Porsche - page 144

The 911 Speedster was a special commemorative model released to celebrate Porsche’s 70th anniversary. There have been several ’Speedster models in the past, six generations of them starting with the 1954 356A. But this is the first Speedster developed by the GT wing of the company. This makes it the first convertible from the team after the legendary V-10-powered Carrera GT. However, that car was developed by a special-projects team.

Porsche and toy maker LEGO, have had a long and fruitful relationship for many years. The LEGO Technic versions of Porsche’s best models are incredibly life-like and have become collector’s items that have adorned many a desk. In the past, they have collaborated to create the LEGO Model 911 GT3 RS, which is made up of more than 2,700 parts. This year, both brands are collaborating to host the Porsche 4Kids Summer Program, at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. This year LEGO has developed a new Technic model of the Porsche GT4 ePerformance which will be the focus of the program this year.

The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS has made quite an impression among enthusiasts, thanks to Porsche’s spanking-new hybrid system that doesn’t have a charging port. Everything works in the background, making you believe that it’s a normal 911 with only a flat-six engine. But that’s not the case, you see. The latest 992.2 911 Carrera GTS features a brand-new 3.6-liter flat-six with a single electrified turbocharger. There’s another electric motor squeezed between the eight-speed PDK and the flat-six. Together, the hybrid powertrain churns out an amazing 532 horsepower and 449 pound-feet of torque.

All Porsche 911s may adhere to a similar philosophy, but each one has its set of unique features. A well-known Porsche aficionado, Magnus Walker, based in Los Angeles has made it his life’s mission to collect all model years of the Porsche 911 from 1964 to 1973, along with other sports car models of the German brand. He’s not limited to Porsche sports cars, but it is the focal point in his car collection, with over 40 models, which feature his own unique twist. As a true Porsche purist, Magnus has a soft spot for air-cooled 911s, and he started out with one of the first Porsche 930 Turbos, sold in the United States. But if you are wondering what Magnus Walker’s daily driver is, you might be surprised. It turns out, that what the famous Porsche enthusiast drives, is something even he didn’t think he would fall in love with – a modern-day 2014 Porsche 991 Turbo S, which has an interesting story behind it.

The CXX Package is like an off-the-menu package offered by Porsche to their most exclusive customers. YouTuber TJ Hunt gives us a glimpse of what this package entails in his latest video. Driving along the scenic coastal stretches of Big Sur a.k.a Highway 1, he introduces the viewers to his 1-of-1 (991.1) Porsche 911 GT3 RS with the CXX Package, a gift from his wife Sabria. If you are starting your research on Porsche’s CXX package, be prepared to go down a deep rabbit hole of information, rumors, and first-hand accounts on forums like Rennlist or Reddit, since Porsche officially hasn’t released any information on this custom package.

Porsche has no shortage of iconic race cars that have dominated in motorsports, and one very race 911 model is about to be the main star at the upcoming, Monterey Auction (August 14 and 15). We are referring to the only mid-engine Porsche 911 in existence – the GT1. The low-slung supercar was developed by Porsche for endurance racing like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. What’s special about this particular 911 GT1 is that, unlike, most cars that were used in endurance racing, this mid-engine Porsche was kept in surprisingly good condition, even after scoring many racing wins. The Porsche race car was freshly listed (on July 16, 2024) on Broad Arrow Auctions, and judging by the car’s estimated value, this 911 GT1 has the potential to become one of the most expensive Porsches ever sold, at an auction.

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.

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.