The first victory on our list is the most recent. Tuthill Porsche is something of a...
]]>The first victory on our list is the most recent. Tuthill Porsche is something of a Safari Rally specialist having won the bi-annual event with the late Björn Waldegârd in 2011 and finished second in 2013.
This year, the team returned to the top step of the podium with rally legend, Stig Blomqvist taking victory in the gruelling nine-day event across Kenya and Tanzania. The Swede and co-driver, Stéphane Prévot finished eight minutes ahead of Tuthill teammates, Richard Göransson and Emil Axelsson.
Jeff Zwart is no stranger to success on the fearsome Pikes Peak International Hill Climb course in Colorado however his 2015 triumph in the famous Race to the Clouds is undoubtedly his best yet.
Racing in the Time Attack 1 class, Zwart took his turbocharged 997 GT3 Cup car up the hill in 9m46.24s to decimate his competition and finish a barely believable fourth overall.
Formerly known as the Nürburgring 1000km, one of the most prestigious endurance events in Europe returned to the world championship for the first time since 1991 this year.
Porsche’s factory cars completely dominated with a one-two finish in both the LMP1 and GTE-Pro classes. The victorious no. 17 Porsche 919 Hybrid and no. 92 Porsche 911 RSR would go on to take their respective world titles last weekend in Bahrain.
Winning any endurance race is hard. Winning an endurance race in a GT car against a field of prototypes is even harder. But, that’s exactly what Nick Tandy and Patrick Pilet did in the no. 911 Porsche North America Racing 911 RSR at Petit Le Mans.
In atrociously wet conditions, the Anglo-French duo had the pace to win outright and, when the race was conclusively red flagged after eight hours, found themselves in the lead. Victory secured all three United SportsCar Championship crowns for Porsche.
Undoubtedly Porsche’s greatest victory of 2015 was Weissach’s historic 17th overall triumph at the 24 Hours of Le Mans courtesy of the no. 19 Porsche 919 Hybrid raced by Earl Bamber, Nico Hülkenberg and Total 911’s very own columnist, Nick Tandy.
After securing the lead around midnight, some blistering night time pace from the trio saw them eventually come home one lap ahead of the sister no. 17 car driven by Mark Webber, Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley.
Have we missed off your favourite Porsche triumph of 2015? Join the debate in the comments below or head to our Facebook and Twitter pages now.
]]>The turbocharged 991.2 marks a new dawn for Zuffenhausen’s darling sports car and our crack road tester, Kyle Fortune has jetted off to Tenerife...
]]>The turbocharged 991.2 marks a new dawn for Zuffenhausen’s darling sports car and our crack road tester, Kyle Fortune has jetted off to Tenerife for issue 134 for a play in the 2016 Porsche 911 Carrera S to see if the 991.2 can still thrill true driving enthusiasts.
With a host of new technology crammed into the new 991’s shell, the latest Porsche 911 could have been in danger of losing its charm. Our first drive sets out to find if the early fears are unfounded.
Also inside, we head to California to test out two tuned Porsche 911s from modifying masters, SharkWerks. Featuring their 997 GT2 and a 3.9-litre 997 GT3, this is a truly high-octane twin test.
There’s also a 356 Speedster buyer’s guide as well as a test drive of the very first impact bumper Porsche 911, the 2.7 Carrera that starred at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1974. And, because, it’s Black Friday, you can buy issue 134 online with a 10% discount!
For all this and much, much more, pick up Total 911 issue 134 in store today. Alternatively, order your copy online for home delivery or download it straight to your digital device now.
]]>The famously teal-and-blue liveried Porsche 911 GT3 R will make one of its last public appearance in Falken Tyre’s hands at the Essen Motor Show (running from today until 4...
]]>The famously teal-and-blue liveried Porsche 911 GT3 R will make one of its last public appearance in Falken Tyre’s hands at the Essen Motor Show (running from today until 4 December).
With a €500,000 price tag, the 997 GT3 R certainly isn’t cheap. But, it is a proven front-runner in the VLN series around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Despite the new 991 GT3 R coming online next season, Falken’s racer will no doubt continue to be a good choice for those wishing to race in the SP9 class.
Falken has used the car extensively since taking delivery of this chassis in April 2014, wracking up over 84 hours of track time. Every season it was fitted with around 900 tyres as the team used the demanding Nordschleife circuit to help develop new tyre technology for its road ranges.
Want to know how Porsche 911 racing cars are priced? Check out our sales debate from issue 118 now. Alternatively, you can watch Falken’s 997 GT3 R in action at the ‘Ring here.
