Coupe - page 300

After the Top Gear trio, I’m talking about Clarkson, Hammond, and May, one of the most influential personalities from the automotive world that has had a profound impact on my career has got to be Doug DeMuro. If you haven’t heard of the guy, he is most renowned for his ’quirks and features’ video format for reviewing cars. Now I had the pleasure of speaking with Doug last year to talk about his online car auction site ’Cars & Bids’ for modern classics (’80s) and I routinely keep tabs on the cars he reviews. I’m also a fan of his annual Doug awards, 8th year among the many categories that he had, I was surprised that he chose his ’Biggest Surprise of the Year’ to be the Porsche 911 S/T. Here’s why.

Last month, I had the pleasure of attending the Icons of Porsche event in Dubai, where a dazzling array of Porsche GT2s from several generations was on display including the likes of the 997 and several variations of the 991. There was one that was also kitted out with a kit from Manthey Racing, who are an official race partner, tuning both race and road cars for the German brand. The GT2 is essentially the wild, untamed extension of the 911 Turbo. Where the Turbo is the polished, everyman supercar, the GT2 is a beast that trades comfort for raw performance. Porsche uses the GT2 to push the limits of the Turbo’s potential. The latest and final episode ’Turbo - Beyond Performance’ of Porsche Heritage Moments, (a series celebrating 50 years of the Tubro) featuring, Timo Bernhard, Thomas Krickelberg, and Frank Jung gives us some insights look at the engineering, history, and legacy of the Turbo’s wild cousin: the GT2. While the trio also touch upon the 911 Turbo 50th anniversary edition, I wanted to focus my attention on the pristine red 997 GT2 at the Porsche Museum.

Ah, the 964 Turbo 3.6. There’s something about the 964 that appeals to enthusiasts of the older, more "raw" Porsche 911s. It’s not as outlandishly beloved as the 930 Turbo, nor is it as “driver-focused” as the later 993, but it strikes a very interesting balance. And if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know that its price has been climbing at an uncomfortable pace. For those who didn’t, or for those who tried to argue that these cars weren’t worth much, the hammer came down at $375,000 for a 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 sold on Bringatrailer.

While EV hypercars haven’t exactly lit the market on fire (I’m looking at you Rimac Nevera), EV sports cars might just be the category to watch out for. Think about it, Porsche is grappling with supply chain issues for its upcoming 718 EV, and the 911 EV is still some time away. Meanwhile, Tesla’s Roadster seems like a distant dream at this point. But China? China is eating everyone’s lunch. Now, I’ve ridiculed some of their past creations for being copycats but having driven a Chinese EV myself I have to admit, that the Asian giant has come a long way not just in terms of coming up with some truly unique and original products, but also in terms of innovating across all verticals of its domestic auto market.

The Porsche 911 is currently in its eighth generation. Like the 996, the 992.2 update brought some firsts, key among which was a hybrid powertrain for some 911 variants like the GTS. Porsche’s model has steadily evolved over the years, but this has taken away some of the classic traits that Porsche purists cherish. This is one of the reasons why older Porsche 911s retain value so well. Even the most hated 911 – the 996 with its fried-egg headlights– has begun appreciating, due to being the most affordable way of getting behind the wheel of the iconic German sports car.

It appears that there’s a storm brewing in Zuffenhausen, and it’s all about Porsche’s next big move into electrification. Now I can’t speak for all Porschephiles, but given the number of spy shots we’ve seen over the past year, I’m sure that a small group is at least curious to learn more about the upcoming all-electric 718 Boxster and Cayman, Originally slated for a 2025 debut, this electrified replacement for Porsche’s entry-level sports car was supposed to signal a bold new chapter for the German brand. But now, that dream seems to be sputtering, mired in delays, supplier woes, and engineering headaches. According to a recent report from the German publication, Automobilwoche, the electric 718’s production timeline is in jeopardy. That’s a big deal because Porsche had been betting on this car to seamlessly replace the outgoing combustion-powered model, which is scheduled to go out of production in October 2025 due to EU cybersecurity regulations. If the EV version doesn’t land on time, Porsche could find itself without an entry-level sports car for the first time in decades. So the question isn’t just whether the electric 718 will make it on time, but it’s whether Porsche can even deliver the magic that made its predecessors icons in the first place.

Porsche makes some of the best sports cars in the world. Over the years, the brand has given us some capable machines, many of which are also suitable for daily use on public roads. That said, throughout Porsche’s history, many models have required drivers to be at the top of their game. Getting even near the car’s full potential demands the absolute best of the driver. While you might be quick to think of the original Porsche 911 Turbo (930), it is by far, not the only Porsche sports car to ask a lot from its drivers. Below, I have listed Porsche models, some more known than others, which wouldn’t hesitate to hurt you if you are not awake behind the wheel. There are classic race cars, supercars, and a few 911s, some of which are more recent. Without further ado, here are the seven most dangerous Porsche models that can be labeled as Widowmakers.

Porsche is slowly completing the 992.2 lineup. Every couple of months, the German sports carmaker unveils at least one new variant of the latest Porsche 911. At the time of writing this, the Porsche 992.2 lineup comprises the Carrera, Carrera T, Carrera GTS, Carrera 4 GTS, GT3, and GT3 Touring. We know the GT3 RS is going to make its appearance by 2026, but what about the range-topping 911? For decades, the GT2 RS has been the range-topping swan-song model for every Porsche 911.

There is no shortage of companies that reimagine Porsche 911s and the automotive scene today, seems to be saturated but in a good way, with car companies that focus on tastefully resto-modding classic Porsches and giving them a unique twist. Names like Singer, Theon, Gunther Werks, REEN, and Gembala are a handful, that come to mind. But how to stand out amidst so many? Dutch company, Kalmar Automotive may have the answer. In the summer of 2024, the company unveiled its most groundbreaking project yet – the Kalmar 9x9.

While 3D software has allowed us to let our imaginations run wild in the virtual world, 3D printing has opened up a whole new dimension with the kind of stuff that we can actually bring to life in the real world. Just about anyone with a basic 3D printer these days, can now create some truly complex and sophisticated forms, all from the comfort of their homes. It appears that’s exactly what this 911 bag seen on Facebook is all about. Sure, you probably already know about Porsche-branded bags, and depending on the quality and price, it could be from the German brand’s lifestyle division PD or from collaborations with a sportswear brand like Puma or Adidas. But the one you see here is unique because it looks like the rear end of an actual 911. Let’s dig into some of the details about what makes this particular Porsche bag different.

If you are a Porsche fan, you have probably come across the name RWB. It stands for RAUH Welt Begriff, which translates to Rough World Concept in German. "Rough” is exactly the word some would use to describe Nakai San’s work on Porsche 911s, but while divisive, his method of modifying the popular German sports car is what makes his builds truly unique. There are plenty of companies that delve into custom Porsche 911 builds, but RWB’s work stands out as the most outrageous wide-body Porsche 911s, made by the Japanese artisan.

One by one, the 992.2 lineup is being rolled out. This generation marks huge changes for Porsche’s iconic sports car as it brought us the first 911 powered by a hybrid powertrain. While the 911 won’t go fully electric anytime soon (if ever), some of the more high-performance 911 variants will not live on without experiencing big changes. When it comes to normally aspirated Porsche 911s, the GT3 RS sits at the top of the food chain as the most track-focused model of the bunch.