Cool fast cars

It seems that most automakers are making a profitable “side business”, based on a renewed demand for manual-transmission vehicles. Porsche does something similar as it is gradually phasing out the stick from most mainstream models, including the 911 and 718. Occasionally, the German carmaker gives us special-edition vehicles, equipped with a manual gearbox, and sells them for an obscene amount of money. Naturally, people buy them because it’s Porsche and they are bound to become collector cars.

The Porsche 911 is a sports car that needs no introduction. Featuring one of the most distinctive designs, the iconic model from Germany has been evolving for over 60 years. While the allure of even the base Porsche 911 Carrera is undeniable, the 992.2 generation still has a starting MSRP of $120,100. Many would be hesitant to part ways with such a hefty sum for a car, which begs the question: is there something that packs similar performance for less? The answer is yes. While there are multiple offerings out there, I am focusing on another iconic nameplate from the sports car world – one that comes from Japan.

Porsche and Ferrari are some of the most renowned names when it comes to high-performance sports cars and supercars. Both companies have decades of experience and boast a proud heritage. The two carmakers are also very successful in motorsports and much of what they have learned on the track has nicely transitioned to their road-going sports cars. Ferrari and Porsche have very different approaches when it comes to making a high-performance car. The 911 is Porsche’s pride, despite there, occasionally, being more potent models. There is one particular 911, which is more comparable to what Ferrari is currently doing, more than any other – the GT1 (Strasßen) or Street version. While both are capable of incredible speed and pack six-cylinder engines, one thing that separates the Porsche 911 GT1 Street and Ferrari’s current flagship, the F80, is that they are 30 years apart in terms of innovation and progress in automotive engineering. This comparison shouldn’t make any sense, but here’s how a race-bred Porsche 911 GT1 measures up against the technologically advanced Ferrari F80 hybrid supercar.

Like other automakers, Porsche is up for experimenting with new things. While the German car company is most praised for its legendary sports cars, mainly the 911 and 718, Porsche is no stranger to deviating from its usual ways. This has resulted in some pretty interesting concepts over the years. What pushed the strife to explore new ways was, to an extent, Porsche’s financial trouble between the 1980s and 2000s. Interestingly enough, those were the years in which some of the most bizarre Porsche creations came to life. Even now, Porsche is churning epic new concepts, but sadly none of them transitioned to production models. While there are plenty of examples, I took it upon myself to find and research the five most obscure Porsche concept cars that time forgot. Some of them are more recent than you think, and this raises the question of why Porsche didn’t go through with them.

Competition invites progress and in the automotive world, there are plenty of rivalries, pushing the limits of what can be achieved with an internal combustion engine (or an electric motor). You know about Mustang vs Camaro, BMW vs. Mercedes, Ford vs Ferrari, and Lancia vs Audi, but one rivalry I feel isn’t talked about enough is the Porsche 911 vs Nissan GT-R. Since 1969, the Japanese performance model has been shooting for motorsport domination, the same as Porsche.

When you think ’German Sports Car’, the Porsche 911 and BMW M4 are most likely the models to come to mind. Typically, I would not put them in the same sentence together, but something interesting is happening with both. In the past, BMW almost always tried to desperately keep up with the Porsche 911, especially in its high-performance variants. Over the years, these efforts spawned cars like the BMW M3 CSL (E46) and BMW M3 GTS (E92). A less-known M-car is the M3 GTR (E46), which actually managed to beat Porsche in an area where it typically dominates – endurance racing. But things are different when it comes to road cars. Until now at least. Looking at the price and performance levels, the Porsche 992.2 Carrera may have finally found its match. I decided an unlikely comparison is in order to figure out if the BMW M4 CS really is good enough to dethrone what is, often, considered to be the ultimate sports car.

The Porsche 992.2 update changed a lot of things. For starters, we got the first production 911 to feature a hybrid powertrain. Then, there is the unusual order in which the 992.2 lineup is being released, starting with the base Carrera and mid-range Carrera GTS back in May last year, followed by the GT3 models and the Carrera T in October. We know the Porsche 992.2 lineup will be complete by 2026, and the latest model to join the lineup is the 992.2 Carrera S. Going back all the way to the 997 Carrera S, which first hit the scene in ’05, the ’S’ in Carrera S stands for ’Sport’. There had been a lot of speculation about what is considered the most popular 911 trim. However, the main questions about the 992.2 Carrera S revolved around whether or not it will be a hybrid and thankfully, that is not the case. With that said, I took it upon myself to scout the web and see what people were looking for in this latest Carrera S and how much of it lined up with my predictions. Here’s what I found.