]]>On a great day, it is a superb place to be, with far-reaching views in every direction. On anything but a clear day, it is a different story. A mountain guide I know jokingly refers to Snowdonia as ‘Mordor’; be warned.
But we’re forgetting...
]]>On a great day, it is a superb place to be, with far-reaching views in every direction. On anything but a clear day, it is a different story. A mountain guide I know jokingly refers to Snowdonia as ‘Mordor’; be warned.
But we’re forgetting ourselves, because the terrain that shapes the weather provides plenty of features for roads in the area. That is a good thing. This time, we visit the Llanberis Pass, or the A4086, past Snowdon.
Unlike many of the headline routes in Wales, famous for long, sweeping moorland circuits, the Llanberis Pass is almost diminutive in comparison, but equally fun.
It may only be six miles long, but it really is in spectacular scenery, surrounded by attractions. If you’re looking for a road to make a weekend of in family company, this is probably the one.
It isn’t a fast one though, nor is it billiard-table flat, so is more suited to the older model 911. We reckon a sorted 964 would be glorious here, in third gear up, and second downhill.
We start at Llanberis, by the Snowdon Mountain Railway. The first mile or more is slow past houses, but shifts into plenty of bends and a rising gradient. Past the attention-seeking roadside boulders, the road changes character, becoming a well-sighted, ricocheting scar up into the road summit, eventually passing by the Pen-Y-Pass Youth Hostel.
This section reminds me of the Isle of Man mountain section, where you’ll get a glimpsed sight line up the road as you weave around certain bends. At the Pen-y-Pass, we descend around a very scenic Armco edged bend with open views down to the Pen-Y-Gwyrd hotel, and Llyn Gwynant on the right.
Our top tip is to drive this at sunrise or sunset, when you’ll have it to yourself. Once done, walk up Snowdon via the Pyg or Miners Tracks (or the cheat’s way via the railway from Llanberis).
Food-wise, what better than to enjoy lunch in the evocative Alpine Room in the Pen-y-Gwyrd, with its ceiling signed by Everest Summiteers?
]]>Our team of world-class snappers have submitted literally thousands of photos across over 100 different shoots that have featured a wealth of delectable Zuffenhausen metal from around the world.
We’ve whittled these down into...
]]>Our team of world-class snappers have submitted literally thousands of photos across over 100 different shoots that have featured a wealth of delectable Zuffenhausen metal from around the world.
We’ve whittled these down into our favourite 20 shots but now we need your help in deciding the short list from which the winner of 2015 Total 911 Photo of the Year will be picked.
Over the next week, we’ll be posting all 20 photos from the long list via our Facebook and Twitter pages and we want you to vote for your favourite. Then, next Thursday (3 December) the shortlist of six be will announced before a further round of voting will see the winner crowned on Thursday 10 December.
So, without any further ado, here’s the 2015 long list. Click on each image to enlarge it and view them in all their majesty. You’ve got one vote, make sure it counts:
]]>20 per cent of drink-drive prosecutions in the UK happen the morning after. Keeping an AlcoSense Elite breathalyser in your pocket should prevent any trouble with the law...
]]>20 per cent of drink-drive prosecutions in the UK happen the morning after. Keeping an AlcoSense Elite breathalyser in your pocket should prevent any trouble with the law however.
Complete all UK and Irish limits, the Elite gives an accurate blood alcohol reading with a clear ‘Don’t Drive’ warning if you’re still over the limit. There’s even a self-clean function to ensure improved longevity and accuracy.
Price: £59.99
alcosense.co.uk
As we explored in issue 115, not all tyre pressure gauges are born the same; often no two gauges will provide comparable readings of the same tyre.
With Lifeline’s digital gauge, the Parallax error that creeps in with traditional dial-faced gauges is eradicated and, with an accuracy of just +/- 1 per cent, this must-have tool for any garage should ensure that your tyre pressures are always where they need to be.
Price: £45.70 (ex VAT)
merlinmotorsport.co.uk
With insurance claims becoming ever more disputable, it is no wonder that the popularity of dashboard cameras has risen rapidly.
This latest offering from Road Angel films forward at 720p HD with a rear camera capturing all the action at 480p. With a built in G-force sensor, it can rapidly turn on to capture perpetrators even when your car is parked up.
Price: £199.99
roadangelgroup.com
Providing a WiFi connection inside your car, the EE Buzzard 2 is ideal for those long road trips with your kids in the back seats.
By simply plugging the device into your 12v socket, the Buzzard turns into an internet hotspot that your passengers can connect their laptops and tablets to, allowing in-car entertainment all trip long. SIM plans can be bought monthly.
Price: From £19.99
shop.ee.co.uk
The TomTom GO 610’s huge six-inch touch screen (with pinch, zoom and swipe capabilities) certainly gives a clear view of your desired route.
However, the real trick up this satnav’s sleeve is its ability to tap into your smartphone’s internet connection (via Bluetooth) to provide real time traffic updates. Spotting hold-ups ahead, the device can then reroute you and get you home on time. Also available in five-inch form.
Price: £199.99
tomtom.com
GoPro isn’t the only player in the action camera world. There are a whole host of alternatives now, including TomTom’s Bandit, a fully self-contained unit that can film cinematic quality videos in 4K.
Featuring built in speed, G-force and altitude sensors (as well as GPS), the Bandit automatically notes down any video highlights when film. Combined with the companion app, this allows you to literally just shake your phone to edit together awesome videos.
Price: £299.99
tomtom.com
While the second generation Porsche 991 Carrerahas only just been launched, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Zuffenhausen is already preparing for the 911’s next major overhaul as the Porsche 992 is due to be...
]]>While the second generation Porsche 991 Carrera has only just been launched, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Zuffenhausen is already preparing for the 911’s next major overhaul as the Porsche 992 is due to be launched in just two years time at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Aesthetically, the first generation 991 body shell tells us little about how the Porsche 992 is going to look (although, style-wise, Zuffenhausen always chooses to adopt an ‘evolution rather than revolution’ approach).
The body of this 992 prototype does give some clues about the mechanical side of the next-gen neunelfer however, specifically the tacked-on rear arch extenders, that suggest the new Porsche 911 will again increase in size come 2017.
This could be to provide the next neunelfer with more mechanical grip (and would follow with the increase in rear tyres size seen on the 991.2 Carrera and Carrera S).
However, it is more likely a move to provide greater space in the floorpan in order to fit in the rumoured hybrid system that is set to see the Porsche 911 follow in the footsteps of Porsche’s hypercar, the 918 Spyder.
What do you think of Porsche’s plans to make the next 911 a hybrid? Join the debate in the comments below or head over to our Facebook and Twitter pages now.
]]>For Porsche observers, 1989 also brought the introduction of the new 964, a car that, with Porsche claiming it was 85 per cent new, was the company’s most radical revision of the...
]]>For Porsche observers, 1989 also brought the introduction of the new 964, a car that, with Porsche claiming it was 85 per cent new, was the company’s most radical revision of the 911 ever.
The internet was in its infancy then, a website typically only lasting 200 days, but nobody could have predicted the debate that Porsche’s new all-wheel-drive take on the 911 would impact on forums hosted on it. Thousands of pages on motoring websites still exist about it today, the 964 sparking a dispute that runs right through to the current 991 series 911: which is better, Carrera 2 or Carrera 4?
It is a tricky argument, and one that is unlikely to ever be resolved given the intricacies and differences between both cars and what buyers expect from them.
The Carrera 4 introduced the 964 to the world, Benjamin Dimson’s design not just presenting a smoother aspect thanks to its integrated bumpers, that party trick pop-up rear spoiler and 16-inch Design 90 alloy wheels, but also flat under-body cladding that helped the 964 deliver a 0.32 coefficient of drag figure, as well as more work for Porsche technicians.
The introduction of teardrop mirrors, in place of the large ‘flag’ or ‘elephant ear’ mirrors in 1992 might have improved that drag figure further still, as well as been in keeping with the more aerodynamic direction the 964 represented over its predecessors.
Even with the red Carrera 4 here featuring those older, larger mirrors, it’s a beautiful thing. It’s not often you get the chance to do some serious miles chasing a 964, but Dan from Paul Stephens is up ahead en route to the photo location in that Carrera 4, and I’m behind.
It’s been a while since I’ve been in a 964, and the first opportunity to really sample the 2 and 4 back-to-back on the same roads, in the same conditions, but chasing the 4 from the driver’s seat of the white 2 is a rare treat.
The 964’s styling may have had its detractors, but it’s always been one of my favourite 911s (even as a 993 owner), an evolutionary turning point blending old and new worlds, its significance in the 911’s lineage as impactful as the year it was introduced.
To read our full Porsche 964 Carrera 2 v Carrera 4 head-to-head, pick up Total 911 issue 133 in store. Alternatively, download it straight to your digital device now.
