Comparisons - page 12

Porsche has proven, on numerous occasions, that the 911 is one of the most versatile platforms. Since its introduction, in 1964, there have been countless variants of the German, rear-engine sports car, including all-terrain variants bred for rallying. Porsche offers a 911 for every taste and need, and with the 992 generation, it also brought out the 911 Dakar – a true, off-road sports car by Porsche that pays homage to the classic Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Paris-Dakar 4x4 (953) from 1984. But a US-based company has also undertaken the task of reimagining the rally-bred Porsche 911.

RUF was the first company to reimagine Porsche sports cars and it all started back in 1939. What started as Auto Ruf service garage, eventually became the first manufacturer to repair and restore Porsche sports cars, and eventually build Porsche-inspired, high-performance automobiles, under the RUF brand. The Pfaffenhausen-based company still makes Porsche-inspired models, but everything is now made in-house. Moreover, RUF is also a manufacturer of performance parts for Porsche models like the 911 and 718. One of Porsche’s most desired models from the 21st century is the Carrera GT, and it didn’t take long for RUF to come up with its own, mid-engine variant of a Porsche-based model. The RUF CTR3 is what we got, and here’s why it is the best way to get the Porsche Carrera GT experience (and more) at a fraction of the price.

The world just got a whole lot louder and a whole lot faster. Chevy just ripped the curtain off the long-awaited and highly-anticipated C8 2025 Corvette ZR1, and it’s not messing around. Packing a colossal 1,064 horsepower from its 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged flat-plane crank V8, this is also the first-ever mid-engined ’Vette with a ZR1 badge. The ZR1 line of course goes back decades and is a model line with track-bred performance. While this isn’t going to be an apples-to-apples comparison, how does this pinnacle of American performance from General Motors, stack up against the Porsche 911? With 691 horsepower, the 991 GT2 RS was one of the fastest and most powerful 911s ever made. But today, the most rad 911 you can buy is the GT3 RS. Let’s find out.

For 2025, Porsche did something everybody was afraid of. Fans of the 911 were worried that electrifying the Porsche 911 would make it too complex and heavy, but what ended up happening is, Porsche schooled everyone on how to make a hybrid sports car that turned out to be quicker around the Nurburgring than a 992.1 Turbo S. That’s exactly what the 2025 Porsche 992.2 GTS achieved, so we can only expect the 992.2 Turbo S would be even more bonkers when it arrives.

The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS is making a grand entrance, not just as a new model but as a technological trailblazer within the iconic 911 family. Its groundbreaking T-Hybrid system is set to become a mainstay in the upcoming 992 models, which is perfect because it all runs in the background, and you wouldn’t feel any difference apart from increased engine responsiveness.

The 992.1 Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a beast, no question about it. That massive wing and aggressive bodywork scream track monster. But there’s one detail that had me scratching my head: that side vent, or the lack of one. Unlike the standard GT3, the RS has a gaping maw right on the rear wheel arches. Why the difference between the two models? Let’s find out.

Toyota is hard at work reviving iconic nameplates, and luckily for enthusiasts, this also extends to the brand’s sports cars. We have been hearing about Toyota MR-2’s return since 2019, but until a few months ago, we didn’t have any concise information. Reports from Japanese outlets were gradually revealing details about Toyota’s soon-to-be-revived, mid-engine sports car. In stark contrast to what we initially believed, the new MR-2 will not be a budget-friendly model, co-developed with Daihatsu and Suzuki. This turned out to be Toyota’s S-FR, which will also be sold as the new Suzuki Cappuccino and Daihatsu Copen and would compete with Mazda’s MX-5 Miata. This puts the MR-2 in a whole other league, and judging by the performance figures revealed, it would also likely be able to keep pace with most variants of the Porsche 718. Maybe even outperform it?

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.

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.

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 RS badge has been synonymous with peak performance within the Porsche family for decades. More than a badge, the "RS" represents a declaration of dominance. It signifies the pinnacle of Porsche engineering, where razor-sharp handling and earth-shattering performance converge. The 1970s saw the birth of a legend: the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7. Born to devour the race track, the 911 Carrera RSR 2.8 was a force to be reckoned with. Its lightweight body was stripped of everything unnecessary, with a particularly potent engine beneath the hood primed for exhilarating performance This wasn’t just any 911; it was the very first to wear the coveted "RS" badge, signifying "RennSport" or "racing sport" in German. One of the greatest examples from the Porsche stable to ever wear the badge is the 1995 911 Carrera RS. But how does it compare to the current GT3 RS? Let’s take a look.

The world it seems has gone SUV crazy with everything from hatchbacks to wagons featuring body cladding and higher ground clearance like never before. Lamborghini and Porsche, two titans of the supercar world are the latest to embrace this trend and have now unleashed their visions of off-road insanity with the Huracán Sterrato and the 911 Dakar.