Khris Bharath

Every modern Porsche 911 model, since the 996, i.e. the water-cooled era has gone through two iterations within its lifespan. These updates, signified by a decimal point and a subsequent number often address previous shortcomings or introduce new features, which are more often than not based on customer feedback. For Porsche enthusiasts in particular, .1 versus .2 can be a game-changer, impacting everything from performance to reliability, ultimately affecting the car’s value. Dot 2 models in general tend to hold their value better. This model is of particular importance because it is the first production 911 to embrace electrification. The rollout of the dot 2 models for the (latest 992) eight-generation 911 began in May this year. Apart from the updates that we’ve seen on the models unveiled so far, I’ve also listed a tentative launch timeline for upcoming models in the 992.2 series.

Be it the sleek design or the evocative howl from its F1-derived mid-engined 5.7-liter V10, the Porsche Carrera GT needs little effort to seduce any enthusiast, Porsche-phile or otherwise. Even two decades on, the 600-horsepower rear-wheel drive manual is hailed by many as the last analog supercar to ever exist. However, when it comes to gaining a reputation as being a modern-day widow maker owing to some pretty high-profile crashes, Porsche had some housekeeping to do and hopefully stave off future lawsuits. At one point, there was even a no-drive request that Porsche sent out to owners, which folks like Doug DeMuro happily ignored.

With its hair-raising corners, elevation changes, and blistering speeds, the 13-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany also known as the "Green Hell," has been the ultimate test track for any performance car. For decades, European automakers like Porsche, Mercedes, and Ferrari have dominated at what is considered the world’s most demanding race track. Cracking a sub-seven-minute lap time here is truly a badge of honor. For nearly 100 years, no American manufacturer has achieved this feat. However, all this changes with the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD’s, official Nürburgring lap time of 6:57, putting this pony car in the league of elite-performance cars. Now while MotorHeads.com is all about Porsche, Ford’s record is of significance, as it was attempted in Porsche’s own backyard.

With 2025 around the corner, Porsche finds itself in a bit of a pickle. Their lofty plan of 80% of sales to come from EVs by 2030 seemed a tad bit too ambitious. The lukewarm reception to electric vehicles, particularly in key markets like the U.S. and parts of Asia has forced a re-evaluation of strategy at Stuttgart. I mean just look at sales of the all-electric Taycan sedan for example, which still isn’t seeing much demand even after the recent 2024 facelift. Also, things like range anxiety, charging infrastructure woes, and the lack of soul in many EVs have conspired to dampen the enthusiasm amongst the wider public. While I applaud Porsche’s initial goals, it’s clear that the EV market isn’t quite ready to fully embrace the electric future.

Just after a month of taking the wraps of the 992.2 GT3 and GT3 Touring, the online configurator for both models is now live. While there is frankly an exhaustive amount of permutations and combinations possible, I wanted to take a look at some of the most expensive options available. The optional Weissach Package in particular, which is all about shaving off precious pounds and hopefully milliseconds on the race track is of interest to me, as it is the first time that Porsche is offering it for the GT3. Strangely enough, it is not the most expensive option that I could find.

Look, I’m someone who likes things done properly. A nice cuppa, a well-maintained ride, and a good bit of tinkering with my pride and joy whenever I can. I suppose all bastions of order in this chaotic world if you will. So when something like this Rothman’s Boxster Safari monstrosity pops up on my radar (this time on Reddit) well let’s just say it ruffles my feathers a tad bit. Clearly, this creation was built for someone with an acquired taste.

Beyond Cars & Coffee at your local auto club, if you are an ardent Porsche fan, I believe that there are a couple of key global venues, shows, and events that you must attend at least once in your lifetime. Think Luftgekühlt, and Rennsport Reunion; the kind of shows that are all about pure air-cooled bliss, historic racing heaven, and a deep dive into Porsche’s DNA. While not exclusive to Porsche, events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed and 24 Hours of Le Mans allow you to witness some of the German brand’s most noteworthy cars up close in all their glory.

Porsche has gifted the automotive world with numerous legendary models, and among them, the 911 Turbo S and the Carrera GT stand out. The Carrera GT with its F1 derived V10 engine sounds phenomenal, and is a hero car for most Porsche people, particularly those who grew up in the 2000s, like myself. Given that it is widely considered the last analog supercar ever made, not just by Porsche, but in the wider auto industry, valuations are on the rise.

Porsche revived its rally-dominating and iconic Dakar nameplate of the 1980s, as a limited-run model with the (992.1) 911 Dakar back in 2022. Now after 2,500 units, the final example has rolled off the production line as a Sonderwunsh model, which if you are unaware is Porsche’s special wishes program. Now, beyond the highlights of what makes this one-off Dakar so special, I also wanted to touch upon some of the highs and lows as we say goodbye to this modern-day rally-inspired 911.

The Porsche 911 is now in its eighth generation and with the introduction of the GTS, GT3, and more recent Carrera T, we can say that the rollout of the Dot 2 models is well underway. With every subsequent generation, you’ll find the Porsche has continued to evolve the 911 lineup to include a vast number of trims ensuring there’s every flavor of 911 available for a wide demographic. In the 991 generation, for example, you had 35 different variations of the 911, and don’t even get me started on the body styles. Anyway, some of the most stand-out or well-known trims include the likes of the Carrera, Turbo, and GT models. The Turbo nameplate celebrates 50 years in 2024, while the GT3 celebrates 25. So quite a momentous year for Porsche then.

Porsche has been churning out facelifted 911s this year faster than you can say “mid-life crisis.” This year, we’ve already seen the base 992.2 Carrera, the mental GTS, the stripped-down T, and even the track-focused GT3. But the real storm’s brewing on the horizon and the one that I’m most excited about is the Turbo lineup. Now, thanks to a leak on Porsche’s own configurator from its German site (talk about a spy’s paradise!), we’ve got a glimpse of the upcoming Turbo for the first time. It’s not much, just a rear-end shot from a video showcasing the cruise control system, but it is enough to get the rumor mill churning once again.

Porsche has made it clear: we won’t see a fully electric 911 before the end of the decade. Honestly, I’m not surprised, given an overall slower market adoption of EVs and Porsche itself backtracking on its previous goals, which were previously set to achieve 80 percent electrification by the end of the decade. In the meantime, they’re pivoting towards hybrids across its model lineup, including on its 911, with the hybrid Carrera GTS already hitting the market. The T-Hybrid system on the 911 Carrera GTS of course is a system that focuses on performance, rather than Porsche’s plug-in E-Hybrid system that is all about efficiency. Next year, we can expect the 992.2 Turbo models to join the hybrid fray.