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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Edward Jones – July 23, 2021

Mecum Monterey 2021: 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Porsche mystique has forever been inexorably tied to and bolstered by the brand’s legendary success in motorsports, and many of its most illustrious road cars have shared parallel development with their racing brethren. The street-legal 2015 918 Spyder and its sister car, the purpose-built 919 Hybrid Porsche LeMans Prototype race car—winner of three consecutive FIA World Endurance Championships in 2015, 2016 and 2017—shared the same basic architecture with their carbon fiber monocoque chassis, longitudinal amidships engine placement, hybrid powertrain, lithium ion battery pack and multispeed sequential transmission. Designed and constructed within the same general time frame, the Porsche 918 Spyder would enrapture the automotive exotic car segment while the racing 919 Hybrid LeMans Prototype would prove victorious on the European and American racing circuits. This 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder has only 2,205 original miles and is finished in paint-to-sample Metallic White. The interior is appointed in Onyx Black leather and Alcantara with the iconic acid-green trim. Furthermore, it is optioned with the desirable Weissach package—a weight reduction strategy that goes to fanatical lengths to shave every conceivable ounce—that includes magnesium wheels with center-lock hubs, ceramic composite brakes and titanium chassis bolts. The plug-in hybrid with its RS Spyder LMP2-derived 4.6L direct fuel-injected engine, front electric drive, rear-mounted electric motor and lithium ion battery pack produces a combined output of 887 HP, enabling a factory-rated top speed of 217 MPH. Power is transmitted through a 7-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission, and the all-wheel drive suspension consists of a multilink rear axle with electric rear wheel steering and a front aluminum double-wishbone axle. It is factory equipped with nearly every conceivable option, including the glare-reducing interior package, a Burmeister Surround Sound System, two-zone Automatic Climate Control, a HomeLink system, front axle lift and carbon fiber removable roof panels. One of just 918 produced, this 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach represents Stuttgart’s answer to the latest generation of exotic supercars. This 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach will be auctioned off during Mecum Auctions’ Monterey 2021 event, which runs August 12 to 14. View Online Listing

By Edward Jones – May 14, 2021

RM Sotheby's Amelia Island 2021: 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder

Presented by RM Sotheby's - Images by Greg Keysar - Competing against the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1, the Porsche 918 Spyder proved to be able to hold its own against the very best that the automotive industry could muster. Utilizing premium materials, top-quality components, and cutting-edge technology, Porsche created a car that was not only stunning in its performance, but one that was equally stunning in its looks and sheer attention to detail. Cradled in a chassis constructed almost entirely of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic composite, the 918’s heart is a 90-degree V-8 based upon that found in Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 Le Mans prototypes. Thanks to its flat-plane crankshaft, titanium connection rods, four valves per cylinder, and dry-sump lubrication, it can rev to an ear-piercing 9,000 rpm. As a result, it puts out a 608 horsepower, which equates to an incredible 133 horsepower per liter of displacement. In addition to this, the 918 Spyder’s combustion engine is supported by a pair of electric motors, with one being mated to the engine itself and another providing drive to the front axle. These electric motors produce an additional 284 horsepower, bringing the 918 Spyder’s total output to 887 horsepower and 994 pound-feet of torque. All this horsepower is managed through Porsche’s tried-and-true PDK seven-speed transmission, and its delivery can be further refined through five driving modes, ranging from full electric to “Hot Lap,” which utilizes every ounce of available performance from the powertrain. Sixty miles per hour can be reached from a standstill in under 2.5 seconds, a time faster than both the McLaren P1 and the Ferrari LaFerrari, leading towards a top speed of 211 mph. Comparing performance figures between “the big three” showed that not only was the 918 the fastest to 60 mph, it also boasted the furthest electric-only range, lowest carbon dioxide emissions, and lowest fuel consumption. Of course, the brakes utilized to bring the car to a halt are just as mighty as the 918 Spyder’s gargantuan powertrain. Massive carbon-ceramic discs sitting behind the car’s lightweight alloy wheels measure at 410 millimeters in diameter at the front with six-piston calipers and 390 millimeters in diameter at the rear with four-piston calipers. Assisting the car’s handling and downforce are a handful of active aerodynamic features, including an adjustable rear wing, a pair of under-floor flaps in the nose, and further adjustable flaps in the headlamp area. SERIAL NO. 337 This 918 Spyder, serial number 337, has been beautifully outfitted from the factory with a number of desirable options—all of which brought the original retail price to nearly $900,000 USD. Clad in the classic Porsche color scheme of Meteor Grey Metallic over Garnet red leather with silver piping, this Spyder features a smattering of additional interior furnishings which include heated lightweight seats, an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, and Porsche’s “glare reducing packaging." Other desirable features include the front-axle lift system and set of distinctive, 21-inch lightweight magnesium wheels. The consignor ordered serial number 337 new through Porsche of Towson in Towson, Maryland. Delivered in December 2014, it now indicates just under 2,620 miles driven at the time of cataloguing. Accompanying invoices show a standard two-year intermediate maintenance regimen completed in March 2017 by Porsche of Towson which included a full fluid flush, new filters, am oil change, and a set of spark plugs for this Spyder’s combustion engine. 337 received its four-year major service in December of 2018 at the same dealer; accompanying invoices show that the car received a full suite of new transverse control arms, spark plugs, ignition coil packs, filters, and a complete fluid flush to the tune of nearly $8,000 USD. An annual oil change at Porsche of Towson followed in April of 2020, marking the most recent service to this meticulously maintained and rarely enjoyed 918 Spyder. The 918 is a unique example from within the Porsche portfolio as it bridges the gap between traditional, combustion engines and completely electric powertrains. Before the successful introduction of the totally electric Taycan for 2020, Porsche seemed unsure as to whether buyers, and especially enthusiasts, would seize on an electric car from Zuffenhausen. The company undoubtedly utilized the 918 to introduce electric power to enthusiasts, invigorate them, and also adapt its lessons to the development of the Taycan. With very few examples produced, the 918 Spyder’s collectability and allure seem destined to increase with Porsche’s continued successes in their electric vehicle development. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island auction, taking place 22 May during the world-renowned Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. In-person and remote bidding options are available; contact RM Sotheby’s to register to bid. View Listing

