Dimitar Angelov

Porsche’s most famous sports car is the 911, but it is far from the only one the brand has ever made. Currently, the 718 is your entryway into Porsche sports cars. Like the rear-engine 911, the mid-engine Porsche 718 offers a version for any need. Four and six-cylinder boxer engines allow the compact Porsche sports car to produce anywhere from 296 to 493 horsepower. It all started with the 986 Boxster back in 1996, and since then, the mid-engine Porsche has been continuously evolving.

In 1977, Porsche gave us the 928 – a more luxurious take on the German sports cars. Just two years later, at the 1979 Frankfurt Motor Show, the audience saw a Porsche 928 Targa. However, it wasn’t Porsche that made it. Sure. The German carmaker made the donor car required for the conversion, but the Porsche 928 Targa was conceived by Rainer Buchmann. The Porsche 928 was more of a comfortable cruiser that could double as a sports car, instead of the 911’s all-out performance car characteristics.

Boxer and flat engines are a highly-uncommon sight in the modern-day automotive industry. Currently, there are only two manufacturers that continue to produce and develop boxer engines – Subaru and Porsche. The boxer engine is most commonly characterized by its flat design hence it is, often, referred to as a flat engine. The first boxer engine was developed in 1897, by Karl Benz – the co-founder of what would eventually become Mercedes-Benz. There is a common misconception when it comes to these engines. Boxer and flat engines are not quite the same. All boxer engines are flat engines, but not all flat engines are boxer engines. This misconception comes from the 1973 Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer. Despite the name, it does not feature a boxer engine, but rather a flat-12 engine or a 180-degree "V-engine". Boxer and flat engines are more different than you think, and here is what sets them apart.

Porsche cars are some of the most well-engineered performance vehicles in the business. Each new model packs an extensive array of hi-tech features, aiming to make the Porsche driving experience more effortless. Those looking for the thrill of a high-revving Porsche 718 or 911 are all about the visceral driving experience, there are others looking for a more relaxed experience while still enjoying the performance that comes with a Porsche car. The company’s rear-axle steering is optional on all 911 and Panamera models, with some of the higher-end variants getting it as a standard feature. The first Porsche to feature rear-axle steering was the 2013 Porsche 718.

Porsche sports cars are some of the most replicated and reimagined on the planet. The German carmaker’s road-going models have always benefitted from the brand’s racing know-how, especially when it comes to the German brand’s most iconic model - the Porsche 911. That said, the 911 wasn’t always the most favored model by the company. At one point in time, Porsche wasn’t convinced an air-cooled, rear-engine sports car was the way forward. This train of thought spawned the Porsche 928. Instead of the 911’s rear-engine layout, the 928 featured a water-cooled V-8 engine in the front. The 928 was also bigger and more of a grand tourer than an all-out sports car.

The Porsche 911 is a perfect representation of the classic sports car. The rear-engine model has been continuously evolving since its inception in 1964, and its lineage is easily traceable through its classic design. That said, under the pressure of increased safety and more modern tech, each new generation has become bigger and heavier. The 911 is no exception as the 992 generation is a far cry from the original models, barely touching 2,300 pounds. This is a follow-up to a recent interview with Porsche design boss, Michael Mauer where he talked about the possibility of a more compact 911 and a potential 911 E.V. We decided to envision a hypothetical, smaller variant of the Porsche 911 and take a look at how possible it is, and whether this will open the door for a fully-electric 911. Can the Porsche 911 as we know it co-exist with a smaller, but fully-electric version of itself?

When Porsche slaps the RSR (Renn Sport Rennen) designation on a 911, you know it means business. These are the most hardcore, racing variants of the rear-engine sports car and their sole purpose is to race at the highest level of competition possible. The original Porsche 911 RSR was an evolution of the already-iconic, Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS. Lighter, faster, and more aerodynamically busy, the Porsche 911 RSR was developed for the 1973, but actually, saw racing in late 1972. In February, 1973, the original 911 RSR won the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Porsche may be known for its iconic sports cars, but in time and with help from its parent company, Volkswagen, the small German carmaker was given the chance to develop a more versatile lineup of vehicles, by utilizing the full arsenal of VAG resources. Porsche sports cars like the 911 and Boxster still remain "true” Porsches while all other models of the brand rely heavily on tech, borrowed from Volkswagen and Audi models.

Porsche is best known for its sports cars, predominantly the 911. The rear-engine model, although far from being the brand’s only performance car, shows continuous commitment to perfecting the classic, rear-engine design, we have all loved since 1964. While the 911 would remain as a gas-powered model for as long as possible, Porsche has diversified its lineup over the last two decades. Following the Boxster, Porsche introduced its first SUV, the Cayenne, and a few years later, in 2009, the Panamera high-performance sedan. One thing no one expects from Porsche is a minivan.

Each generation of the Porsche 911 has its highlights, whether through impressive engineering or a special edition. Porsche enthusiasts no longer separate the 911 into just air-cooled and water-cooled. 911s are also separated by the level of technology they offer, and the 997 is generally considered the last of the classic, more analog 911 generations. It is the Porsche 997 that offers some of the most driver-centric and visceral variants of the rear-engine sports car, and it is the swan song of many iconic Porsche 911 features.

Porsche provides multiple versions of all its models. It is safe to say, there is a flavor for everyone. This is especially true for its sports cars like the 718 and 911, both of which get the occasional, limited-edition variant. When it comes to all-out track performance, the mid-engine Cayman’s most hardcore variant is the GT4 RS. This track-focused 718 takes the best bits from some 911 models, including the engine, which comes from the 911 GT3. The Cayman GT4 RS is much more than a lightened, stiffened Cayman GT4. Porsche has gone above and beyond in pursuit of creating the ultimate, mid-engine track monster. Among the numerous distinctive features of the Cayman GT4 RS are the air intakes, unique to the model. There are a few good reasons why Porsche went with high-mounted air-intakes for the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, and it has as much to do with function as it does with enhancing the fun factor.

The Porsche 993 Speedster is a unicorn in the truest sense. I always like to note how Porsche has a 911 variant for everyone. Between the numerous powertrain, transmission, and body styles, there are well over 30 different iterations of the iconic, German sports car. There is even an off-road variant that pays homage to the 1984 Porsche 953 Dakar rally car. But by far, one of the more unique and desirable variants of the Porsche 911 is the Speedster, which at its core, is a lightweight, bare-bones variant of the 911.