Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has taken the driving trials of the super sports car of the future a step further with completion of the initial prototypes. The 918 Spyder will go into production at the end of September 2013 as planned, with the first customers receiving their vehicles before 2013 is out. “What we are doing with the 918 Spyder is redefining driving fun, efficiency and performance,” said Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board Research and Development of Porsche AG.

The prototypes, their camouflage harking back to historical Porsche 917 racing cars, signal the final touches to the 918 Spyder. The focus is on the interplay between the highly sophisticated individual drive components. The combination of combustion engine and two independent electric motors – one on the front axle and one in the drive line, acting on the rear wheels – poses completely new demands on the development of the operating strategies. “They are therefore a critical component in this vehicle into which we have put all of our expertise and capacity for innovation,” said Wolfgang Hatz. These operating strategies and the development of the software to go with them are one of Porsche’s core competences. Both of them have a major influence on the extreme driving fun to be had with the 918 Spyder and they make possible a unique combination of minimal fuel consumption and maximum performance. The initial results of the driving trials are in line with the high expectations placed on the 918 Spyder.

The super sports car is designed as a plug-in hybrid vehicle combining a high-performance combustion engine with cutting-edge electric motors for extraordinary performance: on the one hand, the dynamics of a racing machine boasting more than 770 hp, on the other hand, fuel consumption in the region of three liters per 100 kilometers. Moreover, Porsche is breaking yet more new ground with the technology demonstrator with spectacular solutions such as the full carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque with unit carrier, fully adaptive aerodynamics, adaptive rear-axle steering and the upward-venting “top pipes” exhaust system. In the process, the 918 Spyder is offering a glimpse of what Porsche Intelligent Performance may be capable of in future.

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The world’s most fuel-efficient couple has done it again. John and Helen Taylor were determined to break the record for the farthest distance traveled on a single tank of fuel. They decided to attempt the record in the U.S. with a stock 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI Clean Diesel vehicle equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. The previous record for the most miles covered on a single tank of diesel was 1526.6 miles, achieved with a VW Passat 1.6 BlueMotion® diesel in Europe.

The result? A new record of 1626.1 miles, achieved on one tank of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel under real world driving conditions. That’s an incredible 99.5 miles better than the old mark. Over the course of three days and driving through nine states, the couple averaged 84.1 miles per gallon, spending only 4.65 cents per mile. The three-day drive commenced on May 3, 2012 in Houston, TX and ended on May 5, 2012 in Sterling, Virginia. To make the drive as realistic as possible, the couple included 120 pounds of luggage and drove during daylight hours to experience normal traffic situations. Additionally, the couple took turns driving and didn’t travel more than 14 hours per day.

“We’re excited to have broken the record for the longest distance driven on one-tank of fuel,” said John Taylor. “The Passat TDI was the perfect car for the trip. It offers plenty of interior and cargo space, yet is frugal enough to help us achieve this record.”

The Passat’s 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel inline four-cylinder engine produces 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque and with a manual transmission delivers an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 43 mpg on the highway. The TDI engine is equipped with a Selective Catalytic Reduction System (SCR) that fulfills emissions requirements in all 50 states. The Passat—built at the world’s only LEED Platinum certified automotive factory in Chattanooga, TN—was named Motor Trend’s 2012 Car of the Year.

“The Passat was engineered and designed to be a comfortable yet fun to drive alternative in the midsize segment. The TDI Clean Diesel version unites driving dynamics and fuel efficiency that isn’t found in the competitive set,” said Rainer Michel, Vice President of Product Strategy, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We’re honored that the Taylors chose the 2012 Passat TDI as the vehicle to set this outstanding distance record. Their record shows just how economical the Passat TDI can be in the right hands.”

Prior to the drive, the speedometer and odometer were calibrated by a state certified testing station in Houston, Texas. Law enforcement officers from the city of Houston, Texas oversaw validation of mileage, fuel fill-up, and gas tank sealing at the beginning of the drive. A Loudoun County, Virginia Sheriff’s Deputy verified completion of the drive and mileage prior to removing the fuel tank seal.

The Taylors have made a career out of driving efficiently and conducting workshops globally on fuel-efficient driving techniques. They have collected more than 90 world fuel economy and vehicle-related records from drives around the globe.

