Coches Porsche 911

About 911

As the 356 was continually refined and perfected through the 1950s, engineers felt they were reaching fundamental limits of the design and began planning the next leap forward for Porsche. Released in 1964, the 911 was conceived as a larger, more powerful, more comfortable evolution of the 356. As with the 356 before it, the 911 was (and is) defined by continual performance innovations punctuated with the occasional styling update: non-experts will have trouble casually distinguishing a 1960s 911 from a 1970s or 1980s car. Newer generations of the 911 continue the legacy of quality, reliability, and that signature Porsche responsiveness that connects driver to road.

Collectors entering the 911 market face a vast range of selections, as Porsche designers made countless significant revisions to the model over the past 50 years, not to mention a river of small-batch variants with niche tunings and numerous options, often with different specs for various global markets.

911s of the mid-1960s hold a purist's appeal for their early place in the car's long history, as well as some short-lived appointments, such as the teak-trimmed dash and wheel. A coveted high-output 911S was available in the U.S. for 1967, before being blocked from import due to 1968 emission regulations. 1969 saw a permanent lengthening of the wheelbase—a performance compromise for the sake of comfort. The vaunted 911 S returned in 1969 with 170-hp, although emissions regulations hampered performance and reliability by ‘73.

911s from 1964 to 1989 are referred to as the 911 Classics. The original body style remained largely preserved for two and a half decades, even as performance was continually and aggressively refined.

The 1978-1983 911SC (the basic 911) represents yet another high-water mark for the model, performing capably and in the spirit of the 911 classics, but with just enough practical concessions needed for daily driving. With 68,080 produced, SCs represent a great entry point for the new Porsche driver.

Into the late 1970s, the lux-trimmed, turbocharged 930 (1974-1989) continued its popular run, only to be stopped by U.S. emissions regulations in 1980. The model was not sold stateside again until 1986, though cars were certainly imported via the gray market. (Thirty years later, such cars may require significant coaxing at smog time.)

The 911 3.2 Carrera (1984-1989) replaced the successful SC, with a new 3.2-liter, flat six (207-hp in the States, 231-hp elsewhere) doing 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds (5.4 elsewhere), and larger disc brakes slowing it back down. Electronic controls brought better economy, cleaner emissions, and a horsepower boost (to 217-hp in 1986). Air conditioning was greatly improved with the Carrera, and it was improved again in 1986. Like the SC that preceded it, the Carrera was a refined, reliable, and eminently drivable evolution of the 911.

The turbocharged 930 (1974-1989) was once again available to Americans in 1986, although emissions concessions reduced performance dramatically.

In 1989, the all-wheel-drive 964 (called the Carrera 4, also available as the rear-wheeled Carrera 2 by 1990) was released, marking the next major evolution for the model. Integrated bumpers and a retractable spoiler paid homage the lines of the original 911. Power steering and antilock brakes came standard, in their first-ever appearance for the 911.

The first 964 Turbos reused the 930's 3.3-liter engine (tuned to an improved 320-hp) on the new Carrera 4 platform. A super-rare variant called the Turbo S (3.3-liter, 381-hp) was available in 1992, with lowered suspension, manual steering, and a sparse, lightweight interior. About 80 were produced.

1994 saw an aerodynamic facelift for the 911 (now called the 993). Improvements to the car's suspension, along with widened rear wheel arches, significantly improved cornering, reduced oversteer, and allowed for a quieter, more comfortable ride. The optional all-wheel-drive system was also revamped with a simpler, lighter mechanism, offering a notable improvement in handling.As the final air-cooled incarnation of the 911, 993s are valued by collectors for their place in history, as well as for their reliability and performance.

The 993 Turbo—the first Porsche Turbo with all-wheel drive—was released in 1995. 1997 saw the brief release of a 993 Turbo S, which produced 424-hp in the US and 450-hp elsewhere. Just 183 were sold.

As the final air-cooled incarnation of the 911, 993s are valued by collectors for their place in history, as well as for their reliability and performance.

Following more than three decades of proven success, the 911's air-cooled flat-six became water-cooled in 1998. Initially available as a 3.6-liter, 296-hp coupe or cabriolet, the 996 spawned nearly a dozen variants in a wide range of super-performance tunes.

Even before its release, debate ensued among 911 purists as to whether the "clean sheet" 996 could be said to qualify as a "true" 911. But the model would lay the groundwork for the next-generation 997, the highest-selling 911 in history.

The current 911, called the 997, is the best-seller of any in the model's half-century history. While performance improvements at its release were innovative and somewhat revolutionary for the 911, designers made sure to pay aesthetic tribute to the 911's past. The tear-drop headlights of the 996 were replaced with modern bug eyes; other details made reference to the 993 in particular.

The 997 received a minor cosmetic facelift in 2009, and the engine was bumped from 3.6-liter to 3.8-liter (500-hp). A number of significant variants have debuted during this generation, including the 911 Turbo (3.6-liter, 473-hp, 2006-current); GT2 (3.6-liter, 523-hp, 2007-current); the GT3 (3.8-liter, 409-hp, 2006-current); and the GT3RS (3.6-liter. 612-hp, 2006-current).