The German tuning firm, Gemballa, is offering a new kit for both the GT2 and the Porsche Turbo, in the form of the Avalanche 600 EVO. As the name implies, Gemballa has coaxed 600 hp (not to mention 619 lb.-ft. of torque) from Porsche’s turbocharged flat-six through the use of a new intercooler, race exhaust and a retuned ECU. The race to 60 mph is accomplished within a few heartbeats or 3.5 seconds. The top speed has been increased to 199 mph.

The body kit consists of the Avalanche body kit, a GT hood, Avalanche front skirt with additional cooling openings, GT2 front spoiler lip, GTR EVO tailgate skirt with diffuser and hot air outlets and GT2 EVO rear spoiler.

Of course power is nothing without control dynamics, thus Gemballa also fits a variable ride height coilover suspension and a performance brake system with 380/350 mm or 405/380 discs. Inside you will find plenty of aluminum details, sports steering wheel (F1 shift paddles optional) and a leather interior overhaul if your donor vehicle didn’t have it already.

Click on the Avalanche 600 photos below to view the full size image.
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ATLANTA, May 14, 2008 – For the fourth year running, America’s most affluent consumers have declared Porsche the most prestigious car available today. The Luxury Institute’s 2008 independent nationwide survey of luxury auto brands rated Porsche tops against eleven of the world’s most prestigious car brands. Lexus and Mercedes ranked second and third, respectively.

The Luxury Institute conducted an online survey of more than 1,600 American consumers – with an average income of $349,000 and average net worth of $3.7 million. This year’s survey respondents strongly associated Porsche with its stellar performance reputation, summing up their top choice as “world-class sports cars for the true connoisseur.” The proprietary 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index survey is the only measure of the reputation of leading brands among wealthy Americans. Read the rest of this entry »

Race-bred and road ready

As with so many of its models through the years, racing prompted Porsche to develop the 911 GT2. The first generation, launched in 1995, was built to homologate components for international sports-car racing’s GT2 class, hence the car’s name. Based on the 911 Turbo, it featured a more powerful engine, rear-wheel drive and lower weight. The combination proved successful, with Le Mans class wins and a run of 200 road cars. A legend was born.

A successor followed in 2001. It was visually less flamboyant but more powerful and faster. Some 1300 were sold, leaving Porsche with little choice but to continue with the third-generation model launched at the Frankfurt motor show last month. Read the rest of this entry »

Sun Oct 21, 12:15 AM ET

FRANKFURT (AFP) - The European Court of Justice is expected to rule on Tuesday against the so-called “Volkswagen Law”, paving the way for Porsche to take control of the continent’s biggest carmaker.

Striking down the 40-year-old law which prevents Volkswagen from being taken over would allow Porsche to raise its 31-percent stake to a majority.

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