Switchable technology enables drivers to alter the noise from the modern 911’s exhaust. Here’s how… One of the most characterful elements of the 911 is the exhaust note. Whatever model you have, the soundtrack is a constant reminder of partly why we enjoy the cars so much. That sound comes via the exhaust system. While an exhaust’s job is mainly to vent combustion gases to the atmosphere, it has a secondary task: to control the sound, primarily to comply with noise regulations.
Recent sales listings reveal some scary viewing in the 992 arena. Asking prices show not just price reductions month-on-month, but falls across the board. In some cases, those reductions run to tens of thousands of pounds, and even Carreras have been slashed. What’s going on? Jonathan Franklin of Jonathan Franklin Cars neatly sums up the background. “The market has been slowly getting itself overheated, partly since Covid, when people suddenly began spending.
The annual awards ceremony is a timehonoured ritual at Porsche and a reminder that the company really did make its name through motorsport. Usually held in the third week of December, these days the ceremony is slightly overshadowed by competition from other Porsche evening functions, such as Sound Night and other social media-inspired events. However, 50 years ago when Porsche was still a small company and almost all Porsche racers knew each other, it was the event of the year.
Discover how the Porsche Torque Vectoring system helps to keep your 911 on the road. The driving characteristics of the 911 are well known, if something of a dichotomy. The rear-engined layout permits immense traction out of corners, but at the same time the car is ever-ready to punish driving with less-than-perfect technique. Carry too much speed into a corner, lift off and you have all the ingredients of the classic 911 accident for the inexperienced.
Tracking down your dream 911 can be a less-than-straightforward process. In our heads it’s relatively easy to draw up a wish list of our ideal car, but then we have to find one in the real world. Inevitably, that perfect set of demands may not be for sale. How much compromise should we factor in when searching for ‘The One’? Avantgarde Classic’s Jonathan Aucott is quick to point out that compromise is somewhat inevitable with used 911 purchases.
The Beverly Hills Car Club CEO on the appeal of the 1991 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Targa 964, which helped Porsche weather an economic storm. Porsche Torque with Alex ManosThe Porsche 911 Targa was the last of its kind, which in itself makes it one of our favourites. From this point on, the Targa was a very different car: this was the last car to feature the traditional Targa design of fixed-hoop, removable roof panel and glass rear screen.
We all know tyres are crucial in keeping your Porsche on the road, but what are N-rated tyres and how do they differ from non N-rated variants? Commonly regarded as a distress purchase in motoring, tyres play a huge part in extracting the maximum driving dynamics of an already capable sports car. Porsche realised this and since 1988 it’s drawn up a list of tyres that it approves for the 911, giving them an N rating.
Porsche is no stranger to producing special edition models. Philip Raby of Philip Raby Specialist Cars has sold examples of both the 964 30th Anniversary and the 996 40th, and rates both cars highly. “The 40th is incredibly special,” says Phil. He points out what a great car they are to drive, thanks to the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in a non-GT 996.
Little did we know in the 1980s that one day we would look upon the humble Cressida as a classic. It now has everything necessary to wear the accolade – and it makes for excellent everyday transport, too. 1976-1992 Toyota Cressida - Long-life bread and butter PACKAGINGAs the packaging is rather uninteresting, some history instead. These are really the third and fourth generations of this car. However, it started life as the Corona, previously covered in this series.
When it comes to buying a 996 you’ve got options, even if your budget’s at the lower end of the scale. But don’t hang about – people are wising up to the car’s immense value for money… Porsche 911 996 at 25Volume defines the 996 marketplace: the number available out there is far greater than any 911 before it.
It’s been well known for its issues around reliability, but 25 years on, what’s the real-world assessment of the 996’s mechanical underpinnings? Porsche built over 175,000 996s, and if you believed everything you heard about it, every single one is problematic. The 996 has issues, but they’re hugely blown out of proportion. The effect is exacerbated by both the information revolution and the increased production proliferation.
The 993’s multi-link rear suspension brought more than just improved comfort, says Alisdair Cusick In addition to marking the end of the air-cooled era, the 993 introduced one standout development: its multilink rear axle suspension. For the first time, the rear axle of a 911 was capable of steering inputs. The origins of the technology date back to 1977 with the 928. Until then, rear suspension was commonly a semi-trailing arm setup, whereby two arms connect to the body with two rubber bushes.