Transforming Porsche

Major Changes Occurring in the 2014 911 GT2

Porsche has recently released the information on their 2014 911 GT3 and some people were disappointed by it because it had less than 500 hp. Although it isn't a big deal for most people, for those that it was a big deal to, there is the 911 GT2.

Normally when you have a model number that is lower, you assume that it is going to have less power. This simply isn't the case with the GT2, and you will get above 500 hp with this vehicle which means that it has more raw power to work with than the GT3 does.

What You Get
The engine and transmission of the GT2 are both based off the 911 Turbo S. Instead of the 475 horsepower that comes in the GT3, you are getting a massive 552 horsepower, thanks to the 3.8 liter flat six engine. The transmission that is going to be used in this vehicle is another major change from the all-wheel drive of the GT3. Instead you are going to get the PDK seven gear clutch that is automatic, and rear wheel drive.

Weight Savings
The nice thing about a rear-wheel drive setup, over the all-wheel drive used in the GT3 is that weight is going to be shaved off the vehicle. What that means is that not only are you getting a more powerful engine to tear up the road with, but you are also getting al lighter vehicle that is going to benefit from the power even more than the GT3 would have. Overall this new setup should result in a noticeable increase in power. Although you probably wouldn't notice a difference without driving both vehicles extensively, if you were to switch from one to the other you would be able to tell there is a distinct difference.

Real Life Speed
Now that you know how much power this variant of the 911 is pushing, it is time to learn how that effects real life performance, with some times and actual speeds. The car should be able to go from 0 to 60 in 3.0 seconds without a problem. On top of this blistering acceleration, it will top 200 mph which means that you can get wherever you want to go much faster than you could in that minivan at the other side of your garage.

Many will rejoice at the added power that the GT2 possess, while a few are going to continue to complain about the PDK transmission that is becoming more prevalent in the newer Porsche models.
If 500 hp isn't enough for you, there is a rumor that Porsche is planning on releasing an even more powerful variant of the GT2 later on after the initial launch. This RS variant of the car will push up the horsepower to a whopping 620, and that amount of power will make this car even more intense that it already is. Unfortunately that won't be released until 2015 so you will have to be patient if you would rather get the upgraded version.

Shifty Turbo Is No More

The Next 911 Turbo May Be Automatic

Although this is really going to upset some people who prefer their sports cars to be manual, there is a good chance that the new 911 Turbo is going to have an automatic transmission, specifically the PDK transmission to be exact.

The 911 GT3 has always been the nostalgic racer's go to car, and now that it has switched over to an automatic transmission, there's really no reason to believe that the 911 Turbo isn't going to go the same direction. Instead of keeping both transmission options open like Porsche normally does, it is rumored that they are going to drop the manual option all together, and you will be stuck with an automatic whether you like it or not.

Why they are Making the Switch

Although it probably hurts to hear, the PDK is a superior transmission to manually shifting through the gears. Thanks to the double clutch the car can shift itself through the gears faster than a human can, which means that you are going to get a better response out of the car. This means the car will accelerate faster, and ultimately it is going to perform better on the track.

Another advantage of this gear system is that it reduces overall fuel consumption, which is something that all car manufacturers are looking at these days. With all of these reasons to go with the PDK it shouldn't be a surprise that they have made it mandatory.

The last reason that they have decided to take away the manual option is to undoubtedly save development time and money. Now they only have to configure the car to deal with a single transmission, which means less work for them, while bringing in the same level of profits as before. Even still, the move is good for just about everyone in the end.

Those Who Will Appreciate the Switch

Even though there are plenty of people who are appalled at the move that Porsche is making with their sports cars, there are just as many people who are singing their praises about the switch. Not only does the car perform better, which is enough to gain the praise of many people, but it will also be easier to drive for those who aren't great with a manual transmission. Sure there is less involvement, but that also means there is no reason to worry about stalling the vehicle, and everyone can drive their vehicles smoothly without worry.

Overall, even though some people are upset with the loss of a manual option the 2014 911 Turbo looks to be an exceptional car. It will come standard with more than 520 horsepower at your disposal. The car tops out at around 196 miles per hour, and with that level of power and luxury it should be no surprise that the basic model is coming in at $149,000 and the luxury model will be closer to $180,000 to own. It is certainly going to be a welcome addition to the ranks of the 911's of the past, but it is too bad there won't be a manual transmission option like always.

2014 Cayman Review

The New 2014 Porsche Cayman: Bigger, Badder, and More Stylish

2014 Cayman

If you have been waiting for the next iteration of the Porsche Cayman, you don’t have to wait any longer because it’s here. The 2014 Porsche Cayman has been completely redesigned with a noticeably edgier appearance, and it has plenty to offer to make it well worth the additional money that they are charging for it.

The Overall Design

Both the Boxster and the Cayman were designed at the Stuttgart plant in Germany, and there are some similarities between the two vehicles. The best way to describe the car is by saying that it now has sharper edges and more defined curves. It looks more muscular and defined from the outside, and it has more muscle on the inside.

The Engine Within

The base model comes standard with a 2.71 liter V6 that achieves 265 horsepower. The Cayman S bumps the power up to a very respectable 315 horsepower and it uses a 3.4l flat V6 to achieve the kind of acceleration that will force a smile to your lips. Slam your foot on the gas pedal and you will launch from 0 to 60 MPG in 4.4 seconds.

All of this unbridled power comes with excellent fuel economy as well and you can achieve 30 MPG on the highway with the base model, or 28 MPG with the upgraded Cayman S, either way it’s an impressive figure for a sports car.

Handling

The 2014 Cayman S is an extremely responsive sports car, that corners with precision. It comes standard with a six-gear transmission that is buttery smooth, and this is certainly going to be a time when you enjoy having a little more interaction with your vehicle.

Improved Interior

One of the main criticisms of the Cayman has always been that the interior really didn’t feel like a luxury car, Porsche has rectified that issue with a much more luxurious interior that still manages to be practical. The stylish accents, broader seats, and higher quality material all make for a more comfortable ride, and a more impressive view.

Although Porsche hasn’t added much additional space to the cabin it feels quite a bit roomier than the previous model. The basic three gauge setup that has been standard with the Porsche sports cars still remains, but the right gauge has been upgraded to a TFT display that can be altered to show different information to suit your needs.

Practical and Safe

The Cayman is a desirable car because it fills the role of the practical sports car quite well. While the 911 is pushing the limits on power, and it isn’t concerned with any practicality, the Cayman manages to be powerful, precise, and practical all at the same time. Even though it doesn’t have a full-fledged trunk, there are two different compartments, a rear compartment and a front compartment that both provide ample room for storage. Between the two you shouldn’t have a problem fitting a weeks’ worth of groceries, but you may run into a problem with exceptionally large bags that would fit into a trunk, since that space is divided into two different locations.

The Cayman also manages to be very safe, with a durable shell that stands up to crash tests superbly. There is an array of airbags to protect both the driver and passenger in the event of an accident.

Overall the Cayman is a great sports car is you are looking for something in the middle ground. You get to enjoy the power of a sports car, while still driving something that can carry all the groceries that you had to get from the store, and at 30 MPG you aren’t going to feel guilty about driving this car around regularly. Couple that with the starting price range in the mid 50’s and you have a great entry-level sports car that will leave you feeling great about your purchase each time you rev up that powerful engine and launch yourself down the road past your envious neighbors.