The GT3 was based on the standard 996 Carrera, but it was stripped of any extraneous equipment and featured an upgraded adjustable suspension platform as well as upgraded brakes. Its advanced 3 liter turbo engine had technology like charge pressure control on the exhaust side (previously available only in race cars) which prevented unwanted excess pressure during partial load or overrun. The 911 traces its roots to sketches drawn by Ferdinand "Butzi" Porsche in 1959. The midlife update came in 2008 (2009 model year) for the 997 and was known as the 997.2 model series. First, the arch of the roofline was reduced and re-design to taper gradually to the rear of the car. Well, maybe there is because in the 991.2 Porsche decided to bring back the manual gearbox in the GT3. Find our how to enter and win an exclusive prize. Type 964. Porsche planned to build 3000 examples of the 1994 Speedsters in 1992, but only 936 examples were built and sold. It was enough to help the GT3 RS do the Nürburgring in 7 minutes and 20 seconds. Nevertheless, the Turbo models continue to differentiate themselves from the other variants by having the most powerful (3.7L) engines, and come exclusively with all-wheel drive. There was also a heavier Touring variant (with sound deadening, power seats (optional), undercarriage protection and power windows) and an N/GT racing variant with a stripped, blank metal interior and a roll cage. In 1992, the Porsche 911 Turbo was upgraded to a more powerful 3.6 liter power plant delivering 320 horsepower. The car continued to feature the same characteristic teardrop shape for which the 911 is immediately recognizable to just about any automotive enthusiast. The range was also expanded with sportier versions such as the RS and GT3 as well as the GT2. It would end up getting a lot of criticism over the stylistic changes it brought, as well as its lackluster engine. Known as the 996.2 range the big visual changes included changing the integrated headlamps that had been shared between the 911 and Boxster models with the Turbo-style headlamps. What started out as the most hated Porsche of all time, ironically gave enthusiasts the greatest driver's car line the 911 has ever seen. One of the greatest overall packages Porsche has ever made, from the quintessential 911 looks to the record breaking performance of its performance variant. Moreover, the new boxer engine broke new ground in terms of reduced emissions, engine noise, and fuel consumption. In particular, most of the front end ahead of the doors was the same. The ever-present PDK dual-clutch transmission remains fundamentally unchanged, but is now an 8-speed instead of a 7-speed. Introduced in November, 2014, at the LA Motor Show, the 991 Carrera GTS was developed as the mid-level model between the Carrera S and GT3 edition 911s. Most notably, the 997 also marked a big growth in the Porsche 911 product line in terms of sheer options and sales volumes (the 997 became the best-selling generation of 911 to date). For example, with the PDK and the launch control system activated, the 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 gets to 62mph in 3.4 seconds. 901, 912, 1.gen., G-model, 964, 993, 996, 997, 991 and 992 © Porsche. All 911s look like 911s, that is a no brainer. 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The current price for a 996 clearly reflects their desirability in the market. Other than that, it’s as per the GT3, with all the same options (ceramic brakes, nose lift, LED headlights, Chrono Package, audio upgrades), which is great news. Rounded headlights, a slick shape and all the modern tech you could point a stick at combined with absurdly strong performance leapfrogged it past the competition of the time. The 964 rode on a completely redesigned chassis with rear suspension switching from torsion bar to trailing arms with Porsche’s “Weissach” rear axle, which added self-steering elements to reduce the chance of oversteer. A subtle-looking GT3, maybe I need to rethink the earlier daily driver comment. Distinguishing the 911 from anything else on the road was its short wheelbase, rear weight bias and semi-trailing arm rear suspension and those things meant that from the start the 911 demanded a driver that knew what he/she was doing. The 2004 Porsche 911 model saw the addition of the C4S and Turbo trims alongside of the GT3 and the 40th Anniversary model. It is by far the most expensive and extreme 911 available and is really only useful on track. The Porsche 911 has come a long way since its inception and the focus has not only been to hone its performance, but also to make it more appealing to look at that in-turn increase its aspirational value. The 1973 911 Carrera RS marked the birth of the RS moniker, when a regular 911 wasn't good enough and you needed more power and a lighter chassis. Pictures of the 911 Type 964. Known as the ‘G-model’ 911 it sold almost 200,000 vehicles and was the longest running 911 series, being