USA vs Germany — 1981 vs 1984
| DMC-12 PRV V6 | 911 Carrera 3.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 130 hp | 231 hp |
| Torque | 153 lb-ft | 209 lb-ft |
| Engine Size | 2,849 cc | 3,164 cc |
| 0-60 mph | 10.5 sec | 5.3 sec |
| Top Speed | 110 mph | 155 mph |
| ¼ Mile | 17.9 sec | 13.6 sec |
| Weight | 2,712 lbs | 2,668 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 2,413 mm | 2,272 mm |
| Length | 4,267 mm | 4,291 mm |
| Units Produced | 9,000 | 76,473 |
| Original MSRP | $25,000 | $31,950 |
| Value (Excellent) | $80,000 | $135,000 |
| Collectibility | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Rarity | 6/10 | 4/10 |
It's a closely fought contest. The 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 PRV V6 brings greater rarity, better value to the table, and the 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 answers with more power, quicker acceleration, higher top speed. Both are excellent machines that reward their owners in different ways — there's no wrong answer here.
The rivalry between USA and Germany automotive industries has produced legendary matchups, and the 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 PRV V6 versus 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 is among the most fascinating. These two cars represent the best of their national engineering schools. The 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 holds a clear advantage in raw power with 231 hp compared to 130 hp, a 101-horsepower difference that shapes the driving experience. Under the hood, the contrast is notable: the DeLorean DMC-12 uses a V6 SOHC (PRV) displacing 2,849 cc, while the Porsche 911 Carrera relies on a Flat-6 SOHC 12V with 3,164 cc. In the sprint to 60 mph, the 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 edges ahead at 5.3 seconds versus 10.5 seconds. Rarity plays a significant role here — with only 9,000 units built, the 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 PRV V6 is considerably scarcer than the Porsche 911 Carrera's 76,473 examples.