Hybrid cars

The Porsche 992.2 GTS is a divisive machine, even by 911 standards. The GTS badge first appeared on the 997 generation and has since evolved to symbolize performance-focused refinement and it has long been touted as the sweet spot between Carrera usability and GT3 aggression. The 992.2 iteration brings a host of changes: The introduction of an all-new 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged (9A3B6) hybrid powertrain, Porsche has ignited a firestorm of criticism. Is it the future of performance motoring, or a betrayal of everything the GTS badge stands for? Let’s take an unvarnished look.

In my opinion, it’s the Porsche name that signifies the ultimate driving experience (sorry BMW), and when it comes to SUVs, although the OG X5 predates the original Cayenne, with its borderline sportscar-like dynamics it was Porsche that truly took the idea of the performance SUV mainstream. Let’s also not forget, that the Cayenne’s debut back in 2002 played a huge role in saving Porsche from bankruptcy.

Oliver Blume, Porsche’s Chairman of the Executive Board, is one of the few automotive leaders who isn’t afraid to make bold moves in a rapidly changing industry. In an insightful interview with Porsche’s Christophorus magazine, Blume pulled no punches about Porsche’s strategy for the future. The key takeaways? Porsche is doubling down on electrification, staying flexible with drivetrains, and betting on synthetic fuels to ease the transition to electric mobility. Here’s why this strategy may either make or break the brand in the coming decade.

Porsche’s dealership network in the U.S. evolved significantly since the brand first entered the market in 1950. The partnership between Max Hoffman and Ferdinand Porsche marked the beginning of Porsche’s American presence. Hoffman, a New York-based salesman, was pivotal in establishing the brand’s reputation, despite Porsche’s smaller engines and higher prices compared to rivals. His marketing efforts, highlighting the 356’s performance and quality, led to early success. By 1954, Hoffman was selling 11 cars per week, contributing to Porsche’s increasing presence in the U.S.

The Porsche 911 is now in its eighth generation and with the introduction of the GTS, GT3, and more recent Carrera T, we can say that the rollout of the Dot 2 models is well underway. With every subsequent generation, you’ll find the Porsche has continued to evolve the 911 lineup to include a vast number of trims ensuring there’s every flavor of 911 available for a wide demographic. In the 991 generation, for example, you had 35 different variations of the 911, and don’t even get me started on the body styles. Anyway, some of the most stand-out or well-known trims include the likes of the Carrera, Turbo, and GT models. The Turbo nameplate celebrates 50 years in 2024, while the GT3 celebrates 25. So quite a momentous year for Porsche then.

German automakers are still at the top of their game when it comes to luxury performance sedans. Take the Panamera for example. Porsche dropped the third generation in November 2023, and eventually hit us with the craziest Panamera yet – the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid for the 2025 model year. This thing packs a frankly ridiculous 771 horsepower and a price tag that’ll make your eyes water – over $225,000! Yeah, it’s gonna cost you big money, but it’s hands-down the fastest Panamera ever.

Like several other automakers, Porsche devised a strategy for electrification. Originally, the plan was for Porsche to electrify 80 percent of its model lineup by 2030. That said, the automotive industry is a dynamic place and things often change at a rapid pace. Demand for EVs has slowed down, forcing many automakers, Porsche included, to rethink their long-term strategies. The Porsche Taycan marked great success in its early years, but global sales of the EV model have dropped by 50 percent, during the first three quarters of 2024.

Porsche has made it clear: we won’t see a fully electric 911 before the end of the decade. Honestly, I’m not surprised, given an overall slower market adoption of EVs and Porsche itself backtracking on its previous goals, which were previously set to achieve 80 percent electrification by the end of the decade. In the meantime, they’re pivoting towards hybrids across its model lineup, including on its 911, with the hybrid Carrera GTS already hitting the market. The T-Hybrid system on the 911 Carrera GTS of course is a system that focuses on performance, rather than Porsche’s plug-in E-Hybrid system that is all about efficiency. Next year, we can expect the 992.2 Turbo models to join the hybrid fray.

