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Feature: Returning to Porsche – The Expanding DNA of a Sports Car

CAR / FEATURES

November 25, 2014

Feature: Returning to Porsche – The Expanding DNA of a Sports Car

Feature Story | Porsche: A Return to the Fold

The Expanding DNA of the Sports Car

With Porsche continuously expanding its family, from the iconic 911 to the Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne, Panamera, and now the Macan, some fans have questioned the brand's direction since the Cayenne SUV became a massive hit. Has Porsche ceased to be a sports car manufacturer? The answer, of course, is no. Last year, they unveiled the "918 Spyder," a super-Porsche, for the first time in a decade. This year marks their return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a works team after a 14-year absence. The sports car DNA that breathes life into this brand has not faded. Even with the new SUV, the Macan, Porsche today vividly demonstrates the inherent quality befitting a car crafted by racing enthusiasts. We aim to re-examine its appeal.

Feature Story

Porsche 911 Targa

Porsche 911 Targa
Test Drive: The New 911 Targa

Among Porsche's 911 lineup, the Targa stands out as the most elegant and luxurious model. The latest iteration features a completely revamped roof opening system. We join Tatsuya Kuijima in a southern Italian town on the Adriatic coast to experience open-air motoring.

Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder
A Super Porsche Returns After a Decade

Ten years after its predecessor, the Carrera GT, the "918 Spyder," Porsche's new generation of super hybrid sports cars, has arrived. Yasuhiko Kawamura test drives this new machine, limited to 918 units, which is infused with Porsche's racing spirit.

Porsche Macan

Porsche Macan
Test Drive: Porsche's Second SUV, the Macan

Porsche introduces the "Macan" to the market as its second SUV, following the Cayenne. We test drove this new machine in Leipzig, Germany, to assess its capabilities, featuring a more compact and sportier design.

Porsche 911 Turbo S 02

Porsche 911 Turbo S (Type 991)
Porsche: The Law of 4WD x Turbo (Part 1)

Focusing on the key technologies of "Turbo" and "4WD," which have been continuously developed as the hallmarks of high-performance models, we feature two of the latest models. In the first part, we test drive the four-door sports sedan, the "Panamera Turbo Executive."

Porsche 911 Turbo S 01

Porsche 911 Turbo S (Type 991)
Porsche: The Law of 4WD x Turbo (Part 2)

There is no doubt that the "911 Turbo," combining turbocharging and four-wheel drive, is the flagship of the 911 series. However, to be precise, the "Turbo S," with its even higher performance, reigns supreme. We delve into the allure of the modern Porsche.

Porsche Macan

Porsche Macan
Understanding the Porsche Macan

Porsche's compact SUV, the Macan. This vehicle claims to be a pure "Porsche" despite belonging to the SUV category. To verify this claim, Tatsuya Otani traveled to Germany to gather detailed information and experience the car firsthand.

Porsche 911

Porsche 911
Porsche 911—
Its 50 Years

Fifty years since the birth of the Porsche 911. Maintaining its original layout of a rear-mounted flat-six engine in a two-door coupe, it continues to lead the sports car world. This comprehensive feature includes interviews with its developers.

Car Impression

Porsche 911 GT3

Porsche 911 GT3
Test Drive: Porsche 911 GT3

While titles like "strongest" or "fastest" might go to the Turbo, the "most thrilling 911" garners significantly more support. This is the character of the "GT3," the "911 closest to the racetrack."

Porsche Panamera

Porsche Panamera
The Dream That Led to the Panamera

The Porsche Panamera has undergone significant changes and debuted in Shanghai. The "Panamera S" and "4S" models feature downsizing, while the hybrid model, though carrying over its engine, has seen substantial enhancements to its electric components.

Porsche Cayman

Porsche Cayman
Test Drive: The Second-Generation Cayman

With improvements across the board—powertrain, body, and design—the second-generation Cayman has evolved. We test drive it at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Its high caliber as a sports car, rivaling the 911, means it is no longer a lesser model or a substitute.