Latest news with #Zuffenhausen
The Sun
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Porsche unveils road-legal hypercar 50 years after original won world titles – but there's a catch
CARN'T BELIEVE IT The new motor features significant changes from the original race-winner Published: 0:19, Updated: 0:20, PORSCHE has shocked the motoring world by unveiling a new road legal hypercar. What's more is that it's spun off the a motor that's won multiple endurance racing world titles - but there's a catch. 2 2 The Porsche 963 RSP is unlike anything you can currently purchase - because only one has been made. It's a version of the manufacturers WEC and ISMA championship winning machine. And it's been built to mark 50 years since Count Rossi drove the trailblazing Porsche 917 from Zuffenhausen to Paris. Like that all-conquering motor, this one's been made road legal. Porsche's North American boss Timo Resch said: "How could we reimagine the 917's story in today's time? "The 917 from the story was every inch a race car – albeit one driven on the road – and we took the same approach with the 963 RSP. "It uses beautiful materials of the best quality available, but is still every bit a race car underneath." The 963 features significant changes over the car on which its based. In terms of the engine, the carmaker had to allow the 4.5-litre, twin-turbo V8 hybrid to run on regular unleaded rather than race fuel. While not an easy undertaking, the 918 Spyder-derived V8, e-motor and battery combo delivers a whopping 671bhp. Inside Taycan Turbo GT Porsche that can hit 200mph as SunSport's Isabelle Barker is taken for a spin by Formula E safety car driver The road height was also adjusted to make it suitable for general roads and the dampers softened. The control unit was reprogrammed too to allow for the headlights and taillights to operate closer to those of a motor on the road. But its the interior that departs most from the original race car. In the entirely bespoke cabin, you'll find soft tan leather with a single piece driver's seat clad with additional cushioning and a fixed headrest. You'll find a special panel next to the driver that stores the steering wheel as well as a helmet and car aficionados will spot the nods to the 917. The biggest tribute comes in the form of the exterior colour that's the same 'Martini Silver' as Count Rossi's 917. This one's been painted too, a unique challenge because of the carbon fibre and Kevlar bodywork. The bodywork also had to be modified to cover the wheel arches, headlights and tail lights added as well as closed-off banking plates on the rear wing and mounting points for the license plates. An enamel Porsche badge can be found on the nose and proper wet road tyres wrapped around 18 inch racing wheels. ONE-OF-A-KIND 'SPECIAL' MOTOR The 963 RSP gets its name from the involvement of American auto racing team owner Roger Searle Penske on the project. Resch explained he called on Penske for "support" in the car's construction, with the racing expert ensuring the classic race car's character was not changed for the new model. The Porsche boss said that as Penske's involvement increased, the company realised he would be the perfect, and only, customer for the car. So while it was never intended to be a fully road-legal 963, Porsche received an exemption from the EPA in the US as it understood "how special" the car is. Despite this, it is not a fully road-registered car - and it needed special dispensation to run in France at the Le Mans 24hr weekend. For now, the car is expected to remain one-of-a-kind, with a Porsche spokesperson telling Top Gear that wide-scale selling would "change the character" of the iconic motor.
Top Gear
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Oh yes, Porsche has built a one-off, 671bhp road-legal* V8 963 hypercar
*sorta. In honour of Count Rossi's glorious silver 917 comes this glorious silver 963 Porsche has shocked the motoring world by unveiling a brand-new road-going performance car. While it shares many things with road-going performance cars – headlights, turn indicators, a horn – it is unlike almost anything you can currently purchase. Because this one's spun directly off a car that's won multiple endurance racing world titles. Welcome, one and all, to the mad, bad, and entirely brilliant Porsche 963 RSP. It's a version of Porsche's WEC and IMSA competitor built to mark 50 years since a certain Count Rossi drove the all-conquering Porsche 917 from Zuffenhausen to Paris. Like that car, this one's been tweaked so it's street legal. Sorta. 'How could we reimagine [the 917's] story in today's time?' asked Porsche's North American boss Timo Resch. The answer, as you can see, is quite clear. 'The 917 from the story was every inch a race car – albeit one driven on the road – and we took the same approach with the 963 RSP,' added Resch. 'It uses beautiful materials of the best quality available, but is still every bit a race car underneath.' A fine place to start. For this very special project, the small team in charge of the RSP - including Porsche's Sonderwunsch department - decided early on that they'd need a brand-new 963 chassis, not an existing one. To which a number of very subtle, very important and likely mind-blowingly complicated changes were made. The 963's ride height was raised from a hair's width to something more suitable for general roads, while the adjustable Multimatic DSSV dampers – designed for sports prototypes, don't forget – were gaffer taped into their softest setting. Then came one of the hardest bits: allowing the 4.6-litre, twin-turbo V8 hybrid powerplant to run on regular unleaded. Not race fuel, but the stuff you can get out of a forecourt pump. 'Not a small undertaking,' explained Porsche Penske Motorsport MD Jonathan Diuguid. Amazingly, it's in race trim, which means the 918 Spyder-derived V8, e-motor and battery combo punches out an incredible 671bhp, only here it's been treated to an ECU remap to smooth out the power delivery. Top Gear has not long forgotten what the nat-asp 918 Spyder's V8 sounds like, nor the 963's race-bred unit. This Will Be Loud. Not when running on e-power alone, which the 963 RSP is capable of for short stretches. Though Porsche has ensured its lucky new owner will want to do rather longer stretches because the interior is, of course, the biggest departure from the race car.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Porsche discontinues two iconic models and replaces them both with EVs
