Porsche cars are considered among the finest sports vehicles in the world. With cutting-edge handling and abundance of power, Porsche vehicles offer a fascinating driving experience. The brand originated in the Porsche Engineering Office, in Stuttgart, Germany. Austro-Hungarian engineer Ferdinand Porsche founded the company in 1931. Ferdinand Porsche had close association with Volkswagen, and the first Porsche vehicles were small two-passenger sports cars that were based on Volkswagen framework. From 1948-50, many of the early Porsche cars were built in Austria before production moved to Zuffenhausen, Germany. Ferdinand's first real production car was the Volkswagen Beetle and it had VW's air-cooled engine mounted in the rear. The '50s saw the creation of two iconic machines, the 356 Speedster with its low-cut windshield and the lightweight, mid-engine 550 Spyder. Both these sports cars proved out to be regular winners on the racetrack. In the '60s, the Porsche 356 was replaced by the 911. The coupe was powered by an all-new six-cylinder engine and scored two consecutive victories at Monte Carlo. The 911's air-cooled flat-six engine was also located in the rear of the vehicle.

By the '70s, the 914 (the inexpensive Porsche with a mid-engine design and a targa top), the mighty 911 turbo, the flagship 928 (front-mounted V8, four-seat coupe) and the 924 made their debut. The 956 that became the most successful racecar of all time, was introduced in the '80s. The twin-turbo, all-wheel-drive 959 was also rolled out; its street version could hit nearly 200 mph. The athletic 944 was launched in 1983, along with a convertible version of the 911. The 924 was reborn with some muscle of the 944's 147-horsepower inline four-cylinder engine. In the early '90s, the 944 was replaced by the similar 968, while the 928 was discontinued. The Boxster entered the market in 1997 and became its manufacturer's savior. The spirit of the good old 550 Spyder was brought back. In 2003, Porsche rolled out its SUV, the Cayenne to the market. Its sporting performance, especially the 450-horsepower turbo form brought credibility to the Cayenne. In 2005, Porsche introduced the supercar Carrera GT with 605-horsepower. For many years, the only Porsche models were sleek sports cars. Recently, the Porsche brand has expanded its lineup to include other types of vehicles. Today, the lineup of Porsche vehicles include sports cars and sport utility vehicles, such as the 911 (997), Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne.

2008 Porsche 911
The 2008 Porsche 911 (starting at $73,500) is a sports car that blends performance with unique design and sound and delivers a pleasant and firm ride. It is offered in five basic trim levels - Carrera, Carrera S, GT3, Turbo and GT2. The GT2 is new for 2008. The Carrera and Carrera S are available in three body styles. The coupe and convertible body styles are offered in rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive versions. The regular 911 Carrera is equipped with a 325-horsepower, 3.6-liter, six-cylinder engine. The Carrera S gets a 355-horsepower, 3.8-liter version of the flat six-cylinder engine. The Targa 4 is offered in standard or S trim and comes in only All-Wheel-Drive version. The GT3 and GT3 RS are equipped with a 415-horsepower, 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine. The Turbo gets a 480-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine. The GT2 features a 530- horsepower version of the turbocharged 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine.

2008 Porsche Boxster
The 2008 Porsche Boxster (starting at $45,800) is a pure sports car that offers classic styling and balanced power. The sleek two-seater roadster is a highly customizable vehicle with plenty of options. It is available in base Boxster and the massaged Boxster S versions. Both these versions come in Limited Edition trim level as well. The base and Limited Edition Boxster get a 245-horsepower, 2.7-liter flat six-cylinder engine, while the Boxster S and Limited Edition Boxster S are packed with a 295-horsepower, 3.4-liter flat six-cylinder engine. The Boxster's interior offers a luxury feel and look with fun of a convertible top that operates quickly.

2008 Porsche Cayenne
After taking a break last year, the midsize Porsche Cayenne ($43,400) returns for 2008 with a major revision. The 2008 Porsche Cayenne is one of the most sporty and luxurious crossover SUV in the market. It adopts the direct fuel-injection technology that offers more power to its engines. A revised suspension enhances its handling and performance. New convenience and luxury features are optional on the 2008 Cayenne. They include the power liftgate, adaptive headlights and adjustable cargo tie-downs. The interior is a carry over except for a minor facelift. The 2008 Cayenne is available in four trim levels - base Cayenne, Cayenne S, GTS and Turbo and two engine types - the V-6 and the V-8.

2008 Porsche Cayman
The 2008 Porsche Cayman ($49,400) is a sports car that offers precise handling, responsive steering, powerful brakes and generous storage area along with the brand's classic styling. The Cayman is available in two trim levels - the base and sportier Cayman S. The base gets a 245-horsepower, 2.7-liter flat six-cylinder engine, while the Cayman S features a 295-horsepower, 3.4-liter flat six-cylinder engine. The Cayman remains nearly unchanged for 2008. There is a new limited edition styling package for the Cayman S trim, called the Porsche Design One.