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We get wet with Porsche's Cayman GT4 and 911 GT3 RS

In case you missed them, we recently published our First Drive impressions on the super-hot 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 and the 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Spoiler alert: they're lovely. In order to properly test these new machines, Porsche let senior editor Alex Kierstein loose on Road Atlanta. But rather than a blissful day of warm, dry conditions, this test session proved to be a super gross experience. The track was soaked. But that didn't stop Kierstein from manhandling both coupes with confidence. Credit where credit's due, Alex said the tires on the GT3 RS were absolutely amazing, and proved helpful for getting the most out of the most hardcore 911 in these incredibly damp conditions. Have a look at Kierstein's experience in both cars, in the video above. We can't wait to get these bad boys out on some dry roads.

2013 Porsche 911 RSR makes official debut

Porsche is ready to go racing in 2013, showing off a new 911 RSR today that is scheduled to compete in several endurance events this year. Based on the current 991 911, the new RSR will compete in the 2013 season of the World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It will not, however, make an appearance in a North American racing series this year.
The 2013 version of the racecar has increased in wheelbase by some four inches, features a new wishbone front suspension in place of the last-generation's McPherson strut setup and boasts a new, lightweight six-speed racing gearbox. The engine, meanwhile, is an "optimized" version of last year's car, a 460-horsepower 4.0-liter boxer six-cylinder. Extensive use of carbon fiber and polycarbonate windows help the RSR shed weight, and Porsche has also balanced the weight more evenly with a lower center of gravity.
Porsche has thoughtfully dedicated some space to celebrate the 911's 50th Anniversary, with the number 50 clearly visible in the top-down view of the RSR, as well as along the doors. Scroll down to read the full Porsche press release, below.

Porsche sees error of ways, next 911 GT3 to offer manual transmission

Consider this Porsche's mea culpa. After creating an uproar over selling a new 911 GT3 without a manual transmission, the automaker introduced the limited-edition, manual-equipped 911 R in Geneva. That car is just a stopgap, though. It's meant to hold 911 drivers over until the next GT3 arrives with the same six-speed manual transmission. Yes, the next-gen GT3 will get an old-fashioned six-speed manual, according to a new report from Autocar (but the GT3 RS will still be PDK-only). In fact, the same report claims Porsche will make sure that the 911 GT3 remains the car for the brand's most ardent purists. While the rest of the Porsche range moves to turbocharged engines, the GT3 will stick to its naturally aspirated guns. That comes direct from the big boss behind the GT3, Andreas Preuninger, who told the magazine this would be the case "for the foreseeable future." According to Preuninger, the only member of Porsche's GT line that will go turbocharged is the one that's been that way all along – the GT2 and GT2 RS, which we'll see next year. And yes, Preuninger's statement about limited turbocharging applies to the Cayman GT4, too, even though the model that high-performer is based on has moved to a line of turbocharged engines. When the next GT4 arrives, it'll be with a flat-six in the middle. Related Video: