This weekend, Porsche will continue its tradition of support for the renowned celebrations of motoring and motor sport at Goodwood when the famous race circuit venue in West Sussex hosts a special one-off, behind closed doors, event: Goodwood SpeedWeek, from 16 – 18 October.
The iconic marque will join a celebration of its achievements in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and display a number of historic race cars from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, and also showcase its latest track and road-going sports cars in a series of track demonstrations.
Via a comprehensive TV broadcast schedule and programme of live-streaming, the event will reach fans and enthusiasts in the UK and around the world. The Porsche action will also be accessible via https://www.porsche.com/uk/goodwood/ as part of the Goodwood SpeedWeek extravaganza.
You can tune in to the live stream to witness the automotive virtual event of year from the comfort of your own home. Celebrity interviews, racing action and a chance for a first glance at our latest models will all be streamed live from the Goodwood motor circuit.
Goodwood SpeedWeek is the most ambitious event to ever take place at the 2.4 mile motor circuit, with more than 12 miles of high-speed fibre cabling being laid and 49 high-definition cameras installed, including 19 trackside cameras and 15 live on-boards. A television crew of 180 operators will help bring the action to life with 10 presenters and two TV studios required to cover all the action. Each day will be dedicated to celebrating the automotive industry’s past, present and future – bringing together the best elements of the Festival of Speed and Revival using the latest technology.
Porsche at SpeedWeek
Over the three days, the latest examples of Porsche sports cars and historic racers will be on show and demonstrated around the famous Goodwood motor circuit linking to those themes for past, present and future. Current Porsche Motorsport drivers (and Le Mans winners) André Lotterer (D) and Neel Jani (CH) will be joined by British racing legend (and 1970 Le Mans winner) Richard Attwood during the event, and will be driving some of the Porsche cars in the demonstration laps.
In celebration of the 50 years of Porsche success at Le Mans, three winning cars from the 24 Hours race will be present on loan from the Porsche Museum, joined by an example of the motorsport-bred 911 that was a highlight of the international GT racing categories in the 1990s. A number of further Le Mans-winning Porsche chassis from private collections will also take part in a Porsche Le Mans Parade around the circuit on Friday and Sunday.
1981 Porsche 936 ‘81
With a top speed of 223 mph, the 936 ’81 in its distinctive ‘Jules’ sponsorship livery was the fastest car at Le Mans in 1981 – and also the most reliable. Drivers Derek Bell (GB) and Jacky Ickx (B) started the race from pole position, and went on to win the race with a 14 lap lead. The open cockpit race car has a 620 PS version of the famed Porsche flat-six engine boosted with twin turbochargers. The engine was a development derived from an American Indianapolis 500 project, while the chassis was based on a version that had previously raced at Le Mans in 1978.
1998 Porsche GT1 ‘98
With a water-cooled version of the trusted ‘Mezger’ flat-six, turbocharged Porsche engine installed in a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, the GT1 ’98 took a proven sports car racing concept to new heights. Bespoke front suspension, a mid-mounted fuel tank and a body shaped by the latest developments in aerodynamic modelling, resulted in a stunning, purposeful-looking race car – and the innovative concept was proven in the toughest test, with a 1-2 finish in the 1998 Le Mans 24 Hours, led by Scotsman Alan McNish, Laurent Aiello (F) and Stephane Ortelli (F).
2016 919 Hybrid
Innovation, speed, efficiency – the very essence of Porsche ‘E-performance’ was embodied in the 919 Hybrid that heralded the return of Porsche to the top flight of international sports car racing in the WEC from 2014 – 2017. The car displayed at SpeedWeek won Le Mans in 2016, driven by Neel Jani (CH), Romain Dumas (F) and Marc Lieb (D). With over 900 PS from a hybrid drive comprising a two-litre V4 turbocharged petrol engine and a front axle electric motor supported by two different energy recovery systems (braking energy from the front axle and exhaust energy), the 919 set new standards in motor sport and clinched three Le Mans 24 Hours victories in a row (‘15/’16/’17). Of equal significance, it also blazed the trail for its 800 V electrical infrastructure and lithium-ion battery technology to transfer from the track to the street, and become a key USP of the Taycan road car.
1996 911 GT2 R
The bedrock of Porsche motorsport success since the 1960s has been the 911. In rallying, racing, rallycross and rally-raids, the rear-engined flat-six coupé has racked up tens of thousands of class wins and outright successes. And not just for the factory Porsche squad, but also in the hands of enthusiastic, professional teams, for who know they can trust the reliability, dependability and speed of the 911 at any circuit. The Type 993 911 GT2 R is typical of these GT class pace-setters from the mid-1990s, with a 450 PS twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre engine
Porsche Motorsport Pyramid at Goodwood
The Porsche tradition of success in the Le Mans 24 Hours is remarkable, as the 19 wins for the Stuttgart marque is the most of any manufacturer. This record of success will be celebrated SpeedWeek, with the presence of the first Le Mans winner from Porsche, the 917, and one of the most recent, the 919 Hybrid from 2016. But the motorsport success story of Porsche is built on the flat-six engined 911 coupé, and for many drivers it is this car that gave them their first taste of Porsche racing success. The Carrera Cup GB Championship supports the BTCC, and is a feeder series for the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup that supports Grands Prix, and then upwards to the global WEC GT racing categories including Le Mans itself.
