What is the Best Porsche 911?
These high-performance rear-engined sports cars have been raced extensively throughout the years. So what are the coolest models to look out for on the track?
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Porsche
has been cranking out its legendary 911 models since the early ‘60s. Whether they feature a boxer six engine or a rear-engined flat-six, the small but mighty Porsche 911s are a sports car
staple.Early Porsche 911s not to be forgotten
Did you know the first Porsche 911 was originally called the Porsche 901? The 1963 Porsche 901 was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show. “When Porsche presented the vehicle at the Paris Motor Show in October of that year, the French car manufacturer Peugeot objected to the model designation,” according to
SuperCars
. Peugeot had already patented his own design that looked too similar to the three-digit. While the ‘o’ in the middle didn’t last long, some of these rare models were commandeered by car collectors. The 901 inspired future generations with its iconic design and aesthetic styling.
The 1967 911 S Coupe showed us just how much we could push the envelope when it comes to potential performance. With chassis enhancements and
luxury
features, the 180 hp 911 S was ready for the track. The coupe sported a 2.0-liter flat six-cylinder engine that stood out from the late ‘60s competition. Don’t call the 1971 Porsche 911 T a sleeper car. It sports a 2.4-liter flat-six engine with 125 hp, but it is lightweight AF. This entry-level Porsche is classy, stylish, and packs a punch on the road. According to
HotCars
, “A great car to tune, and a great car to drive because of its unassuming nature, the 911 T is surely one of the best Porsche 911s ever.”The fastest of the 964 generation is the Porsche 911 Carerra RS 3.8. The 3.8-liter engine’s powerplant had an output of 296 hp, and only 90 units were ever made. The sports car was able to shed weight while the car stayed usable and in good shape.
“Thinner glass reduced sound deadening and aluminum wings all helped keep the weight down to 2668 lbs.” The 911 Turbo’s wider rear arches were also put to good use. RS 3.8’s are worth more than $1 million if their owners can even let them go.
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Best Porsche 911’s from the 2000s
The successful Porsche 911 997 Carrerra was first released in 2004. The sports car has excellent handling and gets its power from a 3.6-liter engine with 350 hp. The AWD system is perfect for everyday use or for the sports enthusiast to whip around on the track.
Only 250 of the 2012 Porsche 911 Sport Classic were produced, and most ended up in the hands of collectors. “The Sport Classic comes with stylish updates with a ducktail spoiler and Fuchs alloys to celebrate iconic 911s of old,” according to HotCars. The vehicle is powered by 402 hp and can jump to 60 mph in only 4.6 seconds.
The 911 Carrera S 50th Anniversary Edition comes in either Geyser Grey metallic or Graphite Grey. This 2013 car “was essentially a 991 Carrera S with a widebody conversion and a number of retro touches, including green-numbered dials, chrome deck lid grill, and ‘Pepita’ houndstooth seat centers,” SuperCars notes.
You’ll also find a two-toned ‘911 50’ badge on the rear lid and high-gloss window frames. “Fuchs” style 20-inch alloy wheels and SportDesign exterior mirrors were also a part of this special package.
The 2020 Porsche 911 Turbo S continues impressive styling from earlier generations. It’s also equipped with new LED headlights and weighs 3,615 lbs. The aerodynamic auto’s downforce was also adjusted, resulting in a 15% improvement.
With a 3.7-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine getting 641 hp, the vehicle gets about 60 more horsepower than the previous generation. If you’re driving the coupe, expect to hit 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds. The cabriolet model isn’t far behind with 2.7 seconds.
MORE: Porsche Is Looking to Intensify Its Synthetic Fuel Investment
The best Porsche 911
Runner up is the 4.0-liter naturally aspirated 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (991.2). With 520 hp and a top speed of 193 mph, the speedster can reach 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. With an extra 20 hp, the auto is solely automatic and offers a unique chassis setup that allows it to be quicker on the track.
According to SuperCars, “The more aggressive aerodynamic features stand out on the GT3 RS with NACA ducts guiding air to cool the brakes and smoother channeling air to a new diffuser. The side sills come straight off the GT2 RS, as does the manually adjustable carbon-fiber wing.”
While it’s so hard to choose, we could argue that the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 (997) is the best Porsche 911 ever. It sports a 4.0-liter flat-six engine and can reach a top speed of 193 mph. With 493 hp, the racer can ramp up to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.
“When it was released in 2011 the 997.2 GT3 RS 4.0 was the most powerful and largest displacement naturally aspirated 911 ever made,” SuperCars reports. The Mezger engine is smooth, flexible, and has plenty of power. The lightweight 911 has sharp, responsive handling while remaining relatively compliant and well-composed.
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