Porsche is continuing with the gradual electrification of its lineup, albeit at a slower pace. The fate of the Porsche 718 is one of the more controversial aspects of the German automaker’s EV strategy. While declining EV sales have caused Porsche to backtrack on its electrification efforts, a fully electric 718 is still happening. However, the EV variant of the celebrated mid-engine sports car will be delayed due to battery issues. This prompted Porsche to keep the ICE-powered 718 for a while longer, although not in all markets. It seems the same thing that happened to with the Macan EV is happening with the 718 EV. The Macan EV was also delayed due to battery issues and it seems the theme continues after the model’s launch. Are we seeing the same thing with the Porsche 718 EV? Below, we are looking at some facts as well as what we know about Porsche’s battery issues and how it could affect the production model and launch date.

Porsche sports cars like the 911 in particular, have a faithful following. With a legacy spanning over 60 years and counting, the car itself, and the people who drive them possess very specific traits. Whether we are talking about one of the many 911 versions, the EVs, or the SUV offerings, Porsche’s performance models are some of the most capable, pound-for-pound. There have been many Porsche 911 versions that have achieved legendary status and have even overshadowed other decent Porsche offerings. Then, there is the infamous brand tax, which is present on, both the new stuff, the classics, and limited-edition models, of which there are plenty on this list. While most of these models are deserving of their reputation, their exclusivity has priced them out of reach for all, but the most avid car collectors. This isn’t just limited to the 911 though and some Porsche models aren’t as deserving of the hype. Now, I know that including some of the models in this list may be controversial, but in my opinion, here’s why these are 10 of the most overrated Porsche models.

The Porsche 911 is currently in its eighth generation. Like the 996, the 992.2 update brought some firsts, key among which was a hybrid powertrain for some 911 variants like the GTS. Porsche’s model has steadily evolved over the years, but this has taken away some of the classic traits that Porsche purists cherish. This is one of the reasons why older Porsche 911s retain value so well. Even the most hated 911 – the 996 with its fried-egg headlights– has begun appreciating, due to being the most affordable way of getting behind the wheel of the iconic German sports car.

Porsche is slowly completing the 992.2 lineup. Every couple of months, the German sports carmaker unveils at least one new variant of the latest Porsche 911. At the time of writing this, the Porsche 992.2 lineup comprises the Carrera, Carrera T, Carrera GTS, Carrera 4 GTS, GT3, and GT3 Touring. We know the GT3 RS is going to make its appearance by 2026, but what about the range-topping 911? For decades, the GT2 RS has been the range-topping swan-song model for every Porsche 911.

There is no shortage of companies that reimagine Porsche 911s and the automotive scene today, seems to be saturated but in a good way, with car companies that focus on tastefully resto-modding classic Porsches and giving them a unique twist. Names like Singer, Theon, Gunther Werks, REEN, and Gembala are a handful, that come to mind. But how to stand out amidst so many? Dutch company, Kalmar Automotive may have the answer. In the summer of 2024, the company unveiled its most groundbreaking project yet – the Kalmar 9x9.

If you are a Porsche fan, you have probably come across the name RWB. It stands for RAUH Welt Begriff, which translates to Rough World Concept in German. "Rough” is exactly the word some would use to describe Nakai San’s work on Porsche 911s, but while divisive, his method of modifying the popular German sports car is what makes his builds truly unique. There are plenty of companies that delve into custom Porsche 911 builds, but RWB’s work stands out as the most outrageous wide-body Porsche 911s, made by the Japanese artisan.

The 1980s was a truly crazy time. On the one hand, we’d just experienced the oil crisis, which had led to some horrendous cars and ruined previously great ones. On the other – it was a time of innovation, futuristic styling, and some very radical design decisions. Pronounced fender flares, side gills, and pop-up headlights were the norm in those crazy days. When it comes to the Porsche 911, one design stands out as the definitive 1980s styling element – the Flachbau which translates to Slant Nose or flat nose in German.

Ever since the 992.2 update began rolling out in May this year, and gave us the first hybrid Porsche 911, we wondered what this would mean for the other variants of the rear-engine sports car. The Porsche 911 prides itself on a few things: "revolution, not evolution", being one of the most usable high-performance vehicles, and being one of the most mass-produced sports cars. That said, the 911 is still not a mass-produced vehicle compared to, let’s say the Macan.

The 992.2-generation Porsche 911 GT3 and GT3 Touring were officially unveiled a month ago. Both models are available on the Porsche configurator to spec as you see fit. If you are a track enthusiast then the 911 GT3 would be the logical choice, with its aggressive aero kit, providing plenty of downforce. But if you want the GT3’s legendary, normally-aspirated flat-six that revs to 9,000 RPM, without the crazy aero, the more civil GT3 Touring would be more your cup of tea.

