Latest news with #Porsche911GT3RS
Hindustan Times
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Ajith Kumar adds McLaren Senna to his garage. Here's what is special about the supercar
Actor and motorsport enthusiast, Ajith Kumar, has recently acquired a new McLaren Senna. Ajith Kumar, a popular Tamil actor and motorsport enthusiast, has just added a very rare supercar to his collection: the McLaren Senna. One of the only 500 units produced, the celebrity's new supercar sports a Marlboro livery with Ayrton Senna's autograph. Ajith Kumar is also well known for his participation in motorsports and owns a racing team called 'Ajith Kumar Racing'. The McLaren Senna supercar is track-focused, most likely bought to participate in the upcoming racing events. The purchase was posted on social media by his where the actor was seen checking out his new ride. Not just this, but the actor also owns multiple other high-value cars such as the Ferrari SF90, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and McLaren 750S. The Mclaren Senna also gets more hardcore track versions such as the Senna GTR and the Senna LM (Le Mans). The GTR is even rarer with only 75 units produced while only 35 units of the LM have been built till now. Also Read : Actor Ajith Kumar buys swanky new Porsche 911 GT3 RS worth over ₹ 3.5 crore, wife posts photo over social media Ajith's motorsport background Ajith Kumar has a long-standing history in motorsport, having previously competed in international events, including the 2004 Formula Asia BMW F3 Championships and the 2010 Formula 2 Championship. His return to competitive racing comes after a significant hiatus from the sport. According to Chandra, the newly formed team also aims to support young drivers by providing them with a structured racing program. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of encouraging more talent in the international motorsport arena. Also Read : Actor Ajith Kumar spins out and crashes Porsche while racing in Dubai McLaren Senna: Engine and performance Ajith's new Senna gets a 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine punching out 778 bhp of power and 800 Nm of peak torque. This unit is mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for laser-quick shifts. With these specs, the Senna is claimed to reach a top speed of about 350 kmph. To handle this much power properly, the manufacturer has also designed the car to deliver a downforce of 800 kg. Check out Upcoming Bikes In India. First Published Date: 06 Jun 2025, 09:44 AM IST
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Check out Dua Lipa's new custom-made Porsche 911 GT3 RS with Rennstall livery
Dua Lipa, singer and songwriter, has just received her Porsche GT3 RS, which costs $ 240,000 (approximately ₹3.5 crore) without any customisations. Check Offers Porsche just unveiled its brand new Porsche 911 GT3 RS, completely customised with a Dua Lipa x Rennstall livery for the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. This cup is a global series in which multiple teams go racing in the 911 GT3 Cup racecar. The unique car was unveiled by the Dua, who was shocked to see it sporting a mix of teal, red and orange shades. Porsche revealed that the singer and songwriter Dua Lipa was also involved in the process of creating the livery. Dua Lipa, just ahead of the race on the tight streets of Monaco, experienced racing in the car at the iconic motorsport venue as a passenger. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS costs $240,000 (approximately ₹ 3.5 crore) in its standard form. It is a driver-focused and track-oriented version of the standard 911 GT3 sports car. Also Read : Watch: $240,000 Porsche 911 GT3 RS destroyed after burnout stunt ends in disaster Porsche 911 GT3 RS: Engine and performance The 911 GT3 RS is no less than a beast, housing a 4-litre, six-cylinder engine in flat configuration mated to a 7-speed PDK transmission with short gear ratios. This motor has been tuned to produce 518 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 465 Nm of peak torque at 6,300 rpm. The unit revs all the way up to 9,000 rpm. The GT3 RS sprints from 0-100 km/h in a claimed 3.2 seconds and keeps going before it hits the electronic speed limiter at a top speed of 296 kmph. It has three driving modes, including Normal, Sport and Track. The Porsche has three-step adjustable traction control, active suspension and adjustable differentials with locking and variable torque distribution technology, which Porsche calls PTV Plus. Also Read : Actor Naga Chaitanya gets the Porsche 911 GT3 RS worth over ₹ 3.5 crore Porsche 911 GT3 RS: Pricing The pricing of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS starts at ₹ 3.5 crore ex-showroom. This number can keep increasing with every optional package you add. There are a host of different customisation options that Porsche offers, including changing the colour of your interiors, seat stitching colours and much more. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 29 May 2025, 11:38 AM IST
Metro
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Metro
Monaco toy story is all good fun but keeping it clean isn't child's play
