A showcase of Porsche’s sports car superiority will take center stage at the 2015 EXCS International Motorshow with the racetrack-ready 911 GT3 RS and Cayman GT4, along with the luxurious Panamera Exclusive, setting new standards of excellence on Oct. 20-22 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh. Also set to thrill crowds in the Saudi Arabian capital will be a full-size model of the 919 Hybrid, the now-legendary car which secured Porsche a first and second place finish in the 2015 edition of the world’s most grueling endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Porsche will arrive at the EXCS International Motorshow following strong new car sales figures in the key market of Saudi Arabia. In the first six months of the year Porsche secured powerful growth across multiple model ranges with a total increase in sales of 31 percent. Reaffirming the brand’s sports car heritage, two-door sports cars figures were boosted by 75 percent, driven largely by the popularity of the iconic 911 and the sporty Cayman.
Embodying pure Porsche performance as it pushes back the boundaries of possibility for a road-legal car, the 911 GT3 RS redefines what it means to create a car at the cutting edge of motorsport technology and is also suitable for everyday driving. Showcasing the equally exceptional racing capabilities as the 911 GT3 RS, the Cayman GT4 signifies a new era of motoring distinction for the brand. Designed not to simply handle on-track competition but to dominate and master motorsport circuits, the Cayman GT4 boasts an impressive amount of downforce, traction and power to live up to its name as the super GT with the distinctive mid-engine layout.
With the same Porsche bloodline and DNA represented in the Cayman GT4, the Panamera Exclusive will also be on display at the EXCS International Motorshow, the model’s debut in the Kingdom. With just 100 units to be produced worldwide the model marks the extension of Porsche’s pioneering commitment to exclusivity and showcases the brand’s tireless dedication to performance, distinction and individuality.
Michael Mueller, Executive Director of Porsche Saudi Arabia, said: “Porsche’s unrivalled heritage is what sets us apart and allows us to continually push the boundaries of automotive innovation; we look forward to showcasing our exciting, standard-setting models at EXCS. From the 919 Hybrid, the very pinnacle of motor-racing, through the road legal racers, the 911 GT3 RS and Cayman GT4, to the Panamera Exclusive, a true sports car in the luxury class, each model is developed and tested on the track. These are cars which are sure to excite all visitors to this year’s motor show.”
Owing to extensive drive system modifications, aerodynamics and lightweight design, the new 911 GT3 RS boasts even greater standard-setting performance. Behind the superior attributes lies Porsche’s unrivalled heritage of motorsport expertise and pioneering technology. The 911 GT3 RS is powered by a four-litre six-cylinder engine delivering 500 hp with a specially developed PDK transmission. The engine, which has the largest displacement and most power of any naturally aspirated engine with direct fuel injection in the 911 family, accelerates the car from zero to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and to 200 km/h in 10.9 seconds. Functions such as declutching by "paddle neutral" – which is comparable to pressing the clutch with a conventional manual gearbox – and speed limiting by the Pit Speed button have been customized for motorsport use. They give drivers more freedom in terms of driving dynamics, while also providing them with more assistance when driving on a racetrack.
At EXCS International Motorshow car enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to enjoy another Porsche success story in the form of the mid-engine Cayman GT4, a car which sets a new sporty benchmark in its segment. The radical two-door sports car handles the racetrack as masterfully as it does everyday streets, powered by a 3.8-litre flat-six engine with 385 hp, propelling the model from zero to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 295 km/h. The Cayman GT4 embodies Porsche’s renewed commitment to extraordinary high-performance sports cars in every market segment.
Meanwhile Porsche’s fastest, most powerful and most luxurious Panamera represents the base model for the Exclusive series, with an output of 570 hp and a top speed of 310 km/h. The near-legendary Sport Chrono package comes as standard, and co-ordinates the drive and chassis at the touch of a button to guarantee a consistently commanding response as shown with the 0 to 100 km/h speed time of 3.8 seconds.
Handcrafted in the Porsche Exclusive factory and limited to only 100 units worldwide, the Panamera Exclusive Series represents a new pinnacle of individuality where outstanding craftsmanship meets Porsche’s typical sporty performance. The model is a special highlight within the Panamera range, due to its combination of raw power, extensive equipment and exceptional design details. An extended wheelbase and elaborate Rear Seat Entertainment system add to the vehicle’s signature comfort and luxury. Inside and out the model is reimagined through unsurpassed craftsmanship and styling, featuring countless Exclusive options including high-quality leather interior and a bespoke metallic black and chestnut paint blend.
Embodying the pinnacle of automotive innovation the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Cayman GT4, Panamera Exclusive and 919 Hybrid will be on display alongside other iconic Porsche models, in Kingdom Hall, Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh during the show. – SG
