opulent wheeling

Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S : First Look

2014-11-02T03:01:00.001-08:00

Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S

We've just crowned the Porsche 911 Carrera S our 2012 Motor Trend Best Driver's Car, but you can be assured the engineers in Stuttgart (while no doubt delighted) aren't even remotely done. They're busy remixing "the best 911 yet." As with the 997-generation model before it, a parking lot full of 991 series variants are on the way, starting with the all-wheel drive 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S making their world debut at the 2012 Paris auto show. Other than the latest version of Porsche's all-wheel drive system, most of the other mechanical bits of the Carrera 4 and 4S are identical to that of the fantastic new 911, including the suspension, brakes, electromechanical steering, and flat-six engine out back. That means both cars will be powered by the same direct-injected flat-sixes used in the their rear-drive siblings, with the Carrera 4 getting a 3.4-liter engine rated at 350 hp and 287 lb-ft of torque and the 4S fitted with the 3.8-liter mill making 400 hp and 325 lb-ft. A seven-speed manual is standard transmission for both models, with Porsche's PDK seven-speed dual-clutch automatic available as an option. All told, the numbers represent a power boost of 5 and 15 hp respectively over the outgoing 4 and 4S models.

In addition to more horses, Porsche made sure the 991 Series 911 was also lighter. The automaker claims the new 4 and 4S are up to 143 pounds lighter depending on the equipment and body style (both will be offered as a coupe or convertible). Porsche claims the 4S coupe will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds, a couple of ticks better than the outgoing car, although the automaker doesn't specify which transmission achieved that time. The PDK-equipped Carrera S coupe is also estimated at 4.1 seconds, although we recorded a 3.7-second time during the 2012 Best Driver's Car test runs. We expect to see the advantages of the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system on our figure eight course. The rear-drive Carrera S posted an excellent time of 24.2 sec @ 0.84 g, we should see similar or better numbers from the all-wheel drive cars. The latest version of PTM will no doubt come in handy should you get too overzealous on your favorite canyon road.

Like the outgoing models, unique visual cues will include rear fenders widened by 0.87 inches each, pulled out to accommodate the wider rear tires (stretched by 0.4 inches). A red light bar is placed above the central 4 or 4S badges, and is flanked by the two slender taillights. Inside, a new menu can be found on the instrument cluster display, which shows how the PTM system is distributing power to the wheels. Additionally, Porsche is using the 4 and 4S to debut a few new upgrades that will also trickle down to the rear-drive 911s, including the automaker's adaptive cruise control system as part of its Porsche Active Safe suite of collision avoidance technologies (PDK models only). And models with the manual transmission and Sport Chrono pack also receive a new Sport Plus mode feature that automatically double-declutches on downshifts.After the latest 911 variants debut at next month's Paris auto show they're expected to reach U.S. showrooms in February.

The Carrera 4 will start at $91,980 for the coupe and $103,880 for the cabriolet (including $950 destination fee). The 4S coupe and convertible will begin at $106,580 and $118,480, respectively. So which new 911 variant can we expect next? We're not sure, but now that the all-wheel-drive foundation has been laid, it's only a matter of time before Porsche adds a turbo or three.

THE R WITH MORE OOMPH! THAN BEFORE

2012-03-20T22:21:00.000-07:00

The 2013 Agera R is the result of Koenigseggs endless persuit for perfection.

The 2013 model features new Aircore hollow carbon fiber wheels, uprated power and enhanced aerodynamics. The Agera R has an incredible top
speed of approximately 440 km/h (273 mph).
Recent Records for the Agera R: 0-300 km/h in 14.53 sec, 300-0 km/h in 6.66 sec, 0-200 mph in 17.68 sec, 200-0 mph in 7.28 sec.
The Agera R is the only roadster Hypercar with a detachable and stowable hardtop, bringing the best of two worlds. This in combination with
120 litres of luggage space, truly combine extreme performance with everyday usability.

The 2013 Agera R has all the features and functionalities of previous year models, but also features new and unique solutions to enhance
performance and visual appearance even further.
Example of these enhancements are; Visible carbon area on the front bonnet and bumper, new front side winglets, revolutionary Aircore
carbon fiber wheels, the new Aero exhaust, the increased power and the raised rpm limit.
Koenigsegg was the first Hypercar manufacturer to take steps toward green technology with the release of the biofuel CCXR in 2007. The
Agera R, based on the highly competitive Agera, follows in the footsteps of the CCXR as it also runs on E85 biofuel.
Among many differences to the standard Agera, the Agera R has an upgraded fuel and engine management system with enough flow capacity to
generate 1140 hp and 1200 nm of torque on E85 and E100 biofuel. As there is less energy content per given volume in these biofuels compared
to normal petrol, the fuel-system has to manage a flow that is similar to a 2000hp petrol engine, which means that the Agera R’s return-less
fuel system has the highest capacity of any car presently in production.
As the Agera R is a flexfuel car, it can also be run on normal petrol. As 95 octane fuel has less octane than E85, the power is reduced to
960hp with 1100nm of torque due to the boost pressure and ignition timing being altered to match the fuel characteristics.
In order to give the Agera R maximum flexibility when it comes to power delivery, Koenigsegg has implement the latest technology when it
comes to turbo materials and design. This reduces the inertia of the turbine wheel and axle and therefore gives improved response.

RECORDS

2011: 0-300-0 km/h record. Time: 21.19sec. Guinness World Record.

Model: Agera R. Driver: Robert Serwanski. Koenigsegg proving ground

2011: 0-200-0 mph record. Time: 24.96 sec.