USA - Manthey-Racing is presenting the Porsche GT4 Clubsport MR at the Total 24 Hours of Spa.

After the successful Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport launch, Manthey-Racing is presenting the Porsche GT4 Clubsport MR at the Total 24 Hours of Spa. The vehicle, based on a Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport racecar has been fitted with a comprehensive upgrade kit developed by Manthey-Racing. 

With the upgrade, the vehicle qualifies as an SRO-homologized GT4 racing car, thereby allowing it to participate in national and international races in the GT4 category.

GT4 race series are gaining in popularity internationally. They provide for high quality, nail biting competition while simultaneously offering an attractive price-performance ratio.

The technical highlights of the upgrade package include lightweight elements such as carbon fiber doors, carbon fiber front bonnet, a polycarbonate windscreen and an optional lightweight battery, which reduces the vehicle weight by around 40kg (88 pounds). 

The two-way adjustable race suspension kit with linear bearings and an adjustable sway bar with blade adjustment further improves driving dynamics and adjustability. Performance optimization is rounded off with a rear wing larger than that of the basic vehicle, combined with extended wing brackets.

In the North American market, the Porsche GT4 Clubsport MR and Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport upgrade kit will be distributed exclusively by Porsche Motorsport North America. The car will be eligible for Pirelli World Challenge GTS class competition and in IMSA’s Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS class.

Jens Walther, president/CEO, Porsche Motorsport North America.

“We welcome the updated Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport package into our offerings for motorsport customers in North America. Customer racing is the structure on which all sports car racing is built, and as the GT3 and ACO classes become more manufacturer-oriented, the GT4 category provides a more attainable entry point to compete in sports car racing.”

Porsche has added a new sports car to its fleet: The Cayman GT4 Clubsport celebrated its world premiere today.

Porsche has added a new sports car for recreational and club racing to its fleet: The Cayman GT4 Clubsport celebrated its world premiere today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. 

The 283 kW (385 hp) mid-engine racer for motorsport newcomers, which is not road homologated, is based on the successful street-legal Cayman GT4 sports car. Sales of the racing car start with the unveiling at the trade show.

Just like its exceptionally race-worthy production sibling, the Cayman GT4 Clubsport is powered by a 3.8-litre flat-six engine, positioned directly behind the driver’s seat. 

The racing version exclusively features a modified six-speed Porsche double clutch transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel and a mechanical rear-axle locking differential specifically for racing. 

The lightweight strut front axle is taken from its big 911 GT3 Cup brother, which is campaigned in Porsche’s 20 one-make championships around the world. Working at the rear is an enhanced lightweight strut suspension with transverse arms adopted from the 911 GT3 Cup. 

The impressively dimensioned racing brake system features 380-millimetre steel brake discs all round. Fitted at the front are one-piece, six-piston aluminium fixed callipers, with a four-piston equivalent at the rear. The anti-lock brake system can be adjusted in twelve stages. 

The Electronic Stability Programme has been expanded for slicks. The power steering is operated electro-mechanically.

Tipping the scales at just 1,300 kilograms, the Cayman GT4 Clubsport, delivered ex-works with a welded-in safety cage, a racing bucket seat as well as a six-point harness, is truly lightweight. 

The basic version is equipped with a 90-litre standard tank, with an optional 70-litre or 100-litre FT3 safety tank available. Mounted at the front axle are 18-inch five-bolt forged rims with Michelin tyres (25/64-18), with 18-inch five-bolt forged rims at the rear with 27/68-18 tyre dimensions.

The new Cayman GT4 Clubsport, which is available from 111,000 euro plus country-specific VAT, can be ordered immediately from Porsche Motorsport in Weissach. 

For 2016, homologation is planned for race series such as the VLN Long Distance Championship Nürburgring, the SRO GT4 series, the Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA, the Ultra 94 GT3 Cup Challenge Canada and for club races run by the Porsche Club of America, as well as for other club-level meetings around the world.

FRANKFURT - Golf GTi Clubsport model to début at Frankfurt & to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of the GTi.

