2013 Frankfurt: Porsche’s all-new supercar debuts alongside its 50-year-old sibling

Story and photos by John LeBlanc FRANKFURT - You probably already know a fair bit about Porsche’s big news at this year’s Frankfurt auto show, its 700-horsepower 918 Spyder mid-engine gas-electric hybrid supercar. But did you know that it is now officially the fastest street-legal car around Germany’s famed Nürburgring race track? Apparently, on Sept. 4, three drivers — former rally champ Walter Röhrl and Porsche test drivers Timo Kluck and Marc Lieb — took turns trying to break the previous record-holding Dodge Viper ACR’s time. Eventually, Lieb made it around the Nordschleife loop in just 6 minutes and 57 seconds, four seconds quicker than the Viper’s two year-old record. If not as quick as the new 918 Spyder, Porsche celebrated its iconic 911's 50th birthday with another special edition. Originally introduced as the 901 at the 1963 Frankfurt show, the new 911 50th Anniversary Edition uses the Carrera 4/4S’s wider styling, but with traction only at its rear wheels. Power comes from the Carrera S’s 3.8-litre six-cylinder gas engine with a Powerkit option that boosts horsepower to 400. Aesthetically, the limited edition 911 (only 63 examples will be made, get it?) comes with an off-white exterior, 20-inch Fuchs-style wheels and leather seats mimicking the look of the original ’63 model’s Pepita cloth. This article was originally published by National Post Driving.

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