What are the exterior differences between the Porsche 911 and 718?
3 Answers
The exterior differences between the Porsche 911 and 718 are as follows: 1. Different doors: The Porsche 718 has two black "large holes" behind the doors on both sides. The entire Porsche 718 series adopts a mid-engine rear-wheel-drive layout, and this iconic design is very noticeable. In contrast, the Porsche 911 does not have these two black "large holes" on the sides of its doors. 2. Different exhaust pipes: The Porsche 718 features a central exhaust pipe, with the exhaust outlet positioned in the middle. On the other hand, the Porsche 911 has dual exhaust pipes, offering options for dual or quad exhaust outlets on both sides.
The visual differences between the Porsche 911 and 718 are quite striking. The 911 features the classic rear-engine layout with an exceptionally wide and muscular rear end, exaggerated rear wheel arches, and elegant long fastback profile lines. The 718, being a mid-engine sports car, has an ultra-smooth transition from hood to roofline, large side air intakes, and presents a more compact, agile appearance. Regarding headlights, the 911's quad-element lamps are more angular and aggressive, while the 718's round lamps appear relatively softer. The most distinct difference lies in the rear design: the 911 sports iconic full-width taillights, whereas the 718 has higher-mounted standalone units with louvered rear window styling. The 911 typically rides on larger wheels with wider tires for a more dominant stance. Even door handle placement differs - the 911's are below the character line while the 718's are recessed into door panels, reflecting entirely different design philosophies in these details.
I've driven the 718 and test-driven the 911. The main differences in appearance lie in proportions and details. The 911 has a longer body and shorter wheelbase, with that classic rear-engine stance instantly recognizable. The 718's side profile is more balanced, with much gentler wheel arch curves. At the front, the 911's hood has a higher arch, and the headlights are positioned further forward, while the 718's front end is relatively flatter. The biggest highlight is the side air vents: the 911's vents are small and understated, located behind the wheel arches, whereas the 718's vents are oversized and particularly bold, positioned at the rear of the doors. The rear window design differs significantly—the 911 features a continuous, large rear window, while the 718's is split into upper and lower sections with a divider in between. The exhaust layouts also vary: the 911 typically has a center-exit exhaust, while the 718 mostly sports a dual-side setup. The 911's tires start at a minimum width of 315, whereas the 718 usually tops out at 285, resulting in completely different levels of road grip when driving.
