In light of all the recent press regarding the Porsche vs. Nissan Rivalry, we wanted to broach an old, but still relevant subject. It seems that every time a manufacturer releases a new or updated hi-end sports car, it is compared to Porsche (heck even Hyundai is comparing itself to Porsche now.) In the past, these type of comparisons were limited to the 911 model range as per the examples below.
Recently, however, the comparisons have expanded to include the Boxster and the Cayman models as evidenced by recent articles regarding the new Nissan 370Z and the afore mentioned Hyundai. We’ve always felt that these comparisons do nothing but lend credibility to the Porsche brand.
More and more it seems that Porsche is the brand, standard and benchmark that all others compare themselves. Ask yourself why?
- Is it because Porsche cars are such an accessible and user friendly supercar?
- Is it the 60+ years of racing heritage and experience?
- Is it the timeless design of the 911 (first penned by Ferdinand "Butzi" Porsche?)
- Or, is it the quality and driving spirit that has kept the 911 an icon for the ages?
We think it’s a combination of all these things and more. Every time we see another “supercar” compare itself to a Porsche it simply reinforces our choice of Porsche as the superior brand. In the end, competition (real or perceived) will only help drive innovation at Porsche, raising the benchmark that much higher. What do you think?
As always, don't forget about our ongoing poll in the right sidebar; we would love to have your vote. Here is a link to the post, that went along with the poll about the most famous Porsche.
Porsche 911 as the Benchmark for all other Supercars
Who Caused the Porsche versus Nissan Rivalry
Porsche 997 Turbo versus Nissan GT-R
Is Porsche the Benchmark for all other Supercars?
Competition make the Porsche 911 a Better Car
Porsche GT3 vs Nissan GT-R
Porsche GT2 vs Corvette Z06
[Picture Source: PantherPinkCuda from StumbleUpon]
I agree with the above article. When other car manufacturers build their own “supercar”, they have to gauge how “good” it is by comparing it against the best, which is the Porsche brand.
But one does not have to rely on these articles to realize that Porsches are the cars used as the measuring stick. I am sure you have all experienced it when your driving on city streets or on the hightways and some nutbag in a souped-up car or in a BMW, Benz, Audi, etc. all seem to want to race you and see how good and fast their car is against your Porsche.
Anyhow, as the slogan goes: Porsche…there is no substitute.
Amen
John,
I have to disagree with you here. The Porsche 911 was not, is not, and will never be a “supercar”. Not only does the 911 predate the seminal “supercar” – the Miura – by a few years, it is also, as a concept, in strong opposition to “supercars” in general.
Supercars are designed to be impractical, unreliable, outrageous styling statements; the 356 and 911 are intended to be usable, practical cars. It’s perfectly practical to drive a 911 as a year-’round car; you wouldn’t do that with a “supercar”. Many Porsches have more than 100,000 miles on them, but very few Ferraris or Lamborghinis have even half of that.
Finally, the 911 has rarely had “supercar performance” by the standards of any given time. The 3.3-liter 930 was pretty good, as was the 993 twin-turbo, but in general Porsches simply don’t perform to supercar level, and that’s fine.
To my mind, calling a Porsche a “supercar” demeans both Porsches and actual supercars.
@Jack,
Appreciate your comment and your opinion.
You state, “Porsches simply don’t perform to supercar level…”
What exactly is supercar level and who defines it?
I think the one thing we can all agree to is that the term “supercar” is very subjective and defining it may be next to impossible (or at least agreeing to that definition.)
Maybe I would have been better served to title the article differently? The point I was trying to make was summed up in this one sentence:
“More and more it seems that Porsche is the brand, standard and benchmark that all others compare themselves.”
If we lose the term “supercar” in the title and replace it with “hi-end sports car”, as in the body of the text, what are your thoughts then?
What about the GT2?
Thanks again for sharing and hope to hear more from you.
I agree, most Porsches are not super cars. They are sports cars.
That said. They are the most usable, capable sports cars available. Period. End of sentence.
Comparing one spec of a car to one spec of a Porsche is like saying, “Hey, my wife’s nose is prettier than Nicole Kidman’s nose” when the rest of your wife is a size 18.
John,
I would add a fifth reason – efficiency or engineering – Porsche meets or beats the competition, often with much smaller, more efficient powerplants. From the first victory at Targa Florio or Carrera Panamericana, the Porsches did more with less. And it continues today with the Flying Lizards taking the green award at almost every ALMS race.
@ Jack.
I beg to differ. Porsche Carrera GT defines a supercar for me.
@993CS. I would classify the GT2 more as a road-racer than a supercar, coming from a race homologation background.
The ultimate goalpost have moved on though, and now hypercars rule the roost (Koenigsegg, Enzo, Pagani Zonda R, Lambo LP560-4, Bugatti Veyron)
With all due respect, Porsche’s best marketing is race victories, not comparisons.
Racing provides a way to back up the comparisons by testing the cars to their limits in actual race driving conditions. Racing provides a way to back up the comparisons on the ads to those on the track.
Racing also gives the company an opportunity to test out innovations that can be applied to production cars, a win-win for both sides. Racing teams can often save money by using production parts in their cars, while production cars can (rightly) claim that, if professionals have tried and used it to considerable success, then you can use it as well in your own high-performance driving. That was how Audi was able to successfully market its Quattro AWD system, and it is how Porsche can market its dual-clutch automatic (PDK) and ceramic brakes (PCCB) now.
Racing provides a way to establish the company’s reputation as a fast premium brand, which, in turn, can feed Madison Avenue comparisons. How can you claim your car is fast? By comparing it to a famous fast brand, like Porsche. How did Porsche become a fast brand? Through racing.
Lastly, it helps when you have the Autobahn as a testing ground, as it does for all German cars. Customers make great test drivers, and the Autobahn a giant proving ground. That’s why Porsches (as well as other German cars) can hold up so well at high speeds.
Peter,
Couldn’t agree with you more. You’ll note, that it’s not Porsche doing the comparison. Instead the comparisons are done by brands looking to compete. While it seems to have lessened in recent years it’s still evident. Just look at what Mini did last year. What a joke that was…
For me, the irony was thick. Mini, a brand affiliated with BMW, tried to build it up as a “David vs. Goliath” comparison, even though Porsche has long been one of the smallest car companies in the industry and was often played the “David” role when it was racing. The 550, in particular, became a legendary racer despite giving up size and power to other makes.
Of course, the real David went on to become a mighty warrior king and rule Israel for 40 years…