From humble Volkswagen based creations in the early years, Porsche has risen to become one of the finest makers of sports cars in the world, its most successful 911 model keeps getting better with each new generation.
As good as they are, every gearhead wants little more power. In fact, there are dozens of tuners out there ready to pander to our desires. With each new model comes a host of upgrades, or you could just wait for Porsche’s next and even wilder creation.
10 Modified To The Next Level – Gemballa Mirage GT
Fresh from the factory, Porsche built just 1270 Carerra GT’s. It’s one of the rarest and fastest models to ever roll out of Stuttgart, so you’d think would be enough to satisfy any serious gearhead.
For the rest of us, more is always better, and Gemballa thinks so too with their Mirage GT package, offering more power and a somewhat tasteful makeover. Adorned in just enough carbon-fiber to be different, the German tuner’s unusually restrained approach is all the better for subtlety. Under the hood, however, its business as normal boosting engine output to 670 HP raises top sped to 208mph.
9 Even Wilder From The Factory – Porsche 911 GT1
Over the decades we have grown used to Porsche 911 models that are subtle re-works of the classic sports car shape, However, despite the familiar name this extreme model used the bare minimum of shared parts.
In reality this just a slightly tamed version of the German automaker’s GT1 race car and gives gearheads the chance to experience the raw power and speed of Porsche’s racing program. Under the removable rear deck sits a twin-turbocharged 3.2-liter motor kicking out 536 HP, in theory, capable of a top speed of 191mph.
8 Modified To The Next Level – Ruf RSR
Scouring the classifieds for a Ruf RSR 911 isn’t going to yield any results, this is a one-off 911 flat-nose conversion by the slightly insane German tuner Ruf Automobiles. The plan was simple, take a factory fresh 911 production model and make it faster, and we mean a lot faster.
If Ruf’s functional styling doesn’t grab your attention, then the performance figures definitely will. It was boasting a 700 HP twin-turbocharged engine at a time when even the fastest supercars made do with 500 HP or less. Opting for forced induction does have some drawbacks, turbo lag can catch even the most experienced driver unaware. Increased boost coming in around 4000rpm launching the RSR towards 60mph in 3.3-seconds, flat out, its brave owner will see a top speed of 211mph.
7 Even Wilder From The Factory – Porsche 918 Spyder
We are constantly reminded that oil is running out, the planet is getting warmer, and that we should all aim to drive hybrid cars, and yet the last decade witnessed more hypercars than any other period. Porsche, not one to be left behind, gave gearheads the stunning 918 Sypder, a mild plug-in hybrid.
Let’s not kid ourselves here, the inclusion of its hybrid motors isn’t going to save the rain forests with a minuscule range of 12 miles running on batteries alone. Maybe if lucky gearheads promise to plant a tree for every mile driven we wouldn’t feel quite so bad when unleashing its combined 875 HP on the way to a top speed of 218mph.
6 Modified To The Next Level – Singer DLS
What happens when two world-class automotive engineering companies collaborate on a single car project? The answer is simple, arguably the finest 911 custom restoration project ever. Firstly, the hidden upgrades including suspension and heavily revised 4-liter engine with power boosted to 500 HP, all thanks to Williams Advanced Engineering.
Just a tuned 964 Porsche? Think again! Every panel has been carefully analyzed by Singer, replaced with custom-made carbon-fiber items unique to this build, weight is the enemy of any fast car. On the inside a similar approach to weight saving where possible, if it doesn’t serve a purpose then Singer remove excess material.
5 Even Wilder From The Factory – Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Many purists prefer the natural scream of a normally aspirated Porsche flat-six, the uncomplicated power delivery, and instant throttle response produce a spine-tingling level of excitement like no other car. The German carmaker’s 911 Turbo might be the poster child for many young gearheads, but the GT RS is the one for real drivers.
Any gearhead mourning the loss of a turbocharger should get behind the wheel, less engine means less weight, better handling, and more performance. How does the GT RS stack up against its rivals? Making do with just 520 HP and sprinting to 60mph in 2.9-seconds shows Porsche knows a thing or two about power and weight.
4 Modified To The Next Level – Ruf Yellowbird
Undeniably Porsche started the whole turbocharged sports car era with their 911 turbo, however, it would take another German manufacturer to unlock the full potential. Enter Ruf Automobiles, a unique fully-fledged aftermarket Porsche builder that once held the record for the fastest production car.
The original Yellowbird launched in 1987 boasting an incredible 463 HP from a custom modified twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter engine, which combined with its Carerra-based light-weight body resulted in a top speed of 211mph. Although Ruf is recognized as an independent manufacturer, they are a low volume brand, just 29 Yellwordbirds are known to have been built.
3 Even Wilder Form The Factory – Porsche 959 Komfort
Looking at Porsche’s 959 supercars it’s hard to imagine this piece of precision German engineering was originally designed to take on the harshest conditions of the Group B rally championship. At the time stringent regulations required all entrants to be based on cars available to the public, complying Porsche produced 337 road variants between 1986-93.
Previously, the world’s fastest production car, the 959’s legacy goes much further, leading to many of the developments we see in recent 911s, including water-cooling and all-wheel drive.
2 Modified To the Next Level – Emory Outlaw 911K
We are not normally fans of customizing classic cars and feel that originality often counts for more than a quick slick paint job and a host of engine mods. However, done correctly it’s hard to argue with Emory Motorsports 911K, while not 100% period correct it is stunning nonetheless.
Only a fanatic would be able to identify borrowed parts from other Porsches, and while the 2.5-liter only produces 190 HP a rigorous weight loss program ensures performance and handling is a blast. We think the lucky owner of this one-off special is going to be ecstatic with the results.
1 Even Wilder From The Factory – Porsche 911R
With such a huge range of 911 based track models to chose from, it was inevitable that some Porsche would borrow a few ideas for another limited-edition special. In 2016, the German carmaker gave us the 911R, possibly one of the best street-legal sports cars ever made.
Designed to be a fun driver’s car, ditching the complicated semi-automatic transmission in favor of a conventional 6-speed manual, paired with a 4-liter non-turbo flat-six punching out 500 HP and you have a genuine 200mph racer.
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