]]>If you use water rather than good quality coolant/antifreeze in your...
]]>If you use water rather than good quality coolant/antifreeze in your car’s cooling system, it will freeze causing huge internal pressures (something the AA says is liable to cause severe engine damage).
If you suspect your car’s cooling system might be frozen, there are several signs and symptoms to look out for, as well as several dos and don’ts to help you avoid inflicting pricey engine damage on your beloved motor.
It’s a bitter winter’s morning; you’ve scraped the ice from the windscreen and switched on the ignition, only to be met with a relentless squealing noise from beneath the bonnet.
This suggests your car’s water pump has frozen, and this noise is the sound of the fan belt skidding on the pulley. It may be that the cylinder block (a component that’s altogether pricier to put right should any damage occur) has frozen too.
Alternatively, if you switch on your car and start driving, only to find the engine begins to overheat, this could also be a tell tale sign that the cooling system has frozen.
Car engines require a constant flow of coolant/antifreeze to keep them at their optimum working temperature, even on the coldest winter mornings. If the engine overheats, this could indicate that the radiator has frozen and coolant/antifreeze isn’t circulating as it should.
Experience any of the above symptoms and it’s vital you switch off the ignition as quickly as possible (pulling over to do so if you’ve travelled beyond your driveway). Whatever you do, don’t drive the car any further as this could result in costly damage to your engine.
If your car’s cooling system has frozen, what should you do next? To avoid causing damage, follow these simple steps.
1) Don’t run the car
It’s a reasonable idea: switch the car on and the engine will gradually warm up, loosening up the cooling system and helping to get the fluids moving again.
But, without a steady flow of coolant/antifreeze, the engine will quickly begin to overheat, and could even explode as a result of the mounting pressure caused by blockages in the cooling system.
2) Allow time to thaw
In most cases of frozen cooling systems, the best thing to do is give the entire engine time to thaw. If parked outside in cold conditions, a frozen engine can take days to thaw properly, unless it can be safely moved to a garage or other sheltered location.
To speed up the thawing process, it is possible to use a fan heater placed in front of the radiator. When pointed directly at the car, the heat generated should help to melt the frozen fluid more quickly. What’s important, however, is to not drive the car until you’re confident the cooling system has completely thawed through.
Once the vehicle has completely thawed out it is important to drain and flush the entire cooling system and replace the fluid with a good quality coolant/antifreeze, offering the right level of protection, no matter what the weather.
3) Check your coolant/antifreeze levels before winter arrives
Aside from allowing the system adequate time to thaw, there’s little else you can do in the event of a frozen cooling system. Winter driving experts, Prestone, recommend checking the strength of your car’s coolant/antifreeze before the cold climes of winter arrive.
They said: “We recommend using a 50:50 mix of ethylene glycol based coolant/antifreeze in the cooling system during the winter, a solution that will protect your car no matter what the weather and all year round.”
“If you aren’t sure of the exact ratio of your cooling fluid, take the car to your local garage and they’ll be able to check the strength for you.”
]]>Like their stablemates’ success in the LMP1 class, Porsche Team Manthey’s victories came after finishing first and fifth in the Six Hours of Bahrain, with the no. 92...
]]>Like their stablemates’ success in the LMP1 class, Porsche Team Manthey’s victories came after finishing first and fifth in the Six Hours of Bahrain, with the no. 92 Porsche 911 RSR of Patrick Pilet and Frédéric Makowiecki taking the chequered flag first under the Bahrain International Circuit’s floodlights.
In qualifying, both 911 RSRs opted to save a set of new tyres, opting instead to focus their efforts solely on Saturday’s six-hour race. This left the no. 92 car to take the start from fifth while the sister no. 91 RSR of Michael Christensen and Richard Lietz (in contention for the teams’ title) qualified seventh.
While Lietz and Christensen (both lacking pace across the weekend compared to the Pilet/Makowiecki car) approached the race cautiously, Pilet went on the hunt during the race’s opening laps.
Up to third after lap one, the 2015 Tudor United SportsCar champion had taken the lead by the end of the 11th lap, using the no. 92 Porsche 911 RSR’s superior race pace to fend off repeated attacks throughout the race.
Alongside Makowiecki, the duo put in a sterling performance, eventually taking the chequered flag 40 seconds ahead of the chasing AF Corse Ferrari 458 of Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander, a result that secured Lietz in the no. 91 car the 2015 drivers’ title.
