Porsche Grabs New Lap Record and Launches The New 911 GTS
Say hello to the new 911 GTS and take a look at the new 'Ring record attempt.
Porsche has set a new lap record for road-approved production cars on the 12.9 miles (20.8 km) Nürburgring Nordschleife in a 911 GT2 RS fitted with the Manthey Performance Kit. The best time of 6:43.300 minutes was achieved on 14 June, in the presence of a notary, with Porsche development driver Lars Kern at the wheel of the 700 PS (515 kW) 911 GT2 RS.
The new Performance Kit was developed as part of a close collaboration between Porsche engineers in Weissach and the Manthey Nordschleife specialists in Meuspath.
The previous record for production vehicles beaten by 4.747 seconds
The plan was to beat the existing 6:48.047 road car record. Kern achieved this with flying colours at the wheel of the 911 GT2 RS, beating the previous time by 4.747 secs on road-legal Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres, at an average speed of 115.5 mph (185.87 km/h).
“Our GT customers often use their cars on circuit, such as on track days,” says Frank-Steffen Walliser, Vice President Model Lines 911/718. “The engineers at Manthey and Porsche have together developed a perfectly tuned package that allows the 911 GT2 RS to deliver even higher performance."
Lars Kern broke the record despite high-summer conditions and a track temperature of 41 degrees. “The 911 GT2 RS sticks to the track like glue with the Manthey Performance Kit – you feel as if you’re in a racing car, especially on faster corners. It is truly breathtaking how the car puts its 700 PS down, and how incredibly well it brakes while always remaining easy to control,” says Kern.
NEW PORSCHE 911 GTS
The new Porsche 911 GTS models announced yesterday combine a focused driving experience with characteristically emotive power delivery from a 480 PS version of its charismatic flat-six engine. These long-standing Porsche attributes are further optimised in the GTS with a specific focus in core dynamic areas, supplemented by discreet styling features that underline the particular emphasis the car places on responsiveness and poise.
Inspired by the 904 GTS race car of the 1960s, GTS's letters identify the Porsche models that offer a carefully curated combination of performance, style and emotion. A popular model in the 911 range since it was first introduced twelve years ago, the GTS sits between the Carrera S and the GT3 in its specification, power and potential.
In the tradition of the GTS models, the 480 PS (353 kW) engine in the 911 has been tuned to deliver 30 PS (22 kW) more than in the current 911 Carrera S and the previous 911 GTS. The choice of a seven-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) is offered, and the car rides on GTS-specific suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), supported by the high-performance braking system from the 911 Turbo. Speed and agility can be further optimised with the Lightweight Design package, which saves up to 25 kilograms. This option will become available later in the year.
The turbocharged three-litre flat-six in the new 911 GTS delivers 480 PS (353 kW). Maximum torque is 570 Nm, an increase of 20 Nm over the prior model. Zero to 62 mph takes just 3.3 seconds in the 911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupé with the eight-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK): three tenths faster than before. A seven-speed manual transmission with a shortened lever throw is also available for all 911 GTS models.
The suspension, derived from the 911 Turbo and modified for the GTS, has been adapted to fulfil the exacting performance demands. The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) enables the dampers to instinctively respond to chassis inputs and feedback from the road surface.
In the Coupé and Cabriolet GTS models, PASM is fitted in combination with a 10 mm lower Sport chassis (compared to the 911 Carrera). The Sport configuration comprises stiffer springs, adapted shock absorbers and anti-roll bars and a new PASM control. Rear-axle helper springs add further chassis fine-tuning, and the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) has been tuned to reflect the overall new dynamic properties. The rear helper springs are a development shared with the Turbo models. These keep the main springs under tension in all driving conditions, with rebound remaining the same. On the 911 Targa 4 S, the chassis has PASM only.
Porsche engineers have also adapted the braking capability of the GTS to match the increased power by adopting the high-performance brake system from the 911 Turbo featuring 408 mm diameter front discs and 380 mm diameter rear discs.
The five 911 GTS models are on sale from today, with deliveries later this year:
911 Carrera GTS Coupe £108,920.00 RRP
911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet £118,720.00 RRP
911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupe £114,500.00 RRP
911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet £124,300.00 RRP
911 Targa 4 GTS £124,300.00 RRP
So, it’s got a turbo, but it’s not a turbo. Still, a sub-four-second 0-60 is more than enough for me. I’ll take mine in Candy-Apple Red.