• 265 PS anniversary model accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds
• A boost function increases power output to over 290 PS for a short time
• Expressive exterior with new front bumper, side skills, rear diffusor and multi-part roof spoiler

At the beginning of next year, the icon of the sporty compact class – the Golf GTI – is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Volkswagen will mark this historic event with a progressive special edition: the new Golf GTI Clubsport. 

Now Volkswagen is presenting the production version of the new Golf GTI Clubsport at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt and offers a first look ahead at the driving performance of the most powerful production GTI ever.

The inventor of the “GTI” is thus continuing the tradition of GTI anniversary models, as exclusive special editions also marked the 20th, 25th, 30th and 35th birthdays. The turbocharged direct-injection engine in the anniversary model delivers an output of 195 kW / 265 PS , 35 PS more than on the previous most powerful Golf GTI. That, however, is far from all. For a short time – approximately 10 seconds each time – the driver can increase engine power by an additional 10 per cent to over 290 PS using a boost function. 

This added power is activated simply by kicking down the accelerator.

The Golf GTI Clubsport sprints to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds with a 6-speed manual gearbox; the optional 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) is even faster at 5.9 seconds.The Golf GTI Clubsport has a top speed of 250 km/h (DSG: 249 km/h). A look at fuel economy shows just how efficiently the sports car converts engine power into propulsion. 

With a manual gearbox, consumption is 6.9 l/100 km (equivalent to 160 g/km CO₂); if power is transferred to the front wheels by DSG, the figure comes in at 6.7 l/100 km (155 g/km CO₂).

Not only has Volkswagen given the anniversary model's engine more power, it has also extensively revised the design, equipment and aerodynamic fine-tuning of the anniversary model. 

Due to the high power output and significantly improved downforce, the dynamic performance of the Golf GTI Clubsport propels it into the domain of top-class motorsport. This results in ground breaking handling properties at high speeds and breath taking cornering speeds.

The Golf GTI Clubsport is painted in “Oryx White” (other colours are available); as a contrast, the roof area comes in black. 

The Volkswagen exterior designers created a completely new front bumper, new side sills, a new rear diffuser, a new multi-part roof spoiler and exclusive forged alloy wheels for the anniversary model. These features immediately make the anniversary model stand out from the familiar GTI models.

In terms of style, the side profile of the Golf GTI Clubsport is based on the original GTI version. To put this in context: the first generation was characterised by a wide black trim stripe on the side between the front and rear wheel arches at bumper level. 

This stripe has now been transferred to the side area of the anniversary model, paying homage to the 1976 Golf GTI, and is enhanced with the lettering “Clubsport”. The black trim stripe is continued towards the front in the new air deflector element of the front bumper. 

The optional “Bresica” 19-inch alloy wheels designed especially for the new Golf GTI Clubsport make a further dynamic statement. The anniversary model is equipped as standard with forged 18-inch alloy wheels that are also newly designed. A fine detail on the side are the high-gloss black door mirror caps.

The redesigned roof edge spoiler, perfected in the wind tunnel, is much larger than its counter part on the current GTI. There is a narrow air gap between the roof area that is entirely in black and the wing-like spoiler placed above it. The roof spoiler in high-gloss black and “Oryx White” projects upwards above the roof line. 

The lower rear section has also been individualised. Seen diagonally from behind, it is noticeable that the line of the wrap-around splitter of the side line (below the sill) is continued in the large rear diffuser that is a new development. Here, too, the colour is high-glass black. 

The redesigned and chrome-plated tailpipes of the twin-pipe exhaust system have been elegantly integrated in the diffuser; the diameter of the tailpipes is much larger than on the familiar Golf GTI models. The LED rear lights come in dark black-red.

The interior features iconic details that are essential for every GTI; they include the ergonomic sports seats with a tailor-made look featuring tartan fabric upholstery, red top stitching, a gear knob in golf ball design and a black headliner. 

These insignia of sportiness have been individualised or modified for the Golf GTI Clubsport. Accordingly, the anniversary model features folding racing bucket seats instead of sport seats. 

