Porsche 968 Reviews

Porsche says its incoming electric-only Macan isn't being affected by the global EV slow-down, as buyers place hundreds of orders sight-unseen.

Porsche says residual values and battery degradation come with many 'myths' and 'speculation' but reassures buyers that its EVs are as serviceable as combustion models.

The top five electric SUVs updated for 2022

If you think electric vehicles might be just a fad, like a Rubik’s Cube or a Livestrong bracelet, or even those Oakley stickers everyone had on their windscreens that said “Thermonuclear Protection”, we have news for you: EVs aren’t going anywhere. They’re going everywhere.

A traditional sports car is a lot like the barfly at your local pub - it consumes a hell of a lot more, and is a lot louder than pretty much anything within a one kilometre radius. 

If you’re one of the many Australians that’s ready to take the plunge and turn your motoring from fossil fuelled to electric, you’ll probably have noticed there’s not the same choice in vehicle layout as there is with ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) cars. We’re behind the rest of the developed world in all types of EVs, and when you look at electric sedans Australia is a real back-marker.

Luxury sports cars are something of a tautology. By their nature sports cars are a luxury item, as the primary purpose of such cars is driving enjoyment, which is very much a luxury.At least, that’s one way to look at it. But what if we take a different view and assess it in the prism of modern luxury cars?In simple terms, luxury sports car brands are the same as you’d think of when you think of prestige cars and exotic sports cars. So, think of popular brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz and more high-end sports cars from Aston Martin, Ferrari and Porsche.The list of luxury sports cars that are common in Australia is filled with familiar names, as sports cars tend to sell in less volume and therefore only the most popular models survive. Some familiar names include the BMW 4 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe and Porsche 911.There are other famous names, such as the Ford Mustang and Toyota Supra, but these don’t meet the widely accepted view of what a luxury car is, which is a vehicle that stands out in terms of either comfort or performance.Below you’ll find a rundown of the best luxury sports cars in Australia defined by 2023 sales across the brands and models that meet the criteria of a premium vehicle.While the 2 Series is a broad range, it meets the standards most people would expect from a luxury vehicle. And while it makes the list based on a strong sales year it would also headline a list of affordable luxury sports cars, as it’s the only one on the list in the under $80,000 price segment in the industry's VFacts registration data set.The 2 Series is available as a genuine two-door coupe or four-door Gran Coupe, but the headline attraction is unquestionably the M2.This twin-turbo six-cylinder makes 338kW/550Nm and sends all that power to the rear wheels for a very dynamic driving experience.There’s a variety of 4 Series models to choose from, with the two-door coupe, convertible, four-door Gran Coupe and even the electric i4. BMW has long offered a coupe version of its 3 Series small sedan but made the decision in 2013 to separate the two to create a more distinct sports model.The 4 Series Coupe is the most overtly sporty member of the range, in particular the M4 hero model. The M4 Coupe has long been considered a benchmark for luxury sports cars (dating back to when it was still badged as an M3), especially at what is considered the more affordable end of the market. In the same way BMW offers a sedan and coupe version of its 3 Series so Mercedes does with the C-Class. The C-Class Coupe and Convertible are among the most popular luxury sports cars in Australia and the range is headlined by the muscular AMG C63.Once famous for its growling V8 engines, the latest C63 features a downsized turbocharged four-cylinder engine but it's still a potent beast. The four-cylinder C63 still makes an impressive 350kW power and a staggering 1020Nm of torque, ensuring this is a true luxury sports car in every way.When people think of fancy sports cars chances are the 911 will be the first model that springs to mind. Porsche arguably set the benchmark for luxury sports cars when it launched the first 911 way back in 1964. Since then it has only become more luxurious and sporty with each new generation.The reason it has become so iconic is its blend of comfort and practicality whilst remaining an incredibly capable and dynamic performance vehicle. These days the 911 range includes more than 20 variants so you can choose the level of either luxury or sporty bias depending on your preference and budget.While Chevrolet may not sound like the most obvious luxury brand, the latest generation Corvette certainly fits the bill of a classy sports car. This eighth generation ‘Vette shifted the American brand into a direct fight against the established European premium players like Porsche and Ferrari with its new mid-engine layout and more premium design.The C8 Stingray feels like a true luxury sports car whenever you drive it, blending everyday usability and sharp handling into a single package. It’s also now priced like a luxury car starting at close to $200K, but when compared to its European rivals it makes a strong value argument.It probably shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that there's a second Porsche on this list, as the 718 Cayman bridges the gap between luxury sports cars like the BMW and Mercedes to the more expensive 911.But that doesn't mean the Cayman isn't a great luxury sports car on its own merits. The more compact model offers its own unique driving experience compared to its bigger sibling, especially since it switched to its four-cylinder turbocharged engine when the 718 generation was introduced.Still, like the 911, Porsche offers a wide variety of Boxster variants to suit all (luxury level) tastes and budgets.

