Monday 2nd March 2009

Double Trouble

Two very serious new performance packages for Porsche 997

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There’s always something about a tweaked 997-variant Porsche 911 that’s hard to resist – so no excuses for offering this pair to chase away the Monday blues.

First up is the Sportec SPR1 M, a 911 Turbo-based machine that’s been rebuilt from the ground-up using carbon fibre wherever possible to maximise the power-to-weight ratio. Coupled to an engine upgrade that’s said to provide 858hp and 880Nm of torque, the performance is definitely going to be explosive. Sportec’s 800hp SPR1 has allegedly already been clocked doing 0-100kmh in 3 secs, 0-200kmh in 8.6 secs and 0-300kmh in 18.9 secs, so this lighter and more powerful ‘M’ version should break the 3 sec mark to 100kmh. Sportec aims to convert just 10 examples for customers this year, and will present its new model at the Geneva show this week.

The vision in yellow hails from the US, the home of Switzer Performance Innovations. Known henceforth as the L4 700/750 Tiptronic, the package takes a standard 911 Turbo and adds new management software, uprated variable-turbine-geometry turbochargers with matched intercoolers and an all-new exhaust system.

There’s no horsepower figure quoted, but we’re guessing the clue is in the name.
SPI does claim a 0-60mph time of 2.5secs and a top speed over 200mph for its car however, which is apparently a pussycat to drive compared to the 1000bhp version SPI also offers to owners bored with their standard 997s.

[KrissJ]

Hell fire, they'll be rapid! But I wonder what handling mods etc. are being undertaken to cope with those kind of power outputs? It's all too often that we see a fettled 911 that has all the grunt but is then shot down for ruining the handling.

I want a go though!

[Porscheman]

Wow! the Sportec 911 is one serious piece of kit, dread to think what it costs though!

[GingerWizard]

Lordy lord, that is insane.....

[tombstone]

splumpf! A lot of money, but 0-60 in 2.5??? flippin' 'eck thats quick!!

[996TT_STEVO]

IMHO absolutely pointless!

[dannyd]

oooohh YES,they've done it to me again, clean under garments please.

[leon9191]

996TT_STEVO said:

IMHO absolutely pointless!

Ok, good argument.

Silly statements aside, goes to show what the present 911 turbo is capable of.

The money these tuning firms through at the 911 must be crazy i wonder if they turn a profit?

[sc00byd00byd00]

Wonder what time it will do round the Ring ?

LOL

[robert_raw]

I am sure it could be incredibly fast around the ring, just don't fart midcorner as i am sure it will be the last fart you ever do.

[hornetrider]

That SPR1 looks the proverbial testes!

[996TT_STEVO]

Any road going car which makes 750/800 brake will be virtually impossible to stick on any track.

You put that up against a standard GT3RS around the Ring, I bet it will lose!

These cars are made for for drag not track.

[RobCrezz]

996TT_STEVO said:

Any road going car which makes 750/800 brake will be virtually impossible to stick on any track.

You put that up against a standard GT3RS around the Ring, I bet it will lose!

These cars are made for for drag not track.

I bet £100 it wouldnt.

The 997 turbo is already pretty good round the bends, how is 800bhp going to make it corner slower? The accellerator pedel isnt on/off... On the straights its going to be rapid, and the AWD should get the power down well.

[Silver993tt]

996TT_STEVO said:

Any road going car which makes 750/800 brake will be virtually impossible to stick on any track.

You put that up against a standard GT3RS around the Ring, I bet it will lose!

These cars are made for for drag not track.

Also looks alot lighter than the standard 997 turbo, so should improve the handling even moreso.

"the Sportec SPR1 M, a 911 Turbo-based machine that’s been rebuilt from the ground-up using carbon fibre wherever possible to maximise the power-to-weight ratio."

[willcrookz]

996TT_STEVO said:

Any road going car which makes 750/800 brake will be virtually impossible to stick on any track.

You put that up against a standard GT3RS around the Ring, I bet it will lose!

These cars are made for for drag not track.

I'd bet 50k it wouldn't.

[Dagnut]

996TT_STEVO said:

IMHO absolutely pointless!

The point is to go faster.

[996TT_STEVO]

The car is set up for speed not a circuit track car similar to what 9ff do... granted if it was set up for track it will obviously be quick but in it's current set up I doubt it will be way quicker.... look at it's stance... 800 brake!!!... the rear end will be all over the place!



Similar to this useless thing!

[Dagnut]

but it will be faster.

[996TT_STEVO]

Dagnut said:

but it will be faster.

Agreed... Straight line!

[LCR270]

996TT_STEVO said:

Dagnut said:

but it will be faster.

Agreed... Straight line with some twisties!

I agree completely, much faster round corners or straight lines

Now stop moaning about someone being creative and supplying a few select lucky owners a very special bit of kit - each to their own, don't mock it till you've tried it ;-)

Chin up

[graeme36s]

996TT_STEVO said:

Any road going car which makes 750/800 brake will be virtually impossible to stick on any track.

You put that up against a standard GT3RS around the Ring, I bet it will lose!

These cars are made for for drag not track.

+1. Unless it's running sticky slick tyres your wasting your time. Normal road tyres cannot cope with that amount of torque or HP. To make those sort of numbers it has to be running 1.6 bar of boost if not more. At this level the boost becomes very on off and difficult to contain. As a genuine example, lets say you are in a 500bhp 911 that you know from 2nd gear upwards will grip and go, even if it gets a little sideways. Having driven a 993TT in europe with 630bhp and 1.5 bar of boost on damp roads it would light all four wheels up in fifth gear. If you are at any circuit and you need to feed the power in very gingerly because it will be going backwards if not, a 911 with good hp and torque that you know will maintain its grip will just walk a way from you. I think the Honda advert said it all. Power is nothing without control.