Gemballa Tornado 750 GTS

The first thing that strikes anyone viewing the Gemballa Tornado 750 GTS is its body styling. Svelte and subtle it is not with bulges and air intakes all over the front, including the 70mm longer (than standard) forward opening bonnet. The bonnet isn't the only part of the Tornado 750 GTS that has been lengthened, the front and rear bumper/spoiler combinations have also been extended compared to the standard Porsche Cayenne. Whilst dimensions have increased weight has actually reduced, impressively the all carbon body styling is estimated to reduce the weight of the Tornado 750 GTS by 250kgs in comparison to a standard Cayenne.

The weight saving is doubly useful when one considers the power and torque of the tuned engine Gemballa {link} have produced for the Tornado 750 GTS. From its now 5 litre turbocharged engine the Gemballa Tornado 750 GTS produces a very impressive 750PS and 1050Nm of torque. Enough power to propel this über-Cayenne to 62mph from rest in 4.3 seconds and on to a top speed in excess of 185mph. The extreme front body styling draws air into the engine, larger intercooler, radiator and brakes as well as actually drawing air away from hot areas in the engine bay too. Exhaust gases exit the engine through a custom designed exhausts system with 4 tailpipes.
With such explosive performance available Gemballa have had to improve the suspension and brakes considerably. Behind the 12x22" wheels, covered by 335/25 tyres, sit huge brakes (415mm diameter front and 380mm diameter rear) which offer excellent and durable braking. The handling has been radically altered and improved, the Gemballa Tornado 750 GTS sits some 70mm lower on coilover suspension. Even so the 750 GTS is no out-and-out sports car and has a higher centre of gravity than would be considered perfect for a car with 750PS.
Gemballa have created a sumptuous, refined and yet sporty interior with 4 sports seats, full leather and carbon seating, dash and door panels.
Exclusivity is assured as Gemballa are limiting the production of the £370,000 Tornado 750 GTS to 50 worldwide. Interested parties should contact Gemballa's Leonberg offices quickly as the über-Cayenne offers such performance that Gemballa are unlikely to struggle selling out, even in these difficult economic times.

Refreshing or Revolting: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

Porsche's second-generation 2011 Cayenne SUV takes more than a few styling cues from the Panamera sedan.

From the exterior to the new interior, the 2011 Cayenne design team clearly used the new Porsche four-door as inspiration. Does the new SUV feature more appealing styling than the sometimes-awkward looking first-generation model? Let's take a look.

The headlights are rounder than before and show a resemblance to the Panamera. The three-part lower grille on the 2011 model more seamlessly integrates LED daytime running lights and isn't as imposing as on the 2010 Cayenne. That SUV had an off-putting grille, but from the side view, the changes aren't dramatic.

From the rear, it's more Panamera. The rounder LED taillights take up more space on the tailgate, which has a bar of chrome at its bottom plus a black lower fascia for more contrast.

Inside, we can't help but mention the Panamera connection when talking about the 2011 Cayenne's center stack of buttons (or the steering wheel). The dual grab handles for driver and passenger remain, but the air vents are vertical and now trimmed in silver. Overall, the look is modern and should hold up well aesthetically 5 to 10 years from now
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Would you agree? What do you think about the Porsche Panamera's design? Tell us in the comments section below.

Last week, the 2011 Jaguar XJ met with mostly positive reviews except for the odd blacked-out C-pillar. "This car wears the new look better than the XF," said narebman. "I'm not sure about the C-pillar treatment. I'm sure there are some over-stuffed artsy types that could break it down for me but I just don't get it. It certainly wouldn't stop me from buying one though.

Zuleonreal liked it too: "If this car were a woman, I would ask for its number."

"Absolutely refreshing," said ktkof09, "except...the black C-pillar."

