An Enduring Legacy

Even as they drive into the future, bigger and more powerful, some cars carryalong their storied past

- Monica Bathija

Porsche 911

In May 2017, the one millionth Porsche 911 rolled off the company’s production line. Take an appropriate amount of time to absorb that. A million top-end sports cars. It’s a testament to the enduring legacy of the 911.

In over 50 years, it has been through dozens of variants, trim levels, one-offs and special editions, and yet the 911 has remained true to its core. In a nod to its heritage, the one-millionth was trimmed to reflect the first 911 from 1963. The first vehicle made 128 bhp, had a 210 km/h top speed and an 8.3-second 0-100 time. The new one is a regular 3.0-litre flat six Carrera S with the performance kit power upgrade fitted to it. That’s bigger turbos, which means 444 bhp. And even without the performance kit, a new manual Carrera S will hit 160 km/h in 8.9 seconds, having passed 100 km in 4.3 seconds.

Now, the 911 is bigger than it was in the ’60s. And lower. And heavier. But a 911 is a 911. A mightily impressive everyday sports car. Just as it has always been. Because some things never change.

/ Aston Martin DB11

When you think of an Aston Martin DB, you think of James Bond. The car made its first Bond appearance in the book Goldfinger as a DB3, while on screen, in 1964, it was the DB5 that Bond drove. As he also did in Thunderball, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale and