Compact cars

There is always an alternative when it comes to Porsche SUV, thanks to its parent company Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG). While Porsche products are always offering superior and complex technical solution, all Audi SUV’s are based on the same platform as Porsche and often a better value for money. The SQ5 is a very appealing alternative to the Macan, and now that Audi is offering a sportback body style as well, the Q5 is also looking sportier than ever while offering performance matching with the mid-range Macan offering.

As a best-selling Porsche model in the United States, the Macan nameplate needs no introduction. In the decade that it has been around, the Macan has won a lot of praise for being one of the most dynamically capable models, in the luxury compact SUV class. For 2024 though, the Macan receives a total reboot as it goes fully electric! If you’re still not ready to embrace electrification, Porsche will thankfully continue to offer the gas-powered model until 2026. The old four-cylinder/V6-equipped Macans are great for many reasons. First, they are affordable. Secondly, they are more practical than the similarly priced 718 Cayman, thanks to the crossover boy style and third, they drive like a Porsche.

Porsche’s 986 Boxster was a model that until recently, did not get the recognition it deserved. It gave Porsche enthusiasts a more affordable, mid-engine sports car that offered 80 percent of the 911 performance at around half the retail price when both cars were new. The entry-level Porsche from the 1990s came with a downside though – it wasn’t the quickest. While even the base-model 986 Boxster can smoke a Mazda Miata from the same period, automatic variants were especially strangled, with 0 to 60 mph times being 7.2 seconds.

It’s sad that Porsche’s best-selling model isn’t its halo sports car, the 911, but a couple of jacked-up SUVs. Both the Macan and the Cayenne are Porsche’s biggest cash cows, the sort of models that make cars like the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder possible. The compact Macan is available in two flavors; Gasoline: starting at $62,000, and Electric: starting at $75,300. The bigger facelifted Cayenne starts at $84,700.

With the all-electric Porsche Macan now officially on sale and starting to hit U.S. dealerships, I wanted to take the opportunity to spec out the most expensive Macan EV possible. So I fired up the configurator and selected the top variant of the four available models (Base, S, 4S, Turbo), which is the Macan Electric Turbo, and went to town. Now before you judge me for the bold PTS color choice, (Speed Yellow - 0UB in case you were wondering), I want to clarify that this was just an exercise. I’m personally far more conservative and would choose something more understated and go with something like silver or navy blue at best. But with this one, I’ve tried my best to select the priciest options available in my quest to get a ballpark figure of the most expensive Macan electric on sale today, and here’s what I found.

Now, as a Porsche enthusiast, I’ve always been drawn to the German brand’s blend of sophisticated design, luxury, performance, and cutting-edge technology. So, when I first heard about the SU7 from Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi about their knock-off Taycan; I was not only intrigued but also a bit skeptical. Yes, yes...I know how legacy automakers everywhere, including the United States are paranoid about the looming threat from Chinese EVs (can’t believe this is political now), but could a company known primarily for its consumer electronics truly compete with established automotive giants? They may not be a household name in America, but after spending some time on the SU7’s configurator, I can say that Xiaomi, despite being a newcomer in the automotive space at least, doesn’t disappoint.

Like several other automakers, Porsche has a notable hierarchy in its model lineup. Sadly, this means that some platforms will never achieve their full potential unless independent specialists work their magic on them. Such is the case with Porsche’s entry-level performance model – the Cayman/Boxster. The fixed-head, coupe version of the Porsche Boxster is sometimes regarded as the brand’s best sports car. This is due to the mid-engine layout, which is considered superior to the 911’s rear-engine setup. That said, tradition dictates that the 911 remains the top dog in the Porsche lineup. While even the more mainstream Porsche models like the Cayenne and Panamera, feature a Turbo variant, the 718 range tops out with the GT4 RS, and the Spyder RS. So, why is it that Porsche in all its wisdom and rich motorsport heritage, decided to forgo an opportunity to create a Turbo 718? Let’s find out.

Porsche’s Boxster/ Cayman models are, often, regarded as the budget-friendly alternative to the 911. It used to be the one you get when you can’t or don’t want to spend 911 money. This isn’t necessarily the case anymore since the Cayman/ Boxster models have their fair share of high-performance versions that borrow tech straight from the 911. The 987-generation of the mid-engine Porsche (2004-2010) is particularly sought-after on the used market, and there are a couple of reasons for that.

When we talk about open-top thrills in a sports car, the Boxster is, often, the first to come to mind. The mid-engine Porsche sports car first appeared in 1996 and was instrumental in pulling the German automaker out of financial trouble. Three generations later, the 718 Boxster remains a solid pick among open-top sports cars. The roadster’s balanced chassis and lightweight nature allow it to punch above its weight while offering one of the most unique driving experiences of any convertible. That said, the Porsche 718 Boxster is not the only great roadster out there. BMW’s latest iteration of the Z4 has been around since 2018, but it somehow isn’t talked about as much. One reason could be the rebirth of the Toyota Supra, which in its fifth generation is, essentially, a re-bodied Z4. After having the chance to experience both cars, we decided to see if the BMW Z4 is truly underrated and how it stacks up to the Porsche 718 Boxster.

Slotting in below the more potent Cayman S, launched in 2006, Porsche introduced a detuned entry-level base Cayman in 2007. This sleek, mid-engined coupe shared its platform and many components with the Boxster Roadster but featured a fixed roof and hatchback body style. It was powered by a 2.7-liter boxer-six engine producing 245 horsepower and 201 pound-feet of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph sprint in 5.8 seconds with the manual transmission.

Like it or not, electrification is coming and Porsche like every other automaker out there, will need to adopt. But despite its expanding electric model lineup, (think electric Macan and the upcoming Cayman/Boxster EV and Panamera EV), the brand recently backtracked on its over-optimistic electric vehicle sales targets, and it appears that Porsche is once again committed to internal combustion engines for the foreseeable future. The Cayenne, for example, is expected to retain an internal combustion option until at least 2030. As for the 911, the T-Hybrid system introduced on the 992.2 Carrera 4 GTS, combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and seems like a strategic move to extend the life of internal combustion engines for Porsche. But to me, it appears to be an excuse to delay the 911 EV. We all know that it will be the last model in Porsche’s lineup to go fully electric. Having said that, here’s why a compact 911, could serve as the base for both a smaller displacement combustion engine and an all-electric powertrain.

Remember the Camel Trophy? That epic off-road endurance race that pushed man and machine to their limits? Often dubbed the Olympics of 4x4s, it was a competition that was held annually between 1980 and 2000. From the impenetrable jungles of the Amazon and Sumatra to the frozen extremes of Siberia, the Camel Trophy ran through, some of the most hostile and untraversable areas on the planet. Sure, you may be used to seeing old-school Land Rover Defenders and Discoverys covered in mud from back in the day. But this rendering of a Macan Turbo electric with a Camel-Trophy theme by Blackfish Graphics caught my attention for a few reasons.