Since its release in 1963 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Porsche 911 has become one of the world’s most revered high-performance sports cars. The 911’s cabin and exterior are timeless, with the most iconic silhouette in the business. And the 911 delivers legendary power, matched with signature exhaust snarl and off-the-mark acceleration.
Simply put, the 911’s standing in the motor world is undeniable. Porsche enthusiasts understand the finer points of what makes the 911 such a unique automobile, but for casual observers, it might be more of a challenge to differentiate the 911 from other high-performance sports cars.
What exactly makes the 911 so special? From its storied heritage, to the 911’s continued excellence in racing, there’s no mistaking that the Porsche 911 is in a class of its own.
The Porsche 911’s heritage is steeped in racing excellence, and that’s truly what sets the 911 apart from other sports cars. Throughout its history, the 911 has delivered unbridled power, and that continues today with the latest iterations of the 911.
An Exhilarating Drive.One of the fastest production cars in the world, the Porsche 911’s unique rear-engine helps to boost traction so that no torque is wasted. Plus, with the world’s best throttle control, the 911 delivers what feels like an endless supply of acceleration. Even today, the 2017 911 continues to improve. The 911 Carrera, with its 3.0L biturbo six-cylinder delivers up to 370 horsepower and tops out at 183 MPH. The 2017 911 R, which will be available in a limited run, achieves 500 horsepower and can accelerate 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds.
Stop-on-a-Dime Brakes.You might not being thinking about the stopping power of your 911. Instead, you’re probably more curious as to how fast you can make it go. But the 911’s unique rear-engine design enables more of the braking to occur in the rear. Some estimate it’s about 40 percent, compared to 20-30 percent in front-engine vehicles. The result: The 911 has the ability to fly, but in a pinch, it can stop on a dime, while maintaining precise tracking.
Signature Racing Sound.Part of the allure of a sports car is its snarl, and throughout its history the 911 has delivered one of the most distinctive exhaust sounds in the industry. It’s symphonic, load and iconic.
A Closer Look at the 911’s Timeless Design
Few vehicles are as recognizable as the Porsche 911. From its silhouette, which even today takes design cues from the original 911, to its inspired cabin, no other vehicle’s has stood the test of time as well as the 911.
Iconic Exterior.The 911 has the classic fast-back sports car shape, and it has throughout its history. Many vehicles have imitated it, but none have yet been able to put it off so masterfully. Upfront, the 911 has long featured those signature circular headlamps and downward sloping front end, with the roofline sloping dramatically towards the rear.
Driver-Centered co*ckpit.The 911 is built for performance-driving, and when you sit behind the wheel, you’ll instantly feel like you’re at the helm of a 747. The five binnacle analog gauges are still a mainstay of the co*ckpit, as well form-fitting bucket seats and an ergonomic dash layout.
Not many vehicles have been celebrated for more than 50+ years like the Porsche 911. But the reason it’s happened is simple: Porsche has continually worked to refine and improve the 911. This year, that commitment is on display with the recent introduction of twin turbochargers that deliver an added performance boost.
FAQs
The 911 models are available from Porsche Melbourne with a choice of four turbocharged engines. The Carrera, Carrera S, Turbo, and Turbo S accelerates up to speed with authority. The 911 Carrera can go from zero to 60 mph in four seconds, the Carrera S in 3.5 seconds, and the Turbo S in just 2.6 seconds.
What is special about the Porsche 911? ›
This Car is Unique
Though the Porsche 911 is costly, it has a unique design. The most apparent uniqueness is the layout of its rear engine. While every other motor company put its engine at the front of its car, the Porsche owners decided to put its engine in the back.
What is the most unloved Porsche? ›
Enter the 912. Virtually identical to the 911 except it was powered initially by the 1.6L flat-four from the 356 SC. It may have done the job at the time, but when collectors started to snatch up older 911's, the 912 was left behind.
What makes driving a Porsche so special? ›
They are reliable and offer an unmatched driving experience. Known for smooth ride quality and incredible shock absorption capability, Porsche cars are completely worth buying. The interior is designed with plush leather seats and premium-looking metal surfaces for utmost comfort and sophistication.
Why is Porsche 911 a legendary? ›
Porsche 911 has always outshined other sports cars in global races and records can attest to this fact. It is known for its agile handling, powerful engine and advanced technology. The engine is situated in the rear, offering great traction on acceleration and a unique sound.
Why was the Porsche 911 banned in the US? ›
Not all Porsche's are created equal, apparently, and yes, this Carerra 911 RS is banned because of emissions regulations. There are Carerra 911's allowed, as we've all seen, just not this one.
What Porsche is banned in the US? ›
The 959 of Bill Gates
Microsoft founder Bill Gates bought a 959 in 1988. Since the model did not have NHTSA and EPA approval, the car was denied entry into the U.S. Fortunately for the car, it was stored for 13 years by the Customs Service, rather than being destroyed, as is customary with forbidden automobiles.
What is the rival of the Porsche 911? ›
The Porsche 911 is losing competitors as both the Audi R8 and Jaguar F-Type are gone for 2024. Perhaps the closest rival is the mid-engine Chevy Corvette, which costs less and challenges the 911 on performance for the price.
What sort of person drives a Porsche? ›
Consensus is we are older, have good taste, are fairly successful and above all enjoy driving.
What is a weakness of Porsche? ›
Weaknesses. High Pricing: While the premium pricing of Porsche vehicles underscores their luxury and quality, it also limits their market to high-income individuals. This pricing strategy could limit the brand's customer base compared to competitors with a wider range of price points.
In the end, the question of whether the Porsche 911 is a supercar remains subjective. Its performance, design, technology, and exclusivity place it on the cusp of supercar territory. The 2016 Porsche 911 991 Turbo S and the 2022 Porsche 911 992 Carrera 4 GTS serve as prime examples of the 911's supercar capabilities.
Why is the 911 called a Carrera? ›
The name Carrera (Spanish for 'race') ultimately commemorates the success of Porsche at the Carrera Panamericana – the famous border-to-border Mexican endurance race where Porsche achieved such great success with the 550 Spyder in the 1950s.
Which is better Porsche or Lamborghini? ›
Comparing Porsche 911 vs. Lamborghini Huracan acceleration, the heavier Porsche 911 Turbo S can rocket from zero to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds, and while an undeniably fast car, the Huracan STO gets left behind with a 3.0-second zero to 60 mph time.
Why is a Porsche 911 called a 992? ›
Under the banner of the Porsche 911, the 992 brand is the signal Porsche is evolving its idea sport performance. It replaces and improves the previous generation 991. The Porsche 992 looks a little different than previous generations of the Porsche 911. It shows as slightly longer, with wider front and rear tracks.
Why do people love the 911? ›
With its own engine seated behind the rear axle, the Porsche 911 offers a driving experience that no other car can match. The resulting weight distribution allows a skilled 911 pilot to lower power earlier in a turn than would be possible with any other setup.
Why everyone loves Porsche? ›
Porsches are created with performance in mind, so you'll find a lot of racing pedigree parts in your Porsche. There are even companies that only create specialized parts for Porsche, so chances are, you'll never have to worry about performance issues!
Why do Porsche 911 hold value? ›
According to raycatenaporsche.com, the Porsche comes out on top in longevity. It's been recognized time and time again as a leader in the industry and provides excellent performance while retaining a desirable retail value that anyone will enjoy.
