CAFÉ RACER 76

The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS is faster than the Carrera GT

With the world premiere of the 911 GT3 RS, Porsche will be celebrating the motorsport heritage of the 911 in Geneva. This outrageously extreme road athlete has even undercut the Porsche Carrera GT on the Nordschleife… by nine seconds.

Two years ago, Zuffenhausen chose Geneva to unveil the latest Porsche 911 GT3 – and underlined the fact that electronic aids such as a PDK gearbox might not be a purist’s choice, but they can make even a racing car go faster. Now, compared with the (relatively tame) GT3, the new RS comes closer than ever to the racing model. Its 4.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, which probably won’t survive in the next generation, puts out 500HP. That’s at least 25HP more than the GT3. In addition, the GT3 RS weighs 10kg less, thanks to its magnesium alloy roof and generous use of carbonfibre components. The new GT3 RS accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 3.3 seconds – and to double that speed in 10.9 seconds. So it’s hardly surprising that the street-legal ‘race’ car stormed round the Nordschleife in a new class record of 7 minutes and 20 seconds. Even the Porsche Carrera GT took 7 minutes and 29 seconds.

Influenced by the air-cooled classics

Visual identifiers include the GT3 RS’s wide wheelarches that incorporate air in- and outlets – and the widest standard tyres in the model range. A throwback to the classic air-cooled version is the 30cm-wide depression that runs along the boot lid and roof, reminding us that it wasn’t too long ago that this huge change in Porsche tradition took place. Let’s hope the turbo future turns out as well. The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS is available from May 2015 and will cost 181,690 euros.

Sports-racing duo in Geneva

In addition to the GT3 RS, Geneva will see the premiere of the most powerful version of the 911’s little brother, the mid-engined Cayman GT4. Powered by the 3.8-litre boxer engine from the 911 Carrera S, it brings the GT4 to 385HP, transmitted via a manual gearbox to the road. The price is €85,776 – significantly less than the GT3, which is priced from 137,303 euros.

Photos: Porsche

MACCO MOTORS BLACK BARON

With modern tech, more efficient transport and established trust online the world really is a much smaller place, and continues to shrink. The U.K. custom scene has plenty to offer when it comes to modding a modern Triumph but the owner of this bike had seen what he liked, in Spain. Macco Motors from Cadiz showcased the Lizard King last summer which was enough to persuade customer Rob to put in an order, with a few amendments to the spec.

Rob wanted the black a bit blacker and the brown a bit browner than Lizard King so Macco Motors’ Jose & Tito happily obliged, The Black Baron was born. A decent, 2008, 5,000kms EFi Bonneville was sourced locally to ensure a sound base for the project.

The fuel tank echoes the engine’s freshly painted black cases and machined cooling fins whilst offering a slight rose-tinted glance towards the days of tank pads, or perhaps even the polished scallops of a classic Husqvarna. A win, win from where we’re standing.

To match the tank, steel side panels have been fabricated with mesh inserts, teasing a bit more airflow towards the pseudo carburettor injection system. Mudguards are weight saving fibreglass and painted black.

To balance the European workshare, British made Predator exhausts were fitted, protected by a few metres of exhaust wrap. Apart from that, performance upgrades have been concentrated on the chassis. Again from Blighty, Hagon progressive springs up front and Nitro shocks at the rear. Powder coated wheels now sport Avon Distanzias to cope with Britain’s potholed fords and streams, affectionately referred to as roads.

The sumptuous leather upholstery is Macco Motors’ own work, striking a good balance between brat wafer and scrambler wedge, perched atop a looped subframe. Often an area left chopped and plugged, but Jose & Tito like to go the extra mile. Sorry kilometre. The diamond stitching should allow the rain to run-off quickly once Rob repatriates his new toy and reunites it with our inclement climate.

Adjustable race levers, Biltwell Tracker bars and Renegade grips improve cockpit ergonomics whilst a small speedo and ignition relocation deals with tidying up the aesthetics. Rob and any lucky passenger’s feet will rest comfortably on racy, alloy foot pegs.

Jose & Tito have again demonstrated why their order book is growing with international orders. With well executed and slick builds like this we hope to see them on our shores for Bike Shed London in May.

As always, the lovely photos are by Sergio Ibarra from Semimate agency. To speak with the guys head to their website or Facebook page. Want to see their previous work? Here are some of the bikes from our Macco Motors archive.

via The Bike Shed

Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 ‘SV’ is the fastest production Lambo ever

Lamborghini has unveiled its fastest production car ever, with the Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce. The 6.5-litre V12 engine catapults the Aventador from 0 to 62mph in just 2.8 seconds...

Déjà-vu in red

The premiere of the brand-new Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce recalls the colour scheme of the launch version of the performance-optimised Countach LP 500S in 1982. But if we compare the two generations of car, the age difference is clear: whereas the 4.75-litre V12 engine of the Countach produced, more than 30 years ago, around 375HP and 420Nm of torque, the 6.5-litre V12 of the 750-4 Superveloce brings those figures to 750HP and 690Nm. What’s more, the new SV is 50kg lighter than the standard Aventador, with improved aerodynamics and magneto-rheological dampers that give it supreme stability on the road. As impressive as the acceleration, is the potential top speed of 350km/h (217mph). By comparison, the Countach needed 5.4 seconds for the leap to 62mph and topped out at around 186mph; but visually, it was every bit as spectacular.

After the premiere in Geneva, the launch of the Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce will follow in late spring. The price is 327,190 euros plus taxes.

Photos: Lamborghini