If you were to ask someone at the opposite end of the Earth what the most recognizable car brand is, chances are they'd say Porsche. For many, it represents sporty style, poise, racing culture, and is a symbol of the mid-life crisis.
Today, Porsche is among the world's largest race car manufacturers and produces over 250,000 vehicles a year. This is a big change from the early days in 1948 when Porsche had barely enough manpower to put together 55 automobiles. Needless to say, Porsche has come a long way. This list examines the company's current lineup of cars and legacy in racing and design.
10 Reputation
Porsche is one of the longest-lasting and most prestigious automobile brands in the world. Racing is in its blood and has been at the center of its design and manufacturing decisions. This is embodied in its cars, from the Porsche 356 C coupé, the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR and Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1.
You know exactly what you can expect today when you buy a car with a Porsche badge, whether it's a wagon, SUV, or a hybrid family car. Distilled down, it's a combination of performance and driver engagement. As the leading brand for performance cars, if you buy a Porsche, you're more likely into the experience of driving than someone just chasing the most popular badge.
9 Safety
Being performance-focused, Porsche will never be an easy car to drive. The clutch is notoriously heavy and if you're not careful, it will fight back and diabolically spin out. As a sports car that is designed to be used as an everyday driver too, safety is paramount. With that in mind, Porsche has a series of standard and add-on safety measures.
This includes an automatic control system, called Porsche Stability Management, that stabilizes the car when driving the limits, including wet roads or low-grip surfaces. It automatically pre-charges your brake system and if you suddenly brake, it will provide brake assist to apply maximum pressure to all four wheels. Other safety features include stability control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, single-lane holding, and side-impact protection systems.
8 911
The 911 is a staple in the Porsche lineup. It has been in production since 1963, undergoing continuous development ever since. The famous series includes models like the Carrera, Targa, Turbo, GT3, and GT2 RS. Today, the purebred racing focus remains unchanged. The rear-engine sports car is one of Porsche's most successful competition cars and was the most profitable sports car of 2019.
Not for the indecisive, there are 22 versions to select from and that's not including all the customization and options. Starting at $97,300 for the basic model 911 Carrera to the 911 GT2 RS from $293,000. Countless car aficionados love the 911 and have them as part of their collections, including Chris Harris, Tom Cruise, Jay Leno, and Tim Burton, aka Shmee150.
7 718
Throughout history, the 718 models held a very special place at Porsche. It started as a one or two-seat sport-racing car in 1957, literally built for Formula racing. In that lifetime, Porsche raced in Le Mans, Formula Two, and Formula One.
The version you see today is a new model to continue that same fighting spirit in a road-legal form. As a roadster, it's the best value mid-engine performance car on the market. Most importantly, it's tamable enough to be an everyday driver. Sure there's no IKEA trip in your future but you can grocery shop and surely go golfing. With 7 models to choose from, there's the base model 718 Cayman from $57,000 to the 718 Spyder model starting from $96,300.
6 Panamera
The Panamera is Porsche's answer to a full-sized luxury family vehicle. Its lineage can be traced back to the Porsche's 1980s 989 concept vehicle. However, it may be forever remembered by Jeremy Clarkson most notably stating it looked like the backside of a pooping dog on an episode of Top Gear.
Only one sedan you ask? Not quite. There are 11 models of Panamera to select from, including the basic model starting at $87,000 to the GTS Sports Turismo from $135,000. As a family car, it packs some serious fun. The base model is a turbocharged V6 with a top speed of 164mph and 330 horsepower. The biggest downside is you'll never want your kids to learn how to drive in it.
5 Cayenne
When Porsche first announced that they planned to create an SUV, there were mixed feelings from car experts and drivers alike. Was creating an SUV a mistake? Were they compromising their racing legacy? It didn't take too long for that perception to change when the Porsche Cayenne came out of production. The Cayenne turned out to be a powerhouse within the SUV form factor and scratched the itch of SUV loving Americans.
For people that like the acceleration and control of Porsche cars but have adult responsibilities and hobbies, it ticks those boxes. The line-up of Cayenne's starts from $67,000, and there are 10 models in total to pick from, including 4 hybrids.
4 Macan
The Porsche Macan is a relatively new addition to the product line as of 2014. The compact SUV model is considered a Cayenne junior and the most practical car of the entire line-up.
Don't let its adorableness get in the way, as Porsche doesn't skimp out on the fun here too. It has the quickness, poise on the road and stylish interior you'd expect from the brand. The Macan is an alternative to a big SUV, while slightly compromising on the interior space and cargo hold. It is offered in 3 models, with the basic model starting at $51,000, the Macan S from $60,000, and the Macan Turbo from $83,000. In some regions, it is also offered in diesel. If you're on a tight budget, you may want to look into buying an older Porsche model.
3 Electric And Hybrids
Porsche is making a huge push to increase its offerings in the electric vehicle market. They most recently announced the Porsche Taycan, which will be Porsche's first all-electric sedan. It's expected to have a range of 279-miles and accelerate from 0-60 in 3.2 seconds.
If you're keen to rocket your family around, want to help save the planet but aren't into SUVs, this has your name written all over it. It does, however, come at a high cost starting at $103,000. You'll also have to wait till some time in 2020 to get your hands on one of three models. As they say, some things are worth the wait.
2 Racing
It would be amiss to talk about Porsche and not mention the legacy of non-road legal cars. Some of the most famous versions in history are the 1952 Porsche American Roadster, 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, and 1966 Porsche 906/10 Carrera. Today, you'll find Porsche at race events all around the world, from the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula One, Esports Supercup, Indy, and Autocross. As of today, Porsche has 6 race car models, including 911 RSR, GT3, 911 GT2 RS, and 718 Cayman GT4.
Porsche has spent a lifetime trying to create the best race car, and at a relentless pace. So much so, it's rare to even see a Porsche racing car appear at consecutive races in the same specification. Now that's engineering enthusiasm!
1 Legacy And Design
Porsche is a company with an immense history. Heck, they've been around since 1931. In the early days, the company started as a consultancy firm. One of the assignments was to build the Volkswagen Beetle. They even spent time during the war designing tanks, none of which won any contracts, fortunately.
Today, Porsche Design continues to drum up magical designs, ideas, and products. Beyond official Porsche car accessories, they have developed numerous products within fashion, luggage, and high-end accessories. They've also collaborated with numerous global brands like Blackberry, LaCie, Adidas, and Huawei. They've even got a Porsche Design Tower in Miami featuring luxury residences that have car elevators called Sky Garages. The legacy continues.