By Edward Jones – May 12, 2021

RM Sotheby's Amelia Island 2021: 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - Images by Theodore W. Pieper - Porsche’s Type 964–based Carrera RSR 3.8 of 1993 and 1994, built for European Pro GT racing and the North American Supercar Series, was a winner from the outset. The lightweight RSR 3.8 received its urge from a naturally aspirated, air-cooled six-cylinder Type 64/04 engine based on the 964’s 3.6-liter powerplant. Increased compression, twin ignition, individual butterfly valves for each cylinder, and Bosch electronic fuel injection produce an official 325 horsepower, but in reality, output was at least 375–390 horsepower. Torque was rated at 284 foot-pounds. A racing clutch delivered power to a five-speed manual transaxle with 40% limited slip. The body shells, constructed on the regular 964 assembly line, were all seam-welded and then sent to Matter for installation of fully triangulated roll cages. The RSR 3.8 featured light-alloy doors and front lids, and a steel engine cover strong enough to support the large fiberglass rear wing. Also included were lightweight front and rear bumper facias, lighter and thinner side and rear windows, uprated racing suspension, disc brakes from the Turbo S, and 18-inch center-lock modular alloy wheels from Speedline. These cars were equipped with a front strut brace, a 43-liter fuel cell, and a large oil radiator mounted in the nose. A single Recaro bucket seat with a six-point racing harness was provided, along with a fire-suppression system. When complete, the RSR 3.8 tipped the scales at a mere 2,673 pounds dry. Contemporary road testing demonstrated that the RSR 3.8 could accelerate to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and top 180 mph. Factory records indicate that there were 49 units delivered, in addition to a single pre-production test car and one factory race car. In the fall of 1994, an additional four cars were constructed, giving a total of 55, enough to satisfy FIA homologation requirements. CHASSIS 496069 As documented in the authoritative Porsche 964 Carrera RS 3.8 by Jürgen Barth, Norbert Franz, and Robert Weber, this example was completed in April of 1993, finished in Speed Yellow with black leatherette, and optioned with the RSR 3.8 package, five-speed gearbox with limited slip, Turbo-look body, a 43-liter fuel tank, Pirelli tires, racing seat, 18-inch RS Cup racing wheels, and unassisted steering. It was delivered to Otto Altenbach at Obermaier Racing in Leverkusen, Germany, with whom it made five recorded starts in the ADAC GT Cup series. This RSR 3.8 is believed to have then passed to a Japanese collector before returning to Germany, where Freisinger Motorsport gave it a complete cosmetic restoration and mechanical refreshing that included a bare-metal respray, a full transaxle overhaul, and a suspension and brake rebuild. A new clutch was fitted, and the engine fully serviced. In June of 2016, this car, then showing a minimal 14,779 kilometers (~9,183 miles), was sold to the previous owner. This RSR 3.8 appears to have been little used since its restoration and subsequent sale. Acquired by the consignor in 2019, the chassis now exhibits 14,793 kilometers (~9,190 miles) at time of cataloguing. Today RSR 3.8s occasionally appear in top-flight vintage events. Here is a rare opportunity to acquire a powerful and reliable factory-built RSR with a documented track history, perfect for display or track use in club or vintage race. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island auction, taking place 22 May during the world-renowned Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. In-person and remote bidding options are available; contact RM Sotheby’s to register to bid. View Listing

By Edward Jones – January 28, 2020

Government Seized Ferrari & Porsche Exotic Sports Cars Go...