The seats are partially covered with Alcantara and feature a honeycomb pattern in the area of the back rests and seat cushions; the backrest also incorporates “GTI” lettering. A red line enhances the seat belts. 

New trim strips in “Honeycomb 40” design (instrument strip, centre console and doors) give the interior an even more exclusive appearance. Sporty decorative features include Alcantara trim on the gear lever, new lenses on the gear knob, the Alcantara sport steering wheel (with GTI emblem, red seam and 12 o'clock marking) and customised floor mats with red edging. 

When the driver and front passenger open the doors, they see the exclusive stainless steel door sill plates with red GTI lettering.

Golf GTI Club sport fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6,9 - 6,7 (combined), CO_2- emission in g/km:160 -155 (combined)

Vauxhall celebrates 25 years of sporting super saloons, and they just keep getting better.

This year, Vauxhall is celebrating the 25^th anniversary of one of its most famous and dramatic models, the Lotus Carlton, which started a long tradition of Griffin-badged performance saloons that still survives today.

The Lotus Carlton was the fastest four-door saloon in the world when it was launched in 1989, 65 years after Vauxhall produced Britain’s first 100mph road car.  With 377bhp from its straight-six, twin-turbocharged engine, the Carlton could achieve the 0-62 sprint in 4.9 seconds and would go on to a top speed of 176mph. Its chassis was developed and fine-tuned by Lotus, resulting in a highly dynamic car with the handling capabilities and top speed to keep up with the finest supercars of the day.

A total of 440 Lotus Carltons were produced from 1989 to 1994 as a joint project between Vauxhall and Lotus, with each car costing an eye-watering £48,000.

“Everyone at the time said it was completely inappropriate for a manufacturer like Vauxhall to launch a 176mph car,” said Stuart Harris, current Head of Carline Brand at Vauxhall, but a key member of the Lotus Carlton’s launch team back in the eighties. 

“It was better than the competition in every conceivable way and will go down as one of the most iconic Vauxhalls of all time. It was landmark product for Vauxhall, which to this day is still much loved. It introduced the brand to people who would not have considered driving a Vauxhall before. The car put a question mark in people’s heads and got them talking – just like the cars in today’s VXR range do.”

After the Lotus Carlton there were talks of a successor, but the project did not go ahead, meaning the 3.0-litre quad-cam engined Omega produced from 1993 to 1997 became the final large performance saloon for Vauxhall through the rest of the 1990s.

By the early 2000s, though, large performance cars were firmly back on Vauxhall’s agenda thanks to the all-new VXR range. In 2007, it spawned the 420PS VXR8 saloon, based on sister-company Holden’s Clubsport R8. All of a sudden Vauxhall had BMW and Mercedes in its sights, and with good reason: the VXR8 produced an impressive 420PS from its 6.0-litre V8 engine and managed the 0-60 sprint in under five seconds.

But there was more to come. The supercharged limited edition Bathurst S joined the VXR8 range in 2009 costing less than £45,000, making it the least expensive car with 500PS+ at the time. The car developed a colossal 577PS and 720Nm of torque, with the V8’s grunt and supercharger’s whine providing a truly spine-tingling soundtrack. 

All of this power teamed with an array of performance modifications over the standard car, made the Bathurst an astonishingly fast and capable performance saloon, equally at home on the road or the track. 

Vauxhall’s latest incarnation, the VXR8 GTS, produces 576bhp in its current form - more power than its main rivals the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG, yet costing a substantial £20K less.

“It’s all about driving pleasure and the ownership prospect. With our performance saloons we like to show that we can be different and not do what everyone expects,” said Harris.

“If you ask anyone today what they’d include in their top-ten list of super saloons, the Lotus Carlton will always feature. Even in 2015 its performance is pretty special, but 25 years ago it was truly earth-shattering. And just like the Lotus Carlton, our current VXR range makes people reassess their preconceptions of Vauxhall and allows them to see the brand in a very different light.”    

