Coupe - page 156

While the Monterey Car Week has already witnessed its fair share of automotive showstoppers, few have dared to redefine the custom aftermarket genre quite like the Kalmar 9X9 and the Tuthill GT1 this year. While the 911 restomod scene is quite mature, this trend is now extending to other iconic models from the Porsche stable. Kalmar Automotive based out of Denmark, is calling their latest creation, the "world’s first retro hypercar," a bold statement that perfectly captures the essence of this beast. Inspired by legendary cars of the past like the over-engineered 959 owing to that distinctive fixed rear wing, the 9X9 blends classic aesthetics and cutting-edge performance.

Porsche’s turbocharged models have evolved significantly since the introduction of the first 911 Turbo in 1974. Now, five decades later, Porsche is commemorating the 50th anniversary of its iconic model with the unveiling of the limited-edition "911 Turbo 50 Years" at Monterey Car Week. This special model pays homage to the original 930 Turbo, a model that revolutionized the sports car market by integrating turbocharging technology from race cars into a road-legal vehicle. This new anniversary model pays homage to this legacy while incorporating modern styling and performance enhancements.

U.K.-based Tuthill unveils the GT One, a carbon fiber supercar inspired by the iconic Porsche 911 GT1. Porsche created the 911 GT1 Straßenversion (Street Version) as the homologated variant of their GT1 Class racecar back in the late ’90s. Only 22 examples of the GT One are planned to be made. Tuthill Porsche, a legendary name in Porsche restorations and rally racing, is branching out to create their custom projects and collaborations with another well-known brand associated with Porsche - Singer Automotive.

The Gunther Works GWR where the R stands for race is the highly anticipated reimagining of the Porsche 911 (993), which is all set to make its global debut on August 16, 2024. After seven years of development, this model signifies a significant evolution in the Gunther Works lineup, incorporating insights from previous offerings like the 400R, Speedster, and Turbo models, to deliver a vehicle that excels in mechanical, aerodynamic, and powertrain advancements.

In 1977, Porsche gave us the 928 – a more luxurious take on the German sports cars. Just two years later, at the 1979 Frankfurt Motor Show, the audience saw a Porsche 928 Targa. However, it wasn’t Porsche that made it. Sure. The German carmaker made the donor car required for the conversion, but the Porsche 928 Targa was conceived by Rainer Buchmann. The Porsche 928 was more of a comfortable cruiser that could double as a sports car, instead of the 911’s all-out performance car characteristics.

Imagine this: As you stroll through the rows of gleaming metal and horsepower at your local Porsche cars & coffee event, there’s one surefire way to stand out—even if you’re not behind the wheel of a full-sized Porsche. Enter the miniaturized marvel that is turning heads and sparking conversations among dads and enthusiasts alike: a baby stroller based on the legendary Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Technically, since it has a soft top, this is essentially a GT3 RS convertible, which doesn’t exist in real life.

When it comes to 911, there’s honestly so much choice. You can choose from a variety of trims, body styles, and powerplants and the possibilities are endless. But beyond the hype of GT this and Targa that, what about the entry-level Carrera? The 992.2 generation of the 911 is here and everyone’s buzzing about the 2025 911 Carrera GTS and its fancy T-Hybrid system. Sure, it’s got more power and all that jazz, but let’s not forget about the unsung hero of the 992.1 911 lineup: the base model Carrera. This is the one that most of us dream about, and despite prices on the upward trajectory over the past few years, the Carrera is the most attainable 911 and this latest model delivers the iconic sports car experience without breaking the bank (well, not too much).

Remember that insane project where Porsche tried to drive a 911 to the top of a freaking volcano? Yeah, that wasn’t some fever dream – it actually happened, and now they’re dropping a documentary about the whole ordeal. "Edith: Volcano Ascent" is about to erupt onto the scene at the upcoming Monterey Car Week. The car in question? Not a souped-up SUV, but a specially-prepped Porsche 911. We first caught wind of "Edith" back in late 2022, when Porsche was busy testing the car. Their destination and target? Ojos del Salado up in the Andes in Chile, is the world’s highest active volcano. At a lung-crushing 22,093 feet, to give you some context, even Everest’s base camp sits lower than where Porsche was aiming for. This is also the highest volcano on Earth and the highest peak in Chile.

Boxer and flat engines are a highly-uncommon sight in the modern-day automotive industry. Currently, there are only two manufacturers that continue to produce and develop boxer engines – Subaru and Porsche. The boxer engine is most commonly characterized by its flat design hence it is, often, referred to as a flat engine. The first boxer engine was developed in 1897, by Karl Benz – the co-founder of what would eventually become Mercedes-Benz. There is a common misconception when it comes to these engines. Boxer and flat engines are not quite the same. All boxer engines are flat engines, but not all flat engines are boxer engines. This misconception comes from the 1973 Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer. Despite the name, it does not feature a boxer engine, but rather a flat-12 engine or a 180-degree "V-engine". Boxer and flat engines are more different than you think, and here is what sets them apart.

Porsche’s iconic flat-six engines have echoed through the automotive industry for decades, but like most high-performance sports cars and supercars, hybridization is taking over the carmaker’s revered 911 lineup. The 2025 992.2 911 Carrera GTS is the first victim of this shift, boasting a brand-new 3.6-liter single-turbo flat-six, a step up from its predecessor’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six. But that’s not all - Porsche has thrown in not one but two electric motors. One is nestled within the eight-speed PDK transmission, and the other is cleverly integrated into the turbocharger itself, helping it to spool up even without enough exhaust gas pressure. The hybrid setup has resulted in a power boost of 59 horsepower and 29 pound-feet of torque, more than the outgoing 992.1 911 Carrera GTS.

Porsche sports cars are some of the most replicated and reimagined on the planet. The German carmaker’s road-going models have always benefitted from the brand’s racing know-how, especially when it comes to the German brand’s most iconic model - the Porsche 911. That said, the 911 wasn’t always the most favored model by the company. At one point in time, Porsche wasn’t convinced an air-cooled, rear-engine sports car was the way forward. This train of thought spawned the Porsche 928. Instead of the 911’s rear-engine layout, the 928 featured a water-cooled V-8 engine in the front. The 928 was also bigger and more of a grand tourer than an all-out sports car.

We’re just a few days away from the Monterey Car Week and I have my radar on a few cars this year. One that caught my attention is this 1985 Porsche 959 (Vorserie), being auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s. Now the 959 is already pretty rare and special, but this particulate example was owned by the great, Dr.Ferdinand Piëch, Ferdinand Porsche’s grandson, who headed the Volkswagen Group for close to twenty years. Pïech of course was a key figure not just in Porsche motorsports but was also instrumental in reshaping the Volkswagen group along with bringing several noteworthy brands like Bugatti, Bentley, and Lamborghini under the VW umbrella. For those unaware, Porsche built several prototypes of the 959. Dubbed “V5KOM” or V5, this example is one of just five surviving Vorserie (V-Series) prototypes.