Porsche News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 13, 2025

$600K Porsche Special Wishes "Blossom Yellow" 1993 911 Tu...

A 964 Turbo 3.6 unlike an other. When referring to the most iconic sports cars ever built, the Porsche 911 Turbo is undoubtedly high on that list, with generations of coveted examples cementing its place as one of the fastest production cars. With an industry shift towards electric powertrains and self-driving cars, the allure of classic Porsches and their raw power has evolved them into high-dollar collectibles among purists. Showcasing an ultra-rare example as part of its impressive inventory of exotics for sale on duPont REGISTRY, the team at Graham Rahal Performance is proud to present this 1993 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6. View Listing While any 911 Turbo 3.6 stands out as a true gem, with only 1,500 ever made, this 964 Turbo proves to be even more remarkable with a custom Blossom Yellow finish courtesy of the Porsche Special Wishes program. In addition to it being a "slick top" without the option of a sunroof, other rare exterior features on the car include a set of factory Speedline wheels, red sport brakes, and special exhaust tips. Inside, the 911 Turbo's cabin remains just as subtle and pristine as it was when it rolled off the production line in 1993. A black leather interior and two-piece sports seats take you back to one of the best eras of sports cars, taking shape as an automotive time capsule. A set of rear "Turbo 3.6" leather seats offers more space for passengers wanting to experience a truly unique driving experience. The Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 features a robust 3.6L flat-six engine paired with a large single turbocharger. This setup delivers an impressive 355 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission. With a 0-60 mph time of just 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph, it remains one of the fastest cars of its era. This one-of-a-kind 1993 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 from Graham Rahal Performance is now for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View Listing

Two individuals lean against a vintage gold car parked on a grassy field. One wears a tan outfit, the other a green sweater and shorts. Trees and clear sky in the background.

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 11, 2025

Shop PUMA's Porsche 911 Turbo Collection: Timeless Style ...

For decades, the 911 Turbo has not only represented the pinnacle of the Porsche brand but also its beautiful balance between blistering performance and luxurious comfort. From the iconic 930 to the most current 992 generation, it's evolved into a true game-changer on and off the track while aging like a fine wine amongst passionate Porsche purists. PUMA's collection takes inspiration from the Porsche 911 Turbo, capturing its timeless allure with a mix of casual, effortlessly stylish head-to-toe looks. The collection includes sweatshirts, track jackets, and pants in earthy tones that pay homage to classic Porsche sports cars, all featuring subtle embroidered details that add a classy but understated touch. It's a collection made for true Porsche fans, whether they're at the track or just out for the day. Completing the look, PUMA brings back the GV Special, a sneaker straight from the '80s that pairs a vintage design with everyday comfort. The SS25 Porsche 911 Turbo Collection keeps things simple for enthusiasts who want to carry a bit of that 911 Turbo spirit wherever they go. Shop the all-new PUMA Porsche 911 Turbo Collection by clicking the links below. Shop All PUMA x Porsche Our Top Picks Porsche Legacy Lifestyle Jacket Shop Now Porsche Legacy Lifestyle Crewneck Shop Now Porsche Legacy Trucker Hat Shop Now Porsche Legacy Palermo Pinstripe Sneakers Shop Now Porsche Legacy Lifestyle Graphic Tee Shop Now

A red and white 911 GT3 RS with a large rear wing and a maple leaf design on the roof, photographed in a dark studio setting, reminiscent of models showcased at the Porsche Experience Center.

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 11, 2025

Bespoke Porsche Experience Center Toronto 911 GT3 RS Goes...

A unique example of a purist performance hero goes up for auction. Porsche’s GT lineup is one of the most venerated families of performance cars in the automotive world. Known for their exclusivity and their reputable ability to dominate tracks across the globe, Porsche’s GT cars represent the ultimate expression of the manufacturer’s track-focused performance engineering chops. Currently at the top of Porsche’s GT food chain is the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, which in the 992 generation goes above the standard GT3 with its RS, or “Race Sport,” tweaks. Incredibly advanced active aerodynamics, a massive 518 horsepower from its naturally aspirated engine, and lightweight construction make the latest generation of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS one of the greatest track-focused cars to emerge from the manufacturer yet. Porsche used a bespoke version of the 911 GT3 RS, created in collaboration between Sonderwunsch and Porsche Cars Canada to celebrate the opening of the Porsche Experience Center in Toronto, complete with the Weissach Package and a special livery with the colors and motifs of Canada’s flag to showcase the historic brand’s milestone moment in the country.The interior also features Canadian-themed colors, with seat inserts in a red and white rendition of Porsche’s iconic “Pepita” houndstooth fabric pattern. First debuted at the 2024 Canadian International Auto Show, the car had its own bespoke Chronograph 911 GT3 RS timepiece and a special 1:18 scale model that matches. In partnership with RM Sotheby’s the legendary auction house, the Porsche Experience Centre Toronto 911 GT3 RS is being auctioned for charity, presenting an opportunity to own the unique bespoke creation, as well as the matching watch and scale model. Bids for the car will be accepted until 3 pm ET on July 1, 2025, when the new owner of Porsche’s commemorative track-focused performance machine will be named. View All Porsche 911 GT3 RS For Sale Image Source: Porsche

Two white Porsche 963 race cars, part of a Penske Tribute, drive side by side on a highway with trees and road signs in the background.

By Khris Bharath – June 06, 2025

1-of-1 Street-Legal Porsche 963 RSP Debuts As Tribute To ...

Porsche has once again redefined what it means to bring a race car to the road, and if you’ve been following our earlier reporting, you’ll remember that we anticipated this: a modern-day homage to Roger Penske and the iconic street-driven Porsche 917 commissioned by Count Rossi, 50 years ago in 1975. Today, that vision comes to life as a 1-of-1 Porsche 963 RSP, making its debut on public roads near Le Mans, France, running alongside the 917 that inspired it. The 963 RSP, where the ‘P’ refers to Roger S Penske, the billionaire Founder and Chairman of Penske Corporation, is a wild Sonderwunsch creation, born from the DNA of Porsche’s Le Mans-conquering 963 Hypercar. It shares the race-winning backbone with the racecar, but wears a unique 917-inspired bodywork, exterior color, and a bespoke cabin with vintage 70s-style touches. At the wheel during its first public outing was none other than three-time Le Mans winner Timo Bernhard. "We have enjoyed a terrific relationship with Porsche dating back to 1972. The Porsche 917/30, in particular, was one of the greatest eras in Team Penske's history, with numerous wins and championships. With such a remarkable partnership continuing to this day, we felt it was time to create the most exciting car we could imagine. Just like the 917, I wanted this car to be authentic to its origin and have as few changes to it as possible. When we got into the project, the differences in the two generations of race cars provided a great challenge. What emerged is a car that has lost none of its edge and is exciting whether on the track or on the road." - Roger S Penske - Founder and Chairman Penske Corporation The origins of this special car go back to a trackside conversation at Road Atlanta between Porsche’s Timo Resch, Thomas Laudenback, and Urs Kratel. What began as a “What if?” eventually became a full-fledged passion project that took shape with the likes of Porsche AG, Porsche Penske Motorsport, and Porsche Cars North America collaborating on the project. Exterior highlights include the Martini Silver paint, inspired by Count Rossi’s original 917, the black-silver livery wraps that subtly reworked carbon-fiber/kevlar bodywork, enclosed fender vents, and a clean rear wing sans the blanking plates required from racing, with a vintage enamel Porsche crest on the nose. Because this is a track car for the road, the transformation on the interior is even more dramatic, with luxury and everyday creature comforts making their way into this otherwise sporty cockpit. There’s a good dose of tan leather and Alcantara, a cup holder (you read that right), a retrimmed steering wheel, a custom stowage panel for a Peltor headset, and a Laptop. Even Roger Penske’s custom helmet has a matching Martini Silver finish. Mechanically, the Hybrid V8 remains true to its racing roots and is based on the 918 Spyder’s 4.6-liter engine that produces 680 horsepower, with modified hybrid control mapping calibrated for road use. The powertrain control unit was reprogrammed to allow smoother delivery and run on pump gas, a crucial tweak for non-track conditions. Other modifications include an increased ride height to its max setting, the Multimatic DSSV dampers dialed to the softest setting, and reprogrammed lights and turn signals. Michelin rain-spec tires wrapped around 18-inch forged OZ wheels, a horn, and license plates mean that this car is road-legal in France, with the blessing of the French authorities and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), which runs the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The Porsche 963 RSP will be displayed during the upcoming Le Mans weekend before heading to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart and the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. Porsche 963 RSP Specs Engine Displacement 4.6L Engine Configuration Twin-Turbo V8 Hybrid Horsepower ~680 hp (same as race version) Electric System 800V; 1.35 kWh battery Suspension Multimatic DSSV (softened) Tires Michelin Wet Compound, 18" Curb Weight Not disclosed; likely similar to the race car (~1030 kg), with minor road-legal equipment additions Drivability Mods Pump gas capability, road lighting, re-tuned MGU View All Porsches For Sale " width="680"> Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 04, 2025

How Porsche Creates Custom Colors For Its Paint to Sample...

The cyclical nature of fashion and trends suggests that styles never perish but instead re-emerge even bigger and more popular, cementing themselves in history. Porsche's legendary color palette stands as a true testament to this thought, as the brand's era of vibrant PTS finishes continues with an industry-leading paint program. However, with limitless options to choose from when configuring a brand-new GT3 RS, 911 Turbo S, or Cayenne, you have to wonder where the manufacturer discovers its colors and the process of bringing each to life. Porsche's Paint to Sample and Paint to Sample Plus programs are turning sports cars into true reflections of their owners' personalities. Whether inspired by a cult-favorite color from the 1990s or wanting a car to match the dial color of a watch, Porsche's customization options give customers over 190 color choices for models. Through the Paint to Sample Plus program, buyers can even use a physical object to match a custom color, which becomes named by the owner. Behind each custom paint job is a hands-on, detail-oriented process. Painting experts match colors across materials like aluminum, plastic, and carbon fiber by adjusting paint formulas as needed to guarantee a perfect match across every surface of the car. Batch comparison sheets and intense testing for durability ensure that each finish holds up to real-world conditions. While Porsche's Paint to Sample range includes iconic shades like Maritime Blue and Mint Green, Porsche prides its customers on being even more creative. If the color can't meet Porsche's standards, they'll even cover the cost of testing. From the color mixing bank to the final coat, every custom Porsche becomes a piece of rolling art. View all Porsches for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Porsche For Sale Source: Porsche

Four gray Porsche sports cars are parked under a large solar panel canopy at One Porsche Drive in Atlanta, beside a modern glass office building on a clear day.

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 04, 2025

Porsche Commemorates 10 Years Of One Porsche Drive In Atl...

Porsche’s Atlanta home celebrates a decade of automotive splendor. While Porsche is known among the automotive world for purveying some of the world’s greatest German luxury performance cars, its North American roots are firmly planted in Atlanta, Georgia. First establishing its headquarters in Atlanta in 1998, Porsche opened a new chapter when it decided to build a new headquarters in 2010. After considering over 70 options across three states, Porsche decided not only to stay in Georgia, but to plant itself next to the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, the world’s busiest airport. After developing the massive site using 650 foundation piles, 27,000 cubic yards of concrete, and 500 tons of steel, the One Porsche Drive facility in Atlanta opened in 2015. Since then, over half a million people have visited the facility, $128 million has been invested, over 800 employees work there, it features two driver development tracks, and has many more features and spectacular aspects to it. Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, One Porsche Drive in Atlanta has become one of the world’s premier automotive destinations, with a restaurant called 356, named after Porsche’s inaugural model, a simulator lab capable of putting 23 Porsche models on 38 real-world tracks, a Heritage Gallery with more than 200 historic cars, 13,000 square feet of event space, and 58 total acres of real estate. With ten years of legacy, the One Porsche Drive site in Atlanta has become a venerated automotive hub over the past decade. View All Porsches For Sale Image Source: Porsche

A backlit "963 RSR" badge, a side silhouette of a race car, and a Porsche crest are featured in this collage teasing the exclusive 1-of-1 Street-Legal Porsche 963 RSP Hypercar.

