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Porsche offering new tire option for Carrera GT

Let's face it: finding new tires for older cars can be challenging if tire manufacturers have stopped carrying the right sizes (this writer went through Hell to find a set of 205/60-13s). But what about tires for low-volume supercars, which use sizes that often won't fit on high-volume production vehicles? The Porsche Carrera GT isn't that old and tires are still available in the correct sizes, but the German automaker has shown its support of keeping them on the road by working with Michelin to give owners yet another tire option. Enter the Carrera GT-specific Pilot Super Sport.
It's common knowledge that tires are one of the most important pieces of the performance puzzle, and Porsche claims that the PSS tires, sized 265/35ZR-19 front and 335/30ZR-20 with Porsche's "N0" rating, will improve the Carrera GT's handling and stability all the way up to its claimed top speed of 205 miles per hour. That's important for a car with razor-sharp handling characteristics. They'll also net drivers a 10-percent increase in fuel economy on regular roads and up to 20 percent on racetracks, Porsche says.
The PSSs use cutting-edge tire technology to harness the Carrera GT's 610-horsepower. They have a dual-compound tread that's different from the inside of the tire to the outside, which, Porsche says, helps steering precision and increases maximum grip. Aramid fibers, which are lightweight but just as strong as steel, are used in the tire's belt to reduce unsprung weight.

Porsche planning jacked-up 911 Safari? [w/poll]

The Porsche 911 may, for some, be the quintessential sportscar. And that typically means keeping it on paved roads and racing circuits. But there's a proud history to taking the Elfen off-road that traces back to specially-prepared 911s (like the one pictured above) which Porsche fielded in rallies in the late '70s and early '80s. And now Porsche is reportedly preparing to tap back into that history with a new off-road 911 model, according to the Auto Bild Motor Revue.
Tipped to be called the 911 Safari, the special variant would be based on the Carrera 4 but upgrade with bigger tires fitted to a beefed-up suspension with higher ground clearance and underbody skid plates. The model is expected to be presented initially as a concept at the Beijing Motor Show next April. But if enough interest is expressed - particularly from buyers in developing markets where the roads might not be as smooth as those to which North American and European drivers have become accustomed - Stuttgart could put it into production in 2016, when the current 991 is expected to get a mid-cycle refresh.
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Porsche 911 to drop naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine

Rumors that the next-generation Porsche 911 will be completely divorced from naturally aspirated engines are picking up steam. Now, Road & Track is reporting that not only will the next 911, code-named 992, have a turbo-only engine lineup, but that the base Carrera and Carrera S will add the force-induced flat sixes as part of a facelift later this year. R&T only cites "sources familiar with the project," which claim that turbocharged flat-sixes will be at the core of the 992's engine range, alongside a plug-in-hybrid model. A four-cylinder 911 remains unlikely. What's most surprising, though, is how soon Porsche will introduce a turbocharged base-car lineup. Road & Track claims the blown flat-sixes will be added as part of a facelift coming before year's end. Perhaps unwilling to risk the further ire of purists, the current car's seven-speed manual transmission will continue to be sold, alongside the company's excellent PDK automatic transmission. As for when this facelift will happen, the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show in September seems like the most obvious date. Related Video: Featured Gallery Porsche 911 Turbo: Spy Shots View 9 Photos News Source: Road and TrackImage Credit: CarPix Rumormill Porsche