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Is a Porsche a Supercar?
It's an age old question, but one that should be open to discussion between our fellow Porsche enthusiasts. So what exactly is a supercar? Is it a science? Or are we allowed to bend the rules? Must a car pack 12 cylinders amidships, scream to 60mph in less than four seconds and hit more than 200mph to qualify as a supercar? Or is it more to do with the spirit of the car, it's looks or the outrageousness factor of it's design.
Perhaps a Super car could be based on four key characteristics:
- Super Expensive, perhaps over £100k?
- Super Performance, acceleration, top speed, drive, and handling.
- Super looks, outrageously special, down right beautiful or purposeful.
- Super something special. Technical credentials that set the car above the rest.
There are a few Porsches that could qualify for the Supercar badge. The awesome Porsche 993 Turbo S for example. The Porsche 993 GT1, the Carrera GT, the Porsche 959 and the Porsche 918 Spyder. These were all certainly more than £100k, and had breathtaking performance statistics. Their looks aren't so outrageous, but definitely score in the stunning or beautiful departments. In terms of something technically different: well, that's something Porsche have always delivered.
Ultimately the definition of what makes a car Super is always going to be subjective, as will answering the question "is a Porshe a Supercar".
We'd like to hear your thoughts on what makes a supercar and more importantly do Porsches qualify. So add your comments below and join the debate.
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I think Vaughn raises a good point. Technology changes with time, so perhaps that would effect what constitutes a supercar. I think you can only assess whether a car is a supercar in the period it was built. You couldnt take a Porsche 911 RSR from the 70's and call it a supercar today, it was then, but isn't today. Especially when you have Porsches like the Carrera GT around!
I believe the definition of supercar changes as time and cars develop, during the seventies porsche were considered a super car, being at the top of car manufacturing for years, time certaininly changes as does technology ,but certainly they were and still are a car to be admired.
Of course a Porsche is a supercar! They are all pretty awesome machines from the first road going 356 to the modern 991. Of course there are particular cars that fit the category more such as the 959, The GT1 and the Carrera GT.
Porsche are definitely supercars IMHO. While they don't get the outrageousness vote, they definitely win on the super performance, high price tag and technologically superior stakes. Perhaps not all Porsches, but definitely the 911's and their extreme variants like the GT series or the RS or RSR's. The 959 for sure, the new Spyder, the Carrera GT. 
There no doubt in my mind a Supercar has to be outrageous. Not necessarily in looks but in performance and in its technical excellence. Maybe also they have to be a bit impractical for everyday use. Nevertheless a Porsche is definitely a Supercar. The 959 yes, the Carrera GT yes, Cayenne no, the 70's RSR yes!
I'm not sure on the issue of price. I think thre are some really cheap (comparitivitely speaking) cars that meet all the other supercar criteria, like an Aeriel Atom or a Lotus 7 for example. I do agree with your other criteria like looks, performance and something technically superior. I also absolutely think that Porsches qualify as Supercars. The examples you give are spot on, but i'd also add the RS models through the ages. They were all Super in their day!
There's Plenty of Articles & Guides
Our Porsche Articles and Guides archives are constantly growing. Take a look through the archives from the Articles menu or click on a preview from the carousel below.
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Is a Porsche a Supercar
How to Enjoy your Porsche
A Guide to Understanding Porsche Part numbers
Buying an Old Porsche 911
What is Special About a Classic Porsche 911
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The Birth of the Porsche Ducktail
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50th Anniversary of the Porsche 911
Choosing The Right Porsche Insurance
Porsche Trackdays
Porsche Fuchs Alloy Wheels
Porsche Tyre Pressures
Porsche Tyre "N" Rating
Tire Speed Ratings
Washing your Porsche
Winter Tyres for your Porsche
Engine Oil for your Porsche
The Porsche 911 Numbering System
Which Porsche 911 to Buy
The Truth About Engine Oil
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Looking After Your Porsche Fuchs Alloys
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Eliminate Porsche G50 Gearbox Rattle
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We hope you enjoy the Reader's Corner of the Porsche Folio!
Without a doubt Porsche is a supercar, although not all of them. Also what would have been a supercar in years gone by, wouldnt be a supercar today. Nevertheless, Porsches reign supreme.