Sports cars - page 216

Only one car can give you the feel of a Porsche 911 and that’s a 911. Altering any aspect of this iconic sports car can dramatically change the driving experience, but that hasn’t stopped people from taking out the boxer engine and replacing it with something that at first glance, doesn’t belong there. The rear-engine Porsche sports car is considered one of the most refined and usable high-performance cars, that you can daily-drive. At least, in most of its iterations. Despite much praise, however, the 911 is not a perfect car, and certain generations are known to suffer from a few major issues.

As a gearhead who loves a good special edition, I was excited to see what Porsche came up with to celebrate 50 years of the iconic 911 Turbo. Their 911 Turbo 50 Years based on the 992.1 with 1,974 units and historical nods looks like a tempting option. But for those seeking something even more exclusive and outrageous, there’s the Techart GTstreet R Monochrome. This limited edition (only 20 units!) takes the already impressive GTstreet R, based on the 911 Turbo S, and cranks everything up to eleven. Where the 911 Turbo 50 Years from Porsche is more of a cosmetic makeover, Techart has made some significant upgrades with this ultra-low-run model.

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.

Many consider the Porsche 911 to be the ultimate sports car, fit for daily use. While this may be a bit of a stretch when talking about the track-focused GT3 RS, the rear-engine sports car generally remains an aspirational model. In fact, despite the 991 being the first 911 to feature electric steering instead of a hydraulic unit (a feature many purists despise), it is still considered the last truly compact 911. For this reason, those who have driven a 992 GT3 RS after the previous iteration go back to the older model. One person, however, has done something that no one has ever done. Instead of buying a 991 GT3 RS, a guy over in England, decided to build one himself. Normally, Tesla-swapping a 991 GT3 RS would send purists into a spiraling rage, but there is a good reason why this particular car has received the electric powertrain. What you’re looking at here is actually a replica of a 991 GT3 RS, but more surprising is what the car started out as.

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.

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.

I’m a fan of the Type 997, and outside of the current 992, it remains one of the best generations of the Porsche 911. Where the tech-laden 992 is ridiculously fast and a bit too clinical, the 997 hits the sweet spot between modern and analog. The 997, in general, is widely regarded by Porsche people as a comeback, as it fixed several drawbacks like poor reliability and a better interior of the infamous fried-egg 996.

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.

Porsche’s 718 Cayman and Boxster, will soon go electric! It marks the end of an era for these mid-engine sports cars. So If you’re looking for an entry-level German sports car, the gas-powered 718 still remains a solid choice and this may also be your last chance to snag a brand-new example with gasoline power.

Despite its work on e-fuels, Porsche is firmly stepping into the electrification game. The German carmaker is best known for its 911 sports car, which for 2025 became a hybrid. Porsche is adamant that the iconic, rear-engine model will be the last to go fully electric. Meanwhile, models like the Macan and Cayenne are getting a full range of fully electric variants, with the 718 joining the EV bandwagon, in 2025. There is an obvious trend in the automotive industry, where with each new generation, the cars become bigger, heavier, and more burdened with tech.

Porsche celebrated the 60th birthday of the 911 in 2023, and the 911 S/T was the cherry on top. This throwback pays tribute to the fire-breathing S/T models of the late 1960s but with a modern twist. This lightweight model prioritizes driver engagement. Under the hood? That glorious, naturally aspirated 518-horsepower 4.0-liter boxer six from the GT3 RS, mated to a six-speed manual. Tipping the scales at just 3,056 pounds making it the lightest 992, the S/T sheds weight with carbon fiber everywhere from the hood to the doors. It sprints from 0-60 mph in a scorching 3.5 seconds and tops out at 186 mph. Only 1,963 are destined for production, and the price tag is a cool $290,000.