Porsche 911: The Full Story

Introduction

The most recognizable sports car in the world, one that re-defined the industry, one that has become a brand’s very loyal marque all the way since 1963, and contains one of the most curvacioious, but subtle design cues. It is the legendary Porsche 911. The only car you can buy today that comes with a rear-mounted Flat 6 engine. The only car with the power of most entry-level super cars, but is untamed and likes to loosen its rear.

It showed the best of what Ferdinand Porsche could do, revolutionizing engine placement and technology, cooling and even re-defined the definition of the sports car and what it could do. It continues the legacy of the legendary Porsche 356, the similarly shaped predecessor to the Porsche 911. When Ferry Porsche started the project, he never knew how important the project, or even the nameplate will be to the brand.

With a shape that is recognizable from all angles, the 911 retains its perfect, minimalist, form-but-function shape, you know it is perfect. And when you tell a child to draw a sports car, it will resemble a 911. It also has one of the biggest offerings and trims one model could offer. From a Targa top model for open-road cruising, all the way to a track-focused but still exciting-to-drive GTS version, it appeals to a very wide range of people who are looking for a sports car. At the moment, 21 trims are being offered, each with different personalities.

As Porsche has just reached more than one million units of the 911 produced for the road, I have written this blog in celebration of what could be one of my favorite cars of all time.

The Original Porsche 911

Ferdinand Porsche decided that the already legendary Porsche 356 was getting old and showing signs of aging, so he decided to build a replacement for it. It first saw the light in the year 1963, as Porsche unveiled the first 911 in the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show. Initially, it was called the Porsche 901, but as Peugeot had the rights to name their cars with the value 0 in the middle, the final name was called the Porsche 911. One year later, it hit the dealerships, shining new.

Early versions of the Porsche 911 were offered with a air-cooled, rear mounted flat-six cylinder engine derived from the Porsche 356, its predecessor, a trait that will descend to the latest generation of the Porsche 911, and the characteristic that truly defined the car over its 54 years of production. It was configured in a 2+2 seating configuration, though the space that the rear occupants were getting were rather questionable.

The instantly recognizable and eye catching design of the Porsche 911 wasn’t design externally like rivals from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati which were designed by Pininfarina, Bertone or Zagato. It was designed in-house by Ferdinand Porsche’s son, Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche Junior. The leader of the production at Porsche was also heavily involved, developing the car and re-developing the existing factory in the process, to accommodate the production of the 911.

1971 Facelift and the 911 Carerra RS

The Porsche 911 had a facelift and updated engine with a larger displacement. It also featured a new carburetor paired with fuel injected technology, but the US model didn’t feature those due to regulations at that time. A new transmission was also placed in the car, dubbed the ‘Dog Leg’ which was derived from the Porsche 908 race car. The 911’s handling was also improved because due to the very unusual engine placement, which is in the rear end of the car, it was very prone to oversteer. Porsche responded to this by moving the fuel tank in front of the cylinders, which surprisingly, improved handling as the center of gravity was slightly moved forward.

1974 was also the introduction of the very first Porsche 911 Carerra, one that Porsche collectors dub ‘The best Porsche 911 ever made’. RS meant Rennsport, which means Racing Sport in German, and that nameplate is also shared by its future sister company, Audi. The car was created in celebration of Porsche’s victories in the Carerra Panamerica races. It had a larger engine derived from the standard 911, only this time it produces 210 HP. It also featured larger brakes, a more aerodynamic and improved ducktail rear spoiler, and wider rear rims for improved handling around corners. There was a Carerra RS 3.0 variant developed. It featured Bosch’s K-Tronic Fuel Injection technology which increased the total power output to 230 HP. It also featured brakes from the Porsche 917 race car.

Porsche also developed racing versions of the 911 RS, called the 911 RSR, road-illegal, made in tiny numbers and were produced for more demanding and harder races such as Le Mans, the most prestigious race at that time. It came in second place in Le Mans, a significant event in the history of the 911, and one that would change the entire path of the car, as Porsche saw how good turbochargers were, and installed them later on in street models.

Porsche 930 Turbo

In 1973, Porsche revolutionized the 911 lineup and introduced the 911 Turbo, which featured, from its name, a turbocharged engine. As Porsche already saw how good turbochargers were in the 911 RSR, they decided to put it in a roadgoing car. That idea gave birth to the 911 Turbo. In Europe, it was marketed as the 911 Turbo, but in the US, it is marketed as the Porsche 930, as an entirely new model different from the standard 911s provided.