Vauxhall celebrates 10 years of VXR in the United Kingdom, with best ever range.

• New VXR8 GTS completes 2014 VXR range as it celebrates 10 years in UK market
• VXR range offers more power per pound than almost any other performance brand
• Two iconic pre-VXR performance Vauxhalls also mark significant anniversaries in ‘14

Vauxhall’s VXR brand has come of age in 2014 with the latest addition of the mighty VXR8 GTS marking ten years since the VXR brand made its debut on UK shores.

With total sales now exceeding 20,000, the VXR range has been embraced by UK car enthusiasts, who have built up a loyal following to the brand. As a result, Britain has always been the leading market in Europe for Vauxhall/Opel performance cars, known as OPCs in other countries.

There are currently five cars in Vauxhall’s VXR range: the Corsa VXR, the 210PS Corsa VXR ClubSport, the 280PS Astra VXR, the 325PS Insignia VXR and the 576PS VXR8 GTS. With a combined power output of nearly 1,600PS, there are few performance car ranges that offer so much power per pound.

The first cars to bear the VXR nameplate were the VXR220 and the Monaro VXR, both of which were launched at the British Motor Show in Summer 2004. Number One VXR220 still resides in Vauxhall’s Heritage Centre, while the Monaro VXR – ‘…a true rear-wheel drive car for enthusiasts’ – was 40 per cent cheaper than a BMW 6-series at launch, yet developed 330PS from it 5.7-litre V8 engine.

But sports cars and rear-drive coupes haven’t been the only models subjected to VXR makeovers. The Zafira and Meriva MPVs were unlikely candidates, but proved that up to 240PS in a front-wheel drive people-carrier needn’t be an unruly experience. Chassis development at the Nordschleife helped, as did a raft of cabin upgrades, including Recaro front seats.

More recently, models like the Astra VXR and Corsa VXR ClubSport have adopted sophisticated differential technology to cater for ever increasing power outputs. Manufactured by Drexler, the units help power to be applied more effectively through bends, giving the impression that driver is being pulled towards the apex under power.

And technological innovation is now the VXR bedrock. Torque Vectoring and magnetorheological damping (VXR8 GTS), adaptive all-wheel drive (Insignia VXR), FlexRide adaptive damping (Astra and Insignia VXRs), as well as generous levels of standard equipment in all VXRs have made the range a firm favourite with British enthusiasts.

This year also marks the anniversaries of two iconic performance Vauxhalls that never wore the VXR badge. Launched in 1989, both the Calibra and Lotus Carlton are now celebrating their first quarter-century. The Calibra was unveiled at the Frankfurt show, and with a Cd of just 0.26, it became the most aerodynamic car in its class, which when combined with up to 200bhp and all-wheel drive in later models, made it a credible rival for cars like the Sierra Cosworth and Lancia Delta Integrale. The Calibra was produced until 1996, by which time over 40,000 had found homes in the UK.

More than 65 years after producing Britain’s first 100mph road car, Vauxhall proved that it was still adept at causing a stir in the performance car world when it launched the fastest four-door saloon in the world: the Lotus Carlton.

With 377bhp from its twin-turbcharged, straight-six engine, Vauxhall’s super-saloon could crack 176mph and accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds. And with a chassis developed with Lotus Engineering, the Lotus Carlton was an assured and finely balanced car that was equally adroit on fast British A-roads or belting along de-restricted Autobahns.

And 25 years on, perhaps the Lotus Carlton has finally met its match with the latest VXR8 GTS… Either way, the VXR range continues to go from strength to strength.

10 years of Vauxhall VXR models

Summer 2004 – VXR 220 & Monaro 5.7 VXR

August 2004 – Monaro 6.0 VXR

October 2005 – Astra VXR

November 2005 – Vectra VXR & Zafira VXR

January 2006 – Meriva VXR

March 2007 – Corsa VXR

June 2007 – VXR8

September 2009 – Insignia VXR

March 2011 – VXR8 E3 Saloon and Maloo

August 2011 – Corsa VXR Nurburgring

July 2012 – Astra VXR

April 2013 – Insignia VXR SuperSport

March 2014 – VXR8 GTS & Corsa VXR ClubSport

The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept - YES PLEASE !

