2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS overview

Porsche 911 GT2

The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS. Developed especially for the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, sports tires measuring 325/30ZR-19 convert this massive power into equally massive performance and acceleration on the road: zero-to-62 mph in 3.5 seconds, zero-to-124 mph in just 9.8 seconds, and zero-to-186 mph in 28.9 seconds. Top speed is 205 mph.

Equally supreme stopping power on this ultra-high-performance sports car comes from PCCB composite ceramic brakes. The interior also exudes the flair of sporting performance in virtually every detail, featuring lightweight bucket seats made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic in carbon-surface finish and lightweight door panels with door opening straps.

Appropriate control longitudinal and lateral dynamic chassis configuration is provided by the RS sports springs, Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management (PASM), anti-roll bar and engine mount and PSM Porsche Stability Management.

Its exterior styling, the new Porsche 911 GT2 RS 911 GT2 clearly distinguished by means of carbon fiber reinforced (CFR), as part of a distinctive matte black. Faced with the new, wider wheels Porsche 911 GT2-style alloy wheels with a central locking collar are flared fenders. "RS GT2" model designations provide further differentiation in the doors and rear engine cover. From behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT2 RS, a flash of sport performance continues. Porsche GT2 RS - Key information and technical data

Light features developed for the Porsche 911 GT2 RS includes the use of lightweight aluminum frame and cross diagonals of the rear suspension, carbon fiber reinforced front cover and rear spoiler, rear polycarbonate side windows, bonnet Light, lighter single-mass flywheel, lighter lithium-ion batteries.

As for the interior, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS exudes the flair and panache of top quality sporting performance in virtually every detail, including the lightweight bucket seats made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic in carbon surface finish and lightweight door panels with door opening straps.

While the 458 Italia comes with a powerful 4.5 Liter V8 engine that produces 570 horsepower with a 201-mph top speed, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS has the leg up, thanks to its 3.6 liter six-cylinder boxer engine with 620 horsepower and a 205-mph top speed. Despite the "slower" top speed, the 458 Italia jumps off the block as fast as the 911 GT2 RS, posting a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds compared to the Porsche 911 GT2 RS’ time of 3.5 seconds (0-62 mph).

The price for both cars hit well in the range of each other with the 911 GT2 RS ($280,000) being a little more expensive than the 458 Italia ($275,000).

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2011 Toyota Highlander Overview

Toyota Highlander

The base Highlander Grade comes with standard features such as projector-beam headlamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, color-keyed bumpers and rear spoiler, UV reduction windshield, and keyless entry.

For those seeking the best the Highlander has to offer, the Limited will add or substitute in 19-inch alloy wheels, color-keyed power, heated and folding mirrors, chrome exterior door handles, silver roof rails, door scuff plate with Highlander budging and of course, limited badging located on the exterior of the front doors.

Powertrains in the standard Highlander remain the same, although the Hybrid model gains a new engine.

Among the latter are a 50/50-split-folding third-row seat and rear climate controls for base and SE trims. When it debuted 10 years ago, the Toyota Highlander blazed the trail for midsize crossover SUVs. A refresh for the 2011 Highlander brings updated styling and additional standard features. Otherwise, the 2011 Toyota Highlander stays the course. The Highlander also boasts a 40/20/40-split second-row seat with a removable center seat that allows walk-through access to the third row, not to mention the comfort of captains chairs with fold-down armrests in the second row.

The 2011 Toyota Highlander is a midsize seven-passenger crossover offered in base, SE and Limited trim levels.

The cabin also gets upgraded leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition/entry, a 10-way power driver seat, a four-way power passenger seat and wood-grain accents.

The 2011 Toyota Highlander is available with a choice of two engines. A five-speed automatic and front-wheel drive are standard; all-wheel drive is optional. With front-wheel drive, the Highlander V6 returns EPA estimates of 18 city/24 highway/20 combined; adding all-wheel drive drops these numbers to 17/22/19.

The Highlanders cabin is fitted with a total of seven airbags, including side-impact airbags for front seat passengers, side curtain airbags that cover all three rows of seats and a driver-side knee airbag. The 2011 Toyota Highlander features an attractive cabin, especially the top-of-the-line Limited model. The front- and second-row seats are plenty comfortable, but the third-row seats lack of legroom makes it best suited to pre-teen passengers. The Highlanders second-row bench slides fore and aft and reclines for greater comfort.

At the midway point in its lifespan, the 2011 Toyota Highlander is ready for some change.

The Highlanders base four-cylinder churns out 187 horsepower, and with front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic, its just adequate when toting more than a person or two. None of the Highlanders are particularly exciting to drive. The Highlander Hybrids all-wheel drive, however, which replaces mechanical drive with an electric motor to power the rear wheels, runs at least a theoretical risk of cutting out when its most needed—since the control software will shut down the motor if it tries to draw too much power under extreme conditions.

The Highlander hasnt yet been rated under the new crash-test scoring system introduced this year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The non-Hybrid Highlander offers three trim levels: base, SE, and Limited. All have cruise control, power features, and this year, a newly standard third-row seat. The Limited picks up leather-trimmed power seats. On Hybrids, the base and Limited trims apply.

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