So how much reliable power can you really get out of a 6 cylinder engine? Well it looks like Porsche aims to answer that question.

The new 2008 Porsche 911 GT2 (997 Body Style) has an astonishing 530 hp turbo charged 6 cylinder power plant that will sling shot it 0-60 mph in about 3.6 seconds with a top speed of about 204 mph. Another really impressive figure is the claimed 0-100 mph in 7.4 seconds.

Combining that incredible power with Porsche’s uncanny ability to put that energy to the road, the rear wheel drive GT2 will give any super car a run for its money.

The 2008 Porsche 911 GT2 (997 body) is expected to hit the states in early 2008 with a MSRP about $191,700.

Here is a video review:

So here it is the so-called Porsche Turbo killer the 2009 Nissan GT-R (Skyline). The Nissan GT-R will prove to be a real competitor with its super car performance.

Nissan is touting that the twin turbo V6 engine in the GT-R will produce 473 hp and 433 lbs of torque. This all wheel drive beast is said to do 0-60 mph in about 3.5 seconds and a top speed of about 192 mph.

The Nissan GT-R Skyline had nothing to prove with its already legendary handling. The only downside in my mind is the 6 speed GT6 dual clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the steering wheel without a manual transmission option.

Well until this rocket ship hits the States, the Porsche Turbo and the other monsters that already roam out streets are safe. But, with a rumored MSRP of $80,000, this could prove to be a real threat to the already kings of the hill.

The Porsche GT2 (996 model) defines what a super car should be able to do, go really fast for a long period of time. The Porsche GT2 is not a street car it is a track car that has been legalized for the road. Porsche took the already impressive Porsche 911 Turbo (996) platform and turned it into a super car.

It always amazes me how Porsche can make a 3.6 liter flat 6 cylinder engine produce such tremendous reliable horsepower. The Porsche GT2 packs an astonishing 456 hp and 457 lbs of torque which will rocket this race car from 0-60 in about 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 194 mph.

What makes the Porsche GT2 different than the Turbo? Well here are a few key distinctions:

• About 39 hp (Porsche 911 Turbo 996 has 415 hp).
• The Porsche GT2 has rear wheel drive and the Turbo has all wheel drive.
• About 350 lbs (the Porsche GT2 weights about 3150 lbs and the Turbo weights 3500 lbs)
• Lower to the ground. If you have a driveway with an incline or decline, you will probably rub if you attempt to pull a Porsche GT2 up or down it.
• 2 Seats (Porsche GT2 does not have rear seats like the Turbo)
• $65,500 difference in price (Porsche GT2 base MSRP was about $181,700 and the Turbo’s base MSRP was about $116,200)

With all of the above differences, Porsche created an absolute monster. Although the Porsche GT2’s are rare, current pricing is relatively reasonable (for a super car) since Porsche announced the release of the 997 GT2.

Some Porsche GT2 Video:

So you don’t like the new body style of the new E60 BMW M5 (2006 – present), but love the awesome performance that comes with it. Well, Dinan has a solution for you and it is call the E39 BMW M5 Dinan S3 (1999-2003 E39 body style).

Dinan took the already impressive E39 BMW M5 ’s V8 and super charged it to 621 hp and 502 lbs of torque. The idea of adding a supercharger to any car seems relatively simple, but keeping the car street able and maintaining any type of reliability requires a lot of engineering and knowledge. Dinan is known for their ability to add power while maintaining the reliability of a vehicle. Not only does Dinan increase the power of the E39 BMW M5 but also sets the vehicle up to handle the incredible power increase (221 hp over the stock 400 hp). According Dinan the S3 is capable of a top speed of around 191 mph.

So for about $70,000 plus a stock E39 BMW M5, you can have probably one of the fastest M5’s on the road and give exotics a real run for their money. Learn more about Dinan at Dinancars.com.

Here is a video from the M5Board.com of a Dinan BMW M5 S3 from the passenger seat.

Like its early 1970’s predecessor the New 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS promises to command the attention of collectors and true enthusiasts. Bearing the same graphics as the 1970’s RS this version was created with the same buyer in mind, the weekend race car driver.

The 2007 911 Porsche GT3 RS manages to squeeze 415 hp and 300 lbs of torque out of this Non turbo charged 3.6 liter, 6 cylinder engine. With this impressive power plant the new RS manages 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds and a top speed around 193 mph. Although the speed is impressive, the real distinction is the overall setup of the vehicle which makes the handling near legendary.

With production numbers limited to just a couple hundred vehicles, this RS should be in short supply. Porsche has a MSRP of $124,060 and customization options that can easily bring the price up another 20% +-, but with these limited production numbers, you may end up paying a lot more.