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The Lizards are ready for the six-hour American Le Mans Series Monterey race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the third event on the ALMS 2012 schedule. The driver lineup will be Joerg Bergmeister, Patrick Long and Richard Lietz in the No. 45 Flying Lizard Porsche and Seth Neiman and Marco Holzer in the No. 44.

The team is hopeful for a change of fortune at Laguna after a challenging start to the ALMS season which has left the normally front-running team far down in the points standings (read the Sebring and Long Beach race reports).

There’s no better place to jump start the Lizard’s season than Laguna Seca. Bergmeister and Long have won here the last three years in a row, in iconic races which featured some of the most dramatic racing in ALMS GT history.

Lizard chief strategist Thomas Blam explains, “The last three years here have been thrilling examples of how competitive ALMS GT racing is across so many manufacturers. Joerg and Patrick won each of those races by sheer will and a combined win margin over the three races by less than five seconds. The six-hour race seems to suit the drivers and the cars very well and the longer format allows strategy and skill to play as much of a role as straightline speed. This year the race has moved back to May, which could be colder than September. The circuit here is very low grip with a lot of sand and cooler temperatures will make it even worse. Our tire decisions here are going to be very important.”

Patrick Long added, “Laguna has certainly been good to us the last few years. It’s a home event and we appreciate the support of our friends and family here. I also like the six-hour race format: it’s the perfect blend of endurance and sprint. The trick at Laguna is to have a good-handling car: the surface is usually very slippery from the sand. The mix of high and low speed corners here make it very challenging and it requires compromise in both car setup and approach. Things can get wild here too – lots of yellows and each restart is an opportunity to gain or lose position. I am really looking forward to Saturday.”

- Flying Lizard

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A post-qualifying penalty took away a pole position from Nick Longhi and co-driver Matt Plumb on Friday but the No. 13 Rum Bum Racing Porsche Carrera driving duo would not be denied again in Saturday’s GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Kia 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The penalty sent Longhi to the rear of the 29-car Grand Sport (GS) class grid, but he carved his way through the field and comfortably into the top five by the end of his driving stint. Plumb picked up right where Longhi left off and finally found his way to the lead on Lap 23 of the 82-lap race.

Plumb maintained the lead through a number of restarts and was never challenged en route a 2.031-second victory over David Empringham. It was the second consecutive victory for Plumb and Longhi, who also won last month at Barber Motorsports Park.

“It was a challenging day,” Plumb said. “We started in the back and had a rules infraction with our rear wing. The good news is that the Speedway has a lot of passing zones and we were blessed with a lot of rain to start with. These last two weekends, we keep getting the most incredible breaks that go our way.”

Empringham finished second in GS alongside co-driver John Farano in the No. 83 BGB Motorsports Porsche Carrera followed by Bret Spaude and Andrew Aquilante in the No. 35 Subaru of America Subaru WRX-STI. Plumb and Longhi lead co-drivers Charles Putman and Charles Espenlaub – who finished sixth in the Kia 200 – by 10 points, 93-83, after three of 10 races.

Complete Results

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In the Autodromo do Algarve in Portimao/Portugal, Porsche customer teams from five European nations launch into International GT Open season on 27 to 29 April. In the Super GT category, teams from Germany, France and Spain field the new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, the top model of Porsche customer racing. The Italian and Austrian squads place their trust in the Porsche 911 GT3 R in the GTS class. The calendar of this attractive race series is made up of eight events on selective race tracks. One of them is the Nurburgring.

Inaugurated in 2006, the International GT Open features two races per weekend with identical points’ allocation – the first race on Saturday runs over 70 minutes, the second on Sunday over 50. Two drivers share the cockpit. One of the keys to success in the International GT Open is the stable technical regulations and the capping of costs, for instance through control tires. The Super GT class for more powerful vehicles is based on the FIA GT2 regulations, the GTS category on the FIA GT3 rules. A handicap system ensures more gripping racing at the head of the field. The top three drivers of each race are handed a 15, ten or five second penalty respectively for the following race.