S3 Saloon-based concept car features a blistering 2.5 TFSI five-cylinder engine producing a colossal 525 PS and 600Nm

• Board Member for Development Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg: “Extreme power and dynamics in compact format”
• 2.5 TFSI engine developing 525 PS and 600Nm – 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds, 192 mph top speed, 1,527 kg
• Wörthersee Meeting in Reifnitz, Germany from May 28–31

The Audi S3 Saloon surrenders to the Wörthersee treatment this month, swapping its already potent 300PS output for a mighty 525PS and metamorphosing into the A3 clubsport quattro concept for the annual meeting of fans of the Volkswagen Group brands in Reifnitz, Germany (May 28-31).

Adding 600Nm of torque to the mix courtesy of a 2.5-litre, five-cylinder TFSI engine which replaces the S3 Saloon’s four-cylinder TFSI, the A3 clubsport quattro concept will be the Audi star of a show that will also include the 420PS Audi TT quattro sport concept and a host of other Audi models.  

“The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept shows our car and tuning fans at the Wörthersee just how much sporty potential there is in the A3 family and in our top‑of‑the‑line engines such as the 2.5 TFSI. We have pushed the limits in every respect with this show car: power, dynamics, sound, design,” says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development.

The powerful five‑cylinder TFSI engine is already available in the first ever SUV to wear the renowned RS badge – the RS Q3. The turbocharged engine with direct injection boasts an impressive CV - since 2010, it has been voted “International Engine of the Year” in its category four times in succession.

192mph potential

In the show car, the 2,480 cc five‑cylinder unit has a specific output of 211 PS per litre, and combined with a kerb weight of 1,527kg the power-to-weight ratio of the concept stands at an impressive 343.8PS per ton. The 600 Nm (442.5 lb‑ft) torque peak is available between 2,300 and 6,000 rpm, pushing the A3 clubsport quattro concept from 0 to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds on the way to a top speed of 192 mph. Extensive modifications make this extreme performance possible. These include a large turbocharger with up to 1.5 bar of relative boost pressure and a modified intercooler.

The basic concept behind the five‑cylinder already makes it a special engine. The 1-2-4-5-3 ignition sequence gives it its own unique rhythm, which in the A3 clubsport quattro concept is reinforced by an intake and exhaust system designed for maximum throughput. The characteristic sound of this TFSI engine is a throaty snarl. In addition to its distinctive sound and technology, the 2.5 TFSI also looks stunning set beneath its carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) bonnet.

 

The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept features a seven‑speed S tronic transmission with a compact three‑shaft layout. Its tall seventh gear reduces fuel consumption, and the final gear ratio has been modified accordingly. The driver can allow the dual‑clutch transmission to work fully automatically in modes D and S or choose to change gears manually using the paddles on the steering wheel or the shift lever. A launch control function manages starts with maximum power and controlled wheel slip.

The heart of the quattro all‑wheel drive system is a hydraulically activated, multi‑plate clutch on the rear axle that has been specially designed for the high torque of the powerful five‑cylinder. Like the engine management system, its electronic controller is integrated into the Audi drive select driving dynamics system for the best configurable dynamics in any situation required by the driver.

The clutch can direct a portion of the torque from the front to the rear axle if the driver turns sharply into a corner. Its advanced chassis enables the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept to deliver its tremendous power to the tarmac with impressive control and composure.

Aluminium components in the front MacPherson suspension reduce the weight of the unsprung masses. The four‑link rear suspension can process the longitudinal and transverse forces separately. The steering rack of the progressive steering system is designed so that the steering ratio becomes more direct with increasing steering input. In addition, steering boost decreases as speed increases.

