Porsche Announces New Racing Version for International GT Sport

Stuttgart. Following the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is entering yet another racing car in the 2010 motorsport season: The 911 GT3 R will be raced in series based on the international FIA GT3 regulations, thus succeeding the 911 GT3 Cup S. The main focus in developing this new model was on even better drivability and even easier handling.

The 911 GT3 R is powered by a four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine delivering maximum output of 480 bhp (353 kW) transmitted to the rear axle by a sequential six-speed dog gearbox.

The starting point in developing the 911 GT3 R weighing just 1,200 kg or 2,646 lb was the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup presented in September for one-make cup racing. Thanks to its increase in engine size by 0.2 litres, the GT3 R offers 30 bhp more than the Cup model. Both cars are based on the extra-wide body of the 911 GT3 RS street-legal sports car.

An anti-lock brake system (ABS), traction control and an e-gas with "throttle-blip" function make it much easier to get used to this new GT3 racing car than its predecessor, meaning that the new model is also more appropriate for the ambitious amateur racing driver.

Flared wheel arches added on to the body both front and rear bear clear testimony to the wider track than on the former model. And like all second-generation versions of the 911, the new 911 GT3 R also comes with striking LED rear light clusters.

The Porsche 911 GT3 R is making its world debut on 14 January 2010 at the Birmingham Motor Show. The car is built by Porsche's Motorsport Department at the Weissach Development Centre and will be delivered to Customer Teams the world over as of spring 2010. The base price of the Porsche 911 GT3 R is 279,000 euros plus local sales tax/VAT.

Gooding & Company Annouces Five One-of-a-Kind European Automobiles for Scottsdale

Collector Cars from Prestigious Marques Jaguar, Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Hispano-Suiza will Shine in Scottsdale on January 23

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (November 10, 2009) – Gooding & Company, the internationally-recognized auction house, is proud to announce five exceptional collector cars available for sale at its annual Scottsdale Auction this January. Each bestowed with a distinctive pedigree, Gooding & Company’s headline European consignments include a winning 1956 Jaguar D-Type, a rare Pinin Farina 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series 1 Cabriolet, a beautifully-appointed 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta, Hollywood’s 1934 Hispano-Suiza J-12 T68 Cabriolet and a top-performing 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750. Following the success of last year’s
Scottsdale sale where the auction house made headlines selling the highest-priced car of the week – a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider for $4.95 Million – Gooding & Company will again hold its popular auction event at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall on Saturday, January 23, 2010, beginning at 11 a.m.

The 1956 Jaguar D-Type Sports Racer – Chassis XKD528 began its racing career in 1956 with driver Pearce “Pete” Woods at popular racing events throughout California. A podium finisher at Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, Palm Springs, Riverside, Paramount Ranch and Pomona, XKD528 retired to street car status in 1964. Since then, it has been featured in countless magazine articles and proudly rallied in the Colorado Grand,
Terry Larsen’s C & D-Type Rally, and Copperstate 1000. Following a recent comprehensive restoration, the Sports Racer will be offered for sale in its original appearance of cream over blue. “According to Jaguar historian Andrew Whyte, this Jaguar D-Type Sports Racer’s victory at the Pomona Six- Hour Enduro in November 1958 is widely considered the last big win for a D-Type in the US,” says David Gooding, founder and president of Gooding & Company.

1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series 1 Cabriolet – An automobile defined by a number of superlatives, it may be best known as one of only 40 Series 1 Pinin Farina Cabriolets ever built, the last car of its kind to wear the famous covered headlights. Upon its completion, the car was immediately shipped to the United States to be proudly displayed on Ferrari’s New York Auto Show stand. After the show, the car was first delivered to racing team owner and loyal Ferrari client, Bob McKelvy. Gooding & Company expects this Ferrari to be a bright star in Arizona this January. David Gooding commented, “This is the first time a Series 1 Cabriolet has been presented at auction in many years and Gooding and Company is honored to be representing it.”

1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta with coachwork by Allemano – According to original documentation, this Maserati was originally owned by Giulio Dubbini of Padua, Italy, a renowned collector of significant Italian racing cars. One of only 15 examples of Allemano-bodied Maseratis built in 1956, this rare gran turisimo retains most of its original components, including its Verde Suro (Mackeral Green) livery, original coachwork and matching-numbers engine. The A6G/54 is estimated to sell for $375,000 - $450,000.