When it comes to performance cars, Porsche has always been one marque where the brand tax was apparent. Aside from a few exceptions, like the rather undesirable 924, no Porsche can truly be called affordable in my opinion. Moreover, the vast majority of the German brand’s sports cars tend to appreciate over time, making virtually any Porsche that doesn’t share hardware with Volkswagen Group cars (VAG), a great investment. So if you’re looking to spend as little money as possible on a Porsche sports car, but still want something that packs decent performance, there are a few interesting options out there. Among those are, not one, but two generations of the 911 as well as a V8 model grand tourer to name a few. While some of these cars are only now beginning to be truly appreciated, you can still find great examples of each at reasonable prices with the possibility of even snagging some of the more desirable trims. After looking at market trends of some underappreciated Porsches, I think these are the models with the highest chance of going up in value. The cars in the following list have been arranged from most expensive to most affordable.

Between trying to stick to the 2030 electrification plans and keeping the internal combustion engine alive, Porsche has made some weird decisions of late. EV demand has decreased, prompting a few strategy changes from the German automaker. The all-electric Taycan in particular was affected by this market shift, as the performance EV went from being one of the most popular Porsche models to now suffering declining sales. Global Taycan sales have dropped by almost 50 percent during the first nine months of 2024 and this makes me draw parallels with another Porsche model from the 1980s that started out strong but ended up being axed due to slow sales. The 928 suffered a similar fate during the second half of its production cycle. Porsche had big plans for the 928 and its derivatives, which never saw production. All this begs the question: is the writing on the wall for the Porsche Taycan EV? There is more to suggest that this is the case and I am going to share all we know so far.

The Porsche 911 spans eight generations and counting. On paper, the latest 992 is measurably superior to every 911 generation, but just like the controversial water-cooled 996, it also brings a lot of innovation, perhaps too much for the Porsche purists. The 992-generation Porsche 911 is also the largest, heaviest model of the iconic, rear-engine sports car. This is frowned upon by some enthusiasts, especially those fond of the much lighter 997 and 991 that came before it. The 992.2 update brought with it the first hybrid Porsche 911 and it seems impressive, given that the mid-range GTS model is now about as capable as the range-topping 992.1 Turbo/ Turbo S variants thanks to the electric assist from the new T-Hybrid system. But what about the noise? How has this revolutionary bit of tech impacted the sound profile of the Hybridized 911? Does the all-new 3.6-liter mill sound better than the 3.0 unit found in the 992.1 GTS? Well, I did some digging on YouTube and Reddit, and here’s what I found.

Porsche as a brand has existed since April 1931. After a successful stint with Daimler and the consulting business that included the design and engineering of models like the VW Beetle and the 16-cylinder Auto Union Type 52, things finally started to fall into place, with Ferdinand Porsche’s dream of making the perfect sports car which came out in 1939. That said, the first mass-produced Porsche performance car – the 356 – did not arrive until well after WWII ended, debuting in 1948. Since then, the German marque has developed a stalwart image as one of the most prominent performance car manufacturers in the world. With a history spanning 93 years and counting, there are many iconic models, many of which were significant to Porsche’s development as a brand. Given Porsche’s storied history and rich motorsport heritage, the list of truly noteworthy Porsche models is impressively long. However, I managed to narrow it down to seven Porsche models, with each one being historically significant through the decades, and paving the way for future Porsches.

Porsche’s rich heritage is a great place to draw inspiration for special-edition models. This is particularly true for the 911, which is the definitive Porsche sports car. The German automaker knows this too well, which is why every generation of the Porsche 911 gets a variety of limited-edition special variants. Back in 2009, Porsche introduced the 997 Sport Classic – a model that combines traditional traits from classic, air-cooled 911s with modern tech. More recently in 2023, the brand introduced a new iteration of the Sport Classic, based on the 992 generation. Conceived by Porsche Exclusiv Manufaktur that allows for limitless customization options, both vehicles follow the same philosophy, leaning heavily on the 911’s heritage. That said, the two 911 Sport Classic variants are very different and while the 992 is superior on paper, this doesn’t necessarily translate to a better driver’s car. I took a deep dive into both 911 Sport Classic models to determine, which is more worthy of the two, in finding a spot in a 911 enthusiast’s garage.

Porsche’s sports cars are often, considered some of the most usable high-performance models ever made. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder and as capable as the 911 and 718 are out of the box, there is room for improvement. These models generally provide a solid base from which to build upon. But sometimes owners want to make their Porsche truly their own by spicing things up a bit with even more power or altering the aesthetics to suit their style. Beyond what Porsche themselves offer, there are plenty of ways to do so with a wide variety of aftermarket performance and visual upgrades being readily available for both the Porsche 911 and 718. While Porsche owners could turn to renowned companies like TECHART, Manhart, and others who can completely transform your car from the ground up, there are more affordable ways to modify your ride, without the need for a comprehensive conversion. As with JDM cars or muscle cars, certain trends are popular in the Porsche community as well, and in this article, I wanted to focus my attention on five, that are common on the Porsche 911 that sometimes also apply to Cayman and Boxster models.