This year, Porsche Cars GB rolled out a new racing series to act as a bridge between club racing and the Carrera Cup – the Cayman Islands Porsche Sprint Challenge Championship. This is dedicated to the mid-engined 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, and the debut season has seen some thrilling races between the identical race cars, each powered by a 425 PS flat-six engine combined with a six-speed PDK transmission.
To illustrate both the Porsche tradition of support for customer motorsport as well as demonstrate the hierarchy of performance, the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid was a highlight on the Friday livestream. Representing the primary tiers on the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid were the Cayman GT4 Clubsport, and the 485 PS 911 GT3 Cup race car from the Porsche Carrera Cup GB. Characterised by a very close relationship to the revered 911 GT3 street car, the GT3 Cup race car shares its 4.0-litre flat-six engine with its road-going cousin.
The Cayman GT4 Clubsport was driven at Goodwood by Sprint Challenge competitor Tom Jackson, and the GT3 Cup by 19-year old Harry King, the 2020/2021 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Junior and current Championship leader. Helping put the performance breeding of the race cars in context, the GT3 Cup and GT4 Clubsport were joined by a 911 Carrera road car driven by Ben McLoughlin from the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone. The 385 PS flat-six coupé led the trio off the start line, followed by the Cayman GT4 and then the 911 GT3 Cup car. After a high speed lap, the three cars crossed the finish line together in a dramatic photo-finish, a graphic demonstration of how a track pedigree runs through each of the talented trifecta.
Latest Porsche sports cars in action
The Supercar Run is always a fan favourite, showcasing the fastest and most exclusive road-going sports cars:
911 Carrera S
The Porsche 911 might be in its eighth generation, yet it continues to set the standard when it comes to exclusive sporting performance. Unmistakably true to the ethos of Porsche design DNA, the latest 911 features a much more muscular stance, and an interior featuring a 10.9-inch touchscreen monitor. Consequently, the 911 continues to be both timeless and contemporary. Intelligent control and chassis components together with innovative assistance systems have led the engineers and designers to balance the benchmark driving experience that the iconic rear-engined sports car is famed for, with the increasing demands of the digital world.
The flat-six turbocharged engine has been further developed and is more powerful than ever before, with 450 PS in the S models. Efficiency has been increased via an improved direct fuel injection process and a new arrangement for the twin turbochargers and charge air cooling system. The power is fed to the wheels by an eight-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission, or new seven-speed manual transmission that is available as an option. The rear-wheel-drive coupé can achieve the benchmark 0-62 mph sprint in 3.5 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package and PDK transmission. Where permitted, the top speed is 191 mph.
The classically proportioned exterior design remains familiar to 911 fans, but nevertheless emphasises the leap in performance offered by the latest model. The car on track at SpeedWeek features the new Aerokit, which further optimises the aerodynamic styling with an extended, sleek rear wing.
911 Turbo S
The Porsche 911 Turbo has been synonymous with relentless performance for over four decades, becoming regarded as the benchmark ultimate production sports car. Everyday usability and exclusivity combined with innovative technology lends every generation 911 Turbo a powerful allure. The place of the 911 Turbo as a highlight of many bedroom and garage wall posters has seen the car become a hero to enthusiasts and owners through the years – a true living legend.
The new generation 911 Turbo S Coupé on track at SpeedWeek offers 650 PS from a newly-developed, 3,745 cc capacity flat-six engine with twin turbochargers. The engine boasts the largest leap in performance ever achieved in the history of the 911 Turbo. Output is 70 PS more than its predecessor, and maximum torque now reaches 800 Nm. Helping deliver this is a completely redesigned charge-air cooling system (radiators which water-cool the air after it has been passed through the turbochargers, before entering the engine), to improve efficiency.
The eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) double-clutch automatic transmission has been custom-tailored to transfer the higher torque forces of the Turbo. Overall, the yardstick sprint from 0-62 mph now takes just 2.7 seconds (a reduction of 0.2 seconds), while the top speed is unchanged at 205 mph.
In the tradition of the powerful 911 Turbo models, the latest car has a distinctive, broad stance on the road. This, together with specialised tyres and further developed aerodynamics, contribute to its supreme agility and grip. Adaptive aerodynamics feature a pneumatically-extendable front spoiler, and larger rear wing that delivers 15 per cent more downforce than the prior model.
