Sports cars - page 144

Boxer and flat engines are a highly-uncommon sight in the modern-day automotive industry. Currently, there are only two manufacturers that continue to produce and develop boxer engines – Subaru and Porsche. The boxer engine is most commonly characterized by its flat design hence it is, often, referred to as a flat engine. The first boxer engine was developed in 1897, by Karl Benz – the co-founder of what would eventually become Mercedes-Benz. There is a common misconception when it comes to these engines. Boxer and flat engines are not quite the same. All boxer engines are flat engines, but not all flat engines are boxer engines. This misconception comes from the 1973 Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer. Despite the name, it does not feature a boxer engine, but rather a flat-12 engine or a 180-degree "V-engine". Boxer and flat engines are more different than you think, and here is what sets them apart.

There is an adage ’’Boys never grow up, their toys just get bigger". I am not sure who said it originally, but after discovering this truly unique slot racing track, I can see how it could be true. A 1:32 scale replica of the Le Mans circuit as seen in the 1971 Steve McQueen film with the same name. This incredibly detailed two-lane track comes with miniature vegetation, pit stops, buildings, crew, and advertising from real companies that sponsored the teams that took part in the event back in the day. The best part is the entire structure is housed within a replica Porsche 917K body, with its iconic Gulf-Racing livery.

The 2024 Porsche Monterey Classic Event roared into life this week, with a dazzling display of Porsche royalty. The event was a vibrant community of fanatics who came together to celebrate their shared passion. From the hallowed halls of motorsport history to the cutting edge of electric mobility, Porsche Monterey pulled out all the stops for this enthusiast extravaganza. The event wasn’t just about showing off the latest and greatest. Vintage Porsches, their timeless lines gleaming under the California sun, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with modern marvels of German engineering.

Porsche cars are some of the most well-engineered performance vehicles in the business. Each new model packs an extensive array of hi-tech features, aiming to make the Porsche driving experience more effortless. Those looking for the thrill of a high-revving Porsche 718 or 911 are all about the visceral driving experience, there are others looking for a more relaxed experience while still enjoying the performance that comes with a Porsche car. The company’s rear-axle steering is optional on all 911 and Panamera models, with some of the higher-end variants getting it as a standard feature. The first Porsche to feature rear-axle steering was the 2013 Porsche 718.

This is a 1994 Porsche 993 reinterpreted by the world-renowned restomod brand Kreinzel. Now live on the SBX Cars auction platform owned by renowned YouTuber Supercar Blondie, this 993 Targa is a one-of-one creation, with just 223 miles at the time of writing this article. I say one-off because it has some truly unique traits you won’t find on a standard 993 Targa that Porsche made back in the day.

Porsche’s iconic flat-six engines have echoed through the automotive industry for decades, but like most high-performance sports cars and supercars, hybridization is taking over the carmaker’s revered 911 lineup. The 2025 992.2 911 Carrera GTS is the first victim of this shift, boasting a brand-new 3.6-liter single-turbo flat-six, a step up from its predecessor’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six. But that’s not all - Porsche has thrown in not one but two electric motors. One is nestled within the eight-speed PDK transmission, and the other is cleverly integrated into the turbocharger itself, helping it to spool up even without enough exhaust gas pressure. The hybrid setup has resulted in a power boost of 59 horsepower and 29 pound-feet of torque, more than the outgoing 992.1 911 Carrera GTS.

Porsche sports cars are some of the most replicated and reimagined on the planet. The German carmaker’s road-going models have always benefitted from the brand’s racing know-how, especially when it comes to the German brand’s most iconic model - the Porsche 911. That said, the 911 wasn’t always the most favored model by the company. At one point in time, Porsche wasn’t convinced an air-cooled, rear-engine sports car was the way forward. This train of thought spawned the Porsche 928. Instead of the 911’s rear-engine layout, the 928 featured a water-cooled V-8 engine in the front. The 928 was also bigger and more of a grand tourer than an all-out sports car.

As a Porsche enthusiast and model car collector, I find the Luminex ArtCar Lamp to make for an interesting proposition. You may have seen this on your TikTok or Instagram feeds and I think it would make even the staunchest "function over form" folks reconsider their priorities. Made from stainless steel, it features a very detailed 1:18 scale model (my favorite size) of the iconic Porsche 911 2.7 RS with its Fuchs wheels and Carrera livery, courtesy of Norev. But this one is mounted vertically.

The Porsche 911 is a perfect representation of the classic sports car. The rear-engine model has been continuously evolving since its inception in 1964, and its lineage is easily traceable through its classic design. That said, under the pressure of increased safety and more modern tech, each new generation has become bigger and heavier. The 911 is no exception as the 992 generation is a far cry from the original models, barely touching 2,300 pounds. This is a follow-up to a recent interview with Porsche design boss, Michael Mauer where he talked about the possibility of a more compact 911 and a potential 911 E.V. We decided to envision a hypothetical, smaller variant of the Porsche 911 and take a look at how possible it is, and whether this will open the door for a fully-electric 911. Can the Porsche 911 as we know it co-exist with a smaller, but fully-electric version of itself?

The Singer ACS has been controversial since it first came out in 2021. Its rally-car-inspired looks and performance specs made a splash in the automotive world. Drawing design cues from iconic rally cars like the 911 SC/RS and the Paris-Dakar 959, the Safari-style ACS is built on a Type 964 air-cooled Porsche 911 platform. Two versions were researched and developed for a long-standing client of Singers, with the agreement that more would be built later - one for dessert rallying and one for tarmac.

If you’re a Porsche purist, few names evoke as much nostalgia and admiration as the Slantnose. Originally introduced in the 1980s, the Slantnose, or “Flachbau,” (flat nose in German) was a radical departure from the traditional 911 design, featuring a distinctive sloped front end. Inspired by the 935 race cars, a dominant force in motorsports at the time, Porsche produced three generations of the 911 Turbo Slantnose, with a total of 948 units built. Fast forward to more recent times, and U.K.-based digital designer, Khyzl Saleem, a.k.a Kyza has reimagined the modern 992 generation 911 GT3 as a Slantnose, blending retro charm with contemporary aesthetics.

When Porsche slaps the RSR (Renn Sport Rennen) designation on a 911, you know it means business. These are the most hardcore, racing variants of the rear-engine sports car and their sole purpose is to race at the highest level of competition possible. The original Porsche 911 RSR was an evolution of the already-iconic, Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS. Lighter, faster, and more aerodynamically busy, the Porsche 911 RSR was developed for the 1973, but actually, saw racing in late 1972. In February, 1973, the original 911 RSR won the 24 Hours of Le Mans.