can go from top-down to top-up in just 12 seconds flat. In this video, all six cars line up for a drag race, and it starts to rain (well, sort of - but you'll have to watch the video all the way to the end to see what we mean). The green flag is waved, and the timer starts as soon as the convertibles begin to put their tops up. But because the Miata's roof mechanism gets the car's roof back up a full 5.1 seconds quicker than the second-place car, the Mazda gets a serious advantage off the line for the actual drag race.
It's a fun video. And while we've spoiled the results (come on, the video was uploaded by Mazda, you knew the Miata was going to win), be sure to see how it all unfolds, below.

The 2017 Porsche 911 RSR goes mid-engine, purists be damned

Porsche unveiled its World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech Championship competitor with the 2017 911 RSR. And this 911 is different from the rest, as the 4.0-liter flat-six engine powering this beast is in front of the rear axle, not behind it. That's right, this 24 Hours of Le Mans competitor ditches the iconic rear-engine layout. Porsche isn't talking specifics on how exactly things are arranged back there. The engine is new, now based on the 991 911's block instead of the previous Mezger motor that's been used for years. The transmission design is new as well – it would have to be to accommodate the new location relative to the engine. The racecar has been engineered to meet the LM-GTE class, where it will go up against other mid-engine cars like the Ford GT and Ferrari 488 GTE. Moving the engine to the middle has given Porsche the ability to fit the 911 RSR with massive bits of aero, like the humongous rear diffuser that looks like it would be more at home on a machine of war. The only thing that can compete with the diffuser for size is the top-mounted rear wing, which shares a similar design to the one found on the 919 Hybrid. Going back to the engine, the direct-injected boxer motor, depending on the size of the restrictor, generates as much as 510 horsepower and sends all of its fury to the rear wheels. The engine is paired to a six-speed sequential gearbox, which drivers can employ through paddles on the steering wheel. The new engine doesn't have a lot of weight to push around as the 911 RSR, as required by regulations, weighs 2,740 pounds. Speaking of weight, the engine layout isn't the only change for the 911 RSR. For 2017, the car ditches its steel body for one that's made out of carbon fiber. The body attaches to the chassis via quick-release fasteners, making the vehicle easier to service as exterior elements can be removed with minimal effort. The racecar also gets a radar-based collision system – aptly named the "Collision Avoid System" – which is meant to limit the 911 RSR's encounters with faster LMP prototypes. Only time will tell if the new layout and aerodynamic components help the 911 RSR beat its competition. But there will be plenty of opportunities to see the racecar in action as Porsche plans to run the 911 RSR in 19 races during the 2017 season, the first of which will take place at the IMSA opener on January 28th at Daytona, where the racecar will make its track day debut.

Porsche releases special edition 911 GTS Club Coupe

Porsche is never afraid to add one more variant of the 911 to the lineup, but its latest inclusion to the range is being kept extra limited, to keep things super special. The automaker is building just 60 examples of the 911 GTS Club Coupe, and only members of the Porsche Club of America can order them. The organization fittingly celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Prices for 59 of the cars start at $136,060, plus $995 destination, with deliveries in June, and club members can win the last car (the showcar) as a prize. Mechanically, these vehicles take the 430-horsepower engine, wider body and rest of the updates from the regular 911 GTS, but all of these come in a unique color called Club Blau. The cobalt shade gets set off with black frames around the bi-xenon headlights, tinted taillights and black chrome exhaust outlets. The limited coupes also get a vintage-inspired ducktail rear spoiler and 20-inch Sport Classic wheels in a mix of semi-gloss black and polished metal that evoke the look of the classic Fuchs wheels on older 911s. For added contrast inside, the seat stitching, seat belts and tachometer are offset in red. Plus, the trim for the dashboard, doors and center console features carbon fiber. Capping things off, a plaque reading "GTS Club Coupe 60 Years Porsche Club of America" is near the glovebox. Being a Porsche, there are still options on these special models. The Extended Club Coupe Package goes so far as to include the key painted in Club Blau and adds leather-edged floormats. A custom car cover is also available. Check out the gallery to pick out all of the stylish tweaks for these celebratory 911s. GTS CLUB COUPE REVEALED IN THE NEW PCNA HEADQUARTERS AT ONE PORSCHE DRIVE Porsche celebrates 60th anniversary of Porsche Club of America with limited-edition 911 model Atlanta. Celebrating six decades of the largest Porsche club organization in the world, Porsche Cars North America is commemorating this milestone with a 60 unit limited-production run of the Club Coupe based on the 911 Carrera GTS. Known as the GTS Club Coupe, the 430 hp sports car is painted in a color unique to this model appropriately named "Club Blau," which was created exclusively for this anniversary edition by the Porsche Club of America.