Porsche 911 GT2 news - Not so hidden Gem' - 2008

When we first saw the awesome 911 GT2 last summer, we were seriously impressed by the Porsche engineers' ability to squeeze 523bhp from the 911's relatively dinky 3.6-litre engine.

But never a company to rest on its turbocharged laurels, German tuner Gemballa has given the GT2 a thorough working-over and discovered an extra 70bhp lurking somewhere in that flat six, boosting power up to 593bhp and creating the Avalanche 600 GT2 Evo.

The power-up has been achieved with the help of a new intercooler, race exhaust and a retuned ECU. All of which shaves a third of a second off the GT2's 0-62mph time - it'll now manage the sprint in 3.5 seconds - and increases the top speed to 199mph. All through the rear wheels, don't forget.

Of course, Gemballa has given the Avalanche 600 its full body-kit treatment: there's a bunch of new air intakes to keep everything cool, deeper front and rear skirts (modelled on the Carrera GT, says Gemballa) and a huge carbon fibre diffuser. Oh, and that unmissable two-tone paintjob, but you could always opt for something Gemballa describes as a 'special effect colour' if that's not your cup of tea. We won't even ask.

As you'd expect, the Avalanche gets lower, stiffer suspension and a set of arch-busting 20-inch wheels, which can be ordered in matt black for an, erm, subtler look.

Gemballa is staying quiet on pricing for the Avalanche. If they can squeeze an extra 70bhp out of the GT2's engine, just imagine what they can do with its £131,000 price tag...