I think I remember one of the car magazines doing a comparison of US and European safety regs. I believe one of the differences was that the US expects a higher level of padding of hard elements inside the cockpit such as the A-pillars, just in case folks have a crash and aren't, umm, wearing a seat belt.

I can't remember the source, or even if I just dreamt this. I think this is what Judge Judy calls 'hearsay'

 

Chaosoul - many, many thanks for sharing your insights. You're an asset to RL and the Porsche enthusiast community at large!

Question: any further intel you can share on the recent rumors of the Touring Package? Back seat? Wing? Still MT?

Thanks in advance for any insight you can find in that magic 8-ball of yours...

 

Why doesn't USA get the folding bucket option?

 

No problem, thank you for the kind words.


Sorry, no concrete information for you guys on Touring package.



It didn't pass the aesthetic test


I was told it was because of the height adjustment. DOT is pretty strict on that. There are many funny concerns, for example, you see the US spec 918 LWB on GT4 and RS have a leather piece in the middle of the carbon seat belt pass through but European versions don't. That piece serves as a headrest for people too short, basically like people under 4 feet 10 or something. DOT is concerned of shorter people's head banging on the hard carbon during like abrupt movements.

 

This agrees with what I've been told as well- the US spec seats are significantly different (and heavier) due to safety regs. Note that in Europe the seats are called LWB or "Lightweight Buckets Seats". The heavier US seats are called "Full Bucket Seats" and add a few pounds. So the common LWB abbreviation used around here is technically incorrect for US spec cars...

 

Chaos,
Any word if lightweight battery will be offered??

Going along with DOT, would radio (rear view camera) delete be legal? I just might like to do so!

 

I wonder what makes up that extra few pounds? The leather pads in the middle of the belt passthrough area can be removed and its weight is negligible.

 

Chaosoul, what's your best guess/opinion on how long GT cars will remain NA? Do you feel the GT3 would stay NA longer than the RS or would they both go to turbo together?

 

It doesn't seem like lightweight battery will be offered for the normal GT3


It also doesn't seem like it will be possible for PCM delete or rear camera delete. Since you need the PCM for the camera, and the camera will be required due to new US regulation.


Anything more than 2 years out again I don't have concrete information as mentioned. I don't like to guess. I know the current people leading the GT department would like to hold GT3s NA as long as possible, but its not always up to them. They will always have pressure from the top regarding emission, cost, performance numbers, that they can't ignore. Management changes as well, and so does executives.

 

With the new Michelins now on the .2GT3, will there be a new version of Dunlops also offered like there was on the .1?

 

 

Racing Yellow used to be PTS.. Is the paint thicker (more coats) than compared to it's standard counterparts?

 

I believe RY came aboard in 2014 to replace Speed yellow as a standard yellow colour for the 911's. The only time it was half considered PTS was for the 991 GT3RS only if you were granted a PTS allocation earlier but didn't want to wait the extra time for a true PTS. I believe Miami blue and Black were the other 2 offered to expedite your PTS wish. Where's Eduardo?

 

Ah. thank you for the clarity.. I must've read incorrectly.

 

Had lunch with dealer principle recently and it seems PCNA made it clear to dealers that they need to offer allocations to GT car owners and those locally at sticker. Any other info. On this "edict"? I'm locked for my .2RS!!