Porsche 911 Sport Classic

”Out with the old and in with the new” is an oft used statement and when the new draws heavily on the old a future classic is always a possibility. Porsche Exclusive {link} (Porsche’s specialist tuning department) are launching the 911 Sport Classic at the IAA (Frankfurt Motor Show). A production run of 250 cars is planned; expect the 911 SC to sell out almost instantly.
The most interesting and striking feature on the SC harks back over 35 years to the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7; the “ducktail” rear spoiler has returned! Sitting between wider rear arches the unmistakable ducktail merges modern with classic beautifully. Whilst the ducktail spoiler is the most obvious feature of the new 911SC there are distinct differences over the Carrera S upon which the SC is based. For example a new spoiler adorns the front, whilst subtle roof bubbles on both passenger and driver side add an extra dimension to the external and internal styling.
Internally the Porsche 911 Sport Classic is modern through and through, drawing no design ideas from past times. New leather technologies have allowed the seat centre to be made from woven (yes woven) leather. The interior contrasts with the model specific exterior paint, Sport Classic Grey, which offers exclusivity and yet remains subtle and unobtrusive.
The wheels fitted to the 911 Sport Classic are a modern twist on a timeless classic, they may be 19” in diameter but they hark back to the Fuchs design of over 35 years ago, to the extent that they are black in colour just as the ever popular Fuchs wheels were.
Behind the Fuchs inspired wheels sit Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes whilst the rear wheels are driven through a 6 speed manual gearbox (no other option is available). The Porsche 911 Sport Classic sits some 20mm lower on its PASM suspension.
Power for the SC limited edition special is provided by a modified 3.8 litre engine which (after Porsche Exclusive have worked the magic) produces 408PS. By using direct fuel injection fuel consumption and emissions follow other models closely.
Sales of the Porsche 911 Sport Classic created by Porsche {link} Exclusive start in 2010, though with such a small production run the 1:43 model (launched at the same time) will be all bar a lucky few will own!

Ruf CTR 3.

As this is typed 20 orders have been taken for the Ruf CTR 3. It could be seen as the most dramatic incarnation of the Porsche Cayman yet it is so much more. For a start Ruf, who have been producing modified Porsche’s since 1963, have given the CTR 3 an ample 700PS twin turbo flat 6 power plant. Combined with a heavily improved chassis and suspension system and the CTR 3 is clearly a very fast and stable vehicle. The sequential six speed ‘box is light and easy to use, it does take a little time to get used to any sequential ‘box in a road car and the CTR 3 is no different. Once the driver has mastered pulling (to go up the ‘box) and pushing (to go down the ‘box) the sequential ‘box is as east to use as an H pattern gearbox in current production.
Ruf have created an exceptionally rapid sports coupe but they have not sacrificed usability for outright performance, the clutch doesn’t require super human effort to master, nor will it snap your leg off as it feeds in. The CTR 3 it is suitable for the school run or a trip to the newsagent for a bottle of milk, ESP keeps the power nicely in check when required and the suspension copes admirably with all road surfaces encountered ~ there are none of the traditional super car lurches, bangs or crashes on normal everyday roads, the CTR 3 really is a accomplished daily driver.
When performance and the Ruf CTR 3 are mentioned there are a few figures that spring to mind. Firstly the already mentioned 700PS, secondly a top speed of approximately 230mph and thirdly 890Nm of torque. With the sprint to 62mph taking a mere 3.2 seconds it is clear that the CTR 3 is blisteringly fast, it is in the true super car league.
If the dynamics and performance of the CTR 3 are impressive so is the mating of standard Porsche with Ruf genius. The interior is clearly directly from Zuffenhausen, retaining all the features and comforts one expects from a Porsche, including cup holder and Sat Nav. Yes the rear view mirror has been replaced by a mini-camera but even that doesn’t strike one as being out of place.
At over £345,000 it is clear that many more than 20 customers will be hard to find for this über-Cayman, those that can afford the Ruf CTR 3 will have smiles as wide as America across their faces from now until eternity.

TECH SPEC RUF CTR 3:~ 2 seat, 2 door Coupe. 3746cc 6 cylinder water-cooled flat six engine producing 700PS @ 7000rpm. 6 speed sequential gearbox. Rear wheel drive. Top speed 232mph. 0-62mph 3.2 seconds, 0-124mph 9.6 seconds.