911 Carrera T - Sports Car of the Year
Cayenne S - Best Sports SUV
Macan S - Best Premium SUV to Drive
Wins help kick off a year of celebrations, with 2026 marking 75th anniversary of first Porsche sold in the UK
Silverstone to host Porsche themed festival on 20/21 June
For Porsche Cars GB, 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the first Porsche arriving in the UK. And the jubilee celebrations began in fine style in London, where the iconic 911 Carrera T was crowned Sports Car of the Year at the What Car? Awards. In a successful evening for the Stuttgart sports car manufacturer, the Macan S was named Best Premium SUV to Drive, and the Cayenne S the Best Sports SUV.
Porsche took home the top prize for its iconic 911 sports car at the annual What Car? Car of the Year Awards last evening, alongside trophies for the Macan S and Cayenne S.
This success is especially sweet, coming in the year when Porsche Cars GB will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first Porsche being sold in the UK. It was in London at the Earls Court Motor Show in October 1951 that the 356 made its debut and so began a relationship that over the next seven decades has seen the UK grow into the fourth largest market in the world for the brand.
Porsche 911 Carrera T - Sports Car of the Year
Taking the crown for the sixth time running, Porsche has made this category something of its own. This year, it was the turn of the 911 Carrera T to extend the tradition begun by the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0.
In presenting the 911 with the Sports Car of the Year Award, the What Car? judges commented: “The fact that the Porsche 911 Carrera T comes with a manual gearbox might seem like a small detail, but it means you have absolute control of the howling flat-six engine. The shift action and walnut gear knob are wonderfully tactile, too, while the Carrera T’s steering bombards you with information and is perfectly weighted. All of this explains why it’s the best sports car you can buy – yet it also feels like a surprisingly sensible choice because it rides well and is relatively practical.”
The Carrera T emphasises long-standing Porsche attributes of a characteristically emotive power delivery and a focused driving experience, with a manual six-speed transmission and sports exhaust system. The rarefied combination of two seats, three pedals and an evocative flat-six engine makes the Carrera T a great companion for any journey. Rear seats are a no-cost option.
Frank Moser, Vice-President 718 and 911 Model Line, Porsche AG, commented; “The 911 Carrera T is about concentrating on the essentials. The ‘T’ stands for Touring, and at Porsche this goes all the way back to the homologation of the 911 T in 1968. Pure driving pleasure, agile handling, emotive sound and a focus on the essentials are the distinguishing features of this rear-wheel drive sports car.”
Porsche Cayenne S – Best Sports SUV
The current generation of the sporting SUV features a highly digitalised display and control concept, new chassis technology with a revised suspension design and more powerful engines – including an uprated plug-in hybrid powertrain that offers up to 56 miles of pure electric range.
With an all-new electric model arriving in showrooms this summer, the Cayenne range offers one of the widest choice of powertrains in the segment, with petrol and plug-in hybrid derivatives being offered alongside the forthcoming electric version.
It was the petrol V8 Cayenne S that scooped the Best Sports SUV trophy, with the magazine commenting: “The Porsche Cayenne is the sort of car that has you questioning how something so tall and heavy can handle so well. It’s astonishingly agile, with immense traction and minimal body lean, although we particularly like the 4.0-litre V8 S version. This is more than fast enough and putting your foot down is a visceral experience that’s only enhanced if you add the Sport Chrono Package.”
Porsche Macan S – Best Premium SUV to Drive
Underlining the variety of options available to Porsche customers, the petrol-engined Macan sits alongside the new all-electric model in the range. With the offer of two powertrain derivatives, drivers have the choice of a breadth of sporting drivetrains, all-wheel drive chassis dynamics and SUV versatility, according to individual lifestyle.
In highlighting the driver appeal, everyday usability and luxury quality of the V6-engined Macan S, What Car? commented: “Porsche has an uncanny ability to infuse sports car DNA into its SUVs – and the result is that the Macan is genuinely entertaining to drive. With precise, ideally weighted steering and impeccable poise, it’s more rewarding than any rival. And don’t go thinking that this has been achieved by making the ride very firm; it’s actually another strength, especially with optional adaptive air suspension fitted.”
Accelerating with confidence into 2026
Alongside the continued commitment to benchmark dynamic performance on road and track, Porsche places equal priority on customer service and fan engagement. For Porsche Cars GB, this means focussing on imaginative and engaging retail formats supported by a strong Centre network, including the extensive roll-out of a series of new and distinctive Destination Porsche showrooms.
New Centre developments in the last year include the expansion of the showroom and workshops at Porsche Centre Guildford and Porsche Centre Bristol.
The support delivered by the nationwide network of 47 Porsche Centres is fundamental to the UK sales performance in 2025, and continued investment underlines the commitment to providing the best introduction to the Porsche brand. The focus on innovative sales platforms saw a successful return of the immersive ‘Porsche Now’ pop-up concept, which made its debut in Liverpool in the summer.
“As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first Porsche sold in the UK, it is interesting to reflect not just on how much has changed in those seven decades, but also what has remained a constant,” commented Krishan Bodhani, CEO Porsche Cars GB. “Over that time, Porsche has always evolved to remain relevant in changing times. As the What Car? Awards show, a Porsche today can take many forms, adapting to the changing lifestyles of our customers. And true to the company tradition, each model combines a breadth of performance and everyday usability to suit individual wishes.
“With exciting models such as the new 911 Turbo S and Cayenne electric arriving, and a highlight Porsche themed festival planned for Silverstone on 20/21 June, this year is set to be a very special one for us in the UK. I look forward to meeting many customers and fans though 2026, and sharing their pride in Porsche and the very special cars that have become such a part of our culture over 75 years.”
