Luxury cars - page 108

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.

The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet marks the beginning of the 992.2 generation and issues subtle yet meaningful updates to the iconic sports car. While this rear-wheel drive convertible is powered by the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo boxer-six mill, Porsche enhanced it with an intercooler from the Turbo model and upgraded turbochargers from the outgoing GTS model. The result is 388 horsepower, nine horsepower more than the outgoing model.

Picture this: It’s the early 2000s, and Porsche, the iconic sports carmaker, is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and the company took a gamble that would change everything. Enter the Cayenne, a sporty SUV that raised eyebrows and turned heads. Purists scoffed, but Porsche knew what they were doing. Porsche saw the potential in the SUV market, and three generations later, I’m glad to say that it paid off. Sharing its platform with the VW Tourage, the Cayenne wasn’t just a success; it was a lifeline, injecting much-needed cash into Porsche’s coffers and securing their future (if you didn’t know, it was the Cayenne’s success that fueled the development of the iconic Carrera GT).

Porsche’s third-generation Boxster arrived for the 2013 model year, sporting a sleeker design, a longer wheelbase, and a new 2.7-liter boxer-six engine. This 981-generation model replaced the outgoing 987, improving the brand’s entry-level roadster. With 265 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque on tap, the Boxster sprinted to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds with the seven-speed PDK and Sport Chrono Package while returning up to 32 mpg on the highway.

Porsche’s second top model for the Taycan EV, the Turbo S, is nothing short of a performance powerhouse. We’re talking 938 horsepower and 818 pound-feet of max torque, along with loads of sportier touches, including standard carbon ceramic brakes (you need these beefier brakes to tame this beast), standard 21-inch wheels, rear-axle steering, and a boatload of carbon fiber trim.

Porsche’s Macan, the brand’s popular compact SUV, underwent a major transformation in 2024. We’re not talking about a simple nip and tuck here; this is a whole new animal, ditching the internal combustion engine for a fully electric powertrain (you can still get the old Macan ICE versions before 2026). Porsche initially rolled out the all-wheel-drive Macan 4 and the range-topping Macan Turbo EVs, but the carmaker quickly realized it needed to expand the lineup to cater to a wider range of buyers.

Porsche’s 911 GT3 has long been the choice for driving purists seeking the ultimate road-legal track car. After being absent for the 2017 model year, it reappeared for 2018 with some crucial upgrades to improve its already-compelling racing pedigree. Gone was the 3.8-liter engine! A 4.0-liter naturally aspirated derived from the GT3 Cup racer motivated it with 500 ponies of might, capable of revving up to 9,000 rpm. A seven-speed PDK was standard, but a six-speed manual made a comeback for purists.

When it comes to reimagining and modifying Porsche cars, there is no shortage of great names that specialize in the art of making the German company’s performance models even more capable than they already are. Such treatment is not limited only to the Porsche 911 and 718 models though. The German company, Friedrich Performance Manufaktur (FPM) offers performance-enhancing treatment for all Porsche models, and one of its latest kits is dedicated to making the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT faster than the latest, most powerful 911 we have. Of course, the 992.2 update is about to bring even more radical variants of the iconic, rear-engine sports car, but the Friedrich Performance package for the Cayenne GT gives it a 36-percent bump in power with a bit of extra torque. As you may expect, the numbers are impressive, but even more surprising is how little it takes to unleash that extra power from the Porsche SUV.

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.

Porsche’s 987 generation of the Boxster arrived for the 2005 model as a successor to the highly criticized 986 generation. Four years after the 987’s launch in 2005, Stuttgart introduced the 987.2 generation in 2009. For its new generation, the roadster gained a new 2.9-liter engine with a horsepower rating of 255 and a seven-speed PDK (dual-clutch) automatic transmission.

Back in 2019, Porsche finally took a leap into the electric future with the Taycan, a sleek and powerful EV that proved sports sedans could be both thrilling and eco-conscious. Seeing an opportunity to carve its own path in the electric performance sedan market, sister-brand Audi followed suit with the e-tron GT, its second electric offering after the fat e-tron SUV, built on the same J1 platform developed by Porsche.

For the 2009 model year, Porsche refreshed the iconic 911, ushering in the 997.2 generation. The Targa 4S, a unique model combining the classic Targa top with all-wheel drive performance, received notable updates, both inside and out. A more powerful 3.8-liter flat-six engine replaced the previous 3.6-liter unit, while subtle exterior changes modernized the timeless 911 silhouette.