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Living up to its sporting spirit of ‘E-Performance’, the all-electric Taycan is a technological trailblazer that has been designed to deliver outstanding driving performance with day-to-day practicality. The four-door sports car has two Permanent magnet Synchronous Motors (PSM) with innovative hairpin windings that deliver a system power output of up to 761 PS (560 kW). With Launch Control, the Turbo S can thus achieve acceleration to 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds, and to 124 mph (200 km/h) in 9.6 seconds.
Clever design of the motors and lithium-ion battery systems means this potent performance is repeatable over and over. Technology drawn from the 919 Hybrid Le Mans winner includes 800 volt electrical architecture for optimum performance, light weight and ideal packaging. This also means you can drive fast as well as charge fast – with quick charging capabilities with up to 270 kW DC fast-charging. The Porsche Charging Planner optimises energy and thermal management of battery to deliver a WLTP range of up to 288 miles, depending on model.
A true Porsche, it has the lowest centre of gravity of any model in the range, and active aerodynamics deliver the lowest overall air resistance in the Porsche line-up; 0.22 – 0.25 Cd. And, naturally, the Taycan is the fastest production battery electric sports saloon around the Nurburgring with a lap time of 7:42 min.
The First Glance lap demonstrations will highlight new models from across the performance spectrum of the Porsche range line-up:
718 Boxster GTS 4.0
The new 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 combines a flat-six cylinder ‘boxer’ engine with a manual six-speed transmission and sports exhaust system; the result is a characteristically emotive power delivery and a focused driving experience, both long standing Porsche attributes.
The two-seater features a 400 PS four-litre six-cylinder engine, similar to that used in the 718 Spyder and the 718 Cayman GT4. But where the GT4 represents the entry-level GT street car from Porsche with a breadth of ability suited to the track, the latest 718 GTS 4.0 models place particular emphasis on everyday driving pleasure for all the senses. Nevertheless, the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 can sprint from 0- 62 mph in 4.5 seconds, and where permitted accelerate on to a top speed of 182 mph. The rarefied combination of two seats, three pedals and six cylinders makes the new GTS 4.0 a great companion for any journey.
Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupé
The inclusiveness of the latest Porsche models is underlined with the debut of the latest Cayenne GTS Coupé in the First Glance category. This distinctive addition to the four-door, four-wheel drive Cayenne family offers a sports car experience for five.
Featuring the unique character of a V8 engine, the Cayenne GTS combines effortless power, dynamic responsiveness and distinctive design. Typically for the Porsche GTS models, the powertrain is a particular focal point in the dynamic repertoire: with an output of 460 PS, the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged eight cylinder in the Cayenne offers deep reserves of performance. The sprint from 0-62 mph takes 4.5 seconds with the Sport Chrono package, and a top speed of 173 mph is possible.
A lowered, tuned chassis, distinctive exterior styling and a suite of special equipment complete the Cayenne GTS package.
The dynamic proportions of the Cayenne Coupé position it as the most sporting model in the market segment. The front windscreen and A-pillar are shallower than in the Cayenne, courtesy of a roof that has been lowered by around 20 mm. Redesigned rear doors and wheel arches broaden the shoulders of the car by 18 mm, contributing to an overall muscular stance.
Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid
In the decade since its launch, the Porsche Panamera has established itself as the definitive four door sports car. Cleverly balancing a unique symbiosis of contrasts, the new Panamera covers an even wider spectrum, yet remains true to the original design brief to combine the performance of an authentic Porsche sports car with the comfort of an exclusive saloon.
The Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Porsche is a performance-oriented plug-in hybrid model that joins the range, and further extends the transfer of Porsche E-Performance technology from the track to the road. The intelligent combination of the 100 kW (136 PS) electric motor integrated into the eight-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission and the 2.9-litre V6 twin-turbocharged engine with 440 PS (324 kW) generates a combined system output of 560 PS (412 kW) and maximum torque of 750 Nm.
The performance figures speak for themselves: combined with the standard Sport Chrono Package, the sprint from 0 – 62 mph is covered in 3.7 seconds. The top speed is 185 mph where permitted. Assisting in this step-change in performance, the gross battery capacity has been increased from 14.1 to 17.9 kWh, compared with the previous hybrid models, and now features optimised cells. This is supported in turn by an optimisation of the driving modes – E-Power, Hybrid Auto, E-Hold, E-Charge, Sport and Sport Plus – for even more efficient energy utilisation. The 4S E-Hybrid has an all-electric range of up to 34 miles in accordance with WLTP EAER City. Combined WLTP fuel consumption ranges between 94.2 – 128.4 mpg (3.0 – 2.2 l/100 km) equivalent to 67 – 51 g/km CO2 Combined. Combined power con-sumption is 24.9 – 22.6 kWh/100 km.
Source. Porsche
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