Adjustable suspension

Compared to the production Audi S3 Saloon, the body has been lowered by 10 mm and spring and damper settings have been adjusted to suit the increased performance. All three parameters can be adjusted via the struts of the coilover suspension so that the show car can be perfectly adapted to the task at hand, be it on the road or the race track.

The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept rides on 9.5 J x 21 wheels shod with size 275/25 R21 tyres. The internally vented front brake discs measure 370 mm in diameter. All four discs are made of carbon fibre‑ceramic, making them extremely lightweight and abrasion-resistant.  

The ESC electronic stabilisation control, which can be partially or completely deactivated, supports the show car's responsive handling with lightning-fast reactions. At the cornering limit, torque vectoring via brief applications of the brakes of the inside wheels ensures that the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept turns easily into the corner. It enables maximum mid-corner adjustability, with the front axle straightening the show car out again as it exits the corner.

The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept is based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB). This enables a low centre of gravity and a finely balanced distribution of axle loads, which is a prerequisite for the car's handling ability. Hot‑shaped steel components in the floor of the passenger cell form a strong structure. The extreme strength of the steel allows for thin walls and thus very low weights.

The spectacular appearance of the Magnetic Blue body immediately conveys the dynamic potential of the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept. The Singleframe grille up front is framed in matt aluminium. A quattro badge adorns the grille's high-gloss black honeycomb insert, which has been optimised for high flow. The bonnet, whose front edge extends slightly over the grille and the LED headlights, sports the four rings.

A distinctive element at the front of the show car is the continuous blade of exposed CFRP below the Singleframe grille. Like the winglets on a model aeroplane, its ends are bent upward to structure the large air inlets framed in massive edges. As with a racing car, a splitter at the bottom of the front skirt increases the downforce on the front axle.

The side view of the saloon has also gained some sharp accents. Two straight edges above the wheels that end in the doors frame the wing and the rear sidewall. The “blisters” give the body broad shoulders while also evoking the classic quattro models from Audi and the current RS 4 Avant. The round fuel cover in the C‑pillars and the more compact side mirrors are further typical Audi sports car elements. The side sill trims are made entirely of CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced polymer).

At the rear, a large diffuser that extends upwards in the middle makes a bold statement. Three fins divide its high-gloss black honeycomb insert; two additional grilles joined by a blade conceal the tailpipes of the exhaust system.

Air brake boosts stopping power

When the driver of the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept applies the brakes at high speed, the air brake is activated. Electronically actuated, the rear segment of the boot raises from its standard spoiler setting to a near-vertical position in the blink of an eye. At 155mph, the air brake reduces the stopping distance by around twelve metres, in part because the ESC can allocate more braking power to the rear axle thanks to the increased downforce.

The cabin of the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept seats four comfortably. Racing seats with high side bolsters await the driver and front passenger. The backrests are open-worked below the integrated head restraints and CFRP shells cover the backs – a visual expression of Audi's lightweight construction concept.

Black faces, red needles and white numbers define the look of the instrument cluster. A shift light in the rev counter indicates when the rev limit of 6,900 rpm is reached, and the seven‑inch monitor of the MMI navigation plus system displays a special graphic when the engine is started. Two large, separate buttons on the three‑spoke, multifunction sport steering wheel are used to start and stop the engine as well as to choose Audi drive select modes.

Black is the dominant colour in the show car's interior. The upholstery features light grey piping and contrast stitching in Sepang Blue. The headlining and the pillars are covered in black Alcantara, and the decorative inlays are brushed aluminium.

Fine details emphasise the performance potential of the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept. The footrest and pedals are made of stainless steel; two open-worked bars form the handles for the door openers. The selector lever of the seven‑speed S tronic transmission sports a red ring, a CFRP badge and a clubsport logo. The show car’s name can also be found on the instrument cluster and on the door sill trims.

This year's motto at the Wörthersee meeting is “Audi Sport,” and the Audi stand has been transformed into the Audi Pit Lane. In keeping with this, the A3 clubsport quattro concept is joined by a familiar sports car from the line of show cars and ten additional high-performance models from various vehicle classes.