It featured wider rear tires, a ‘tea tray’ and the most standing out of all, a ‘whale tail’ which is basically a bigger ducktail spoiler than the standard ducktail. The turbocharger increased the car’s total output into 260 HP, later to be increased again into 300 HP with an updated 3.0L F6 engine. The car soon qualified into racing and participated in Le Mans, again. It had some tough challengers, especially the 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’ from rival manufacturer BMW. It won Le Mans in 1979.

Sadly, as the world was getting warmer and warmer, more strict emission rules were put in place. It impacted the 911 Turbo in a huge way, as it had to be pulled out from two of its most important markets, the Japanese and American market. It was also involved in some death lawsuits involving the 930 due to problems with the turbocharger (Thanks Joel Chan for the info). But due to high demand, the 911 Turbo was re-introduced to the US in 1936. Production ended in 1986.

1978 and 1983 updates.

The 911 gone through two updates in the year 1978 and 1983, before it’s evolution in 1989. Power was de-tuned in the 1978 model into 180HP for its base model. The introduction of the 911 SC also happened on that year, and the SC badge was used once again, last time being used on the 356 SC, a race car variant of the Porsche 356. Porsche felt that all the added luxury such as comfortable seats, air conditioning, a media system were adding weight to the car, so to compensate for that, they increased the power into 188HP on the base model in the American market.

A Weissach Edition was also offered. Weissach was the town in Germany where they conducted most of their research and development, and also the headquarters of their R/D subsidiary of the company. It featured new technology such as a new and safer front chin bumper, and an improved ducktail wing. A Ferdinand Porsche edition was also offered, with a total of 200 units produced. 1981 was the year the world saw the cabriolet version. Initially, it was planned to be offered with a 4WD power setup, but due to the rood mechanism adding weight, it was scrapped and offered with RWD.

1983 was also the year the 911 got updated again. It featured a new F6 engine, which now produced 207 HP. This version of the 911 accelerated 0– 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and had a top speed of 150 mph. Factory times were more modest: 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds for the US version and 6.1 seconds for cars outside the American market. The disc brakes were increased in size for more effective heat dissipation and improved oil-fed chain tensioners were fitted to the engine. To improve oil cooling, a finned cooler replaced the serpentine lines in the front passenger fender well. This was further improved in 1987, with the addition of a thermostatically controlled fan.

But in 1989, the Porsche 911 had undergone an evolution.

Evolution of the 911

The Porsche 911 went through a radical evolution, with the car being 85% new compared to the Classic Porsche 911. It was renamed into the Porsche 964, but still retained the iconic 911 name. The Carerra models became the base model of the 964, compared to the Carerra nameplate being placed on the higher end. Both were offered in a coupe, or a Targa, a convertible version which featured a detachable roof. The engine was completely new, but still retained that iconic rear-mounted, flat-six engine setup but this time, it makes 250HP base, with a top speed of 163MPH.

The Carerra RS variants were also introduced in the new 964. It was loosely based on the Carerra Cup variant of the Porsche 964. The engine’s power output was increased to 260HP, coupled with the G50 transmission with closer ratios, an asymmetrical LSD and new technologies such as a steel synchromesh. A new suspension with a lower ride height was also put into the new Carerra RS, combined with a stripped out interior, bucket seats, a new aluminum trunk, and magnesium wheels for reduction of the car’s overall weight. A one-off variant as also produced for the American market, called the RS America.

Porsche introduced the 964 Turbo in March 1990, as the successor to the Porsche 930, based on the classic 911. They re-used the same engine from the Porsche 930, as they had insufficient funding to develop an entirely new engine. Some tweaks were made to reduce turbo lag, and a more powerful output of 320HP. In 1992, the Turbo S variant was introduced, with a more lightweight interior, lower suspension and manual steering. Only 86 were made.

The Speedster variant was also introduced, unveiled in 1989. It had shared more in common with the 930 than the original 964. It featured an open top with no roof, and had a lightweight trim called the Clubsport. The Speedster was based on the Carerra 2 platform and was more focused to be a driver’s car. It had no comforts though. Porsche intended to create 3000 units of the 964 Speedster, but only 936 came off the production line.

Porsche 911 993

The 993 was also pretty new compared to the 964, as the car was 80% new. Porsche referred the new 993 as a ‘significant advance from both a technical and visual perspective’. It featured a new light-alloy subframe with coil and wishbone suspension, replacing the original lift-off oversteer, which came with better handling and comfort. It was also the first 911 to receive a six-speed manual gearbox.

The base variant, the Carerra was available in either AWD or RWD. It was equipped with an improved M64 engine, which was derived from the Porsche 964. It featured two catalytic converters and a new dual-exhaust system. The Carerra Cabriolet came in 1995, which featured a new fabric roof supported by metal and an automatic wind blocker. It was slightly heavier than the Coupe variant. The Carerra 4 was an AWD version, hence its name. It came both in Coupe and Cabriolet.

The Targa version of the Porsche 911 993 was introduced in 1996 and saw the debut of a retractable glass roof, a trait that was passed on from the original 911 Targa. The glass roof would retract under the rear window revealing a large opening. A shade was also there to prevent the greenhouse effect when the roof was closed, or to prevent heat to stay trapped in the car due to the almost fullly glass roof design.

The Turbo variant was released in 1995, which featured a brand new turbocharged engine and producing 402HP. Twin turbochargers and intercoolers, a more fine-tuned ECU, redesigned cylinder heads and other modified engine parts were used. It was the first Porsche 911 Turbo which featured an AWD powertrain, delivering Porsche 959 performance in a production car. The Turbo s was introduced in 1997, which is a high-spec Turbo which produced 450HP, and still retained what the original Turbo had. The American market got a slightly de-tuned version of the Turbo S making 424HP. 183 cars were sold overall.

There was another Speedster variant, not much different from the 964 Speedster.

The 911 GT2

The GT2 was a benchmark setter to all the other Porsche 911s that were going to be produced after that. It paved the way to the Porsche GT variants such as the Porsche GT3 variants. It was the racing version of the Turbo. In the 1990s, most cars were banned from using AWD systems because it was an unfair advantage to others, proven by Audi and their Quattro race cars. In response to those restrictions, Porsche developed the 911 GT2 which was a RWD 911 Turbo. They were produced at a very limited number, and were much valued by Porsche collectors.

The interior was similar to the Carerra RS, stripped down. On the exterior, the fenders of the Turbo have been cut back and replaced with bolt-on plastic pieces in order to accommodate large racing tires and to help ease the repairs of damage to the fenders that are an often reoccurring event in auto racing. Until 1997, the street version of GT2 racecar, named GT had almost the same engine as the Turbo, but operated with higher boost pressure and delivering 430 bhp. In the model year 1998, it was raised to 450 bhp and a twin ignition was added.

Porsche 911 996

The 996 had little in common with its predecessor, with the first new chassis platform since the original 911 and a new water-cooled engine. Technically, it was a major change, a complete breakaway from the original car other than overall layout. Development was shared with its smaller brother, the roadster-only Boxster which appeared around the same time, including the front suspension, much of the interior, and the engine, all of which were enlarged for the 996. However the multi-link rear suspension, derived from the preceding 993, was different.

The first 996s were available as a coupe or convertible initially with rear wheel, or later, with four-wheel drive, and a 3.4 litre flat-6 naturally aspirated engine producing 296 bhp. The cars had the same front end as the Boxster and Carrera owners complained long and loud about the “lower priced car that looked just like theirs did”, hence the headlight change for the Carrera in 2002. The design for these headlamps could be traced back to the Porsche Panamericana concept car.

In 2000, Porsche introduced the 996 Turbo, equipped with four-wheel-drive and a 3.6 litre, twin turbocharged and intercooled flat-six producing 420 bhp making the car capable of 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. An X50 option which included larger turbochargers and intercoolers along with revised engine control software became available from the factory in 2002, increasing power to 450HP. Porsche produced a Turbo S in 2005, which also had the x50 option, with optional Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide composite ceramic brakes as standard.

GT Variants

Porsche made two GT variants based on the 996, called the GT2 and the GT3. The GT3 had much in common with the standard 996, but its interior was stripped for weight savings, had stiffer, adjustable suspension and upgraded brakes. It also used the bodyshell of the 4WD variant of the 996. It featured a F6 engine producing 360HP. The engine was shared with the 996 Turbo and was closely related to the Porsche 911 GT1. The engine would be then updated into a more powerful 380HP, and produced a skid pad result of 1.03G, the second highest ever recorded by a street legal car.

