Reviews - page 48

The 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet is the latest iteration of the iconic German sports car, now with even more power and refinement. This open-top version of the 992-generation Turbo S boasts a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six engine that churns out an impressive 640 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, significantly increasing over its predecessor. With this extra muscle, the latest model rockets from 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 205 mph.

Porsche took a calculated risk with the Macan, launching it for the 2015 model year to answer the booming trend of compact luxury SUVs. Following the success of the larger Cayenne, this smaller sibling quickly became the brand’s bestseller. For 2017, a new base trim with a 2.0-liter turbo-four from the Audi Q5 joined the lineup, offering 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This entry-level variant sprinted to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, providing brisk performance for daily driving duties.

The Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo is an all-electric, high-performance five-seater wagon that combines the practicality of a family hauler with the exhilarating performance expected from a Porsche. In the Taycan Cross Turismo lineup, this Turbo model sits one below the flagship Turbo S trim.

The Audi R8 is a two-seater, mid-engine sports car that continues turning heads since its initial debut in 2006. Now in its second generation, launched in 2015, the R8 shares its platform and engine with the Lamborghini Huracán. Available exclusively with the V10 engine, it’s now capable of producing up to 612 horsepower.

Audi’s S3 serves as the perfect middle ground between the everyday A3 and the wild, track-focused RS3. While the S3 was sold in Europe since 1999, U.S. consumers got their hands on it for the first time in 2015. Fast forward to 2025, and we have the facelifted S3 sedan still belonging to the fourth-generation A3.

Being the second mass-produced fully electrified Mercedes, the EQE balances excellent luxury with a price point that’s just in line with its competitors. However, the dynamics change totally when you invite the AMG EQE 53 to the game. With a $106,900 price tag, the EQE 53 brings supercar-level performance. Up to 677 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque are provided by the dual electric motors, with the 90.6 kWh battery pack giving an average of 225 miles of EPA-rated range.

With the ever-popular midsize SUV segment booming with impressive all-electric vehicles, it was time Audi took the challenge seriously. The Q4 e-tron is just not there yet to get recommendations from EV experts, and the Q8 e-tron is just too expensive, without the wow factor you’d expect from a flagship EV. So, this is where the newly launched Q6 e-tron steps in.

Porsches are special, whether the rear-engined 911, the mid-engined 718, or the front-engined big and bulky Cayenne. However, neither sports car is the best seller in Porsche’s lineup. Why? Well, not everyone is a hardcore motoring enthusiast who intends to tear up the drag strip or aspires to be a GT3 driver in their new purchase, and that’s where the Cayenne wins the popularity vote.

Most of us car guys have a love-hate relationship with EVs. While the impressive acceleration is undeniable, they often fall short of delivering the exhilarating driving dynamics synonymous with traditional sports cars. Meanwhile, some prioritize luxury and extended range instead. Porsche, renowned for crafting exceptional sports cars, embraces the electric revolution, focusing on delivering driving pleasure alongside environmental sustainability, and this commitment was clearly demonstrated with the launch of the Taycan in 2019.

The Macan is Porsche’s compact luxury crossover SUV that combines a sports car’s performance, technology, and style with the practicality and comfort of an everyday family vehicle. Introduced in 2014, it’s the smallest SUV from the German marque, below the Cayenne. Over the years, Porsche provided several updates and facelifts to the Macan, the latest being in 2021.

In 2002, Porsche took a huge gamble by launching the Cayenne, an SUV based on the Volkswagen Touareg, which left many purists sneering. Despite the criticisms, Porsche’s gamble paid off as the years progressed - big time. Much to the surprise of many, the Cayenne became a runaway success, bringing in more money for Porsche than ever.

Introduced in 2014, the first generation Mercedes-AMG GT aimed to fill the void left by the iconic SLS AMG, a more expensive, ferocious beast. While the GT carved its own niche with its sleek design and incredible performance, that, too, went on to bid farewell in 2021, leaving a passionate fan base yearning for its return.