Porsche News - page 168

I’m a sucker for anything with a Porsche crest on it and Porsche Design (PD) has always understood how to blend performance with pure, unadulterated style. Their design philosophy also extends to two wheels. I’m talking about E-Bikes that Porsche Design added to its product lineup in 2021. Regular E-bikes these days are about as exciting as a grocery-getter. But Porsche? They simply don’t do boring. A result of a partnership between Porsche and Rotwild, these E-bikes offer a premium riding experience and draw inspiration from iconic Porsche models like the 911 and the futuristic Taycan E.V. If you’re a Porsche fanatic, their range of E-bikes is a cool way to break a sweat, and now they’re kicking things up a notch with some new colorways and a smartwatch collab that’ll make any Porschephile drool.

With E.V. sales decreasing, hybrids are making a comeback, even in the high-performance segment. But let’s not kid ourselves; hybrid technology is complex. It’s a delicate dance between the ICE (internal combustion engine) and electrical components, working together perfectly to deliver the best of both worlds. We’re talking about a combustion engine, electric motor(s), battery packs, power electronics, wiring, and all sorts of high-tech wizardry. It’s not as simple as just slapping an electric motor onto an existing gas-powered engine - it requires careful engineering and integration to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.

Porsche is adding two more variants of the Macan EV to its line-up. Joining the Macan 4 and the Turbo announced back in January 2024, are the base RWD Macan and the 4S, which will fit between the Macan 4 and the top-of-the-line Turbo variant. The entry-level RWD version is powered by a single motor borrowed from its dual-motor siblings mounted over the rear axle. The base version also uses the same capacity battery as the rest of the line-up, a 100 kWh battery of which 95 kWh is usable. This single-motor set produces 335 horsepower and 415 foot-pounds of torque. You can boost the output to 355 briefly using launch control. The base Macan has a top speed of 137 MPH and a 0-60 time of 5.4 seconds. The base Macan is lighter by 242 pounds thanks to only having one motor, this also translates to a WLTP range of up to 398 miles.

Currently, only two brands are associated with the boxer engine layout – Porsche and Subaru. Porsche’s obsession with boxer engines began long before the iconic 911 came to be. Despite the German brand having long traditions, of using this engine configuration, it wasn’t Porsche that invented it. The boxer engine was patented by Karl Benz, back in 1896. Porsche did not start using the boxer engine layout until the 1930s, and even then, its first use wasn’t in a Porsche model. Rather, it was the budget-friendly VW Beetle, the people’s car.

AutoTopNL’s YouTube channel is known for high-speed P.O.V. driving videos and reviews of some of the fastest cars on the planet. Fortunately for them and their subscribers, channel founders Max and Martijn are based right on the border with Germany, the land of the Autobahn. Their most recent video features a 2001 RTurbo 550 by renowned German Tuner, Ruf Automobile. According to official figures, the 550 can hit a top speed of 218 MPH, which is not too shabby for a car that is 23 years old. Find out this fares when you show it a section of the infamous German autobahn.

The Porsche 911 is one of the most iconic and recognizable and iconic sports cars of all time, and within this decade it will be an EV. However, Porsche has also claimed it will be the last of their models to be electrified. After the Macan EV, the next models to embrace electrification in the next two years will be the Boxster and the Cayman. The German brand is doubling down on its commitment to the electrified future, as evident with the discontinuation of several ICE models in Europe, including the Macan, Boxster, and Cayman. According to Porsche CEO Oliver Blume, the brand already has received 10,000 orders for the Macan EV which will be released in the second half of 2024.

The seventh-generation BMW M5 is here, and it’s packing a serious punch with a whopping 717 horsepower, roughly 100 more horses than before. This super-sedan is the most powerful in BMW’s stable, thanks to a new S68 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 and a powerful e-motor inside the eight-speed ZF automatic. But before you plan to start doing donuts in your driveway, there’s a catch: this beast has put on some serious weight due to all the electrical components.

Porsche has made it a point to offer a 911 for every taste. Between the different body styles, engines, and drivetrain options, there are well over 20 variants of the rear-engine sports car you can choose from. The Targa form factor goes back to the ’60s and Porsche is one of the few carmakers to continue offering this unique body style with the 911, even today. Most car companies are offering, either fixed-head coupes or traditional convertible models with retractable tops. The Targa is neither a coupe nor a convertible, making it one of the most distinctive 911 variants you can buy, without resorting to the very expensive, limited-edition models. Unfortunately, this versatility also makes the Targa the heaviest Porsche 911 you can get, but there are a few reasons why this shouldn’t deter you if you are considering one.

Who needs a Porsche 911 Dakar when you can have the same amount of fun for a fraction of its eye-watering price? This is the question that Tyler Hoovie from Hoovie’s Garage YouTube channel set out to answer. While Safari 911s have been popular in the aftermarket for a while now (and cost a pretty penny), Porsche too caught up on the action with the 911 Dakar, a spectacular machine that was purpose-built to be taken off the beaten path. Unfortunately, it costs $225,000 before options and markup when new. They are also very rare since Porsche only made 2,500 examples.

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.

The Porsche 911 Dakar nameplate was revived in 2022 as an homage to the legendary 911 953 rally car that was victorious in the Paris to Dakar rally in 1984. Based on the 992.1 Carrera 4 GTS, the modern reincarnation of the Dakar has been modified to venture off the pavement. Upgrades from the factory include an adaptive lifted suspension which gives it 6.3 inches of ground clearance (with an additional lift of 1.2 inches), chunkier Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Tires, and metal skid plates which help protect the underside on rough terrain. As for propulsion, the Dakar carries over the engine from the Carrera 4 GTS, a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six making 473 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. The transmission of the Dakar is an 8-speed PDK automatic sending power to all four wheels.

The Porsche 911, an icon of automotive excellence, is on the cusp of a revolutionary transformation. The 2025 911 Carrera GTS emerges as a trailblazer, the first-ever production hybrid 911 to grace the asphalt. This electrifying marvel heralds a new era, whispering secrets of the rest of the forthcoming 992.2 generation of cars, including the highly anticipated Turbo S.