NEWS
24 APRIL 2 019 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 17
T
he new 911 Speedster’s
heavily revised 4.0-litre
flat-six engine will be
carried over to future
GT models as Porsche’s GTdivision persists with naturally
aspirated engines.
GT boss Andreas Preuninger
said: “We’ve invested in the
future with this engine. I can’t
comment on future projects
but we would be stupid not to
re-use this engine somewhere.
“Our philosophy in GT cars
is to stay naturally aspirated.
We want to keep that engine
for the future and that’s why
we’ve made such a tremendous
effort to get the engine right
without taking emotion and
performance away.”
Preuninger declined to reveal
which models would use the
updated engine, but a sensiblebet is the next-generation GT3.
The Speedster, a swansong
for the 991 generation of the
911, uses the same powertrain
as the existing GT3 but receives
a host of updates.
Preuninger said there were
three main focuses. The first,
increased throttle response
through individual throttle
bodies in each cylinder – similar
to the 911 GT3 R race car – has
the added benefit of improving
emissions. “It’s pure race
technology and I don’t think any
other car with a licence plate
offers it,” said Preuninger. The
other key areas were a 25%
increase in injection pressure
compared with the current GT
and a completely new exhaust
system that saves 10kg.
“It does not make it a
completely new engine but
it’s a generation-plus,” said
Preuninger, “and it complies
with very strict, upcoming
European standards.”
The Speedster’s engine
revs to 9000rpm, develops
495bhp and 346lb ft of torque
and is paired exclusively with
a six-speed manual gearbox. It
promises 0-60mph in 3.8sec
and a top speed of 192mph.
The Speedster is limited to
1948 units. UK allocation and
pricing are not yet confirmed.
RACHEL BURGESS
Trick engine for 911 Speedster
Clever atmo 4.0 destined for future GT Porsches
‘Exhilarating’ Genesis paves way for Honda Urban rival
THE NEW GENESIS Mint
concept could makeproduction in three to four
years, according to brand boss
Manfred Fitzgerald.
Speaking to Autocar at the
New York show, Fitzgerald
said: “I believe that there is
a white spot on the map [for
a car like this] that nobody
i s r e a l l y c a te r i n g to a n d i t ’s
something we should really
take a stab at.”
The Hyundai-owned
brand calls the Mint
“highly manoeuvrable and
exhilarating to drive”. The
concept, which could spawn
a Honda Urban EV rival, is
claimed to offer 200 miles of
range and is capable of 350kW
fast charging.
The Mint ditches a
traditional boot and instead
has a parcel shelf accessed by
scissor-style side openings.
The three-box design
features short front and rear
overhangs, wrap-around light
bands and a ‘crest’ grille with
an opening for cooling the
battery pack.
Inside, the centre console
can be folded, turning the
front bench into a sofa. There
is also automatic swivelling
of the instrument panel and
bench seat for easy access.
The oblong steering wheel
is surrounded by six screens,
while a seventh information
display is mounted flush with
the wheel itself.
Genesis currently focuses
on US and Asian markets, but
it intends to launch in Europe
in 2020. Fitzgerald told
Autocar last year the maker
will “focus on the UK” and
build right-hand-drive models,
including saloons and SUVs.
NEW SUBARU OUTBACK TOPS OUT WITH 256 BHP
The sixth-generation Subaru Outback, revealed at New York,
gains a new range-topping 256bhp turbocharged version of
the firm’s 2.4-litre four-cylinder boxer engine. It also gets
revamped infotainment and improved crash protection.
Genesis Mint concept
may make production
in three to four years
NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW
Speedster HeritageEdition: decals echo
1960s 356 racers