Cool fast cars - page 84

Porsche sports cars are some of the first to come to mind when talking about engaging, driver-focused performance cars that offer that classic driving feel. Much of that comes from being able to row through the gears yourself through a third pedal and a stick. While most automakers are gradually phasing out the manual transmission, especially in high-performance models, Porsche will still sell you a brand-new car with an H-pattern shifter and a clutch pedal.

The Porsche 944 comes from the German automaker’s transaxle era (1970-1990) when the brand experimented with different drivetrain layouts. It was part of the company’s efforts to make a sports car that was more affordable and balanced than the rear-engined Porsche 911. The front-engined 944 was an evolution of the 924 developed with Volkswagen. Today, the 944 is becoming a popular classic car, but unlike 911s from the time (930), you can still find them for a relatively cheap price. Good examples can be found for around $5,000.

While the 911 is the Porsche brand’s definitive sports car, it is far from the only performance model that the German automaker has given us. During the 1970s and ’80s, Porsche was experimenting with the more conventional, front-engine rear-wheel drive layout. This spawned a variety of Porsche transaxle sports cars that were produced alongside the rear-engine 911. One of the four transaxle models is the Porsche 944. Like with the 911 (and other Porsche models), there was a Turbo variant that sat atop the 944 range.

Like several other automakers, Porsche devised a strategy for electrification. Originally, the plan was for Porsche to electrify 80 percent of its model lineup by 2030. That said, the automotive industry is a dynamic place and things often change at a rapid pace. Demand for EVs has slowed down, forcing many automakers, Porsche included, to rethink their long-term strategies. The Porsche Taycan marked great success in its early years, but global sales of the EV model have dropped by 50 percent, during the first three quarters of 2024.

Making a lightweight production sports car is becoming increasingly difficult in modern days. With the ever-increasing safety and emissions requirements, cars are becoming more tech-heavy, as they feature more advanced and complex systems than their predecessors. Then, there is the electrification trends in the automotive industry, which even Porsche couldn’t evade. That said, the German autormaker still has a few tricks up its sleeve that ensure its sports car models remain relatively lightweight to most of their competitors.

Not a lot of automakers have as many iconic engines as Porsche does. The German company is responsible for one of the most iconic sports cars ever made – the 911. The boxer engine is a staple across several Porsche models, but this is far from the only engine configuration Porsche knows. What makes an engine iconic? Is it the sheer power or is it the groundbreaking engineering? Perhaps the reliability or soundtrack? As it turns out, it is all of the above, and Porsche has more than a few engines that fit the bill.

The world of high-performance Porsche 911s can be a thrilling yet confusing entity. Among the most coveted models are those bearing the legendary "GT" designation, a badge signifying a lineage rooted in motorsport. "Gran Turismo," meaning "grand touring," refers to a time when comfortable yet capable sports cars were purpose-built for endurance racing. Porsche, recognizing the value of this proving ground, embraced GT racing early on with cars like the 356 A 1500 GS Carrera GT in 1957, followed by icons like the 356 B 1600 GS Carrera GTL Abarth and the 904 Carrera GTS.

No Porsche can truly be called slow, but then again, no Porsche is truly affordable either. The sports carmaker has long traditions in motorsport, which has nicely transitioned into its road cars. While much can be said about the Porsche 911, you need to put together a hefty sum of money if you want to buy one. The base-model 992.2 Carrera starts at $122,000 and special-edition models like the GT3 RS are over $240,000. Not long ago, you could get behind the wheel of a 911 for under $100,000, but that is no longer the case with the 992.

The Porsche 911 is the flagship of the German automaker and, due to its versatility and pedigree, is often considered the best sports car ever made. That said, the 911’s future wasn’t always set in stone, and at one point even Porsche doubted the model’s longevity. While the rear-engine layout became a signature trait of the 911 – something that hasn’t changed to this day and even back then, this wasn’t a common layout. Most notable sports cars that the 911 competed with opted for the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive setup or the more radical, mid-engine layout.

Porsche’s incredible racing heritage spans decades and venues around the world. The German automaker had more than a few entries in Latin America, including the famous, Carrera Panamericana race. The special Porsche 718 Spyder RS commemorates the 70th anniversary of a feat from 1954 when Hans Hermann secured third place behind the wheel of a Porsche 550 Spyder. The limited-edition Porsche 718 Spyder RS has been meticulously styled to emulate the aesthetics of the Hans Hermann-driven Porsche 550 Spyder, which Porsche entered in three consecutive years – 1952, 1953, and 1954 – of the long-distance race.

Despite Porsche being one of the most iconic sports car manufacturers of all time, most of the company’s offerings these days are geared towards luxury and daily usability. What was once a company focusing on high-performance models and motorsports, now has one of the most versatile lineups in the industry, made up of sedans, SUVs, and also wagons. This includes the likes of four-door sedans like the Panamera and Taycan. Both share plenty of traits and with the next-generation Panamera going full EV, this begs the question, which one should you choose?

Porsche cars are widely considered as some of the best sports cars that are also suitable for daily drivers. While there are a few exceptions, those being the more track-focused GT variants of the 911 and 718 models, the level of engineering and fine-tuning that goes into a Porsche is matched only by a few other companies in the industry. And even then, they would charge you a lot more. But that doesn’t mean Porsche sports cars are affordable.