2024 - page 36

I am a firm believer that you cannot extract supercar performance from an SUV. Maybe in terms of straight-line acceleration, but not when it comes to cornering. Apparently, I am wrong since Nurburg’s resident YouTuber/ test driver and Norschleife dweller, Misha Charoudin recently published a video with a very exclusive Porsche Cayenne. The SUV in question, is the 2024 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, but it is not the Euro-spec variant, you might expect. Instead, a viewer from Mexico imported the range-topping version of Porsche’s performance SUV, as it is sold on the Mexican market, for and naturally, he had to visit one of the most iconic racetracks for a couple of laps. Porsche has proven over and over again its performance models can take the physics rulebook and throw it out of the window. This spiced-up Cayenne Turbo GT is no exception. Here’s what makes this one special.

Porsche sports cars have always punched above their weight, and most people who have driven one will testify that nothing handles and launches from a standstill quite like a 911 does. The 992-generation Porsche 911 finally gets a refresh. Despite the first production hybrid 911 being introduced for the 2025 model year, the 992.2 facelift will not be bringing radical changes to Porsche’s rear-engine sports car. It will be business as usual, meaning more power for each of the 911 versions, along with a few special-edition models.

Believe it or not, the all-electric Taycan Turbo GT holds the prodigious title of the "most powerful road-going Porsche ever". This 4-door road missile combines a 1019 horsepower powertrain with sharp handling, giving it an edge over its EV competition. When optioned with the Weissach package, the Taycan Turbo GT can hit 0-60 MPH in 2.3 seconds and achieve a top speed of 190 MPH. All that power from the Taycan’s dual motors is channeled through a 2-speed direct-drive transmission to all four wheels. The GT4 RS is a track fiend with the same engine that powers the 911 GT3, albeit detuned a little to make 493 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of Torque. Interestingly the same engine produces 502 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of Torque in the 911 GT3. This flat-six engine sits in the middle of the car and directs all its power through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to the rear wheels.

We can all agree that amidst all variants of the Porsche 911, there are those that truly stand out. One person who is largely responsible for shaping Porsche’s identity as a builder of epic sports cars is Hans Mezger. The German engineer started working for Porsche as soon as he graduated from the Stuttgart Technical University and would stay there until his retirement in 1994. Now, that’s what I call a dream resume. Porsche has since moved away from the Mezger design, making all cars featuring these powerplants desirable collectibles. We are taking a look at what many Porsche fans consider to be peak 911. The last Porsche 911 to feature the iconic Mezger engine - the 2011 Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0.

Yes, car obesity is a thing and it seems to be getting worse with each year. With more and more performance cars featuring various degrees of electrification, they become more complex and heavier. The latest offender is the 2024 BMW M5, which tips the scales at an SUV-like 5,390 pounds (2,445 kg). To add insult to injury, the new M5 is slower to 60 mph than the outgoing one, although it picks up the pace after. It seems Porsche is the only carmaker that properly electrified its iconic sports car - the 911 – without compromising its character, but another model of the brand might not be so lucky.

We can all agree that the 996 was the most controversial Porsche 911 generation. Yet, the 996 ushered Porsche into the modern age by being the first water-cooled Porsche 911 and the first (and last) to do away with the iconic, round headlamps. Like all 911 generations, the Porsche 996 had its fair share of hardcore variants. The most track-focused, naturally-aspirated Porsche 996 was the 911 GT3 RS, which was as close to a racing car as it could be. Sadly, the 996 GT3 RS was never offered in the US, and there is a good reason why.

The Porsche 935 is a track-only racecar unveiled to commemorate the brand’s 70th anniversary at the Rennsport Reunion VI in 2018. It is based on the 911 GT2 RS and is finished in matte carbon over black to give it a raw carbon fiber appearance. It is a modern homage to the legendary 935 K endurance race car and is one of only 77 units made. When it came out, Porsche offered its customers a choice of eight exterior wraps with a selection of classic racing liveries. Now the cost of these cars varied depending on the livery and other options chosen, however, they did go upwards of a million dollars if you wanted to own one new. The 935, and the racecar to which it pays homage, has a famed aerodynamic body that earned it the nickname ’Moby Dick’, thanks to its sweeping ’Whale Tail’ rear end.

In a legal battle with potentially industry-wide ramifications, Porsche initiated legal proceedings against Singer Vehicle Design in February 2024. The German automaker sued the Californian restoration firm, accusing Singer of trademark infringement on their DLS and DLS Turbo models. Porsche took issue with Singer’s use of Porsche branding and design elements, even though Singer has become renowned for its high-end, meticulously crafted resto-mods of classic Porsches. Early on, Porsche saw Singer’s potential impact. In 2012, a mere three years after Singer’s founding, Porsche negotiated a binding agreement with the Californian firm. This contract outlined the boundaries of Singer’s modifications to ensure they wouldn’t infringe on Porsche’s trademarks, and all the parts used in Singer models had to be sourced from Porsche.

It’s safe to say there is a Porsche 911 for everyone. Whether you need an Autobahn missile, a high-performance convertible, a track weapon, or even an off-road-suited sports car, the iconic, rear-engine model from Germany has got your back. Back in August 2022, the 992 generation got its most track-oriented, most lightweight, most radically styled variant – the 911 GT3 RS. I think we can agree, that Porsche’s high-revving, naturally-aspirated engines like the GT3 RS’ 4.0-liter unit, are the last Porsche engines that need audio enhancements, but two of the leading exhaust system manufacturers have come up with their own exhaust systems, designed to give Porsche’s 992 GT3 RS an even more appealing soundtrack. YouTuber NM2255 Raw car Sounds recently got the chance to compare how the two systems sound.

The late stunt and race car driver, Ken Block inspired millions of racing enthusiasts, none more so than his daughter Lia. His family and brand Hoonigan are working hard to carry on his legacy exactly how he would have wanted. Back in May 2022, Ken unveiled yet another ridiculously powerful project car, which he intended to take to the 100th running of Pikes Peak. Built in collaboration with BBI Autosport (who have been immensely successful at Pikes Peak), the Hoonipigasus is a classic mid-engine Porsche 911-based track car that produces1,400 horsepower and features a custom driveshaft and AWD. The team’s first time taking the car to Pikes Peak was plagued by mechanical issues which forced them to pull out of the event, However, they did not give up and wanted to come back with Ken the next year.

You know that saying "built like a brick"? You often associate that saying with old Mercs from the ‘80s and ‘90s. But it appears that Porsche apparently took that literally. J.D. Power just dropped their 38th Initial Quality Study results, and guess who’s leading the chart when it comes to premium and luxury car brands? Well, it’s none other than the Stuttgart-based automaker. The study surveyed 100,000 U.S. new car buyers between July 2023 and May 2024, covering over 20 brands and 200 models. Buyers were asked about 227 possible quality abnormalities across 10 different categories. Porsche came out on top as the leading premium brand with a score of 172 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). Now for context, 195 PP100 is the industry average, which is, well, not great (the Lower the score, the better). It ranked seventh overall in the rankings.

Top Gear’s Tom Ford recently spent a day at Cosworth’s high-tech facility where he spent some one-on-one time with the Bugatti Tourbillon’s brand-new V16 engine. Cosworth and Bugatti worked together to produce the V16 engine which makes 1000 HP on its own. This engine will be paired with three electric motors and have a combined output of 1800 horsepower! The Tourbillion is estimated to go from 0-60 MPH in under 2.0 seconds and attain a top speed of 277 MPH. In the video, we get to hear what the V16 engine sounds like and how it compares to all the different V-engines from years past.