Electric cars are seen as sensible, serious and streamlined vehicles; the thinking person’s choice. Convertibles, on the other hand, are for fun, flamboyance and feeling the wind in your hair, somewhat at the expense of aerodynamic efficiency.These two concepts would seem to be at odds, which suggests, unhappily for lovers of drop-top motoring, that the age of electric cars will mean less convertibles for everyone. Wrong.As I’m sure Marie Antoinette would agree, you should be able to you have your cake and eat it too, while driving with the sun on your skin and the wind in your icing, which is why you’ll soon be able to choose a convertible electric car in a variety of shapes and sizes.While slipping through the air as cleanly as possible is a priority for EV, in order to maximise range, car companies know that not everyone buys a car for purely practical reasons. Indeed, the existence of most sports cars and all supercars proves this.Which is why there are a variety of electric convertible cars that Australia and the rest of the world will soon have access to from the likes of Mini, Fiat, Porsche, Maserati and more.At the moment, though, this is still a relatively new part of the EV market, so there are limited models currently available in Australia - and, indeed, globally. The current market for convertibles is relatively small, with drop-top models typically a spin-off of already niche sporty models, like coupes and sports cars.The initial wave of electric convertibles certainly fits that bill, with a combination of sports models and some premium products from Mini and Fiat.However, the market is likely to quickly evolve as EVs become adopted by a more mainstream audience and carmakers look for new ways to make their products appealing to customers.And the idea of driving with the roof down, wind in the hair and just the sound of nature (and not a revving petrol engine) should certainly be appealing to many.Here is a list of the already confirmed or expected electric convertible cars.While it may now be Chinese owned and build SUVs and small cars, the original version of MG was famous for building compact convertibles, like the iconic MGA and MGB.The Cyberster, a portmanteau of cyber and roadster, which combines the present and past, has been created to celebrate the brand’s centenary in 2024. And when you look at it, it’s clearly the most old MG the new MG has come up with.However, the powertrain is all about the future, with the Cyberster expected to be offered in two variants - a 231kW rear-wheel drive version and a 400kW all-wheel drive option.Expect the Cyberster to go on sale in Australia before the end of 2024 with prices to be confirmed, but likely to start north of $100,000. Looks like it might be worth it, for the looks alone.The Italian brand has taken an inclusive approach with its latest generation of GranCabrio sports cars, offering both internal-combustion engines and the all-electric Folgore version.While the petrol-powered cabriolet has a 410kW 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, the Folgore (which is Italian for lightning), has a tri-motor powertrain good for up to 610kW.Technically, that figure is only available for a short period of ‘MaxBoost’ but the ‘regular’ output of 560kW/1350Nm from the one front and two rear mounted electric motors is still very impressive.Despite having space for four, the GranCabrio can launch from 0-100km/h in just 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 290km/h - so you and your friends can get wherever you’re going in a hurry. Yes, really, 2.8 seconds.Maserati also claims the GranCabrio Folgore will have a respectable range of up to 447km on a single charge.This is another Italian electric convertible but a very different proposition to the Maserati. The Fiat 500e is not a sports car and it has a very different roof compared to the other models on this list.Like the petrol-powered 500 convertible, this one has a canvas roof that retracts but leaves the side panels in place, so it’s not quite a true convertible but it does allow for an open-top driving experience and that’s what many people really want.\Naturally, it shares the same underpinnings as the hardtop 500e, which means an 87kW/200Nm single electric motor that drives the front wheels.Stellantis Australia hasn’t officially confirmed when (or even if) the 500e Convertible will be offered locally, but it’s a likely addition to the range in the next year or two.This is an unusual scenario because Mini has already discontinued its original electric cabriolet. The brand offered just 999 examples of the Electric Convertible back in 2023 and, as of publication, had yet to officially commit to reintroducing it with the new-generation Mini Cooper.There are a few reasons to be optimistic, however, with the Mini Convertible (the petrol one) the best-selling drop-top in the world and the limited-edition version from last year was (assuming you discount the Targa-top original Tesla Roadster) the first electric convertible offered by any brand.So, don’t be surprised if the this one re-enters the market in the near-future.Who else would build an electric sports car? The German brand has confirmed its next-generation 718 range, both Cayman coupe and Boxster convertible, will be all-electric.While likely to be (yet another) dagger to the heart of Porsche purists, the electric Boxster is crucial for the brand’s sustained success in the Chinese market.Due to arrive in 2026, Porsche has already previewed what we can expect with the Mission R Concept giving an insight into the styling of the new model, while the track-tested, Cayman-based GT4 e-Performance is serving as a rolling test lab for the powertrain technology.Putting the battery behind the seats rather than beneath the car, for mid-engine-like balance, is just one of the clever ideas Porsche will unveil here.It won’t be for sale in Australia for a few years yet, likely in 2026 or 2027, but those looking for an alternative to the Porsche should look to the production version of the Polestar O2 Concept.Make no mistake, this Volvo spin-off will take direct aim at the German sports car. Power is tipped to be in the range of 650kW, with up to 900Nm of torque, so it will be an extremely quick convertible.Not only will this be the high-performance hero model for Polestar, it’s expected to debut a new-generation 800-volt architecture.It will undoubtedly look the part, too, with Polestar indicating the final production design will stay as close as possible to the striking O2 Concept, which was revealed at the 2021 Los Angeles Motor Show.What’s less likely is the “autonomous cinematic drone” that was featured on the concept, which could be deployed on the move to take photos and videos of you enjoying your drive. Although, in our social-media-obsessed world, perhaps we shouldn’t count it out.

