The Porsche 911 is turning 50, after a long and glorious run that has included seven generations and more than 30,000 motorsport victories in officially sanctioned events.
Some things never change, like the 911′s unconventional rear-engine setup and instantly recognizable profile. Even the interior layout, with the key to the left of the driver, is strikingly similar to the original 911-Series that debuted way back in 1963.
The new 991-generation Porsche 911 sports car is available now in base and “S” variants, with either rear-wheel drive or Carrera 4 all-wheel drive, but if you want Porsche’s newest with turbocharged power you’ll need to wait just a little bit longer.
Not too much longer, though, as the new 2014 911 Turbo is expected to hit showrooms right around the end of this year or at the beginning of 2014. Ace spy photogs at Motor Trend recently captured the Turbo during some cold weather testing in Sweden, giving us our best look yet at what’s to come.
The 2014 Porsche Cayman debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show sporting a brand-new lighter chassis, with an increased wheelbase and wider track sure to make one of the world’s best-handling sports cars even more thrilling. Up to 66 lbs. lighter and 15% more efficient than its predecessor despite larger dimensions, the Cayman will once again be available in standard and “S” variants, each with mid-mounted Boxer engines.
The Cayman uses a 2.7-liter flat-six with 275 horsepower, while the Cayman S uses a 3.4-liter flat-six with 325 horsepower. These engines, and the new Porsche’s platform, are shared with the 2013 Boxster roadster lineup. 0 to 60 mph will take as little as 5.1 seconds for the Cayman and 4.4 seconds for the Cayman S, when fitted with the optional Sport Chrono Package. Porsche’s new-generation PASM active damping system should aid in ride quality, even during flat-out hard driving.
Porsche’s design looks amazing in the flesh, its huge functional side air intakes helping to create a striking profile that has greater individuality when compared with the 911. The design is quite similar to the Boxster, but that’s not a bad thing as the duo of two-seat Porsches have come into their own as some of the most attractive sports cars on the market.
Pricing will start at $52,600 for the Cayman and $63,800 for the Cayman S (plus $960 destination) when Porsche’s latest hits U.S. dealerships in Spring 2013.
2014 Porsche Cayman Vital Statistics
Engines: 2.7-liter flat-six (275 hp), 3.4-liter flat-six (325 hp)
Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 7-speed PDK automated manual
Drivetrain Layout: Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Fuel Efficiency: 20 city/28 highway mpg to 22 city/32 highway mpg
0-60 mph: 5.1 seconds (Cayman), 4.4 seconds (Cayman S)
Top Speed: 165 mph (Cayman), 175 mph (Cayman S)
Curb Weight: 2,888 lbs. (Cayman 6-speed) to 2,976 lbs. (Cayman S PDK)
Seating: 2 passengers
Cargo Capacity: 5.3 cu.ft. (front trunk), 9.7 cu.ft. (rear trunk)
The Porsche 911 Carrera S is our top pick for sports cars under $100,000, and it’s not even close. Now riding on the newest-generation “991″ platform, the $96,000 Carrera S Coupe is motoring bliss in a slightly larger package that is easier to control and live with on a day-to-day basis, while outperforming its predecessor in every single regard.
The “S” means the larger of two direct-injection flat-six engines, displacing 3.8 liters and making an even 400 horsepower at 7,400 rpm. This advanced mill even manages a respectable 19 city/27 highway mpg, avoiding the pesky gas guzzler tax.
With its iconoclastic rear-engine layout and a design that hasn’t so much as changed as evolved over the last 60 years or so, the 911 breathes fire, and yet is more comfortable than ever before. Do yourself a favor and test drive the Carrera S, even if you have no intention of buying one. Just for kicks.
What’s New for 2013?
The Carrera S, which just debuted in its new generation as a late 2012 model, is a carryover for 2013. Porsche will also now sell you the AWD Carrera 4 and 4S on the new-generation platform, and an all-new 911 Turbo is not far behind.
2013 Porsche 911 Carrera S Quick Facts
Base MSRP: $96,400 (Coupe); $108,000 (Cabriolet)
Release Date: Available now.
Engine: 3.8-liter direct-injection flat six-cylinder
Power Output: 400 horsepower, 325 lb-ft. torque
Fuel Efficiency: 19 city/27 highway mpg
Transmissions: 7-speed manual, 7-speed Porsche PDK dual-sequential manual
Layout: Rear engine, RWD
Seating: 2+2
Cargo Space: 4.76 cu.ft.
Curb Weight: 3,274 lbs.
Performance (Coupe: Road & Track Testing)
0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds
1/4-Mile: 11.8 seconds
Top Speed: 187 mph
Braking 60-0 mph: 111 feet
Skidpad: 0.99 G
While the Porsche Panamera may well be the best-performing four door you can get your hands on anywhere in the world, we’ve never been huge fans of its styling. Specifically, it’s that rump: what starts out great up front looks almost cartoonish when viewed from certain angles. The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept is a brand-new take on the Panamera, swapping out the rear hatch for a new liftgate wagon body style. And it looks great: this is the Panamera they should have built the first time.
When we think of the best-looking production wagons, we instantly go to the Cadillac CTS-V and Audi allroad. The new Sport Turismo design is low-slung, wide, streamlined and features more than a little of the Porsche Cayenne SUV in its DNA. No longer does it try too hard to look like a 911 Carerra limousine, and that’s a good thing.
But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the Panamera Sport Turismo Concept is much more than a three-box Panamera. It’s also a plug-in hybrid, utilizing a new version of the gas-electric powertrain found in the current production Panamera S Hybrid. A 333-horsepower supercharged V6 combines with a 95-horse electric motor for 416 peak ponies, good for 0-62 in under 6 seconds.
Stay within the 30-km (around 19 miles) electric range and the Sport Turismo never needs to be refueled. Charge it up using a regular wall outlet and you’re ready to go… fast. This Panamera can break 80 mph on all-electric power.
The Sport Turismo could easily be built alongside the Panamera line using mostly existing components. There’s every reason for Porsche to produce it, and we’re betting you’ll see this latest Panamera in dealerships before too long.
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