When it comes to exotic rides, everyone’s talking about how eventful 2024 has been so far, and they’re probably right! But here’s the thing: I consider the whole of 2024 to be very special. The all-new, giant V16-powered Bugatti Tourbillon, the successor to the Chiron, debuted earlier in April. Then Lamborghini blew us away with the Temerario, the Huracan successor, showcasing how a twin-turbo V8 hybrid can replace that epic naturally-aspirated V10.

2024 has been utterly eventful, especially in the hypercar realm, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to witness it all. It kicked off with the Bugatti Tourbillon, that wild, 1775-horsepower V16 hybrid beast, which debuted back in June. But with rumors of successors to the McLaren P1 and the Ferrari LaFerrari in the air, I knew that we’d have something along the lines of what now appears to be shaping up to be the new-age holy trinity: absolute madness.

The Porsche Panamera has always been a bit of a unicorn in the luxury sedan world. It’s a proper driver’s car that just happens to have four doors. And when it comes to engines, the Panamera offers something for everyone. Fancy a smooth V6? They’ve got it. Craving a rumbling V8? Step right up. But if you’re looking to save some fuel without sacrificing performance, the E-Hybrid models are where it’s at. And if you really want to blow your socks off, there’s the Turbo S E-Hybrid with a whopping 771 horsepower.

Ah!! Porsche and online racing, while I may not be much of a gamer these days, this is an experience that goes back decades for me. My PC gaming journey began with the legendary NFS: Porsche Unleashed back in 2000. That game got me hooked, even leading me to compete professionally! So, when Ubisoft unveiled the Porsche 919 Street tearing up the tarmac in The Crew Motorfest’s latest trailer, I was undoubtedly curious to learn more. (Mark your calendars: Crew Motorfest Year 2 update kicks off November 6th, 2024!)

Porsche’s best-selling model, the Cayenne SUV, recently got a facelift for the 2024 model year, bringing a much sharper and modern look, inspired by the Taycan electric sedan. The update also brings significant changes to the interior, thanks to a fully digital instrument console and an optional 10.9-inch passenger-side display.

The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS marks a significant evolution in the iconic sports car’s lineage. As part of the 992.2 generation refresh, this model introduces the first-ever hybrid powertrain in a production 911. The new T-Hybrid system pairs an all-new 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat-six with a 48 volt electric turbocharger and a transmission-mounted motor to put out 532 horsepower and 449 pound-feet. This delivers 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 194 mph. While the hybrid powertrain improves performance and efficiency, it also adds 110 pounds to the car’s weight and increases complexity. Porsche axed the seven-speed manual transmission option, so the combo of hybrid engine and loss of manual transmission will disappoint purists.

Lamborghini is on a roll, electrifying its lineup one model at a time. The Italian automaker kicked things off with the Revuelto, their first-ever plug-in hybrid supercar with a whopping 1,001 horsepower. Then came the Urus SE, a hybrid SUV that’s more than just a green machine - it’s a performance powerhouse. And let’s not forget the Temerario, the Huracan’s electrifying successor, boasting a brand-new V8 hybrid setup that churns out 907 horsepower.

After a year of spy shots and whispers about what was brewing in Sant’Agata Bolognese, the Lamborghini Huracán’s successor has finally arrived: the Temerario. This isn’t just another V8 hybrid, folks. We’re talking a 907-horsepower, plug-in hybrid supercar with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 developed in-house by Lamborghini. It features a flat-plane crankshaft, that revs up to an astonishing 10,000 RPM. Now, it wasn’t long ago that Porsche too announced its juicy T-Hybrid system with the 992.2 911 Carrera GTS that packs an electrified turbocharger and an electric motor in the gearbox, but no plug-in option, making it a mild hybrid.

Lamborghini has unveiled the all-new 2025 Temerario, a cutting-edge hybrid supercar that succeeds the iconic Huracan, which reigned supreme from 2014 to 2024. For the first time, this all-new baby Lambo combines a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with three electric motors, delivering a staggering 907 horsepower to catapult from 0-62 mph in a mere 2.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 213 mph. While the hybrid powertrain offers improved efficiency and uses a small-sized battery to offer electric driving up to short distances, not all Lambo lovers will appreciate the advancements, considering naturally aspirated engines are slowly dying, and the 5.2-liter V10 was just sublime.