Top Gear Names the Greatest Porsche 911 in Six-Car Black Forest Shootout
Top Gear spent three days in Germany's Black Forest testing six iconic Porsche 911 models from 1973 to present to crown the greatest ever.
- 6
- 3
- 1973
- 500 km
What Happened
Top Gear conducted a three-day test in Germany's Black Forest with six of the most exhilarating Porsche 911 models, aiming to crown the greatest 911 of all time. The shortlist spans from the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 to the modern 992 S/T, with each car evaluated on response, excitement, and pure driving enjoyment. The test was supported by Porsche Cars Great Britain and the Porsche Museum, which granted access to a secret storage facility for car selection.
- Carrera RS 2.7 (1973)
- 964 RS (1990s)
- 993 Carrera RS Clubsport (1990s)
- 997 4.0 RS (2010s)
- 991 GT2 RS (2010s)
- 992 S/T (modern)
“This is really cool. I can’t believe we’re going to drive them all back-to-back. This is perfect.”
The test included former Le Mans class winner and Porsche test driver Jörg Bergmeister, who joined for photography and video. The cars were driven on perfect roads in the Black Forest, with Bergmeister remarking on the unique opportunity. The ultimate winner is revealed in the Top Gear YouTube video and magazine feature.
Why this matters
For Porsche enthusiasts and sports car fans, this official ranking from a major automotive publication summarizes the evolution of the 911 over six decades. The test focuses on driver engagement over practicality, highlighting the models that best capture the 911's core spirit.
Terms in This Story
- Carrera RS
- A lightweight, high-performance variant of the Porsche 911, originally developed for racing homologation.
- GT3 RS
- A track-focused, street-legal version of the Porsche 911 GT3, featuring extensive weight reduction and aerodynamic enhancements.
- Porsche Museum
- A museum in Stuttgart, Germany, showcasing Porsche's history and vehicle collection, including rare and iconic models.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.