11 Amazing Porsche Supercars
Looking for a GT or a high-performance speed machine? Look no further than a ferocious Porsche supercar with record-breaking speeds. Check out the top contenders.
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Lisa Steuer McArdle
For almost a century,
Porsche
has delivered nothing short of automotive excellence. And it’s no secret that the Porsches we also love most are the brand’s supercars. Early Porsche supercars by era
The 1950s Porsche 550 Spyder was the very first Porsche built specifically for racing. The street-legal racer features a four-cylinder, four-cam engine that pumps out 110 hp. Though its competition housed larger engines, it took a class win and overall ranking of third in the 1954 Carrera Panamericana.
The 1960s Porsche 904 Carrera GTS was designed by Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche. According to
Flat Sixes
, “It was the first time in Porsche’s history that a closed-top, mid-engined model would be sold to the public as well as the first Porsche model to have a plastic body.”Four, six, or eight-cylinder engines are available, with a 204-hp output. Soon after it was released, the Porsche supercar performed well in the Le Mans and Monte Carlo Rally, and won the Targa Florio.
The immortal 1970s started production in 1975. Powered by a 3.0-liter flat-six engine with 260 hp, the Porsche supercar featured flared rear wings, giving the vehicle an extra 12 cm in width. In front of the rear wheel arches, a black stone guard film was applied, and the rear lid had a distinguishing rear wing with a broad black hard-rubber border.
To say the 1980s was ahead of its time is an understatement. The technologically advanced vehicle features aluminum doors, a zero-lift aerodynamic package, kevlar and fiberglass-reinforced plastic body panels, an all-wheel-drive with adjustable torque split, variable shock damping, and ride height, and a six-speed manual transmission. The superstar can hit 60 mph in less than four seconds.
MORE: Porsche Reveals Special Edition 911 Inspired by Disney’s ‘Cars'
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Modern Porsche supercars by era
The Porsche 911 GT1 from the 1990s was handbuilt with a mid-mounted engine by the racing department in Weissach. Only 20 units of the supercar were made, and could all hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. The only non-rear-engined Porsche can reach a top speed of 191 mph.
The 2000s Carrera GT was created for Porsche to race with it in the Le Mans. The 10-cylinder supercar set a road car record at Nordschleife, with its 7:33 minute lap. The limited production run Porsche (with only 1,270 units) was originally priced at $450,000. While it was for sale for as low as $225,000 a couple of years ago, it’s not going for $750k with low mileage and good condition.
The 2010s Porsche 918 Spyder originally debuted its concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Also known as a “hypercar,” the hybrid sports a 4.8-liter V8 engine that cranks out about 800 hp. Crafted for extravagance and speed, the plug-in Porsche can hit 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. Drivers will experience steering-wheel-mounted drive select knobs, carbon-fiber seats, and soft leather surfacing.
With only 918 units produced, the car sold out in a flash. With a time of 6:57, the 918 Spyder is the first production Porsche to beat the 7:00 minute on the Nürburgring.
Porsche supercars not to be missed
The gorgeous Porsche 356 is the car you want to be in when you pull over on the Pacific Coast Highway to watch the sunset. Known for its VW Beetle/bathtub looks, the 356 gained some beefier engines in its later generations. The ride was stiff, reliable, and light and the 356 SLs won the 1951 Le Mans.
The Porsche 944 Turbo offers pop-up headlamps, a wedge design, and telephone dial wheels. The sports car features a four-cylinder engine with 250 bhp, which at the time, was the most powerful engine of its kind. It can also hit 60 mph in less than six seconds.
We’re not going to lie, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS is pretty hardcore. With its extreme speed, it set lap records at Road America and at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. In fact, it put the 755-hp Corvette ZR1 and the McLaren 720s to shame in a Car and Driver lightning lap test. With a light chassis, the Porsche supercar features a 3.8-liter flat-six engine that pumps out 700 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque.
The newer Porsche Cayman S can’t touch the Porsche Cayman GTS (981)’s responsive handling, insane power, or thrilling experience behind the wheel. Reasonably priced (for a Porsche) the Cayman GTS sports a naturally aspirated flat-six engine with 340 hp. Buyers will also receive Porsche’s Active Suspension Management even with the basic trim.
4.7