This left the no. 91 RSR of Lietz and Christensen to continue with their sensible race strategy. Having originally planned to up the pace after nightfall, the Austro-Danish duo instead ran steadily to the end, staying out of trouble to finish fifth, a result that mirrored the no. 17 Porsche 919 Hybrid in the LMP1 class.
Combined with the points for Pilet and Makowiecki’s victory, Porsche’s points haul at the Six Hours of Bahrain was enough to swing the manufacturers’ standings in their favour, overcoming Ferrari’s five-point advantage to secure the 911 RSR’s second major title in as many months.
The result also meant that the no. 91 RSR crew won the 2015 FIA WEC teams’ battle, providing Porsche’s factory GT squads with a clean sweep of title across both the World Championship and the US-based United SportsCar Championship.
For all the latest Porsche race reports and news, check out our dedicated motorsport section now.
]]>After qualifying on pole position, the no. 17 Porsche was almost immediately on the back foot as a throttle actuator...
]]>After qualifying on pole position, the no. 17 Porsche was almost immediately on the back foot as a throttle actuator problem forced Timo Bernhard to pit on lap 16 (just half an hour into the six-hour encounter), losing four and a half laps to the LMP1 leaders.
Some quick repairs by the Weissach mechanics stopped any further losses but Bernhard and Hartley were only able to get up to sixth until the no. 8 Audi drops from a likely podium position with a mechanical problem, elevating the no. 17 919 Hybrid to fifth as Webber takes the wheel in the race’s latter stages.
With a 12-point buffer in the drivers’ and teams’ standings heading to Bahrain, fifth place would be good enough to secure both titles only if the no. 18 Porsche was able to beat the no. 7 Audi.
Immediately after Bernhard’s problems though, this looked to be a difficult task with Dumas unable to get back in front of the R18 e-tron Quattro during his stints at the start of the race.
Once Marc Lieb took to the no. 18 919’s wheel on lap 59, the German was able to close down the challengers from Ingolstadt, briefly taking the lead after a safety car period on lap 100 before the Audi fought back to retake first place.
A thrilling side-by-side battle saw the Audi and Porsche duke it out over the Bahrain International Circuit’s 3.36 miles, with Lieb eventually coming out on top (although the Audi was never far back should any problems strike the no. 18 Porsche 919 Hybrid).
It was only once Jani took over in the Porsche on lap 119,that Porsche’s hopes of first world drivers’ title since 1986 improved significantly, with the Swiss racer putting in fastest lap after fastest lap to stretch the gap, eventually taking the chequered flag on lap 199 with a near 90-second advantage.
Webber, meanwhile, survived another throttle actuator in the no. 17 Porsche to come home in a lonely fifth place, ending the crew’s run of consecutive FIA WEC victories but securing an even bigger prize: a first world championship for the team to go with Porsche’s manufacturers’ title.
]]>After securing the manufacturers’ title for the first time since 1986 in Shanghai,Porsche heads to the Middle East with the no. 17 crew of Mark Webber, Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard leading the way in the drivers’...
]]>After securing the manufacturers’ title for the first time since 1986 in Shanghai, Porsche heads to the Middle East with the no. 17 crew of Mark Webber, Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard leading the way in the drivers’ standings.
The trio, who have won four races this year, hold a 12-point advantage over the no. 7 Audi crew meaning that, even if André Lotterer, Marcel Fässler and Benoît Tréluyer triumph in Bahrain with the no. 8 car in second, the no. 17 Porsche 919 Hybrid can still finish third and wrap up the title.
After topping two of the three free practice sessions so far in Bahrain (the final session this morning by more than a second), Webber, Hartley and Bernhard will undoubtedly head into tomorrow’s race confident of further success.
The same cannot be said of Porsche Team Manthey who are locked in a tight dual with Ferrari for the three FIA WEC GTE class titles. The 458 Italias (in their last race) have outpaced the Porsche 911 RSRs in all three free practice sessions.
Patrick Pilet and Frédéric Makowiecki in the no. 92 machine have run the Ferraris close during testing however, Richard Lietz and Michael Christensen have consistently struggled in the sister car.
Lietz does currently lead the drivers’ championship though, with a 20-point buffer to the chasing Ferrari racers, almost ensuring him the title ahead of Saturday’s race.
Ferrari currently lead the way in the GT manufacturers’ standings by just four points with a total of 44 points still to play for (25 for a win, 18 for second and one for pole position).
Qualifying takes place today from 5:00pm local time, with the final six-hour encounter of the 2015 season starting at 12pm midday and racing into the dusk.
For all the latest Porsche race reports and news, check out our dedicated motorsport section now.
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