About Porsche Cars
German automaker Porsche has produced high-performance cars since 1939. Over the decades they have produced many notable models and acquired a reputation as a producer of some of the world's finest automobiles. The Porsche brand has become synonymous with sports cars, although Porsche now produces the Cayenne SUV and the Panamera sedan as well.
Other People Are Reading
-
Origins
-
The first Porsche car was the Porsche 64. Built in 1939, it borrowed many of its mechanical components from the Volkswagen Beetle with which it shared a parent company. The Porsche 64 was designed as a race car and had an output of 50 horsepower.
Porsche production halted during World War II but resumed under new leadership after the war. The first production Porsche was the 356, which was a two-door sports car with a rear engine/rear-wheel drive configuration that became typical of the Porsche brand. The Porsche 356 remained in continuous production until 1965, existing side-by-side with other notable Porsche models as they were introduced.
Evolution
-
Porsche introduced several iconic models in the 1950s and 1960s. From 1953 to 1956 Porsche produced the 550 Spyder, a prototype racer based on the Porsche 356. The 550 Spyder is most notable for being the car driven by actor James Dean in his fatal crash in 1955.
In 1964, Porsche introduced the Porsche 911, a model that has been in production ever since. The 911 has been updated numerous times but retains the essential design and styling of the earliest versions. Throughout its production the Porsche 911 has been among the class leaders in terms of performance and reputation. -
Racing
-
Since the original Porsche 64, Porsche cars have been heavily involved in auto racing. Porsche racers, many based on the 911 model, have had success in the 24 Hours of LeMans as well as various rallies and the Daytona 24 Hours. Since 1990 Porsche has sponsored the Porsche Carrera Cup. As of 2009, Porsche was the world's largest manufacturer of racing cars.
New Markets
-
In recent years Porsche has deviated significantly from its sports car lineage with new models. After introducing the Cayman in 2005, Porsche shocked the auto world by producing the Cayenne SUV. While the Cayenne has garnered rave reviews, many purists find it an unexpected offering from a company so strongly associated with true sports cars.
Continuing its bold trajectory, Porsche began producing the Panamera sedan in 2009. Like the Cayenne (and unlike most other Porsches), the Panamera features a front engine/rear-wheel drive layout. It is Porsche's first four-door car, as well as their first offering in the "executive car" class.
Current Models
-
For the 2009 model year Porsche offered five models in the North American market. Two of those models are classified as entry-level sports cars: the Boxster convertible and the Cayman coupe. The 911 is the longest-running Porsche model, sold today under the Type 997 designation. The Cayenne represents Porsche's foray into the SUV market. Finally, Porsche's newest model is the Panamera sedan.
-
Resources
- Photo Credit wikimedia.org