Some Video:

In 1987 a legend was born from an already impressive vehicle, the Porsche Ruf CTR “Yellowbird”. When this modified Porsche 911 Carrera was released, it absolutely thumped its competition. Reaching 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds and an astounding top speed of 211 mph, the Yellowbird was (and still is) a real super car.

The 1987 Porsche Ruf CTR Yellowbird truly defined the capabilities of an aftermarket company to take an already great car and make it spectacular. Weighting in at only around 2500 lbs this twin turbo neck breaking monster handled more like a race car then a refined sports car.

A true testament to this creation is the continued use as a comparison vehicle to new supercars. The industry still thinks of this vehicle as a benchmark.

Weight: 1550 kg(2535 lb)
Power: 469 hp@ 5950 rpm
Torque: 408 ft•lbf@ 5950 rpm
Specific output: Apprx. 137 horsepower per litre
Power to weight ratio: Apprx. 5.4 pounds per horsepower
0-60 mph: 4.0sec
0-125 mph: 11.4sec
Quarter mile: 11.7@ 133.5 mph
Top Speed: 211 mph

Video of the Porsche Ruf Yellowbird at Nürburgring:

So it would seem that Porsche has answered Captain Curts age old demand “We Need More Power”. The new Porsche 911 (997) Turbo is claimed to produce 480 hp and 457 lbs of torque from the legendary 3.6 liter 6 cylinder. Porsche claims that their new AWD monster will rocket 0 – 62 in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 193 MPH.

The new Turbo is expected to hit the market in July 2007. It will be offered with either a 6 speed manual transmission or a 5 speed Manumatic transmission. Most likely coming in at about $130,000, the new Turbo is a bargain in terms of its peers. The new Porsche 911 ( 997 ) Turbo is nothing short of beautiful and the performance will no doubt demonstrate that Porsche is truly one of the most desirable sports cars in the world.

So what makes a super car; is it the head turning effect or maybe the monster horsepower or maybe the incredible handling or maybe all of these things and more. Well the 2001 Porsche 996 (911) Twin Turbo has all of these traits and most definitely more.

(pictures from Porsche North America)

Right now the 2001 Porsche 996 twin turbo (911 turbo) is selling from the $60,000’s to low $70,000’s for a good example. Okay so this price range isn’t really that bargain basement, but compared to its peers it’s not bad. Consider this, a brand new Porsche Cayman S sells for about the same. Porsche ranks the Cayman S above the Porsche Boxster and below the Porsche 997 (Porsche 911).

Here are some specs to this incredible car:

• 0-60 mph in about 4 Seconds
• 0-100 mph in about 9.2 Seconds
• Top Speed: 189 mph
• Max Horsepower: 420 @ 6000 rpm
• Max Torque: 415 ft-lbs @ 2700 rpm
• Weight: 3395 lbs

This 6 cylinder 3.6 liter twin turbo monster definitely lives up to the super car status with the above specs. As for handling, did I mention that it is also AWD (all wheel drive). Now for the bad news, these cars are very expensive to fix, but so are most vehicles that can propel both your ego and your body this fast.

Here is the promotional video of the Porsche 996 Turbo

Wow a used car that you can buy right now that does 0-60 in about 4 seconds that sells in about the mid $30,000’s. Chevrolet has really out done themselves with the new Corvette Z06. Recently the new Corvette has taken the center stage in the automotive media (with over 500 hp and a new stylish body why wouldn’t it). This new Corvette is really a bargain (at about $65,000) compared to its peers. Now to me $65,000 is not a 3rd car for the average Joe. Now bring that figure down to the mid $30,000’s, and now this becomes a little closer to reality for the rest of us.

The 2002 Corvette Z06 is a super car with 405 hp that rockets 0 - 60 mph in about 4 seconds that you can have serviced at your local chevrolet dealership.

Okay so super car is a strong word, but look at some of these performance numbers for a 1978-79 car:

• 0-60 mph 4.9 Seconds (Road & Track)
• Top Speed 165 mph (Road & Track)

Here are some of its specifications:

• Max Horsepower: 265 @ 5500 rpms
• Max Torque: 290 ft-lb @ 4000 rpms
• Weight: 2867 lbs
• Engine Displacement: 3299 cc
• Transmission: 4 speed manual

With a mind blowing power to weight ratio for the late 70’s and its notorious turbo lag this super car was extremely difficult to drive. Some owners of the time where quoted in saying you should have to have driving lessons before you are allowed to buy this dream car.

Note:

In 1980 Porsche stopped selling the 930 (911 turbo) in USA. You may see early 1980’s Porsche 930s in the USA, but these would be classified as the grey market (imported into the USA by individuals and federalized). In 1986 Porsche reintroduced the 930 back into the USA market. The 1986 version has 282 hp @ 5500 rpms and weights 3044lbs. They produced the 930 until 1989. The 1989 Porsche 930 is the only model year that came with a 5 speed transmission.