Porsche 911 - page 144

For the 2009 model year, Porsche refreshed the iconic 911, ushering in the 997.2 generation. The Targa 4S, a unique model combining the classic Targa top with all-wheel drive performance, received notable updates, both inside and out. A more powerful 3.8-liter flat-six engine replaced the previous 3.6-liter unit, while subtle exterior changes modernized the timeless 911 silhouette.

The 911 Turbo S may not be one of the world’s most beautiful cars, but it does have a timeless appeal, and if you are lucky enough to have one in your garage, you probably spend a lot of time just admiring it. However, if you ever feel like Porsche’s vibrant PTS colors do not offer the individuality you are looking for, this is where TopCar design’s Stinger GTR comes into the picture. TopCar Design has always been about pushing the boundaries when it comes to crafting custom Porsche body kits and the Stinger GTR is a spectacular manifestation of their unique creative process.

Porsche has a long history of rallying, and its lineage includes models like the iconic Porsche 953 – the original 911 Dakar. For the 992 generation, the German automaker decided to have another crack at the 911 Dakar formula. The rally-inspired 992 was produced in just 2,500 examples, and they are all sold out. That said, these 992 Dakar models started popping up on the auction sites for more than twice the original, $222,000 asking price. Most examples seen on classic.com cost north of $350k. But thankfully, there are plenty of alternatives to the Porsche 911 Dakar. It seems every other day we are getting an off-road version of the Porsche 911 from some company. Let’s suppose you are looking for something more affordable or closer to the original, 953 Dakar. In that case, there are a few companies out there, making fully-functional Porsche 911s that can easily tackle rough terrain while still being refined enough for daily use.

Look, let’s be honest. Every other Porsche 911 on the road these days looks like it escaped from a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon’s office. All bloated and overdone. But this 2022 GT3 Touring? This, my friends, is a Porsche with a purpose. First off, the paint. Forget boring ol’ black or white. This example is dipped in a paint-to-sample Superior Red metallic (W10), a rare PTS color. Yeah, that’s right. Now, I haven’t seen it in person, but from the pictures, it sure does pop. It’s more burgundy wine than red. While most GT cars are adorned in a loud shade with the RS models even getting graphics, this wingless 911 appears to be a track weapon or canyon carver for the discerning gentleman.

Since its inception back in 1964, the Porsche 911 has been going against the status quo. For over six decades, Porsche engineers have perfected the formula of putting the engine in the rear – a highly uncommon design decision among modern-day automakers. But back when the 911 was still a young name, the company wasn’t sure the rear-engine formula would work long-term. At one point, Porsche even considered replacing the 911 with the V8-powered 928, but that never happened. Porsche’s decision to keep the rear-engine 911 around, paid off as continues to deliver truly unique driving characteristics, for which the car is still praised today.

Hold the phone on the Dubai supercar tours (been there done that already). Instead of some track-action, Porsche Experience has cooked up something way more my speed – Camp 911 Namibia. Forget pavement princesses and garage queens; this is about conquering Namibia’s lunar landscapes in a rough-and-tumble 911 Dakar. But let’s get one thing straight: Namibia ain’t exactly the Dakar Rally. The real Dakar throws down in West Africa, Senegal to be precise. But Namibia, further down south? It’s equally epic in its own right.

For many, the Porsche 911 is the ultimate sports car. Refined and versatile enough (in most of its variants) to be used on a daily basis, but also quick enough to put most exotic cars to shame. Every generation of the 911 gets its fair share of special editions. For the 992 generation, Porsche decided to bring back the Dakar monicker, originally used on the 1984 Porsche 953. That said, with only 2,500 examples of the modern-day Porsche 911 Dakar made, only the quickest and most resourceful of Porsche enthusiasts would have had the chance to get behind the wheel of the special 911 off-roader.

Look, I’m not gonna lie. My heart aches a little when I think about the Porsche 911 these days. That sleek, timeless silhouette, the soundtrack from a flat-six (okay maybe just the naturally aspirated ones), the quality, and the ballistic speed, – it’s the full package, that some might call automotive nirvana. Remember back in the day? You could (almost) walk into a Porsche dealership with a wad of cash and snag yourself a brand-new 911. Sure, it was never cheap, but it at least felt attainable. Now? Forget it. Those days are long gone. Forget about showing up with a briefcase full of benjamins – they’re playing a whole different game at Porsche dealerships these days. Recent trends indicate a shift towards scarcity and acquiring a new 911, is more challenging than ever. But in 2024, prospective buyers face extensive waitlists for not only high-performance models like the 911 GT3 but also entry-level trims like the Carrera and GTS.

Richard Hammond, a.k.a TopGear’s old resident Hamster is back on DriveTribe with a juicy dilemma: Did he choose wisely? In his garage sit two shiny 992-generation Porsche 911s, but a nagging question gnaws at him – did he grab the wrong one? Specifically, should he have snagged the more versatile 911 Dakar instead of his most recent acquisition, the luxurious, but equally ballistic 911 Turbo S Cabriolet?

From Bentley and Bugatti to Aston Martin, we have several luxury exotic carmakers entering the realm of real estate where automotive design and architecture merge in stunning examples of glass and steel. But Porsche was one of the first brands to do so with a Porsche Design Tower back in 2017. Now, they’re back. This time, Porsche Design has teamed up with Thai developer Ananda Development to unveil the Porsche Design Tower Bangkok, the first of its kind in Asia and the third globally, following Miami and Stuttgart. The Bangkok tower boasts just 22 exclusive "Sky Villas" – think sprawling duplexes and quadplexes – ranging from a spacious 525 to a gut-busting 1,135 square meters. With a price range between $15 million and $40 million, these aren’t for the faint of wallet. But for those who can afford it, the promise is a living experience unlike any other, come 2028.

The 991.2 Speedster was a limited-run special edition model released on Porsche’s 70th Anniversary. With just 3,585 miles on the ODO, this low-mileage example is one of just 1,948 Speedsters built. Set to cross the auction block at this year’s Chattanooga Motocars Festival, this Speedster comes with the optional $24,510, Heritage Design Package (XWW). The core design concept remains consistent with the 911 R or GT3 Touring: a sleek windshield, removable top, and the iconic double-bubble silhouette.

As a scale model car collector, I continue to yearn to buy a miniature version of some of my favorite rides. So when I saw this go-kart, I knew I had to investigate. It is built by Little Roadsters and designed to resemble a 1970s Porsche 911 cabriolet in the style of a 3.0 Carrera RS. There’s something undeniably charming about driving around in a scaled-down version of a legendary vehicle. It’s like stepping into a time machine but without the time travel.