Porsche 911 GT3 RS revealed at Geneva Motor show


Porsche has fitted its new 911 GT3 RS with a 4.0-litre version of its naturally aspirated six-cylinder boxer engine boasting the same 493bhp as the similarly configured unit used by its predecessor, but with an additional 15lb ft at 384lb ft.

Unveiled at the 2015 Geneva motor show the pared-down road racer is based on the latest 911 GT3.

The GT3 RS is clothed in a modified aluminium body borrowed from the 911 Turbo. In order to save weight and lower the centre of gravity, it has a new magnesium roof structure and a bonnet and engine lid fashioned from carbonfibre-reinforced plastic.

The hood and roof each feature a 30cm-wide indent down their centre line in a look reminiscent of that seen on earlier air-cooled 911s. The engine lid has additional cooling elements and an integrated ducktail-style spoiler aimed at increasing downforce at speed.
The aerodynamic package also includes a prominent splitter element, modified front wings with integrated air ducts to lower the pressure in the wheel house and reduce front axle lift, and a large, adjustable rear wing.
Despite the adoption of the wider 911 Turbo’s bodyshell, the 911 GT3 RS’s kerb weight of 1420kg — 10kg under that of the standard 911 GT3 — endows it with a power-to-weight ratio of 347bhp per tonne. This gives it a claimed 0-100 (62mph) time of 3.3sec — 0.6sec faster than the old 911 GT3 RS — and a 0-200km/h (124mph) time of 10.9sec.
Top speed varies according to the amount of downforce dialled into the rear wing, although Porsche officials suggest it will crack 320km/h in low-downforce guise.
Details of the extent of the changes made to the 4.0-litre engine used by 911 GT3 RS remain under wraps, although its 493bhp and 384lb ft are 25bhp and 60lb ft more than that produced by the 3.8-litre powerplant found in its standard sibling, making it the most powerful naturally aspirated engine yet to be fitted to a road-going version of the iconic 911.
Drive is sent to the rear wheels through a reworked seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and fully variable locking differential with an integrated torque vectoring function.
Porsche claims the new 911 GT3 RS is capable of lapping the Nürburgring in just 7min 20sec.
In the meantime, Porsche is also working on a brand-new supercar to compete with the likes of the Ferrari 488 GTB and McLaren 675LT.

Wolfgang Hatz, head of research and development at Porsche, has said it will be ready by the end of the decade “at the latest”.

Details are patchy, but the car is believed to feature the brand-new V8 motor already in development for the new Panamera, its 928-replacing two-door variant and the next Cayenne.

Mounted amidships behind the driver, the engine is likely to follow current thinking and derive its power as much from turbocharging as from its displacement. 
It is not yet known whether the car will feature any degree of hybridisation. However, it is clear that this is not a replacement for the 918 Spyder hypercar but a standard, production model. Hatz has, however, also confirmed that a new 918 will eventually be built.


Koenigsegg Regera hypercar revealed


Koenigsegg has revealed its new Regera hybrid hypercar at the 2015 Geneva motor show.

The first hybrid created by Koenigsegg is powered by the combination of a V8 combustion engine and a trio of electric motors – one on each rear wheel and one on the crankshaft.

The Regera features a softer front-end design than the Agera and comes with large front air intakes, a front diffuser, a wrap-around windscreen and a prominent roof scoop. At the rear, the new model gets an Akrapovic-developed exhaust which exits from a rear diffuser, above which is the Regera’s charging port.

The Regera’s large rear spoiler contributes to a total downforce of 450kg at 250km/h (155mph). It also receives carbon fibre wheels – 19in in diametre at the front and 20in at the rear – and features ventilated ceramic brake discs at all four corners.

Output from the Regera’s 5.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine is 1085bhp at 7800rpm. However, the added 697bhp coming from the electric motors produces a total system output of 1782bhp and combined torque of 1549lb ft.

Koenigsegg clsims the Regera is the most powerful production car in existence, with its outputs significantly eclipsing the likes of theFerrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder. 

Preliminary acceleration times confirmed by Koenigsegg include 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.8 seconds, 150-250 km/h (93-155 mph) in 3.2 seconds and 0-400 km/h (0-250 mph) in a claimed 20.0 seconds.

The key to the Regera’s stunning performance is its relatively lightweight hybrid set-up. Although the Regera is not referred to as a traditional hybrid, the model does feature a new Koenigsegg Direct Drive (KDD) transmission which, the company says, can reduce energy losses by up to 50% compared with traditional transmissions and CVTs.

Despite the huge power output of the Regera, Andreas Petre, Koenigsegg’s director of sales in Asia, Middle East, Africa and Oceana, said it wouldn’t be difficult to drive on the road: “It has very sophisticated ESP, traction control, active chassis and aerodynamics. It’s like a very fast Tesla with a beautiful sound."

Just 80 examples of the Regera will be made over the next five to six years, and each will cost $US1.89 million before tax.

The Swedish manufacturer also showed off the Agera RS at this year's Geneva motor show. The latest incarnation of the Agera supercar is track-focused and boasts upgraded bodywork, active aerodynamics and more power.




Fiat confirms 124 name will appear on new joint venture roadster to be built by Mazda


The heavily anticipated Fiat-Chrysler roadster based on the latest Mazda MX-5 will be badged as a Fiat 124 Spider, it has been confirmed. 

Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne confirmed the name during the Geneva motor show. 
News of a roadster co-operation between Mazda and Fiat Chrysler has long been acknowledged. However, speculation had suggested the Fiat model would be badged as an Alfa Romeo Spider, or a standalone model in the Abarth range. 
The Fiat 124 Spider name announcement fits with other recent comments from Marchionne, who stipulated that future Alfa-Rome models would be "built in Italy with Italian produced powertrains". 


Fiat badging for the Japanese-built roadster gels with these earlier comments.