PORSCHE has confirmed it will axe two of its most iconic sports cars—the petrol-powered 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman—by the end of this year, paving the way for fully electric replacements. The announcement marks a significant shift in the brand's strategy as it leans further into electric mobility. 4 4 The news was first revealed in Germany by Porsche production boss Albrecht Reimold in Automobilwoche and later confirmed by the company to Car and Driver. Production of the mid-engine 718 twins will end in October 2025 at Porsche's facilities in Zuffenhausen and Osnabrück. The move follows the earlier discontinuation of the models in Europe due to new cybersecurity laws. According to Porsche, the decision isn't about poor sales. In fact, 2024 saw a 15 percent increase in deliveries, with 23,670 units sold. However, limited parts availability and the push for electrification have forced Porsche's hand. 'We are now focused on the next chapter,' said a spokesperson. Special editions like the Cayman GT4 RS and Boxster RS Spyder will also bow out, despite previous exemptions from EU regulations. Replacing these fan favourites will be fully electric versions of both the Cayman and Boxster. While details remain scarce, Reimold assured enthusiasts that the electric successors will maintain the fun-to-drive character. 'I've driven it,' he said. 'The driving experience will still be 100 percent 718.' Porsche CEO Oliver Blume added during the brand's recent annual meeting that the new EVs will be 'even more dynamic, even more powerful.' However, fans will have to wait a bit longer for the new generation. The EV 718s won't launch until the 'medium term', with development still ongoing. In the meantime, Porsche is urging customers to snap up the remaining petrol-powered models while they still can. 'This may well be your last chance,' warned Car and Driver, which was among the first to report the change for global markets. The shift has been in motion since the start of 2024, when the 718 was pulled from European markets in response to stricter cybersecurity legislation. The regulations effectively ended sales of the internal-combustion Boxster and Cayman, along with the petrol-powered Macan, across the EU. The U.S. and other regions were granted a temporary reprieve, but that window will now close in October. While the 718's days are numbered, Porsche's broader EV strategy is still in flux. CEO Oliver Blume admitted during this week's shareholder meeting that the company's previous target—having electric cars make up 80 percent of sales by 2030—is now unlikely to be met. Despite this, Porsche says the electric lineup 'will continue to grow as planned,' including a large three-row SUV still in development. Interestingly, Porsche is also keeping its options open when it comes to future powertrains. The company has hinted it may reintroduce combustion engines or hybrids into models originally intended to be electric-only. Last November, then-CFO Lutz Meschke said Porsche was 'looking at the possibility' of combining hybrid or petrol power with upcoming EVs—a sign the brand isn't closing the door on internal combustion just yet. As Porsche moves into this new chapter, the retirement of the 718 range is more than just the end of two cars,it's the end of an era. Since their debut, the Boxster and Cayman have become icons in their own right, offering affordable performance and precise handling. Whether the electric versions can match that legacy remains to be seen. The Sun has approached Porsche for comment.
Motor 1
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Game Over: Porsche Is Ending Gas Boxster and Cayman Production
We knew this day would come, so don't be too sad that Porsche is about to pull the plug on its gas-fueled 718 duo. The current-generation Boxster and Cayman have been on their deathbeds since last year, when the sports cars were retired from Europe due to stricter cybersecurity regulations. Motor1 has now learned that the rest of the world will also lose Zuffenhausen's entry-level performance machines later this year. Porsche Cars North America's head of Product Communications, Frank Wiesmann, told us that the fourth-generation Boxster and Cayman (982 series) have entered their final months of production. The last units are scheduled to be built in October. While the main Zuffenhausen plant has been assembling the cars since 2016, some production was moved in 2022 to Osnabrück, where Volkswagen will continue building the oddball T-Roc Convertible until 2027. 2024 marked the final full year of production for the mid-engine coupe and convertible, with sales rising 15 percent to 23,670 units. In the first quarter of 2025, shipments fell 22 percent to 4,498 vehicles, unsurprising given the 718's discontinuation in the European Union and other markets following EU legislation. It's worth noting that the Boxster RS Spyder and Cayman GT4 RS continued in those regions, as the special editions were exempt from the rules due to their limited production runs. Although discontinued models are almost always replaced quickly by next-generation versions or different vehicles, Porsche is taking time with the 718's (indirect) successor. The fully electric Boxster and Cayman are still being developed, so the EVs won't launch this year. During the Annual General Meeting yesterday, CEO Oliver Blume said that the silent sports cars will arrive in the 'medium term.' He added that both will be 'even more dynamic, even more powerful, with a pure driving experience.' Porsche has admitted its previous goal of having EVs account for 80 percent of annual sales by 2030 is no longer feasible. Even so, that doesn't change the fact that the ICE Boxster and Cayman are being phased out. However, Zuffenhausen is applying a different strategy