By Khris Bharath – May 30, 2025

1-of-1 Street-Legal Porsche 963 RSP Hypercar Teased

Porsche’s First True Exotic Car Since The 918 Spyder 963 RSP, the badge says it all. This upcoming Porsche hypercar, thankfully, isn’t a concept, but a street-legal Le Mans prototype, and it's real. Last month, during the 50-year celebration of the street-legal 917, the German sports car maker " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> us with the silhouette of what appeared to be a 963, which Porsche said was coming in June, coinciding with this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Well, that is this car, and Porsche has dropped yet another teaser with a few more details and the name, of course, 963 RSP. In the video, we can see carbon-fiber panels being wet-sanded by hand, alcantara for the interior being stitched with surgical precision, and a painter lying down what appears to be a can of silver paint, and a classic Porsche crest on the nose. At the end of the teaser, ‘963 RSP’. Now we know that RS stands for RennSport in German, which translates to Racing Sport, but we’re still unsure about the ‘P’. Perhaps it stands for prototype, we don’t know just yet? But what we do know is that the RSP is not a homologation special like the 911 GT1 Straßenversion of the late ‘90s, a race car that was tamed enough to wear license plates. Unfortunately, for Porsche fans who were hoping for a McLaren W1 or Ferrari F80 contender, this is not the start of a series. Instead, it is a one-off street-legal car built around the 963 LMDh, Porsche’s current top-tier endurance racer that taakes part in WEC and IMSA and features an 800-volt hybrid system and a heavily re-worked 4.6-liter V8 that can trace its roots to the 918 Spyder. Given that this is a low-slung, wide-tracked racer with little to no ground clearance and requires a pit crew to operate, it’ll be interesting to see what changes Porsche has carried out to make it compliant and usable for street use. Besides lights and turn signals, the car would require a completely reworked exhaust system to comply with current emissions regulations and athe powerplant would have to be recalibrated for road use. But regardless, even if this is indeed a one-off, the fact that we’re finally getting to see a Porsche exotic at all in over a decade is worth celebrating. The Porsche 919 Street concept and the Mission X concept gave us hope, but the 963 RSP is finally happening, and we can’t wait to see what Porsche has in store in June. Watch this space. View All Porsches For Sale " width="680"> Source: Porsche

A collage of various Porsche sports cars from different eras, displayed in outdoor and indoor settings, highlighting Porsche Masterpieces: The Sonderwunsch & Exclusive Manufaktur Legacy through diverse models and designs.

By Khris Bharath – May 29, 2025

Porsche Masterpieces: The Sonderwunsch & Exclusive Manufa...

It all began with a rather humble request back in 1955. Industrialist Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach wanted a rear windshield wiper for his 356 A Coupé. Certainly an unusual request for the time, but Porsche said yes, and the rest is history. It triggered a movement that went from small fixes at the Stuttgart Zuffenhausen workshops to full-blown, tailor-made, bespoke hypercars today under Porsche's Sonderwunsch and Exclusive Manufaktur programs. In 1962, Krupp asked for another rear wiper, this time for his 356 B Carrera 2, and it wasn’t an easy one to pull off. But after several cracked windshields, a mechanic was finally able to get the job done. By the mid-to-late 1960s, Porsche was handling more than quirky requests, and the same was on display in a 1968 911 2.0, a purpose-built machine that was set to take part in the 16,000-kilometer (9,942-mile) London to Sydney rally. Given that the car would encounter everything from run-ins with wild animals to river crossings on the transcontinental run, it was extensively modified with things like a tubular frame and a tailpipe that was extended above the roofline of the vehicle. In the mid-1970s, Italian Count Gregorio Rossi di Montelera pushed the envelope even further, as he requested a street-legal, 917 Kurzheck, yes, the same endurance racer that had dominated Le Mans a few years prior. Porsche delivered by fitting mirrors, lights, and a muffler to tame the 620 horsepower beast, and a bespoke leather-clad cabin with added creature comforts. A second 917 Street followed in 1977. By 1978, the Sonderwunsch department was officially born, and then came more icons. In 1983, Saudi businessman Mansour Ojjeh’s 935 “Street” set a new benchmark with 930 Turbo-based build. Featuring a Flachbau body with candy apple paint, a cream caramel leather interior with wood paneling, this slantnose beauty helped inspire Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur in 1986 The subsequent decades saw the creation of even wilder builds. A seven-car run of 24-karat gold-plated Porsche 959s for the Qatari royal family in 1989, a Turbo 3.3 Cabriolet with a rain-sensing electric convertible roof with a 28–page option list in 1990. Fast forward to 1997: a Coppa Florio Blue 911 GT2 (993) received a Can Can Red leather interior, with even the radio and lights switched being wrapped. In 2004, a customer’s orange 911 (996) Turbo Cab was color-matched inside-out to a porcelain plate. Porsche eventually launched the ‘Most Personal Car’ initiative back in 2004. But above all, let’s not forget actor and comedian Jerry Seinfeld, one of the most prominent Porsche collectors in the world who famously owns a one-off 996 Classic Club coupe built by Sonderwunsch, that took inspiration from the limited-run 997 Sport Classic. With just 250 produced, this retro-inspired 911 features a ducktail spoiler, Fuchs-style wheels, and a double-dome roof that harkens back to the 1970s. In all, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur introduced four collector variants from the Heritage Design Edition. By 2021, Porsche had taken it to a whole new level with Exclusive Manufaktur, which today offers over 1,000 options and 190 paint colors to choose through the Paint-to-sample program. Custom builds through Porsche’s Sonderwunsch program also reached new heights with the likes of the Ding Yang Taycan Turbo S and more recently, in 2024, when singer-songwriter Álvaro Soler customised a 928 S with Soler yellow metallic paint, a pampa brown leather interior, and a 360-degree sound system developed by the Porsche development center in Weissach. A one-off 993 Speedster commission finished in luminous yellow, created for Italian designer and collector Luca Trazzi was particularly special as Porsche skipped series production of the 911 Speedster for the 993 generation, but built this one-off at Trazzi’s request. Essentially, Porsche’s Sonderwunsch (special request or special wishes) program and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur have come a long way since the early days of factory customization. Where Exclusive Manufaktur focuses on pre-defined options and finishing, Sonderwunsch takes things to a whole new level with truly bespoke one-off creations, including unique body modifications, wheel designs and even factory restorations of historical vehicles. Both programs offer highly personalized experiences and are a showcase of what’s possible, limited only by your imagination and budget. View All Porsches For Sale Source: Porsche