1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Series V Gran Sport with coachwork by Zagato – Formerly the property of Alfa Romeo enthusiast Ralph Stein, this fifth-series Gran Sport is a comprehensively-documented touring car that has participated in some of world’s most renowned events including the Mille Miglia Storica, Colorado Grand Rally, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and Laguna Seca’s Monterey Historic Races. It is being offered for sale with accompanying reports from experts Angela Cherrett and John Boer, FIVA paperwork, original bumper and engine components, and an extensive file of receipts from Jim Stokes’ comprehensive mechanical work that included the build of a Vittorio Jana-designed, supercharged twin-cam engine. “From the moment we climbed into the car and slid into the low bench seat, it was apparent that the Alfa was a true driver’s car,” says David Gooding.

1934 Hispano-Suiza J-12 T68 Cabriolet with coachwork by Saoutchik – One of only nine original-bodied open J-12s in existence and also one of the most attractive, this Hispano-Suiza became famous when it appeared in the popular 1979 James Bond film, Moonraker, starring Roger Moore. This car is one of only 120 twelve-cylinder models ever built and with a massive engine displacement of nearly 9.5 liters, it has been enjoyed by its owner for thirty years. During this time together, the owner toured numerous Hispano-Suiza rallies around the world as well as CCCA CARavans and the Colorado Grand. One of the most coveted of all classics ever built, this car is eligible to be shown at every major classic car event in the world.

The annual Gooding & Company Scottsdale Auction will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2010, commencing at 11 a.m. Guests may preview the cars on Thursday and Friday, January 21-22, from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturday, January 23 from 8:30 – 11 a.m., at 68th Street and East Camelback Road adjoining Scottsdale Fashion Square. An auction catalog for $75 admits two to the viewing and auction. General admission to the viewing and auction can be purchased at the tent for $30 per person. Bidder registration forms, press credentials and additional auction information are available on www.goodingco.com.

2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder: Light, Powerful, Purist Roadster to Be Introduced at Los Angeles Auto Show

Porsche’s newest entry will be the lightest in its line-up

ATLANTA, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Weighing in at just 2,811 lbs., the new 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder will be the lightest Porsche available - from a company known for lightweight, proficient sports cars. This new mid-engined roadster represents the true, purist form of the sports car - agile, powerful, open and efficient. This third Boxster model will join the Boxster and Boxster S and will make its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, December 2, 2009.

The newest member of the Boxster family stands out from the other versions of Porsche's mid-engined roadster. Its low-slung, lightweight soft top - when closed - extends far to the rear to protect the driver and passenger from bright sunshine, wind and weather. This top, when combined with extra-low side windows and two striking bulges on the single-piece rear lid, provides the Boxster Spyder with a sleek silhouette reminiscent of the Carrera GT.

The Boxster Spyder features a 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine with Direct Fuel Injection upfront of the rear axle. Maximum output is 320 horsepower (hp), 10 hp more than the Boxster S.

The combination of 10 more hp and 176 pounds less weight than the award-winning Boxster S, plus an all-new sport suspension that lowers the Boxster Spyder 20 mm, a lower center of gravity, a standard limited slip differential, and exclusive wheels provides the kind of driving dynamics that back up the unique look. Aluminum door skins and lightweight interior door panels from the 911 GT3 RS contribute to the weight reduction.

When equipped with Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission and the Sports Chrono Package, the new Spyder, using Launch Control, accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Top track speed is 166 mph - with the roof open.

Fundamentally, the entire Boxster family is the successor to the legendary 550 Spyder and RS 60 of the Fifties and Sixties, all sharing the same mid-engine roadster concept. Low weight and supreme agility combine to provide outstanding driving pleasure.

In 2004 and 2008 Porsche produced limited editions of the Boxster bearing the additional name Spyder, honoring the 550 and RS 60. In contrast, the new Boxster Spyder is a regular, but specially developed and upgraded production model as compared with the Boxster and Boxster S.

The 2011 Boxster Spyder goes on sale February 2010. U.S. pricing is $61,200.