Porsche shows off new metal

Four new cars will display in Paris

By PH Staff / Monday, 21 August 2006 / Loading comments

Porsche GT3 RS undergoes 'Ring tests

Porsche will show four new models at the Paris Motor Show “Mondial de l’Automobile”, from 30 September until 15 October 2006. Porsche was conspicuously absent from the London Show last month.

The metal on show for the first time includes the 911 Targa 4S, the 911 GT3 RS, the Cayman and the Boxster S with new engines.

R&D boss Wolfgang Dürheimer said: “We are delighted to be represented in Paris by these top-class new vehicles. The wide scope of the products shows that we are always working on further developing our sports cars and are continually searching for improvements.“

With the 325bhp 911 Targa 4 and the 355bhp 911 Targa 4S, Porsche is displaying two new versions of the 997 series, which for the first time are being offered exclusively with permanent all-wheel drive and a body 44mm wider at the rear. Like the 996, the cars boast a large glass roof and a foldaway rear window. The Targa 4S will reach dealers in November.

October sees the GT3 RS's European launch. Aimed at the race track, the high-revving engine of the RS has a displacement of 3.6 litres and produces 415bhp at 7,600 rpm -- it redlines at 8,400 rpm.

The Boxster and Boxster S also celebrate their public premiere in Paris. The Boxster's 2.7-litre engine now develops 245bhp, just five bhp up, although fuel consumption is down. The Boxster S engine, bored out to 3.4 litres from 3.2, develops 295bhp at 6,250 rpm -- 15bhp more than the previous model.

The new Boxster coupé Cayman -- it arrived last month -- was rolled out. The car, which may have characterised as disappointing and over-priced, has a 2.7-litre engine that develops 245bhp.

^{Photo by Sebastian Geisler}