When you hear the words engineering, style and speed, Porsche’s presence is ubiquitous across our minds. That’s not coincidental, considering the German automaker has consistently delivered phenomenal cars. We know that they’re loved for their speed, and many are breath-takingly quick off the mark. However, we have a question that needs answering: ‘What is the fastest Porsche ever made?’
On our mission to find the number one, while giving a plethora of other break-neck Porsches their flowers. So, we’ve identified the top 15 models to purr over, with acceleration and top speed being our key metrics.
15. Porsche 718 Spyder RS
- Top speed: 191 mph
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds
We kick off the search for Porsche’s fastest car with one of the automaker’s newer releases, the 718 Spyder RS. This ‘rennsport’ aka racing model is a callback to the first RS car to launch in 1957, the 718 RSK.
This modern-day version gives us a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre engine and a lightweight frame that’s built for aerodynamics. The engineering for speed is matched by the design for driving pleasure. With the soft top down, you can fully enjoy the powerful sounds of this roadster.
14. Porsche 911 Speedster
- Top speed: 192 mph
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 4 seconds
It didn’t take us long to get our first mention of the most famous rear-engine car. In this case, we’re looking at a rare edition: the 911 Speedster. It’s not the fastest Porsche ever made, but it earned a spot on this list for its impressive top speed and connection to sports car pedigree.
Only 1,948 were made. It’s a nod to the Porsche 356 Speedster from that year, which also inspired some of the design aspects.
13. Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion
- Top speed: 192 mph
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds
In our search for the fastest Porsche, we also looked at the super rare models. That included the 911 GT1 Straßenversion, a hypercar with only 21 road-legal versions ever made. This homologation came about in order to enter a version of the Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution in Le Mans of 1997.
The following year, Allan McNish took victory at Le Mans in the Porsche 911 GT1, the last production car to do so. He set the fastest time on test day, finishing his lap at 3.37.687.
12. Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS (992)
- Top speed: 194 mph
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 3 seconds*
We move straight on to another memorable 911, the 992 Carrera 4 GTS. When you add the *Sport Chrono package, this striking sports car ups the stakes in acceleration and top speed. It has the unmistakable look, sound and feel of a 911 Carrera.
The revised engine mountings and chassis and increased power output take their inspiration from motorsport. No wonder this Porsche delivers such an outstanding performance.
11. Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
- Top speed: 196 mph
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds
We couldn’t let the Spyder have all the glory, especially as the 718 Cayman GT4 RS hits a top speed of 196 mph. We love how it handles, thanks to the impressive throttle response and the weight balance.
Porsche has still got it, not that we ever doubted it. This six-cylinder naturally aspirated engine delivers a car that reaches 9,000 rpm and is fast, decisive and fun to drive.
10. Porsche Panamera Turbo SE-Hybrid
- Top speed: 202 mph
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds*
That’s right, our search for the fastest Porsche ever made involves a hybrid. Once again, the *Sport Chrono package helps achieve impressive acceleration, making the Panamera Turbo SE-Hybrid even quicker off the mark.
This four-seater rose to the challenge of what a sports car can be and leaves no room for argument. The electric motor, combined with the 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine, gives it its robust power.
9. Porsche Carrera GT
- Top speed: 205 mph
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds and 124 mph in 9.9 seconds
Porsche knew it was onto something special with the Carrera GT when it achieved its record-breaking road car lap time of 7 minutes and 33 seconds at the Nürburgring. The level of speed that this car can achieve in under 10 seconds is breathtaking, especially since we’re talking about a car that ended production in 2006.
We could go on about what a game-changer this Porsche was and how it’s now become a classic, but there are more Porsches to explore.
8. Porsche Panamera Turbo S
- Top speed: 196 mph
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 3.1 seconds*
We know what you’re thinking. We’ve already looked at the Turbo SE-Hybrid, and it had even more impressive stats with the *Sport Chrono package. We agree! However, looking at the fast Nordschleife circuit times at the Nürburgring for the Carrera GT got us thinking about more recent Porsches that could beat it.