Presented by CWSAMS High-performance sports cars from $2 billion IRS-CI case offered at auction The IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), AECOM and CWS Marketing Group are bringing to auction four seized exotic sport and track cars on February 5, 2020 in Austin TX. These highly desirable automobiles are some of the assets seized by IRS-CI as part of the $2 billion case against payday loan mogul and amateur race car driver Scott Tucker. see the details The auction will feature a rare 2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta with 229 miles, a 700-hp 2011 Ferrari 599xx track car, as well as two Porsche Supercars, a 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS and a very collectible 2005 Porsche Carrera GT. The incredibly rare Ferrari Aperta leads the lineup being 1 of only 80 made. The 80 produced were originally all sold prior to production even starting, ensuring this exceptionally low mileage, mint beauty to be high on Ferrari collectors’ lists. The live in-person and simulcast auction is being conducted by AECOM and CWS Marketing Group, and will take place at the world-class motorsports Circuit of The Americas (COTA) on February 5, 2020. Potential bidders can preview the cars at Ferrari of Austin on February 4, from 10:00am to 3:00pm, as well as on sale day at COTA. All interested parties can attend previews, but must register prior to attending. Auction participation requires a $25,000 refundable bid deposit. Auction details including videos of each car, can be found at cwsmarketing.com. Questions should be directed via email to service@cwsmarketing.com, or by calling 855-463-3183 ext 1. Further information can also be obtained by calling Nancy Robbins at 703-915-2388 or Sean Fraley at 714-264-5740. see the details Presented by CWSAMS Since 1990, CWS Asset Management & Sales (CWSAMS) has been a leader in auction management solutions with proven strategies that increase revenue, lower costs and enhance accountability for our clients.

By Edward Jones – January 11, 2019

WhatsApp Co-Founder's Porsche Collection Heading to Auction

Jan Koum, the co-founder of WhatsApp, is parting ways with a few of his valuable Porsche's during the upcoming Gooding & Co. Amelia Island auction. There are ten Porsches in this collection being offered, all of which are heading to the auction block with no reserve. “I am very excited to partner with Gooding to help find the next custodian for these wonderful machines.” says Koum. “Many of these Porsches offered for sale are the best examples in the world and they are all an important part of my collection. If I had unlimited time and unlimited garage space, I would never sell any of them, but nevertheless I’ll be very happy to see the next owner enjoy driving these special cars on the road or on the racetrack – just as Porsche intended for them to be used.” The event is happened on Friday, March 8 at 11 AM EST at Racquet Park, Omni Amelia Island Plantation. Here are the cars. 1966 Porsche 964 Carrera RS - Image by Mathieu Heurtault 1993 Porsche 964 Carrera RS - Image by Mathieu Heurtault 1995 Porsche 993 Carrera RS - Image by Mathieu Heurtault 2008 Porsche 997 GT3 RS - Image by Mike Maez 2010 Porsche 997 GT3 RS - Image by Mike Maez 2011 Porsche 997 GT2 RS - Image by Mike Maez 2011 Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0 - Image by Mike Maez 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder (Weissach) - Image by Mike Maez 2016 Porsche 911 R - Image by Mike Maez 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 - Image by Mike Maez Featured image by Mathieu Heurtault.All images copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company.