“We’re thrilled that so many Porsche customer teams have chosen to race in the International GT Open,” says Uwe Brettel, Head of Sales at Porsche Motorsport. “Here, classic customer sport is contested by long-standing Porsche teams. We’re very pleased to see young, talented drivers using the 911 GT3 RSR and this race series to demonstrate their skill and boost their racing careers. Especially for such young drivers, the International GT Open is an excellent arena. The series has continued to evolve since 2006. Looking at the healthy entry list alone, we can see that this concept has worked.”

The French IMSA Performance Matmut team is keen to replicate its success from the 2010 season in the International GT Open, where after many successes, the French squad only narrowly missed out on taking home the title. Porsche supports the commitment of its long-standing partner from Rouen in northern France by dispatching works driver Patrick Pilet who will share the cockpit of the new 911 GT3 RSR with his French compatriot and team boss Raymond Narac. “The competition in the GT Open is unbelievably strong and tough,” he says. “You have to be totally focussed to be successful there. I’ve been driving for IMSA since 2009 and I’m looking forward to my new task. Our overall package is great and we should be in a position to secure victories and fight for the championship.” Raymond Narac, regarded in the GT scene as one of the best privateers, clinched the driver and team titles in the GTE-Am class of the Le Mans Series last year with the 911.

Another outfit to bring experience to the International GT Open is the Madrid-based Drivex Team, who last year won the team classification of the Spanish GT Championship. Sharing the cockpit of the new 911 GT3 RSR are Drivex owner Miguel Angel de Castro (Spain) and hobby driver Miguel Pais do Amaral (Portugal). Both have already celebrated many successes in GT racing. Back in 1994 at the age of 24, De Castro won the Spanish Porsche Carrera Cup. Amaral secured the LMP2 drivers title in the Le Mans Series in 2009.

For the German Manthey-Racing team, the International GT Open is unfamiliar territory. The crew under Olaf Manthey has made a name for itself with five overall wins at the Nurburgring 24 hour race. Manthey also fields a very promising duo in the cockpit of the new 911 GT3 RSR. The German team boss has contracted Nick Tandy, the champion of the Carrera Cup Deutschland. The Briton receives support from Porsche factory pilot Marco Holzer (Germany). Competing in this race series marks a first for the pair. “I can’t wait to drive for Manthey Racing in the GT Open,” says Holzer. “I believe that Nick Tandy and I are a strong pairing. It’s also wonderful to compete on such great circuits and that there are two races per weekend. It’ll be exciting that’s for sure. Our goal is to earn as many points as possible, make no mistakes and win the championship.”

The Italian team, Autorlando Sport, make a campaign for GTS class honors with a Porsche 911 GT3 R. The Italians have already gained experience in the International GT Open. In 2007, Autorlando Sport celebrated overall victory for drivers and teams with Porsche works driver Richard Lietz (Austria) and Joel Camathias from Switzerland. From 2008 to 2011, the Italians claimed the vice-championship in the GTS category. The cockpit of the 911 GT3 R is shared by Archie Hamilton (Great Britain) and Marco Mapelli (Italy). In the GTS Class, the Deboeuf Race Team from Austria fields a 911 GT3 R with Germany’s Marcus Seefried and Thomas Gruber (Austria) at the wheel.

As the top model of customer sport vehicles from Porsche Motorsport, the 911 GT3 RSR headed into the 2012 race season with extensive modifications. Particularly striking is the 48 millimeter wider body. The aerodynamic concept is complemented by a new ducting of the intake air. The particularly efficient six-cylinder boxer engine in the International GT Open version delivers significantly more than 500 hp. Improvements were also made to the Porsche 911 GT3 R model year. The engine performance rose by 20 to now 500 hp. Thanks to a 0.2-liter increase in capacity, the 911 GT3 R has 50 hp more than the Cup-911.

The website of the International GT Open offers live-timing as well as live-streaming. The respective time schedules, points’ standings and further information are also available on this website.

International GT Open – 2012 calendar

27/29.04 Algarve, Portugal
25/27.05 Nurburgring
22/24.06 Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
13/15.07 Brands Hatch, Great Britain
20/22.07 Paul Ricard, France
07/09.09 Budapest, Hungary
28/30.09 Monza, Italy
02/04.11 Barcelona, Spain

- Porsche Motorsport

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