Porsche’s lineup over the years has seen more than a fair share of iconic road cars and race cars. The German carmaker has enjoyed such a great deal of success in motorsport that its road-going models couldn’t have been anything else other than brilliant.
This statement is true today as well. Ignore the 911 and the 718 range, Porsche’s SUVs, despite frowned upon by some, are top-of-class in their segments when it comes to driving dynamics and road zest. But the cars you’re about to see are absolute automotive Gods.
Is this the most exclusive trio Porsche could line up?
Well, it could be one of them, for sure. However, these names are paramount to Porsche’s history - past and recent. You’ve got the Porsche 718 RS 60 Spyder, the 993-generation 911 Turbo, and the mighty 918 Spyder. So let’s take them one at a time, shall we?
Porsche 918 Spyder
Together with the Ferrari LaFerrari and the McLaren P1, the 918 Spyder was part of what gearheads know as the Hypercar Holy Trinity. Revealed in concept shape back in 2010 and as a road-legal car in 2013, the 918 Spyder could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.2 seconds and clear the quarter mile in 9.8 seconds.
Two electric motors churning out 282 horsepower combined are joined by a flat-crank 4.6-liter V-8 good for 599 horsepower. Overall output: 875 horsepower and 944 pound-feet of twist send to all four wheels.
Porsche 918 Spyder specifications
Engine |
4.6-Liter V-8 W/ Two Electric Parallel Motors |
---|---|
Total Horsepower |
875 Horsepower |
Total Torque |
940 Pound-Feet |
Transmission |
7-Speed PDK Automated Manual |
Top Speed (Hybrid/Electric) |
211 mph / 93 mph |
Acceleration 0 to 60 mph |
2.2 Sec |
Read our full review on the 2014 Porsche 918 Spyder
Porsche (993) 911 Turbo
The 993-gen Porsche 911 Turbo brought twin turbocharging to the lineup for the first time through a 3.6-liter engine slapped with two turbos. Standard power output was 408 horsepower, but in 1996, Porsche offered an optional power kit that took the engine to 430 horsepower. In 1998, it happened again, and a second kit brought the engine’s horsepower tally to 450.
Porsche (993) 911 Turbo specifications
Engine |
3.6-litre engine, Porsche fitted a pair of KKK K16 turbochargers |
---|---|
Horsepower |
408 HP @ 5,750 RPM |
Torque |
398 lb-ft @ 4,500 RPM |
Transmission |
six-speed |
Top Speed |
184 mph |
Acceleration 0 to 60 mph |
4.5 seconds |
Read our full review on the Porsche (993) 911 Turbo
Porsche 718 RS 60 Spyder
The Spyder came to life in 1960, powered by a four-cylinder, 1.6-liter air-cooled mill good for 160 horsepower at 7,800 rpm. The engine was also slapped with two dual-downdraft carburetors and sent power to the rear wheels via a five-speed gearbox and a limited-slip differential. Top speed was a cool 225 kph (140 mph), and the whole car tipped the scales at just 550 kilos (1,212 pounds).
It also went on to secure a Targa Florio victory in 1960, with a lead of more than three minutes over a 3.0-liter Ferrari, followed by a win at the 12 Hours of Sebring in the USA, with a one-two finish.
Porsche 718 RS 60 Spyder specifications
Engine |
four-cylinder, 1.6-liter air-cooled |
---|---|
Horsepower |
160 HP @ 7,800 RPM |
Torque |
108 LB-FT |
Transmission |
five-speed |
Top Speed |
140 mph |
Read our full review on the Porsche 718 RS 60 Spyder