By Andrew Nabors – March 13, 2018

RM Sotheby’s Announces Porsche 70th Anniversary Sale

It has been seven decades since Dr. Porsche built 48 cars by hand in Gmünd, Austria. The first examples of the Porsche 356 were based on his father's Volkswagen designs, for which he was imprisoned in France for supporting the German war effort. Dealers were enamored with the nimble sports car, and they quickly signed up to sell Porsches. These agreements allowed the son to get his father out of France, and the rest is history.RM Auctions Returns to Fort LauderdaleTo celebrate 70 years of Porsche, RM Sotheby's has announced a unique opportunity. The Porsche 70th Anniversary Sale will feature 70 of the world's most sought-after Porsches. Their press release says it will take place on the weekend of October 27th, so get ready for southern hospitality. We were awed by their Amelia Island sale, which featured 11 pristine 964 series 911 cars, all from the same collection. Only a few hours north, this unprecedented event will take place in Atlanta, at the Porsche Experience Center. The home of Porsche Cars North America, this revolutionary facility is a must-see for any automotive enthusiast. Located at One Porsche Drive, it is home to a world-class 1.6-mile race track along with the best in cuisine from Restaurant 356.Vice President of Marketing Andre Oosthuizen said: “We are excited to open our doors to RM Sotheby’s exclusive Porsche only sale this coming October. Even before the full concept of our first Porsche Experience Center in North America saw the light of day, we realized the tremendous opportunities a facility like this would attract. In fact, in the three short years since our Grand Opening, we’ve hosted multiple major movie productions, have seen 115,000 enthusiasts come through our doors, opened the Porsche Classic Center, and created rotating displays in our Heritage Gallery. Our Porsche Experience Centers are a natural location for a classic automotive auction of this magnitude and we look forward to working closely with RM Sotheby's to ensure they and their guests have a successful weekend at our home in Atlanta."It is a straight shot on Interstate 75 so we will be there covering the event for you. If you would like to learn more, please click the link below and stay with us for all your Porsche news.Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – May 26, 2017

1996 Porsche 911 GT2 Evo Brings Big Money At Mecum

If a car auction has rare or fast machines, you will find us there and read about it here. That means we have enough auction credentials to make interesting artwork for the garage, but more on that later. Since we see what happens behind the scenes, there are good events, and also mediocre ones. Then there is Mecum. Even tuning in for coverage, you can easily see that everyone is having a great time with Dana Mecum and his team of fast-paced auctioneers. Porsche 993 For Sale Perhaps that's how he amassed some of the most coveted cars on earth to the Original Spring Classic. The star of their 30th-anniversary event was an incredibly rare Porsche 911. If you read our overview of the 993 series you probably know it was the last air-cooled design. It was also the introduction of the wild Porsche 911 GT2, a no-holds-barred twin turbo. The engine masters in Stuttgart managed to make 600 horsepower from a 3.6-liter flat-six, but it wasn't exactly street legal. So eleven race cars were built to take on the world. The GT2 class doesn't allow AWD, so the driveshaft and differential were left to the 'regular' 911 turbos. With 490 lb-ft of torque and a race-spec six-speed transmission, it was able to hit 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 187 mph. Porsche never disclosed the price for such power, which has only added to its appeal. That's why two bidders erupted into a war last weekend which ended with a hammer price of $1,450,000. To all the journalists who said the air-cooled market had softened, you might want to revise your résumé. A Porsche 911 GT2 RS is as close as most of us will get, so check out our listings and remember those who served this weekend.

By Edward Jones – August 15, 2016

152-Original-Mile Porsche Carrera GT Headed to Monterey

In 2004, Porsche dropped a bombshell known as the Carrera GT. To the world, this new supercar was a display of the extremes Porsche could go to. To German automaker, the Carrera GT was a prototype that they couldn't shelve.The Carrera GT for sale started off as a Le Mans prototype car with the designation of "9R3." It carried a 5.7-liter V10 engine that could produce 605 horsepower. For the early 2000's, this amount of power was incredible. Porsche planned on using the car in the 2000 Le Mans season, but due to the engineering team being pulled towards development of the Cayenne, Porsche abandoned the racing program for 9R3. But seeing the potential for the car, the automaker decided to just homologate the project as a production car: the Carrera GT.Introduced in 2004, as stated before, the German supercar took the world by storm. One of the first aspects noticed about the car was that it was made for the driver and the driver alone. Its racing heritage showed in the absence of electronic stability control and the need for constant attention. The Carrera GT is regarded as one of the most difficult cars to drive, this is because engineers wanted the car to be a pure driving experience. There is not automatic transmission; no electronic assists; no safety net. It's just the driver, the car and the road.This example, being offered by Mecum at their Monterey auction as Lot S74, has only 152 original miles. With such low mileage, this may be one o the closest-to-new examples of the German supercar available. It comes with a Basalt Black finish and a Dark Grey interior, giving the car a fitting sinister appeal. If you're interested in owning one of just 604 Carrera GT's imported into the U.S., and one that is nearly new, be sure to check out Mecum's showcase during Monterey Car Week starting August 18.View Lot Porsche For Sale Houston

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