Features - page 36

Mate Rimac, the Croatian innovator and entrepreneur, is now the CEO of Bugatti Rimac. He also founded Rimac Automobili, the EV hypercar manufacturing company that unveiled the 1877-horsepower electric Nevera in August 2021. In November of that same year, Rimac Automobili merged with the iconic French automaker Bugatti, to form Bugatti Rimac. The merger saw Rimac Group, the parent company of Rimac Automobili, become the majority shareholder with a 55 percent stake. Porsche, under the Volkswagen Group, holds the remaining 45 percent stake. This partnership brought together two powerhouses in the automotive world, merging Rimac’s EV technology expertise with Bugatti’s luxury and performance heritage.

More than just a wagon, the Porsche Panamera GTS Sport Turismo has a gorgeous design. But the beauty wasn’t just skin deep. This powerhouse packed a punch close to 700 horsepower, rivaling the thrill of a 911 while offering the everyday functionality of a Cayenne. With seven trims to choose from, the GTS hit the sweet spot in the middle, delivering both stunning looks and exhilarating performance. Unfortunately, Porsche has discontinued the Sport Turismo for the latest generation of the Panamera.

After a successful eight-year reign and 500 examples later, the iconic Bugatti Chiron is bowing out, leaving behind an even outrageous successor, the Tourbillon. Taking its name from an intricate mechanism in a watch, this all-new hypercar just debuted on the 20th of June 2024 as a 2026 model year, boasting a unique hybrid powertrain that combines a Cosworth-developed 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16 engine with three electric motors, pushing out a total of 1,775 horses! This marks a significant milestone for Bugatti, as the Tourbillon is the French carmaker’s first-ever hybrid vehicle.

The Half 11 is a Le Mans-inspired prototype built from scratch by designer twin brothers Iliya and Nikita Bridan. They are the founders of L.A. Shop: Oil Stain Design Labs and have over a decade of experience working with the largest automobile brands, including Honda and General Motors. The Half-11 is so called because its chassis is from a 911 which had to be cut before being integrated with its body. The brothers jokingly call their project the "Last Bad Idea", but every aspect of the build was done with detailed precision. The idea’s genesis, which eventually became the Half-11, began with a sketch by Iliya, combining the front end of a Porsche 911 with the rear of a Porsche Indy racecar. They immediately met with a team of fabricators, welders, and designers to get this project off the ground. The duo have big plans for their project car and want to make a limited number of models based on this prototype.

The Porsche Carrera GT is a unicorn in the automotive world. With a mere 1,270 ever produced, it’s a true collector’s dream. Even after 2 decades, the Carrera GT continues to strike a chord in the hearts of automobile enthusiasts everywhere. The Carrera GT wasn’t just another supercar; it was built to shatter expectations. Its sleek design housed a phenomenal 5.7-liter V10 engine, practically unchanged from the Le Mans 2000 race car, tuned down for street use. This translates to blistering acceleration, the Carrera reached 0-60 MPH in a mere 3.5 seconds. With a top speed exceeding 205 MPH, the Carrera GT was a force to be reckoned with.

Be it road cars or motorsports, Porsche is a brand that is steeped in tradition and there are certain things about models like the 911, that the German marque should be very careful about changing or altering, or it could leave the Porsche faithful reaching for the pitchforks. Think stuff like the five-gauge instrument cluster with the big analog tachometer in the center, or the twist-and-turn Le Mans-style starter that sits to the left of the steering wheel.

Being the most capable 911 around a racetrack, the 992.1 911 GT3 RS is just a toned-down version of the 911 GT3 R endurance racing car. The aggressive bodywork isn’t just for show, but has a genuine functional purpose. Right from its design (that massive rear wing is just otherworldly for a street-legal production car) to delivering flat-out performance, thanks to its high-revving naturally aspirated flat-six, the 911 GT3 RS is an enthusiast’s dream that costs Ferrari money. Aerodynamics is the magic formula that transforms a fast sports car into a track-devouring monster. It’s all about manipulating the airflow around the vehicle to maximize performance and handling.

Even before it first debuted back in 2007, the R35 Nissan GT-R had its sights set on the Porsche 911 Turbo, outgunning it on its home turf, i.e. the Nürburgring. While the rivalry between the two has been fierce for over a decade, Godzilla is bowing out after a 15-year reign. While production ends in the U.S. for the 2024 model year (2025 in Japan), enthusiasts can grab the final editions. The 2024 Nissan GT-R boasts a revised front fascia, grille, wings, and rear end designed to improve aerodynamics without sacrificing downforce. Nissan engineers meticulously crafted a new mesh grille for better cooling and lower drag. At the same time, the top-of-the-line Nismo version receives a more aggressive rear wing and additional aerodynamic elements. A new "Stealth Gray paint" job completes the Nismo package, marking an apt send-off for this JDM icon.

The swan-neck rear wing, an aerodynamic spoiler design innovation that debuted in motorsport, emerged in response to safety regulations introduced by the Automobile Club de I’Quest (ACO) in 2009. These regulations aimed to address concerns about rear-wing-induced accidents during high-speed races. Engineers constantly tinkered, trying to squeeze out more downforce without sacrificing speed to increase on-track stability.

The 2020 Porsche Taycan isn’t just a pretty face (and it is a very pretty face). This electric marvel delivers mind-blowing acceleration, sharp handling that will leave you grinning, and a head-turning design that commands attention. But the magic truly lies beneath the sleek exterior. The Taycan boasts several engineering firsts for electric vehicles. It’s the only production EV to sport a two-speed transmission, translating into neck-snapping bursts of speed when you push the pedal.

The Porsche Macan is one of the most capable compact luxury SUVs available today. Known for its blend of performance and everyday practicality, it’s also undeniably a Porsche, which shares a lot of characteristics with the brand’s sports cars. It occupies a unique space in the market, offering a sporty driving experience for a family-oriented audience. Its sharp handling and confident stopping power make it a joy to drive. While the base four-cylinder engine provides decent acceleration with launch control, it feels sluggish in everyday driving. Upgrading to the V6 engine in the Macan S unlocks a more satisfying performance, which is ideal for driving enthusiasts. Despite its compact size, the Macan proves that SUVs can be exciting to drive.

In the world of Porsche, the "GT" badge has always signified a level of performance and focus beyond the ordinary. Take the 992.1 911 GT3 RS, a car barely disguising its racing roots. With its massive wing, aggressive aerodynamic bodywork, and a howling 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine churning out 518 horsepower, it’s the pinnacle of what a road-legal Porsche can be.