A black sports car with a large rear wing is displayed at an outdoor car event, surrounded by spectators and other parked cars.

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 22, 2025

RML Unveils P39 Prototype At Supercar Fest

RML Group’s new hypercar emerges. Known for creating track-ready, purist-focused automotive masterpieces, RML Group uses its cherished legacy derived from the racing world to provide the automotive landscape with its take on performance excellence, and the latest iteration of that is the new hypercar from the manufacturer, the P39. Inspired by Le Mans hypercars that demonstrate the pinnacle of endurance racing triumphs, the highly anticipated RML P39 hypercar has finally seen a prototype make its debut at Supercar Fest. Using the Porsche 992.1 911 Turbo S as its basis, the P39 benefits from the Porsche’s already robust powertrain and excellent driving dynamics, expanding on those characteristics with revised carbon fiber bodywork for racing-focused aerodynamic capabilities, including an active rear wing with a DRS feature, a lower, wider stance, and increased power to the tune of 920 horsepower, with a Inconel exhaust valve that is the largest fitted to a roadgoing flat-six engine. Only 39 examples of the RML P39 will be built, and the first deliveries for UK customers are set to take place in late summer 2025. Various bespoke options will be available for the car, and sales and aftercare infrastructure is in place in both the United States and Europe for P39 customers. With its incredible power and a respected foundation, the new RML P39 is set to significantly shake up the world of automotive performance. View All Porsche 911 Turbo S For Sale Image Source: RML Group

A metallic abstract sculpture with spheres and a lever-like arm topped with a wooden ball, placed on a beige surface against a brown gradient background.

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 09, 2025

Why Porsche Uses Wooden Manual Shift Knobs

Porsche’s traditional design touch comes from a pursuit of performance. The Porsche Carrera GT is one of the world’s most cherished and collector-worthy supercars. Boasting a V10 engine mounted amidships, rear-wheel drive, and a manual transmission, the Carrera GT is a purist-focused masterpiece, and resides in the highest echelon of dream cars for many collectors and enthusiasts. While it’s a small detail, one of the most memorable aspects of the Porsche Carrera GT is its use of a wooden shift knob, a vintage-inspired detail that not only highlights the automotive excellence of its manual transmission, but also nods to Porsche’s racing legacy of the past. The wooden shift knob has an intricate story in Porsche’s legacy, and while in the Carrera GT, it provides a charming retro-inspired touch, its original purpose was to push performance-focused innovation forward. The first use a wooden shift knob in a Porsche was in the 908/03 Spyder, a race car from the 1970s, known for taking on revered challenges like the Targa Florio and the Nürburgring. Back then, in a similar fashion to Porsche’s track-focused GT cars today, weight reduction was one of the most important keys to performance. To that end, Porsche made the 908/03 Spyder with plexiglass, aluminum, and plastic. However, the finishing touch to that weight reduction was with the wooden shift knob. Noticing that an aluminum, magnesium, or plastic alternative would have weighed much more, Porsche found that a shift knob crafted from mahogany wood, weighing in at only 24 grams, would save nearly 70 percent of the weight compared to an aluminum knob. The unique material went on to showcase attention to detail, and serve as a testament to the fact that in the pursuit of performance perfection, Porsche was willing to leave no stone unturned when it came to weight reduction. Today, walnut wood is used to pay homage to this incredible story in cars like the Carerra GT, and even the current Porsche 911 Carrera T, which uses a wooden shift knob as an indication of its similar principles of purist driving, lightweight engineering, and thrilling performance. View All Porsches For Sale Image Source: Porsche

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