Luxury cars - page 120

Remember the early 2000s? Back when flip phones were peak tech and Britney was rocking a shaved head? That’s also when Porsche dropped a bomb called the Cayenne. Sure, some folks scoffed – a Porsche SUV? But here’s the thing: the Cayenne, along with the Boxster, saved Porsche’s bacon. They were the volume sellers that funded glorious things like the Carrera GT. Plus, they practically invented the whole "sporty SUV" thing. (Yes, yes, I know the Lamborghini LM002 came first, but the Cayenne brought it mainstream.)

Porsche’s Taycan is one of the most hyped-up and popular performance EVs on sale today. By Q4 of 2023, Porsche had sold 136,000 Taycans cumulatively. The EV sedan bumped Porsche sports car sales by 3.3 percent, despite the German brand’s overall sales having dropped by 12 percent compared to 2022. While the electric vehicle market is currently experiencing a slowdown, it hasn’t stopped other manufacturers from entering the performance EV segment with their own offerings. Take for instance Lotus, a brand typically known for its lightweight sports cars. Still, now the British carmaker is giving us the Emeya – a large, EV performance sedan that wants to steal potential buyers, from the likes of the Taycan and Tesla Model S.

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.

Porsche is a brand that doesn’t shy away from resorting to unconventional methods and innovative ways to improve performance. The company’s recent patent filings prove the German automaker’s dedication to keeping the internal combustion engine alive for as long as possible. Most conventional powerplants that rely on internal combustion have four strokes – intake, compression, power, and exhaust. However, according to Porsche engineers, the combustion engine can do with two extra strokes. This development is, as stated in the U.S. patent filings, a result of "continuously increasing requirements to increase energy efficiency and other operational aspects of modern combustion machines". The patents do not clarify whether this technology is for boxer engines or for conventional inline or V-engines, but it is safe to say Porsche’s newly developed combustion method is applicable to all existing configurations of the piston engine. But what does all this added complexity amount to? Here’s how this engine technology works and what it means for the company’s future models.

Porsche’s entry-level SUV, the Macan has gone electric, marking the end of the road for its gas-powered predecessor. Meanwhile, Audi is expanding its EV lineup with the Q6 e-tron, a stylish SUV that fits snugly between the Q4 e-tron and the flagship Q8 e-tron. Both German automakers joined forces to create the PPE platform, a versatile foundation for building high-performance electric vehicles. Also featured on the 2025 Porsche Macan Electric and the 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron, this platform boasts an 800-volt architecture, and its flexible design allows for various battery sizes and motor configurations, catering to a range of performance needs.

The Carrera, Porsche’s entry-level model in the iconic 911 lineup since its introduction in 1964, offers a thrilling driving experience that combines performance, luxury, and everyday usability. This rear-wheel-drive, two-door coupe seats up to four and embodies the 911’s legacy as a true driver’s car.

Despite Porsche making one of the most iconic sports cars of all time – the 911 – the German automaker was in financial trouble for much of its existence. It was only after the 986 Boxster and the Cayenne SUV in 2003, that Porsche managed to stave off the threat of bankruptcy. Of course, the acquisition by Volkswagen helped, and because Porsche’s lineup is a lot more diverse, for better or worse. Four-door models like the Taycan and Panamera are selling well, despite the Panamera’s recent sales drop by 25 percent.

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.

The 2024 Porsche Cayenne S arrives with a host of exciting updates that solidify its position as a top contender in the luxury performance SUV segment. It’s now propelled by a potent 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, replacing the previous 2.9-liter V6. This powerplant delivers an impressive 468 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, propelling the Cayenne S from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds when equipped with the Sport Chrono Package.

The Porsche 718 EV will soon join the Porsche Macan electric and four-door Taycan as the third model in Porsche’s lineup. This shows that regardless of a slowdown in sales, Porsche is going to continue models that it already had in the pipeline. So besides the 718 EV, the Cayenne and even a rumoured Taycan will be here before the end of the decade. However, the flagship model of the Porsche brand, i.e. the iconic 911 won’t be going electric until well into the early 2030s. So until then, it begs the question, why doesn’t Porsche use something that’s already here to cater to the discerning luxury car buyer, who’s looking for a sleek coupe in the form of a Taycan Two-door? Okay, this may sound preposterous and unrealistic in the real world, considering something like this will involve a considerable amount of retooling on the production line, but let’s just try and make the case for such a model, hypothetically.

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.

A car cover is a pretty generic item and is an absolute necessity if you park your ride out on and about for extended periods of time, in order to protect it from the elements. But it makes an even stronger case if the ride in question happens to be your brand-new 100-grand Porsche Taycan. You can go with something pretty generic from Amazon for under a hundred bucks. It does the usual stuff like protection accents for rain, snow, the wind, and sun and I found one that even has reflective stripes and a cut-out for a charge port. But if you want the novelty of a Porsche branded cover for your Taycan, you can get both a water-repellent outdoor cover and an indoor cover from the Porsche Tequipment accessories catalog for just $379. However, if you happen to have the luxury of an enclosed garage, Porsche has something pretty unique, to keep your Taycan under wraps, quite literally.