Special editions

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.

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.

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.

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.

One by one, the 992.2 lineup is being rolled out. This generation marks huge changes for Porsche’s iconic sports car as it brought us the first 911 powered by a hybrid powertrain. While the 911 won’t go fully electric anytime soon (if ever), some of the more high-performance 911 variants will not live on without experiencing big changes. When it comes to normally aspirated Porsche 911s, the GT3 RS sits at the top of the food chain as the most track-focused model of the bunch.

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.

Normally, when we think of reimagined or resto-modded classic 911s, the work of Singer is probably the first to come to mind. Of course, there are others like Theon, Gunther Werks, Kalmar Automotive, and so many more. Then, there’s Erbacher – an outfit based out of Dornach, Switzerland, dedicated to making its own epic iteration of the often-reimagined Porsche 964.

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.

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.

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.

The Porsche 911 has always had a myriad of versions, ranging from sporty grand tourers and supercar slayers to all-out track weapons. While the Turbo is the most recurring name when it comes to high-performance Porsche 911s that you can daily drive, there is another model that takes the usable sports car formula and makes it meaner. I am, of course, referring to the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, which is essentially a more powerful, turbocharged GT3 RS. The GT2 RS is the most powerful variant of the Porsche 911 lineup with the exception of the GT1, but we haven’t had one of those in a while.

Every Porsche 911 has its fair share of special editions. These have become more frequent, especially with the newer generations of the German sports car and the 992 is no exception. In 2024, Porsche marked 50 years of the original, 1974 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo, and naturally, a special variant of the current model was in order. These models are highly sought-after by collectors due to their historical significance and their limited production numbers. In the case of the 2024 Porsche 992 Turbo S 50 Years edition, just 1974 will be made. Naturally, Porsche will ask a pretty penny for the 50th anniversary edition.

The Porsche 911 Turbo S is at the top of the food chain when it comes to fast Porsche sports cars, suited for daily use. The 992 Turbo S is mind-bendingly fast and able to embarrass plenty of more expensive models. The rear-engine sports car has always had a reputation for being relatively lightweight, refined, and usable as far as sports cars go. While the company continues to adhere to the same philosophy (for the most part), there is one dreaded aspect of the Porsche experience – the Porsche tax.