The four-seater Panamera Turbo S is just such a car. Test driver Lars Kern blew everyone away by completing the lap in 7 minutes and 29.8 seconds.
7. Porsche 959 Sport
- Top speed: 211 mph
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 3.7 seconds
Unsurprisingly, this list is packed with some all-time greats, and now we arrive at an unforgettable supercar: the 959 and the rare Sport version. Only 29 units were built. The reduction in weight and the modified turbochargers allowed this car to produce something special.
Along with its relative, the 962 C racing car, it shows the new heights Porsche was hitting in the 80s. Its top speed secures it a place in the top 10.
6. Porsche 911 Turbo (992)
- Top speed: 199 mph
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds*
The genius engineering department over at Porsche is always aiming to create the perfect sports car, and the Porsche 911 Turbo is pretty close to the mark. Its performance stats speak for itself, especially with the *Sport Chrono package, giving it the quickest acceleration on this list so far.
The all-wheel drive makes the handling as you accelerate even more impressive. We’d be remiss if we didn’t also mention the timeless design and the impressive power output of 580 ps (572 hp).
5. Porsche Taycan Turbo S
- Top speed: 162 mph
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 2.4 seconds
Now for our next surprise in our search for the fastest Porsche ever made: an electric sports car. While the top speed of 162 mph is a little out of place on this list, the acceleration of 2.4 seconds with launch control certainly isn’t.
It boasts 952 ps (938.97 hp). If that doesn’t convince you, then its Nordschleife lap time will. Completing it in 7 minutes and 33.3 seconds, the fastest time set by an electric production car.
4. Porsche 911 GT2 RS (991)
- Top speed: 211 mph
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds
We’re not quite done with the Porsche 911, although this time, it’s a type 991 that we’re looking at: the GT2 RS. While we’re on the subject of record-breaking lap times at the Nürburgring, we have to mention the 6 minutes and 43.3 seconds achieved by Lars Kern in 2021.
It’s a road car, but it definitely feels like it’s made for the track. Rumour has it that a new generation of the 911 GT2 RS will arrive soon, and we expect big things.
3. Porsche 911 Turbo S (992)
- Top speed: 205 mph
- Acceleration: 2.7 seconds
Now, we come to German engineering, perfecting perfection. The 992 Turbo S improves on the speed and acceleration achieved by the 911 Turbo S. Once again, the *Sport Chrono package shows what it can do by delivering impressive speed in just 2.7 seconds.
It’s the fastest road-legal card currently in production by Porsche, for now. We salute the myriad upgrades and tweaks that gave this supercar such exquisite aerodynamics and handling at speed and when cornering.
2. Porsche 917
- Top speed: 239 mph
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 2.7 seconds
We hold our hands up; we know we said road cars and the 917 doesn’t fall into that category. However, we found a loophole so we could talk about one of the greatest and the fastest Porsche ever made. There are road-legal versions out there, well, if you’re in Monaco anyway, including one driven at Le Mans by previous winner Stéphane Ortelli.
It’s one of Porsche’s most successful race cars ever and has been driven by Richard Attwood, Hans Herrman, Jackie Oliver and Mark Donohue. Since you have to be in Monaco or driving a replica, think of this as a nod to the 917. That’s why its undeniable stats, which varied depending on the modifications, aren’t clinching first place.
1. Porsche 918 Spyder – The Fastest Porsche Ever Made
- Top speed: 214 mph
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 2.6 seconds
We’ve finally arrived and found the fastest Porsche ever made: the 918 Spyder. Only 918 units of this hybrid car were made, so count yourself lucky if you get to experience its thrilling speed and acceleration on the road.
Of course, in its day, it was also a record breaker at the Nürburgring. It became the first production model to go under seven minutes with a lap time of 6 minutes and 57 seconds set by Marc Lieb.
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