produced from 1973 to 1989. Officially, the 901’s that had already been constructed were used for testing and for additional exhibitions, and Porsche never sold any of the original 82 units to private customers. It was easily the most powerful and high performance car in its class and further grew the 911 legend. The exterior featured slight modifications as compared to the 997.1 models. Although technically a variant of the 911, the 912 was a more nimble-handling compact performance 2+2 sports car. The 2021 911 starts at $99,200 (MSRP), with a … Represents the "S (sport cars)" market segment. The engine was mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission – making the 993 the first-generation of 911 to get a six-speed transmission. One thing for sure is that the next generation will be similar and yet will be defined by how it moves the game forward. The 991 model is approaching its end in 2019 as Porsche has been testing the upcoming 992 model update. We doubt there is any nameplate out there that is as famous and holds the same legacy has the Porsche 911. The point of the T (for Touring) is to be a spartan model equipped with only the necessities that a dedicated driver might want. Fast, loud, firm, surgically precise and no body roll, these cars deliver full sensory overload at slow speeds around town and an almost religious experience at speed on track. In 1992 there was the America Roadster which was essentially a turbo-bodied cabriolet. The legend had begun. In terms of other limited run special editions the 997 did not let us down. All 911s have a rear-mounted six cylinder boxer engine and all round independent suspension. While the Porsche 911 Type 997 featured a refined, race-inspired appearance, the car was hailed for being a true high-performance vehicle. With the arrival of this 996-generation 911 for the 1999 model year, Porsche no longer made air-cooled engines. It was rare with only 183 cars ever made. For 2009, both 3.6-liter and 3.8-liter engines receive direct injection; new PDK dual-clutch seven-speed transmission replaced the Tiptronic S automatic. While the main models were quick it was the 911 Turbo that was the true straight line beast. More powerful engines were introduced, a new transmission was unveiled, rack-and-pinion steering was added as well as … Sometimes the simplest recipe is the best: a good NA engine, a manual transmission, and a lightweight body. Its shape was kept over the years, with its sloped rear engine bay. The interior was an almost entirely reimagined Porsche 911 with more modern design that was intended to blend performance with comfort. Most of the models soon or yet to be released are both expected and familiar, with such variants as the GTS, GT3, GT3 RS and GT2 RS a formality at this point. Soundproofing was almost non-existent. At the 1963 Frankfurt show the public saw Porsches new direction. Power output was now rated at 429 hp at 6,000 rpm and 317 lb⋅ft of torque from the new 3.8-litre flat-6 engine. Special 911 Models & Sub Categories The Early Years (1963 – 1973) All Models Porsche 912 (1965-1969) 901 (1963-1964) The 911 is always made in Germany and has been since the first model rolled off the production floor in 1963. All variants of the car also received a new front fascia. The new 911 GT3 was equipped with a 3.6 liter, naturally aspirated engine that produced 415 horsepower and had an absurd 8,400 RPM. 911 Carrera (1974-77/1984-89) 911 SC (1978-83) 912 E (1976) 911 Turbo (1975-89) It was celebrated by Porsche enthusiasts for “keeping the tradition of the Carrera RS alive. It has the same 370hp as the base 911 mated to the (good) seven-speed manual transaxle. Porsche originally needed to produce the car in order to comply with homologation regulations and had intended on marketing it as a street legal race vehicle like the 1973 Carrera 2.7 RS. There is no need to romanticize the first 911, it just doesn't make it very high on the list. The 911R is the hero that saved the manual transmission for the GT3. The engine was the same 3.6 liter unit which produced 250 horsepower and a maximum speed of 260 km/h while the 0 to 100 km/h acceleration was made in 5.7 seconds. This is a special mention model series we are lumping under the original 911. Yet from every angle it is unmistakably a 911. The 992 generation of Porsche 911 carries forward the use of twin-turbocharged engines throughout the entire Carrera range, which was a practice first introduced in the outgoing 991.2 generation of cars. Even after the refreshed headlight, it didn't have the iconic 911 looks. Type 991. The GT3 came first, introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2013. For a list of the current 911 lineup, please see our current Porsche lineup guide. It is one of two in the top five that had remained continuously in production. It featured updated aerodynamics and a more powerful version of the aforementioned 3.6 liter engine with 380 horsepower and could accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.0 seconds. Porsche 997 is the internal designation for the Porsche 911 sports car manufactured and sold by German manufacturer Porsche between 2004 (as Model Year 2005) and 2012. So which generation is the ultimate 911? Furthermore, it showed us exactly what happens when you stick a Turbo S engine into a RWD chassis. In 2011, Porsche launched a new 911 that was basically the perfectly specced Carrera S. The Carrera GTS was available as both a coupé and cabriolet and got a wider body and track and an upgraded 3.8-litre engine generating with 413 horsepower. When the 997 came out fans of Porsche were happy to see the return to round headlights and the style they missed in the earlier 996. Let’s also talk about the GT2 RS. The 996 range was discontinued in 2004 when the German carmaker rolled out the Type 997 model which re-adopted the round headlights. On the outside there weren’t many changes for the 991.2 range. There is no arguing that the performance models that will come out of this generation will be nothing short of a performance bench mark of other manufacturers. 2002). The Porsche 996 Series of the 911 started production in 1997 until 2005. RELATED: 15 Porsches You Didn’t Know Existed. The 2001 Porsche 911 is a rare blemish with this series. A revised (track focused) suspension, no power steering and stiffer springs, shocks and adjustable stabilizer bars made it a real performer. The Porsche 911 GT3 became one of the highlights of the 996 era when it was introduced in 1999. It is how it drives and how it makes you feel. It featured a 4.0-litre engine with 493 hp at 8,250 rpm and 339 lbf⋅ft of torque and took a lot of the GT2 RS learning Porsche Motorsport team had into effect. It was also the last of the air-cooled 911’s so it holds a special place in many enthusiasts minds. Represents the "S (sport cars)" market segment. Porsche 911 turbo 3.3 – Model Years 1978-1989; Purchase advice by Manfred Hering. The next big change came in the G-Series with the most significant move made in this time being the introduction of turbocharging to the 911, arriving in 1975 with 260 horsepower powering the rear wheels. Cool supercar stuff only. This special edition will be limited to 1963 cars, a number that represents the year of the 911 world premiere. A new all-aluminum multilink rear suspension and an all-aluminum subframe, engine weight reduced by 14 pounds and other weight saving made it lighter than the 964 models while having body-structure rigidity increase by 20 percent. It is among the most successful competition cars. Lets rank all the generations and a select few distinguished members of the family. On top of that, there are endless customizations available for exorbitant fees. Design wise it was quite a bit more memorable than the 997 and it really pushed the envelope when it comes to performance compared to its predecessor. The rarest 911 badged car Porsche has ever made, and best of all it isn't rear engined – a fact that will infuriate Porsche purists around the globe. Modified by private teams and by the factory itself for racing, rallying, and other forms of automotive competition. The Porsche 912 was manufactured by Porsche between 1965 and 1969 as their entry-level model. In this post we trace the iconic Porsche 911’s lineage through the ages. A Turbo S followed in 1997 with more power, a larger spoiler, and better cooling. It only comes with a six-speed manual and inside the trim is kept classic – all-leather and cloth, no Alcantara. Styling, performance, the quality of construction, the car’s reliability and the price made the Porsche 912 a very attractive alternative to the outgoing 356, and was well received by both old and new customers alike. When introduced in 1997, the first 996 models were available as either a rear-wheel-drive coupe or cabriolet (convertible). This version of the car featured a naturally aspirated 3.6L flat-six engine that produced 360 horsepower. The brand-new 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera is one of the best sports cars on the market right now. Later development of the model would re-introduce an all-wheel-drive variant of both versions of the car. Type 997. Torque was up a lot more and that is where the new turbo engine was a real hit, transforming the 911 from a “rev to the sky to get performance” machine to a “just put your foot down in any gear” affair. Porsche gave the Carrera and Carrera S models these flat six turbo engines which were previously sold as normally aspirated only. The Carrera S received a 3.8 liter engine with 395 horsepower at 7,400 rpm and 325 lb⋅ft at 5,600 rpm. We would argue that the key to the Porsche 911s success over six decades is how it evolves, its ability to be ahead of the curve and to drive the car industry forward by making big, bold and often unpopular (at the time) bets is its defining trait across eight generations of the 911 model. The base Carrera featured