Sports cars - page 96

The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS has made quite an impression among enthusiasts, thanks to Porsche’s spanking-new hybrid system that doesn’t have a charging port. Everything works in the background, making you believe that it’s a normal 911 with only a flat-six engine. But that’s not the case, you see. The latest 992.2 911 Carrera GTS features a brand-new 3.6-liter flat-six with a single electrified turbocharger. There’s another electric motor squeezed between the eight-speed PDK and the flat-six. Together, the hybrid powertrain churns out an amazing 532 horsepower and 449 pound-feet of torque.

All Porsche 911s may adhere to a similar philosophy, but each one has its set of unique features. A well-known Porsche aficionado, Magnus Walker, based in Los Angeles has made it his life’s mission to collect all model years of the Porsche 911 from 1964 to 1973, along with other sports car models of the German brand. He’s not limited to Porsche sports cars, but it is the focal point in his car collection, with over 40 models, which feature his own unique twist. As a true Porsche purist, Magnus has a soft spot for air-cooled 911s, and he started out with one of the first Porsche 930 Turbos, sold in the United States. But if you are wondering what Magnus Walker’s daily driver is, you might be surprised. It turns out, that what the famous Porsche enthusiast drives, is something even he didn’t think he would fall in love with – a modern-day 2014 Porsche 991 Turbo S, which has an interesting story behind it.

The CXX Package is like an off-the-menu package offered by Porsche to their most exclusive customers. YouTuber TJ Hunt gives us a glimpse of what this package entails in his latest video. Driving along the scenic coastal stretches of Big Sur a.k.a Highway 1, he introduces the viewers to his 1-of-1 (991.1) Porsche 911 GT3 RS with the CXX Package, a gift from his wife Sabria. If you are starting your research on Porsche’s CXX package, be prepared to go down a deep rabbit hole of information, rumors, and first-hand accounts on forums like Rennlist or Reddit, since Porsche officially hasn’t released any information on this custom package.

Porsche has no shortage of iconic race cars that have dominated in motorsports, and one very race 911 model is about to be the main star at the upcoming, Monterey Auction (August 14 and 15). We are referring to the only mid-engine Porsche 911 in existence – the GT1. The low-slung supercar was developed by Porsche for endurance racing like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. What’s special about this particular 911 GT1 is that, unlike, most cars that were used in endurance racing, this mid-engine Porsche was kept in surprisingly good condition, even after scoring many racing wins. The Porsche race car was freshly listed (on July 16, 2024) on Broad Arrow Auctions, and judging by the car’s estimated value, this 911 GT1 has the potential to become one of the most expensive Porsches ever sold, at an auction.

With E.V. sales decreasing, hybrids are making a comeback, even in the high-performance segment. But let’s not kid ourselves; hybrid technology is complex. It’s a delicate dance between the ICE (internal combustion engine) and electrical components, working together perfectly to deliver the best of both worlds. We’re talking about a combustion engine, electric motor(s), battery packs, power electronics, wiring, and all sorts of high-tech wizardry. It’s not as simple as just slapping an electric motor onto an existing gas-powered engine - it requires careful engineering and integration to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.

Currently, only two brands are associated with the boxer engine layout – Porsche and Subaru. Porsche’s obsession with boxer engines began long before the iconic 911 came to be. Despite the German brand having long traditions, of using this engine configuration, it wasn’t Porsche that invented it. The boxer engine was patented by Karl Benz, back in 1896. Porsche did not start using the boxer engine layout until the 1930s, and even then, its first use wasn’t in a Porsche model. Rather, it was the budget-friendly VW Beetle, the people’s car.

AutoTopNL’s YouTube channel is known for high-speed P.O.V. driving videos and reviews of some of the fastest cars on the planet. Fortunately for them and their subscribers, channel founders Max and Martijn are based right on the border with Germany, the land of the Autobahn. Their most recent video features a 2001 RTurbo 550 by renowned German Tuner, Ruf Automobile. According to official figures, the 550 can hit a top speed of 218 MPH, which is not too shabby for a car that is 23 years old. Find out this fares when you show it a section of the infamous German autobahn.

The seventh-generation BMW M5 is here, and it’s packing a serious punch with a whopping 717 horsepower, roughly 100 more horses than before. This super-sedan is the most powerful in BMW’s stable, thanks to a new S68 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 and a powerful e-motor inside the eight-speed ZF automatic. But before you plan to start doing donuts in your driveway, there’s a catch: this beast has put on some serious weight due to all the electrical components.

Porsche has made it a point to offer a 911 for every taste. Between the different body styles, engines, and drivetrain options, there are well over 20 variants of the rear-engine sports car you can choose from. The Targa form factor goes back to the ’60s and Porsche is one of the few carmakers to continue offering this unique body style with the 911, even today. Most car companies are offering, either fixed-head coupes or traditional convertible models with retractable tops. The Targa is neither a coupe nor a convertible, making it one of the most distinctive 911 variants you can buy, without resorting to the very expensive, limited-edition models. Unfortunately, this versatility also makes the Targa the heaviest Porsche 911 you can get, but there are a few reasons why this shouldn’t deter you if you are considering one.

Who needs a Porsche 911 Dakar when you can have the same amount of fun for a fraction of its eye-watering price? This is the question that Tyler Hoovie from Hoovie’s Garage YouTube channel set out to answer. While Safari 911s have been popular in the aftermarket for a while now (and cost a pretty penny), Porsche too caught up on the action with the 911 Dakar, a spectacular machine that was purpose-built to be taken off the beaten path. Unfortunately, it costs $225,000 before options and markup when new. They are also very rare since Porsche only made 2,500 examples.

The 992.1 Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a beast, no question about it. That massive wing and aggressive bodywork scream track monster. But there’s one detail that had me scratching my head: that side vent, or the lack of one. Unlike the standard GT3, the RS has a gaping maw right on the rear wheel arches. Why the difference between the two models? Let’s find out.

The Porsche 911 Dakar nameplate was revived in 2022 as an homage to the legendary 911 953 rally car that was victorious in the Paris to Dakar rally in 1984. Based on the 992.1 Carrera 4 GTS, the modern reincarnation of the Dakar has been modified to venture off the pavement. Upgrades from the factory include an adaptive lifted suspension which gives it 6.3 inches of ground clearance (with an additional lift of 1.2 inches), chunkier Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Tires, and metal skid plates which help protect the underside on rough terrain. As for propulsion, the Dakar carries over the engine from the Carrera 4 GTS, a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six making 473 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. The transmission of the Dakar is an 8-speed PDK automatic sending power to all four wheels.