Six generations of 911 Turbo

Fifty years ago, Porsche’s first 911 began life as the 356-replacing Type 901. It was launched at the 1963 Frankfurt motor show – almost exactly 50 years ago.

But it wasn’t until a year after the second-generation G-series 911 appeared in 1973, that the most formidable of all road-going Porsche 911 variants was born. Enter the 911 Turbo, also known in its first generation as the 930.

1974: G-series
Headlined by a 260hp (193kW) 3.0-litre engine and a striking rear spoiler, the 1974 930 Turbo’s unique mix of 250km/h performance and luxury made it an instant classic.

Built first as a four-speed manual and then later moving to five-speed, the very first Turbo has a reputation for all-or-nothing power delivery. Combined with early 911 handling traits, the car was considered as a tool for experts.

By the time the more powerful 300hp (223kW) intercooled 911 Turbo 3.3 arrived in 1977, ‘Turbo’ was a prized and already legendary Porsche nameplate. The G-series 911 Turbo continued until 1989, before a two-year Turbo production pause.

The rear-wheel drive Carrera 2 wasn’t launched for another six months, followed by coupe, convertible, Targa and, in 1991, Turbo models.

The 964 Turbo arrived with a carryover 3.3-litre engine, before a 360hp (268kW) 3.6-litre turbo engine was fitted in 1992, making the first 911 Turbo S a collector’s item.

1993: 993-series
The following year saw the arrival of one of the most classic 911 shapes -- the 993, complete with the first elliptic headlights and a new aluminium chassis.

The 993 also ushered in the first series-production twin-turbo boxer six, which in 1995 was the world’s lowest-emitting production car engine. While 408hp (304kW), 540Nm and 293km/h were impressive numbers two decades ago, the first all-wheel drive Turbo’s other big-ticket technology was the first hollow-spoke wheels seen on any production car to date. Production of the 993, the last air-cooled 911, ended in 1998.

2000: 996-series
Built between 1997 and 2005, the completely redesigned 996-series 911 attracted criticism for eschewing air-cooling and upright headlights, but with four-valve cylinder-heads, the first liquid-cooled 911 produced 300hp (223kW) in standard trim.

The 911 Turbo of 2000 improved on that with 420hp (313kW) and a top speed of 300km/h for the first time. In 1999 it was joined by the first 911 GT3, followed in 2000 by the 911 GT2 with standard ceramic brakes.

2006: 997-series
Based on the same platform as the 996, the 997-series 911 emerged in July 2004 with a 325hp (242kW) 3.6-litre flat six and a new 355hp (264kW) 3.8-litre boxer for the Carrera S with standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) variable damping.

Produced from 2006, the 997-series 911 Turbo was powered by the world’s first production petrol engine with a variable-geometry turbo. While the 480hp (357kW) Turbo could hit 100km/h in 3.7 seconds and 310km/h, a new 500hp (372kW) direct-injection engine arrived with the dual-clutch PDK automatic transmission and Porsche Torque Vectoring for the 997 Series II of 2010. The top-shelf 997 Turbo S -- the first to be offered only as an automatic -- could hit 100km/h in just 3.3 seconds.

2013: 991-series
Based on the all-new 991-series of 2011, this year’s new 911 Turbo represents the biggest step change in the model’s near-40-year history.

Lighter yet stronger and bigger in wheelbase, wheel track and interior dimensions, the steel/aluminium 991’s standard 3.4 and 3.8-litre engines were joined by a world-first seven-speed manual transmission and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control variable rollbars.

For the 2013 911 Turbo, new technologies include world-first active aerodynamics at both front and rear, rear-wheel steering and up to 560hp (412kW) and 750Nm for the top-shelf Turbo S, which sets a new 0-100km/h benchmark of just 3.1 seconds yet consumes only 9.7L/100km.

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