You can tell the Monaco Grand Prix is essentially a work from home situation for the drivers, the vast majority of whom live in the Mediterranean tax haven. Just look at the car park. Whereas normally F1 stars commute in whatever company cars their teams dictate, here those who haven't walked from their nearby apartments, or cycled, have arrived in their latest and proudest boys toys. Take Carlos Sainz Jr, who has used the occasion to show off his most valuable automotive asset, a customised limited-edition Ferrari Daytona SP3 in satin grey that's worth in the region of £2million. He may drive for Williams these days (and keep an eye on them this weekend, as they could spring a surprise), but he is clearly not about to ditch the prancing horse key fob. Or Lando Norris, who has eschewed his equally fast McLaren road car for the latest Porsche 911 GT3 RS, with a Weissach performance package and bespoke dark green hue. Perhaps he couldn't quite stretch to, or blag, the £3m McLaren Solus GT car of which just 25 have been built, one of which painted in red-and-white Marlboro colours is sitting pride of place on the deck of a superyacht in Monaco's harbour this weekend. That's the trouble with the principality; there's always someone with a more eye-catching accessory. And with that, George Russell can probably boast the most desirable car in the drivers' car park – his 219mph 1,049bhp Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar is currently valued at over £4.3m. To win in Monaco is extra special, not least because it's the oldest grand prix on the calendar and irrefutably the most glamorous. It is the ultimate test of driver precision, a place where the tiniest mistake is punished with a carbon-shattering DNF. To win here, you don't just need a clean Sunday, you need an incident-free run up in order to perfect your set-up, find where the limit is, and put yourself in the best possible position on the starting grid. As everyone knows, Monaco is usually an overtaking-free zone. Drivers who have excelled here before from the current crop include three-time winner Lewis Hamilton, two-time winner Max Verstappen, and last year's winner, home favourite Charles Leclerc. Leclerc broke his curse finally, and will be hoping for luck again. He could use it, having only a single podium to show for the year so far. Sixth place in Imola was a struggle. Hamilton fared better with P4 but Ferrari are still some way off the pace of the McLaren, the Mercedes and, in Verstappen's hands, the Red Bull. 'Here, it's all about low speed,' said Leclerc, indicating the usual suspects mightn't have the same advantage at this event. 'I hope we'll discover something new about our car that we haven't seen yet.' Yuki Tsunoda is under pressure to avoid mistakes this weekend, having utterly destroyed his RB21 in qualifying last Saturday. Five grands prix and a sprint into his Red Bull Racing career, having taken over from Liam Lawson at Suzuka onwards, the Japanese driver has only seven points to show for it. Max, who currently sits third in the championship behind Oscar Piastri and Norris, has scored 88 points in that time, along with three best starting position so far was his P8 in Saudi. He needs to step up. 'The constructors' is very much a long shot at the moment,' said team principal Christian Horner of the world championship. 'So all our focus is on the drivers.' The drivers have taken a couple of hours out of their hectic schedules to relax in front of the big screen. They were treated to a private screening of the Brad Pitt-led F1: The Movie ahead of its global cinema release on June 25 and, when they emerged, they gushed about the realism of the racing scenes. 'The footage is insane. That is, for me, the best part of all of it,' judged Carlos Sainz. The film was made on location over two seasons with Pitt and co-star Damson Idris behind the wheel themselves for some shots. Ollie Bearman described Pitt's driving as 'impressive'. 'He was pushing the car, that's for sure. He did his homework, so it's cool. It's going to be a huge hit, and it's going to make people want to watch F1.' More Trending Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll were the only invitees to decline a ticket. 'I just wanted to spend more time at home,' said the notoriously showbiz-averse four-time world champion. 'It wasn't a mandatory event, and it was my private time.' Monaco is subject to a rule change this year: All drivers must pit twice. The aim is to boost the chances of changes to the order as a result of tyre switches and differing strategies. A minimum of three sets of Pirellis will be used on each car. 'It will definitely help, especially with strategy,' said Charles Leclerc, whose Ferrari team has come a cropper on strategy here before. 'With no clear pit-stop windows, it could present opportunities for drivers starting from further back to move up the order by making the most of running in clean air,' Pirelli stated. MORE: How to watch French Open 2025: TV channel and live stream from the UK MORE: Alejandro Garnacho and his brother blast Ruben Amorim after Manchester United defeat in Europa League final MORE: Tottenham vs Man Utd: Win the Europa League final and Spurs have had a better season than Arsenal – trophies are the priority
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Porsche adjusts electrification strategy with job cuts and lower sales targets. Check details