a 3.6 liter boxer engine good for 321 horsepower while the Carrera S got a larger 3.8 liter unit with 350 horsepower. The 996 shared no body panels, no underbody structure and no major mechanical components with previous 911s. The 911 Carrera 991 was launched in 2012 model year and production of the 991 generation only recently ended on December 20, 2019. The 3.8-litre unit found in the 911 GT3 was replaced with a 4.0-litre unit with 500 hp and 339 lb ft of torque. This is achieved through the use of a larger intercooler and improved airflow into and out of the engine. The first Porsche 911 series came in five engine configurations, ranging from 2.0 to 2.4 liter and producing between 128 and 190 horsepower as time passed by. This was the pinnacle of the 993 911 and with the discontinuation of the Porsche 993 in 1998 officially marked the end of the air-cooled Porsches. It featured a twin-turbo engine, permanent all-wheel drive, and nearly 400 hp. Or, is there a particular special edition model that trumps them all? At the end of 964 production in 1994, the Porsche factory had some 90 Turbo chassis left and gave them the Porsche Exclusive treatment to create a very special Turbo 3.6 S model with 380 horsepower. In continuing with the always notable evolution of the 911, the 992 provides yet another significant shift from the generation preceding it. The common thread you can find in each chapter is the list of regular models produced in the era the chapter covers. Night-vision assistance and a 360-degree parking camera, are also optional features to debut for the new 911. In 2002, the 996 went through a restyling exercise. Let’s dive into the special editions a little more. With its unique combination of luxury and stonking performance the ‘Turbo’ became a synonym for the Porsche brand. The 911 It has undergone continuous development, though the basic concept has remained unchanged. James is writer and photographer based in Montreal. It is still mental. In terms of special editions, Porsche introduced the next-generation Porsche 911 GT3 and GT3 RS. Even though it is the original, objectively speaking it isn't a great car, from reliability issues to scary handling characteristics. It was visually unique with wide wheel-arches, bigger wheels and tires and a large rear “whale tail” spoiler. Other improvements in the 991.2 range included not just more power, but updated Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) chassis and optional rear axle steering improved the best time of the 911 on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife to 7.30 minutes. 2012-2021 2005-2011 2995-2004 1999-2004 1993-1998 1988 The Porsche 911 is available as a convertible and a coupe. The 964 was another technical leap forward. Most non-Porsche experts know little about each generation and what makes them special so we hope this guide to the Porsche 911 is helpful. Porsche introduced the Porsche 911 (Type 993) in 1994 as the replacement for the 964 model. It spawned a few interesting models too. In that time, Porsche produced nearly 30,000 Porsche 912 coupes and roughly 2500 912 Targa top automobiles. Porsche recognized that the 911 would cost considerably more than the outgoing 356 due to increases in technology and performance, including a larger, more powerful engine, so the 912 was introduced to bridge the gap between the outgoing 356 and the 911. There is nothing better. He is a self proclaimed car and driving enthusiast. Pictures of the 911 Type 997. The 991.1 GT3 RS was next up in 2015 and as expected was an even more focused track day machine. It had a naturally aspirated 3.8 liter engine with 296 hp. More recently the 991.2 model moved away from natural aspiration to turbo flat-six engines for the main variants. The 991 range is available with either a seven-speed manual transmission (a first for the industry) or a PDK dual-clutch unit. Total downforce was doubled. However, the now-infamous final form was unique to the brand and industry. Porsche model 911 (model 996) belongs to grand tourer class. Thanks to the 997, the 4.0L engine became a normal feature of the GT3RS in the 991 911. There are other weight saving measures that add up to 44 pounds in less weight than a standard Carrera. It seems as though Peugeot claimed owners… First launched in 1997, the 996 911 range received a minor facelift in 2001 when Porsche made a few slight changes to the base models. The upcoming 992 Porsche is not yet been released and we already know it is going to evolve the 911 concept and continue to push things uncomfortably (but awesomely) forward. The second iteration of the racing-class 911 was the GT2. The 991 GT3 got a new 3.8 litre direct fuel injection flat-six engine developing 475 hp at 8,250 rpm and for the first time no manual gearbox, instead it had a PDK dual clutch unit as well as rear-wheel steering. A later ultra-limited production version, the Carrera 3.8 RS featured the Turbo body and a 300 bhp, bored out 3.8 liter motor was sold briefly in Europe. 