The Most Controversial Porsches Ever Made

Why Is It Controversial?

The Cayenne was mainly a result of economic considerations. The brand was struggling and needed strong cash flows to sustain its operations.

Based on the recommendation of the US sales organization, the company opted for an off-road vehicle. SUVs were all the rage in America then, and North America just happened to be Porsche's biggest market.

Purists were dismayed and just could not imagine the Porsche badge on an SUV. Many predicted the new model wouldn't last long in the market. The general consensus was that Porsche was better off sticking with its sports cars, something it had already proven to be very good at.

They were wrong. It turned out Porsche had hit upon a winning formula for its ambitious project - an SUV but one with sports car-like performance. The market quickly warmed to the idea and the rest, as they say, is history.

Why Is It controversial?

The Porsche 911 (996) was the fifth generation of the iconic Porsche sports car. It boasted significant changes like the introduction of a water-cooled engine for the first time and a new design language.

Unfortunately, the car was widely panned upon its debut. The new design was the subject of a lot of criticism. The headlights, in particular, received a lot of flak. Used to the round look of previous 911s, the public did not like the 'runny egg' style of the 996-gen 911.

The interior layout was also singled out, with many people pointing out that it lacked the premium build quality expected of a brand like Porsche. Mechanical issues also plagued early models.

Some, like the intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing failure, could lead to a complete engine rebuild, which was a significantly expensive venture.

Why Is It controversial?

The Porsche Panamera broke cover at the 2009 Auto Shanghai International Auto Show. It was presented as a luxury sedan with sports car performance.

The Panamera came under immediate scrutiny. Critics questioned whether a four-door sedan, even a high-performance one, truly fit within Porsche's brand identity.

The Panamera's design, with its elongated silhouette and distinctive rear end, was also met with mixed reactions, with some finding it too unconventional and unappealing.

Additionally, concerns were raised about the Panamera's weight and its potential impact on driving dynamics, a hallmark of Porsche sports cars.

However, the Panamera has since proven itself as a capable luxury sports sedan with impressive performance and handling characteristics, silencing many of the initial doubts.

Why Is It controversial?

The Porsche 914 was the result of a collaborative effort between Porsche and Volkswagen - a partnership that harmed the sports car's reputation.

The 914 was dismissed, maybe unfairly so, for not being a 'true' Porsche.

Its mid-engine layout and design were ahead of their time, but underpowered engines, especially the base 4-cylinder option, were a significant downside. 80 hp just wasn't enough for a true performance vehicle, even for one manufactured in the late '60s to mid-'70s.

The top-trim 914/6, with its Porsche-derived flat-six engine, offered more excitement, but it was a rare and expensive variant.

Porsche kept faith with the 914, though, believing a more affordable sports car would appeal to a wider range of buyers who could not afford the more expensive 911.

Why Is It controversial?

Introduced in 1976 as a '77 model, the Porsche 924 was Porsche's first front-engined, water-cooled car. The purists did not like that and criticized Porsche for shifting away from the brand's traditional rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive formula.

Additionally, the 924's engine, sourced from Audi, was seen as a compromise, lacking the performance and character usually associated with Porsche power plants. It was not until the mid '80s, starting with the Porsche 924 S, started to use Porsche-built engines.

Its styling was also a sticky point, with many claiming that it looked too generic and lacked the distinctive Porsche flair. Then the 924 was also plagued by a lot of road noise coming through the cabin.

The Porsche 924 wasn't all about its faults. It did have some strong points in its favour. Its handling received praise and so did the fact that it was known to have relatively low running costs. The 924 was the platform upon which the more powerful and desirable Porsche 944 was built.

Why Is It controversial?

The 2025 911 (992.2) GT3 comes with a raft of upgrades that make it the most capable version yet, proving that the iconic 911 model's still got plenty to offer, even after six decades.

Some of the more exciting enhancements include a control-arm front suspension Porsche say is derived from its race cars. Then there's the naturally aspirated 4.0L flat-six at the heart of the new car's performance.

It's all that a new Porsche is meant to be - top-class performance, build quality, cutting-edge tech. The main point of controversy is the price. The 2025 911 GT3 carries a price tag of $224, 495 and that's excluding any of the famously extensive Porsche options and inevitable dealer markups.

The 2025 911 is a hefty $53,000 more expensive than the 2023 model it replaces. It's proving to be a hard pill to swallow for Porsche enthusiasts, triggering the question - Is the 2025 911 GT3 that good?