Porsche had set an ambitious goal of transitioning to 80 per cent battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales globally by 2030. Porsche had set an ambitious goal of transitioning to 80 per cent battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales globally by 2030. (Bloomberg) Check Offers Porsche, with its tradition of sports and luxury performance cars, is being reshaped in the midst of the challenges of a global consumer marketplace and realignment of strategies. The automaker was confronted with an authentic consumer paradigm shift, heightened competition within the primary markets such as China, and a distinct set of challenges related to the rollout of its electrification so seriously that it has led to a maturity of its targeted goals on production and business with respect to the creation of new realities. The company had set an ambitious goal of transitioning to 80 per cent battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales globally by 2030. This strategy, however, has encountered delays. As a result, the development timelines for several upcoming models—such as the electric replacements for the 718 Boxster and Cayman, as well as a three-row electric SUV—have been pushed back. Also Read : Watch: $240,000 Porsche 911 GT3 RS destroyed after burnout stunt ends in disaster As per analysts, the company's previous emphasis on a BEV-dominant scenario, with limited integration of plug-in hybrids or multi-energy platforms, constrained its resilience. Brands that embraced more flexible architectures, enabling either electric or internal combustion propulsion, were best placed to counter-varying EV demand. Features and market ynamics Sales performance has also been affected in major markets. In China, Porsche's first-quarter sales fell by 42 per cent from the same period a year ago. The Chinese electric vehicle market has grown very fast, with local manufacturers launching high-performance EVs at affordable prices. Models such as the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra and Yangwang U9 are providing sophisticated features like four-figure horsepower outputs and active suspension systems, putting pressure on traditional global brands. Also Read : Porsche 911 Spirit 70 unveiled at Shanghai Auto Show as homage to the '70s era In February 2025, Porsche disclosed the elimination of 1,900 positions in its research and production centers in Germany. The company attributed the move to a delayed ramp-up in its electromobility efforts. German publication Automobilwoche reported that the company has lowered its 2025 sales revenue target by approximately €2 billion (around $2.2 billion), and that up to 8,000 additional jobs could be affected depending on future developments. Specifications and internal developments As Porsche develops its product plan more precisely, the technical specifications of its next-generation EVs will most probably respond to competitive standards being established within global markets. As active chassis systems and high-output electric drive units become standard fare, particularly in China, Porsche's next-generation products must meet changing customer expectations and technical benchmarks. In response to current challenges, the company has also implemented changes in leadership. Michael Steiner, previously a senior development executive at Volkswagen Group, has been appointed deputy chairman of Porsche's executive board. Earlier in 2025, the automaker also announced changes to its finance and sales leadership. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 15 May 2025, 09:00 AM IST
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Watch: $240,000 Porsche 911 GT3 RS destroyed after burnout stunt ends in disaster
The accident happened on a public road during an attempt at a burnout. The collision resulted in the deployment of the car's airbags. The front left suspension and wheel appeared to have taken a bad hit, with the front bumper and fender clearly damaged ( A recent Florida accident involving a Porsche 911 GT3 RS has raised new concerns regarding the dangers of abusing high-performance vehicles. The accident, which was caught on video, underscores the need for heightened driver vigilance when operating powerful sports cars on public roads. The accident happened on a public road during an attempt at a burnout. The driver, operating a red-wheeled grey Porsche 911 GT3 RS, appeared to have the car under control when the vehicle accelerated into an S-turn. Once the vehicle entered the second turn, however, the car lost traction. The rear of the car swung out — a hallmark characteristic of 911s under aggressive driving. The driver overcorrected, sending the car off course. In spite of indications that steering input had decreased, the car continued to maintain throttle, ultimately mounting a curb and hitting a tree. Damage and Immediate Aftermath The collision resulted in the deployment of the car's airbags. The front left suspension and wheel appeared to have taken a bad hit, with the front bumper and fender clearly damaged. The remainder of the car, including the hood, appeared relatively intact on the exterior. There were no initial reports of severe injury to the driver. Still, there are fears about potential structural damage to the frame of the car, which may complicate repairs. Safety Considerations The Porsche 911 GT3 RS, costing over $240,000, is associated with being a high performance and driver-involved machine. The accident highlights how quickly things can go wrong if a driver underestimates the power or dynamics of the car. Also Read : Porsche 911 Spirit 70 unveiled at Shanghai Auto Show as homage to the '70s era Though the airbags likely reduced the risk of severe physical injury, the crash is also a reminder that even modern safety features have their limitations when errors happen at speed. Though performance vehicles still deliver increased speed and accuracy, such accidents underscore the importance of defensive driving. Natural ability cannot always be trusted to safely operate high power-to-weight ratio vehicles, especially outside controlled environments such as racing circuits. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 29 Apr 2025, 10:01 AM IST