The GT2 was RWD as well to save weight and to avoid power loss in its transmission, because the car was built to compete in GT2 class racing, which was mandatory to have RWD in a car. It received improved aerodynamics, and featured a re-tuned version of the 996 Turbo’s engine featuring larger twin turbochargers, new intercoolers, revised intake and exhaust systems, and a re-programmed ECU. Bigger wheels and tires along with lightweight ceramic brakes were standard. It had no rear seat or AC, and were only available as a six-speed manual transmission.

Porsche 911 997.

The 997 was an evolution of the preceding 996, with the most significant changes being interior and exterior styling. Larger 18 inch wheels were fitted as standard, and other engineering changes include slightly increased power; however, the car is technically very similar to its predecessor. A new S version was offered, with additional power from a slightly larger engine, sports suspension, and sports exhaust. During 2009 Porsche updated the 997 line-up including styling changes, a revised engine with direct injection and the introduction of the company’s new “PDK” dual clutch transmission.

As a result, the updated 997 models were faster, lighter and more fuel efficient than the outgoing versions, with improved handling. In the case of the 997 Turbo, a comprehensively re-tuned all wheel drive system with an optional “torque vectoring” system was also a part of the upgrades package; in an October 2009 preliminary review, Car and Driver magazine estimated that when equipped with the PDK transmission, the updated Turbo should be capable of going from 0-60 mph in three seconds.

The car still retained all its trim levels, such as the Carerra, Turbo, Targa and GT series. At its release, the Porsche 997-generation 911 GT2 was the most powerful and fastest road-going 911 ever to have been sold to the public. The Porsche 996 911 GT2 was superseded by the 997-generation GT2, on sale since November 2007. The 997 GT3 model also debuted in Geneva in 2006. Like previous GT3 models, it is a way for Porsche to homologate aerodynamic features for racing, as well as a starting model for customer racing. The 997 GT3 was priced at US$106,000. The engine has the same displacement as the Turbo, but without turbocharger and uses a new variable intake system.

The 997 is the most commercially successful 911 of all time, having sold 100,000 units of the first generation alone between its introduction in 2005 and July 2007. It has also received mostly positive reviews from the worldwide motoring press; even British motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson, a known detractor of Porsche cars, noted that the 997 will “make love to your fingertips and stir your soul.”

The Porsche 911 991

Porsche had updated the 911 one more time, into the one that is currently on sale today. It was unveiled in the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show to replace the 997. The design still retains the curvaceous, sloping roofline but features Porsche’s new design language, designed by Michael Mauer. As usual for the Porsche 911, the 991 generation is an evolutionary design step. Two basic principles were strictly respected: the roof line is less arched and tapers down into the rear and the front wings are higher than the lid.

The 911 Carerra and Carerra S were unveiled in September 2011, soon followed by the Targa 4 and 4S in 2015, which still featured that glass roof. The GT3 was introduced in 2013, but at the start of 2014, deliveries of the GT3 were halted following two fires. A subsequent recall to replace the engines of all 785 cars was announced in March 2014 before manufacturing of the GT3 would restart. The RS variant was introduced one year later, producing 500HP and only comes with PDK. The 911 Turbo and Turbo S followed soon after.

The Porsche 911 R

Revealed at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show on March 1, the 911 R shares most of its underpinnings with the GT3 RS, but removes the roll cage, rear wing, and associated bodywork for a weight savings of 50 kg. The R comes only with a 6-speed manual transmission, and has a top speed of 201 mph due to a lower drag coefficient compared to the GT3 RS. It also offers additional options for a lighter flywheel and removal of the air conditioning and audio systems. Production will be limited to 991 examples, as a 2016 model.

The car appreciated in value immediately, as it was basically a GT3 RS that was manual, which is literally the wet dream of a Porsche collector. The car never went down in value ever since its unveil, and had jumped all the way from the car’s unveiling price of $180,000 all the way to $800,000, more than a Carerra GT! One auction in America sold a pristine 911 R for $1,000,000 and now they’re reaching prices of $1,300,000! Now that’s appreciation.

Something A Bit Different...

You guys might remember that yesterday I announced Petrolhead Love will make a comeback with six more parts due to high demand, accompanied by the premiere of Legend Reborn, another story set. Well… there will be a new car that will be introduced in Petrolhead Love that will go alongside Daniel’s new 2005 Ford GT as a legacy from his late father. Chloe will drive a new car, a Porsche 911 997 GT3 from her father, who apparently also has a soft spot for Porsches too. More details in Part 13…

Expect it to come out on June 6.