15 Porsche 996 911 This new suspension system was specifically developed to produce improved handling characteristics during inclement weather while retaining the stability offered by the aforementioned all-wheel drive system. In 1983, the naturally aspirated 911 Carrera superseded the SC; with a 3.2 liter flat six that had 231 hp but more importantly it was also when the you could order the 911 with no roof. The new 911 was a contemporary take on the classic two-door sports car and came at a time when many were predicting the end of the 911 (the company was producing the 944 and working on the upcoming 968). Lets rank all the generations and a select few distinguished members of the family. After the 964 Carrera 4 was introduced, effectively solving many of the oversteer tendencies of the previous generation, a rear-wheel drive Carrera 2 was added 6 months later. It isn't a secret that the least favored 911 is the 996 generation. The 991.2 GT2 RS is powered by a 3.8 L twin-turbocharged flat-6 engine that produces a maximum power of 700 PS (515 kW; 690 hp) at 7,000 rpm and 750 N⋅m (550 lb⋅ft) of torque, making it the most powerful 911 ever built. It featured a revised version of the standard engine with 260 bhp and lightweight flywheel coupled an upgraded gearbox with closer ratios, asymmetrical Limited Slip Differential and steel syncromesh. The good news is that the GT3 and GT3 RS both are still the best handling I’ve ever experienced. This new design was fashioned to save space, above all else, and doesn’t offer any notable improvements in performance or efficiency. A special 6-speed manual transmission with rev matching technology was the only transmission option. One of the most distinguished looking 911s since its creation. The 991R deserves its own entry on this list, whose value shot up instantly after all units were sold. The fully mechanical all-wheel drive system was revolutionary for its time, sensing wheels slippage and automatically transferring power elsewhere, ensuring that the driver could maintain a greater degree of control whenever the driving environment became less manageable. The base 911 model had a 2.7 liter flat-six engine with 150 hp that increase to 165 hp for model year 1976. The early development of the 901 was centralized around a proven concept – develop another air-cooled, rear-engine sports car, but this time equip it with a more-powerful six-cylinder “boxer” engine. It was the top-of-the-range 911 model for its entire production duration and, at the time of its introduction, was the fastest production car available in Germany. 2015 marked a new milestone in Porsche’s history with development of a turbocharged flat engine that gave the world’s best-selling sports car a significant boost in power as well as considerably lower fuel consumption. It was also the first water-cooled engine ever used in a 911. The Porsche 911 (Type 996) was a new design developed by Pinky Lai. This will make the 992 the first complete generation in the German automaker’s history to exclusively use forced induction power plants; although, all signs do currently point towards the upcoming 992-gen GT3 and GT3 RS remaining naturally-aspirated, which would be the exception while not breaking tradition with any previous iterations of those models. There was also the Porsche 964 Speedster which came in two distinct incarnations. At the Detroit Motor Show in January 2014, Porsche introduced the Targa 4 and Targa 4S models. There were meaningful design changes to the 911, most notably a new raised bumper design with black plastic bellows (designed to meet U.S crash test standards). Porsche 911 Targa 4. With the manual gearbox, a similar sprint takes 3.9 seconds. When optioned with PDK, 0–60 mph is achieved consistently at 3.8 seconds with the help of Launch Control. The first was the 1989 model year Speedster which was basically a 930 turbo under the covers. The defining 911 of this era came in 1974 and was the original 911 Turbo. The 7-speed manual transmission is carried over from the 991-gen. Another distinction of the 992 cars is that all models now share the same wide bodywork architecture, which was previously reserved only for all-wheel-drive models (and GTS models) from the past. Dealer sets actual selling price. Born in 1963, the Porsche 911 has become a legend. Porsche wanted to offer a larger, four-seater version of its 356, specifically its expensive and complicated Carrera 2. What else makes a Porsche 911 a Porsche 911. Porsche 911 (model 991) specifications: versions & types. Several other special edition 964s were made and they are some of the most sought after cars in the classic car market today. Webspecial. If there isn't one now, there are still over 50 years of backlog to choose from. So which generation is the ultimate 911? Porsche however delivered a cracker, with the 3.0 liter twin turbo flat six engine developed 370 horsepower in base Carrera trim.