Opinion - page 48

The Porsche 911 is now in its eighth generation and with the introduction of the GTS, GT3, and more recent Carrera T, we can say that the rollout of the Dot 2 models is well underway. With every subsequent generation, you’ll find the Porsche has continued to evolve the 911 lineup to include a vast number of trims ensuring there’s every flavor of 911 available for a wide demographic. In the 991 generation, for example, you had 35 different variations of the 911, and don’t even get me started on the body styles. Anyway, some of the most stand-out or well-known trims include the likes of the Carrera, Turbo, and GT models. The Turbo nameplate celebrates 50 years in 2024, while the GT3 celebrates 25. So quite a momentous year for Porsche then.

German automakers are still at the top of their game when it comes to luxury performance sedans. Take the Panamera for example. Porsche dropped the third generation in November 2023, and eventually hit us with the craziest Panamera yet – the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid for the 2025 model year. This thing packs a frankly ridiculous 771 horsepower and a price tag that’ll make your eyes water – over $225,000! Yeah, it’s gonna cost you big money, but it’s hands-down the fastest Panamera ever.

It’s a big year for the Porsche 911! Specifically, I’m talking about the 992.2 generation, the latest and greatest version of this iconic sports car. It all kicked off with the 911 GTS, featuring a cutting-edge hybrid powertrain and a classic gas-powered base Carrera. Then we got the naturally aspirated 911 GT3 and now, Porsche has dropped the new Carrera T.

Although Porsche has given us a staggering number of all-time great sports cars going back several decades, the German automaker has diversified its lineup over the past 20 years, by adding SUVs and sedans to its model lineup. This leaves the 911 and 718 as the only two Porsche sports car offerings, presenting Porsche with the opportunity to bring back iconic nameplates from its glorious past.

When it comes to exotic rides, everyone’s talking about how eventful 2024 has been so far, and they’re probably right! But here’s the thing: I consider the whole of 2024 to be very special. The all-new, giant V16-powered Bugatti Tourbillon, the successor to the Chiron, debuted earlier in April. Then Lamborghini blew us away with the Temerario, the Huracan successor, showcasing how a twin-turbo V8 hybrid can replace that epic naturally-aspirated V10.

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.

Let’s face it, folks. Crossover convertibles are the automotive equivalent of a mullet: business in the front, party in the back, and a whole lotta "what were they thinking?" in the middle. A niche market indeed with a distinctive taste. Sure, the idea sounds cool on paper, but the reality, as with most things that sound too good to be true, is a bit… off as you’re about to find out. Also, since we’re a brand focused on Porsche, I wanted to explore why the German automaker never considered going down this rabbit hole.

2024 has been utterly eventful, especially in the hypercar realm, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to witness it all. It kicked off with the Bugatti Tourbillon, that wild, 1775-horsepower V16 hybrid beast, which debuted back in June. But with rumors of successors to the McLaren P1 and the Ferrari LaFerrari in the air, I knew that we’d have something along the lines of what now appears to be shaping up to be the new-age holy trinity: absolute madness.

Porsche finally took the wraps off its 992.2 GT3 and GT3 Touring on Friday, and after months of speculation and that teaser image from last Monday, the final reveal seemed a bit underwhelming. Sure, dot 2 models in the Porsche world, unlike an all-new generation, are more about refining the formula based on customer feedback, and thankfully we still have the 4.0-liter flat-six and a manual on offer, but for a GT car, I was expecting more specific details along the lines of aero and engine updates or Nurburgring lap times.

Given how crossovers and SUVs are all the rage these days, it is no surprise that only a handful of wagons on sale in 2024. This is strange because most wagons are more practical than sedans and pack better driving dynamics than SUVs. In the EV world, Porsche’s Taycan Cross Turismo is a great alternative to some of the gas-powered or hybrid wagons like the Audi RS6 Avant and the newly debuted BMW M5 Touring.

Born from Porsche’s shattered F1 dreams, the Carrera GT is considered one of the last truly analog supercars of the early 2000s and when I say analog, I genuinely do mean it. This thing had traction control and ABS, and that’s it. No fancy stability control to save you from your own stupidity.

The Porsche Panamera has always been a bit of a unicorn in the luxury sedan world. It’s a proper driver’s car that just happens to have four doors. And when it comes to engines, the Panamera offers something for everyone. Fancy a smooth V6? They’ve got it. Craving a rumbling V8? Step right up. But if you’re looking to save some fuel without sacrificing performance, the E-Hybrid models are where it’s at. And if you really want to blow your socks off, there’s the Turbo S E-Hybrid with a whopping 771 horsepower.