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Thank you. i looked at it again, and it sounded like I didn't like the 6-speed on the track. That's not the case. But the PDK is so effortless that you get a little spoiled. Especially while you're learning a new track, you simply don't have to think about anything more than what gear you want to be in.
But it does add weight. And it takes away a small piece of the overall driving experience.
Jack, your whole series on the R has been fantastic and this article is another great piece. I'd love to read more about what you learned from Patrick Long - beyond the acting part in the video.
How about that my local dealer told me they're getting 12 or 13 of them!! All their 918 customers, and maybe one more. Seems like a lot, but they sell a lot of cars
porsche exchange??
I had conversations with them - last I heard they sold an allocation for 250k over.
I saw contact with the diffuser on the 911R we were driving -- when backing up and turning around in a rocky driveway. I don't know if it would be an issue with speed bumps (sleeping policemen). But it looks pretty straightforward to bend the aluminum back.
I saw contact with the diffuser on the 911R we were driving -- when backing up and turning around in a rocky driveway. I don't know if it would be an issue with speed bumps (sleeping policemen). But it looks pretty straightforward to bend the aluminum back.
After seeing the 911r in Geneva I was adament that the rear diffuser would scrape on some speed bumps, especially the ones that are designed that you drive over straddling both wheels either side, looked to me no more than 2-3 inches ground clearance.
Does seem a little pointless having the lift system at the front to save some plastic trim when you could be in danger of damaging the aluminium rear diffuser... I think I'd avoid all speed bumps in that car...
Have you driven one with the rear diffuser that is bolted to under the engine?
I think with a rivet gun some plate alloy a black spray can I could cobble together this and rivet to my 991 GT3 under tray for more downforce!! If it really works I'm sure a few will be buying that under tray from the parts department for their 3/RS to give more rear downforce in track (not sure it will help that much?).
White and Green RHD. Looks like the UK press have their hands on it this weekend and hope to expect a flurry of articles in next months mags before seeing it in the flesh at the Festival of Speed, Goodwood, England.
I think with a rivet gun some plate alloy a black spray can I could cobble together this and rivet to my 991 GT3 under tray for more downforce!! If it really works I'm sure a few will be buying that under tray from the parts department for their 3/RS to give more rear downforce in track (not sure it will help that much?).
Ha! I've been there and done that. Years ago.
And you know what? It doesn't work.
I tested mine in a straight line and got good numbers. But then at the track it made the car unpredictable and weird. The more research I did, the more it looked like a diffuser has to stay in a very specific (and low) position near the ground in order for it to be effective in corners. Production car springs -- even stiff ones -- just don't reduce body roll enough for that to be possible.
And yet, manufacturers keep putting diffusers on performance cars. I cynically concluded that they were just decorative nonsense -- something like brightly-painted calipers.
It wasn't until after I'd driven the 911R that I realized I was partially wrong. I still don't think the 911R's diffuser would be very effective at a track (or in any corner, for that matter). But I'll bet it reduces the light, floaty (and potentially dangerous) handling a production car gets in straight-line, high-speed driving. Since my own car is limited by gearing to 140 mph, and since I don't have an autobahn near my house, there's no reason for me to put one on again. But for 911R owners who might want to see what 200 mph feels like, I'll bet the diffuser is something that the safety guys at Porsche like a lot. My guess is that its sole function is to make the car more stable above 150 mph (or thereabouts). Nothing bad about that -- but it's also not something that's going to dramatically change your lap times, like a wing can.
05-01-2016, 01:24 AM
