Classic Porsche Reborn: The Gullwing-America P/904 Carrera

The original Porsche 904 GTS Carrera of 1964/65 arrived at the tail-end of Porsche’s exiting from Formula 1 (in ’62) and set the stage for their ensuing dominance in subsequent road-racing efforts (take a long, well-deserved bow, Porsche 917). For homologation purposes, Porsche built 106 street-legal versions of the original 904, of which instantly deemed it a rather rare occurance to see one in-the-metal over the years…

The iconic 1964 Porsche 904 GTS

Since then, the 904 has gathered an almost legendary plume of respect and admiration amongst Porsche enthusiasts, collectors and race fans the world over. To own an original 904 would be a dream come true… To drive one would be a treat unlike any other, as the driving-legend himself, Walter Rohrl, found out last year…

Now though, Gullwing-America has unwrapped its modern-day take on the iconic 904 with its retro P/904 Carrera. Based on the 987 (’05-’11) Boxster platform, the P/904 retains the same 3.4L engine (rated at 295 bhp) and also borrows the same slick 6-speed manual transmission, the ABS and the power-steering unit to aid in the updating of a classic design flourished with modern-day familiarities.

Those modern-day ‘updates’ include a full instrument panel and center console with Sat-nav (GPS) and an iPod dock along with air conditioning as well. Bespoke seats, dashboard and steering wheel are also part of the unique 904 re-creation process. Outside, you’re treated to LED lights, a retractable rear-spoiler, a lowered ride-height and tasty 18″ Fuchs design wheels…

Cost for the total conversion comes in at a hefty 70,000 euros (approx $91,000) not including the donor porsche Boxster… but if you already own an ’05-’11 Boxster and you’re looking to ‘upgrade’ to something utterly unique, sexy and forever desireable then this might just be what you’re looking for… I mean c’mon…. Look at it…!!

-Blake J.
AutoInjected.com

2013 Porsche Boxster: Longer and Wider Evolution Continues

Almost on-cue after yesterday’s spotlight on the legendary mid-engined Porsche 550 Spyder comes this: the 3rd-generation mid-engined Porsche Boxster for 2013. The longer, wider and slightly lighter (by 35kg) evolution of the firm’s entry-level Porsche appears to have followed suit with its 911-sibling by gaining more dimensional girth in almost every way.

Styling changes and revisions have predictably gone down the more gapingly aggressive route with even larger intake vents and wheels with headlamps that remind of the Porsche 918 RSR and a striking new rear-deck wing-extension that appears to draw inspiration from that of the aftermarket TechArt variant offered-up for the previous-gen Boxster. Now bigger in almost every way, it goes without saying that curiosity will be running high on the next-gen Cayman – I’m guessing it’ll look similar in size/dimensions to a 993-gen 911… ?

Inside, the cabin has also followed along with the new 911 and Panamera (via Carrera GT supercar) by incorporating a raised transmission console and edgier lines all throughout. More space inside as well, as is to be expected with the evolutionary themes of Porsche these days.

Behind the driver will sit two new flat-six engines on offer, both with direct-injection and the obligatory ‘Earth-saving’ (and rather annoyingly silly) stop-start tech: A 2.7-liter boasting 265bhp (up 10bhp from its larger predecessor) and a 3.4-liter unit fitted in the Boxster S good for 315bhp (up by 5bhp). A 6-speed manual is standard fare with the option of ticking the 7-speed PDK gearbox if flicking paddles is your thing…

New tech introduced on the next Boxster include electric steering (booo… hisss…), an electric rooftop (nice), the option of Porsche’s torque vectoring system and a mechanical limited-slip differential (yay..!)

Fuel consumption figures state 36.7 mpg and 35.3 for the Boxster S (all relative, of course) and the 0-60 dash is covered in 5.7 for the standard Boxster and 5.0 for the S version. Prices will start at $49, 500 for a base model (before ticking a lot of boxes) and $60,900 for the base S variant…. which seems like quite a lot when you factor-in that almost everyone will easily add-on $5000 in must-have extras without even blinking an eye… a Boxster S costing over $70,000 before taxes… ?!? yikes…

The new 2013 Boxster goes on-sale at the beginning of the Summer.

-Blake J.
AutoInjected.com