to the rest of its lineup. The Cayenne will coexist with the upcoming EV variant well into the 2030s. The Panamera will also retain its gas engines into the next decade. The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 is being reengineered to comply with Euro 7 regulations and will continue into the 2030s . The first-generation Macan will be retired in 2026, leaving only the electric second-generation model on sale. It died last year in the EU for the same reason Porsche was forced to pull the plug on the 718s. However, Porsche is exploring a new gas-powered crossover to replace the original Macan, launched 11 years ago. If approved, the unnamed model would arrive near the end of the decade with pure ICE and hybrid powertrains. Additionally, Porsche is even considering adding combustion engines to vehicles initially intended to be fully electric. Last November, the company's former Chief Financial Officer, Lutz Meschke, mentioned that surprising possibility : 'We are currently looking at the possibility of the originally planned all-electric vehicles having a hybrid drive or a combustion engine.' During this week's meeting, Blume also mentioned that the electric lineup 'will continue to grow as planned.' His statement indicates that the large, three-row SUV first announced a few years ago is still in development, despite EV sales falling short of Porsche's earlier projections. Catch Up With Porsche: Porsche Is Still Testing the Electric Cayman and Boxster Porsche Could Quit EVs In China Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Auto Car
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Porsche 911 GT2 RS poised for searing 750bhp comeback
Screaming flat six receives a hybrid boost as hottest 911 chases Nürburgring supremacy Open gallery Close Porsche is gearing up to launch what insiders at its Zuffenhausen headquarters in Germany describe as the most extreme and technically advanced 911 yet: the fifth-generation GT2 RS. Set to go on sale in the UK in 2026, the new range-topping 911 is being developed to stretch the limits of what's possible in a road-legal Porsche, with a heavily re-engineered, twin-turbocharged version of the company's signature flat-six petrol engine paired with an electric motor in a hybrid system derived from the new 911 GTS T-Hybrid. One important goal of the hottest 911 is to restore Porsche's supremacy at the Nürburgring, where prototypes are now lapping in anger as a full unveiling approaches. New spy shots confirm the forthcoming 911 GT2 RS will be as visually aggressive as it is technically ambitious. Except for the doors, every body panel is unique to the car. Up front, a new bumper and clamshell-style bonnet incorporate additional air ducts to improve cooling for the front-mounted radiators and reduce turbulence within the front wheel arches. Those wheel arches are significantly wider than on other 911s, housing broader tracks front and rear and lightweight centre-lock wheels. At the back, a massive fixed wing dominates but a largely hidden exhaust system is also visible. Patent filings suggest Porsche has developed a new exhaust set-up for performance versions of the 911 that doubles as an aerodynamic device, combining the rear silencer and diffuser into a single integrated unit. Whether it makes it into the production on the 911 GT2 remains to be seen. Inside, the new 911 GT2 is expected to adopt a fully digital instrument panel for the first time while still offering a high degree of personalisation for track-focused buyers. Lightweight materials, limited sound insulation, minimalist trim and an optional roll cage will keep the focus on performance. According to Autocar sources, early prototype versions of the 911 GT2 RS's engine achieved four-figure outputs on the test bench – albeit in development trim. The strongest indication of Porsche's hybrid direction comes from the new 911 GTS T-Hybrid, which combines a 3.6-litre flat six with a single electric turbocharger and a gearbox-mounted electric motor for a total of 534bhp. That car effectively previews the hybrid technology that will be deployed across the facelifted 992-series 911 line-up, including the upcoming 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S. The 911 GT2 and even more extreme 911 GT2 RS will use a similar formula, but with an even greater output. The exact capacity of the 911 GT2 RS's engine remains under wraps, though it is claimed to be paired with a hybrid system incorporating two electric turbochargers and a higher-output electric motor than that used by the 911 GTS T-Hybrid. Power output is expected to reach at least 750bhp, potentially more, depending on weight, cooling and thermal efficiency. Torque, meanwhile, looks set to exceed the 590lb ft of the latest 911 Turbo S. For comparison, the previous-generation 991-series 911 GT2 RS developed 690bhp and 553lb ft from its twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre flat-six engine. The switch to petrol-electric hybrid power promises to increase weight beyond the previous 911 GT2 RS's 1470kg. The 911 GTS T-Hybrid adds around 60kg and the new 911 GT2 RS is likely to carry more still, despite forgoing plug-in charging hardware. As with its predecessor, though, buyers are expected to be offered a Weissach performance package with Perspex windows, reduced sound insulation and other lightweight measures. As tradition dictates, production will be limited, and Porsche has already confirmed that 'low-volume, high-emotion derivatives' will continue to play a central role in the 911 line-up. Pricing is expected to exceed that of the outgoing model – which started at around £200,000 – with optional performance features such as the Weissach package pushing it even higher. No 911 GT2 RS launch would be complete without Nürburgring ambitions. The previous generation, fettled by Manthey Racing, posted an official 6min 43sec lap time. The current Nürburgring production car record, however, is held by the Mercedes-AMG One with a time of 6min 23sec. Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you'll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here. Next Prev In partnership with
