IN
BRIEF
The 477kW
Cadillac
IT’S not the most powerful
four-door in the world (that’s
the Dodge Charger Hellcat)
but with 477kW/855Nm the
new Cadillac CTS-V isn’t far
behind. Its AMG-bashing
power comes courtesy of
GM’s new LT4 supercharged
6.2-litre V8, also used by the
Corvette Z06, which feeds
its rear wheels via an eight-
speed automatic gearbox.
The sprint from 0-100km/h
takes 3.7sec and flat out it’ll
do 322km/h. It’s also been
extensively tuned for circuit
use. Unfortunately, though,
the super sedan won’t be
built with a steering wheel
on the right-hand side.Aston’s GT
Vantage
ASTON Martin will reveal a
new hardcore track-focused
version of the Vantage
coupe at this year’s Geneva
Motor Show. Likely to based
on the current 421kW V
S, the GT3 is expected to
feature a stripped interior
and upgraded aerodynamic
package – with a large rear
wing and front splitter— in
a nod to the firm’s actual
GT3 racer. The front and rear
tracks are also expected to
swell with wider wheels and
tyres while bigger brakes
and modified bodywork will
also add to the list of serious
hardware. Power from the
5.9-litre V12 engine is tipped
to rise beyond 430kW.GT3 RS Spied
Pictures of Porsche’s new hardcore
911 hit cyberspacerecently solved one of the
biggest puzzles surrounding
the specification of the RS by
confirming it will debut a new
naturally-aspirated flat-six
engine. While he wouldn’t be
drawn on power figures, we’d
expect around 375kW.
Porsche’s seven-speed PDK
dual-clutch ’box is standard,
with paddles clearly visible
in the prototype, mounted
behind a steering wheel
lifted from the 918 Spyder.
Surprisingly, Hatz also stated
that Porsche hasn’t ruled out
offering a manual gearbox as
an option later in the car’s
life cycle.
The chassis will be sharper and
stiffer than the regular GT3, with
all the various race circuit addenda- cage, fire extinguisher, harnesses
- fitted standard. “The 991 GT3 was
very much a surprise for everyone
because it’s really usable for
everyday,” said Hatz. “The GT3 RS
will be more extreme.”
A
N eagle-eyed German car
enthusiast has revealed
Porsche’s next hardcore
911 via Instagram. Thanks
to social media, user johan9ff
(clearly a Porsche fan; 9ff is a well-
known 911 tuner) was able to share
this completely undisguised GT3 RS
prototype with the world.
Few details have been confirmed
about the latest version of MOTOR’s
2010 Performance Car of the Year,
but the photos reveal plenty about
Weissach’s latest road racer. Most
obvious is the incredibly aggressive
aero package the car wears.
As well that monster rear wing,
which looks like almost a straight
lift from the 991 Cup Car, there are
cheese grater-like air extraction
vents atop the front guards and
a subtle channel carved into both
the bonnet and roof, the latter
now sporting a ‘double bubble’
arrangement to provide clearance
for helmeted passengers.
Porsche’s head of research and
development, Wolfgang Hatz,The RS’s extra speed will
come from both the increase in
downforce courtesy of that wild
aero and a reduction in weight –
expect it to come in around 1380kg,
50kg less than the standard GT3.
The new 911 GT3 RS will debut at
March’s Geneva Motor Show.M