Porsche has detailed the first two variants in its 2025 ‘992.2’ 911 sports car with a new hybrid powertrain as the headline act. Far from a sanitised eco car, the 911 Carrera GTS is a rear-drive two door with a 398kW flat six, a 0-100km/h time of 3.0 seconds and 312km/h top speed. Along with the non-hybrid 911 Carrera, the Carrera GTS hybrid will hit Australian dealerships in the first quarter of 2025. Pricing starts at $280,500 for the Carrera and $381,200 for hybrid GTS, both before on-road costs. Visually, the new Porsche 992.2 911’s tweaks are minor. There is a new front bumper design with broader intakes that features five vertical slates. Though the headlights retain the familiar four-dot graphic, Matrix LEDs are standard with Matrix HD tech optional. At the rear, the Mercedes-AMG GT and Chevrolet Corvette rival gets a new light strip with a ‘PORSCHE’ logo. A higher rear number plate placement and a re-profiled bumper help tell you it’s the new one, while each model can be distinguished by specific exhaust garnishes integrated into the diffuser. An optional aero kit with aggressive front bumper, side sills and fixed rear wing (rather than the standard deployable item) is offered for $5700. Making the GTS a hybrid wasn’t a simple affair. Porsche took the 3.0-litre straight six and increased the bore and stroke (to 97mm and 81mm, respectively), boosting its displacement to 3.6 litres. Then, the Stuttgart carmaker removed one of the turbos, fitting a new one powered by the 400-volt electrical system to eliminate lag (therefore the need for a second, smaller turbine) and mounted a 40kW/150Nm electric motor to the carryover eight-speed ‘PDK’ dual-clutch automatic transmission. The result is 398kW and 610Nm, enough to cut the Carrera 4 GTS’s 0-100km/h sprint by half a second. It can also travel under electric power at low speed, while the 1.9kWh battery is said to be the same size and weight as a regular 12-volt accessory battery. The new Carrera GTS hybrid is available in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive guise. Further helping offset the hybrid system’s bulk in an electric HVAC system that does away with clunky belt drive in the engine bay. Porsche has not confirmed ADR fuel consumption figures for the 911 hybrid.“We developed and tested a wide variety of ideas and approaches to arrive at the hybrid system that would suit the 911 perfectly. The result is a unique drive that fits into the overall concept of the 911 and significantly enhances its performance,” says Frank Moser, Vice President Model Lines 911 and 718.Also new for the GTS is standard rear-axle steering, while the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and active roll stabilisation is now powered by the higher voltage electronics  for more ‘flexible and precise’ functionality. As before, the GTS is fitted with sports suspension and PASM for a 10mm lower ride height than Carrera. A pair 21-inch alloys wear 315mm wide tyres at the back, while up front are 20–inch items shod in 245mm wide rubber.  The base Carrera retains its 3.0-litre flat six with twin turbos. A bigger intercooler from the 911 Turbo and two turbos from the current GTS ups outputs by a small 7kW to 290kW. That means 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds (3.9 with Sport Chrono), or a tenth faster than before. Inside, the 911 coupe remains a 2+2 in Australia though in Europe it is two-seat only. The GTS is available in closed-top coupe, Targa or full Cabriolet body styles. The cabin has been rearranged with controls, including the drive mode switch and engine start button, now on the beautiful three-spoke steering wheel.A fully digital instrument cluster is a first, with info displayed on a curved 12.6-inch screen reminiscent of the new Macan. There are seven views, including classic five-tube dial imitation. A cooled compartment houses the wireless charging pad. Wireless smartphone mirroring is standard with easier set-up via a QR code. The 10.9-inch screen gets updated software that allows you to directly download apps, including Spotify and Apple Music. The latest 911 release finishes Porsche’s product launches for the year. “Our product portfolio is younger than ever and highly attractive,” said Porsche CEO Oliver Blume. “It offers our customers even more customisation options and exclusive experiences.”Typically Porsche will offer a huge array of options – up to seven different wheel designs for a start. Headline standard features include a Bose premium sound system, digital radio, adaptive cruise control and 14-way power adjust ‘Comfort’ seats for the Carrera. Porsche has yet to announce the full 911 model range. Right now, we are awaiting information on the new Carrera S, Turbo, Turbo S and a follow up to the bonkers 911 GT3.Australian arrivals will begin in the first quarter (January-March inclusive) of next year with all models featuring an eight-speed PDK automatic initially. 2025 Porsche 911 pricingAll prices are before on-road costs 

Porsche already had 23 variants of its iconic 911 sports car but believed there was space for at least one more. Hence this wild and unlikely addition, inspired by its triumph in the world's toughest motor racing way back in 1984. The Porsche 911 Dakar is a sports car that's also an off-roader. We take this strictly limited edition (and very expensive) car and hit the trails.