60 Years of the Porsche 911
Porsche’s identity, the 911 is the iconic power house that is just as identifiable to any ‘non-car’ being as a Ferrari. Spanning 60 years the rear engined sports car has not lost any of it’s feeling or purpose but has been refined and mastered by the Stuttgart scientists. To celebrate life of the 911 so far, I have been through and picked out my favourite from each generation.
First Gen (F) 991S SWB 2.0L - Goodwood Freddie Jenner
First Generation (F): 1963-1973
After the success of the 356, Porsche engineers had big shoes to fill with the 901 when it was launched in 1963. However, the 901 was renamed at the launch in 1964 as Peugeot had trademarked number sequences with a zero in the middle. Therefore a car that would leave a lasting mark on the sports car world was born, The 911.
The aim of the 911 was to combine sportiness with day-to-day usability. The first generation of 911 had an air-cooled rear-mounted boxer engine with various power outputs eventually topping out at 170PS with the 911S. All of these were paired with agile suspensions set ups that would define the handling characteristics of the 911 from then on.
My Pick: The 911S SWB 2.0L Road or Race version, for me is the best looking Porsche with the iconic Fuchs forged alloy wheels and the screaming flat 6, it grabbed peoples attention then and certainly does now. Watching the cars dance around Goodwood just looks like a heap of fun.
911 Carrera RSR (prototype 3.0), Targa Florio, 1973. Porsche AG
Second Generation (G): 1973-1989
After 10 Years, Porsche revised the 911 from the ground up. Whilst keeping to the original style and design. The second Generation was longer and more comfortable. New bumpers were added to meet the strict US regulations.
For the second-generation, Porsche started with a 2.7L six-cylinder boxer engine with mechanical fuel injection. From 1977, the engine grew to 3.3 litres and 300 PS of power, aided by the addition of an intercooler.
My Pick: The Carrera RSR 3.0 is one of those rare and super-special Porsches, and one of the most successful Group 4 racing cars ever. Not many of them raced but that makes them all the more appealing. Just a very aesthetically pleasing car, swooping body curves, big arches, big tires, duck tail. Need I say more.
Porsche Supercup 964 Porsche AG
Third Generation (964): 1988-1994
After 16 years, Porsche modernised the 911, almost 85% of all parts in the car were new making the new model the most aerodynamic 911 to date.
The new 911 was designed to bring in more customers, including everyday drivers, and add more comfort features. Porsche integrated power steering, ABS, and more creature comforts into the newly designed body, As well as offering all-wheel drive from the outset with the Carrera 4 models developed from the 959 Ultra High Performance Car.
My Pick: Porsche Supercup 964. I’m always a sucker for a single make race. The purest form of motorsport all being pitted against each other in identical machinery, Certainly the grid for the Porsche Carrera Cup grid was always a colourful one. It was a good platform for drivers too, with the likes of Joachim Winkelhock, Olaf Manthey, Bernd Mayländer and Mika Häkkinen competing. I wonder what became of them?
Porsche 911 Carrera 4S 993 StuttCars
Fourth Generation (993): 1994-1998
The Porsche 993 is easily the most loved version and the last of the air-cooled Porsche 911s. It was more sophisticated and durable than the 964, the technical advances underneath created a more civilized car and a greatly improved handling experience too. The 993 is the prettiest 911 design ever, lowered stance, more flared wheel arches, new elliptic headlamps, as well as fully integrated bumpers gave the 993 a fresh look, without losing the identity of the 911. The 993 retained the 3.6 L engine from the 964.
My Pick: My Uncle had Carrera 4 RS, I remember being wedged into the back of one at a very young age, being absolutely mesmerised as the car felt like it could go warp speed. The sound of that flat 6 still resonates today. My soft spot for Porsches certainly comes from this as well as my earliest car memory.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR 996 Flying Lizard Motorsport LAT Images
Fifth Generation (996) : 1998-2005
The 996 ushered in a whole new era for Porsche. Gone was the air-cooled engines, replaced with an all-new, modern, water-cooled flat-six. The 996 was the first redesigned 911 model that didn't carry over any significant components from it's predecessors, Aside from the name and the engine layout, Porsche kept only the crest on the bonnet, the wheel hub covers, the steering wheel and the airbags from the previous 993. The new model was also bigger, offering significantly more space and comfort.
My Pick: One of my favourite liveries, The Flying Lizard 996 GT3 RSR. My earliest memories of watching motorsport. As well as being able to race the same cars in Forza Motorsport 3. The 996 GT3 RSR was very successful in its racing years. won its class at the Le Mans 24 Hours five times in succession, became a record and title winner in the American Le Mans Series as well as the FIA GT Championship, and secured the overall win at the Daytona 24 Hour race.
Porsche 997 Turbo StuttCars
Sixth Generation (997): 2005-2013
The 997 marked the return to the classic 911 styling after the 996's "fried egg" look. Today many consider it the quintessential 911 design and the last of the pure 911 sports cars. The 997 represented a significant relaunch of the 911 that included a major body re-styling and interior update, while using much of the rolling chassis of the outgoing 996, Apart from the roof, every visible body part of the 997 differed from that of the 996.
My Pick: The earlier version of the 997 Turbo, to be fair all the 911 Turbo’s appeal to me, a somewhat understated look compared to the GT3 and 2’s. However you may see a pattern with my choice but a younger me eagerly waiting for the new Forza Motorsport 4 to be realised by playing the demo, and this was one of the first playable cars I sank more hours into that demo than most people do with full games.
Porsche 991 RSR, Spa-Francorchamps 2018. Freddie Jenner
Seventh Generation (991): 2017-2019
The 991 was really the ultimate evolution of Porsche 911s becoming highly technical machines. The technology jump finally promoted Porsche to the top of the automakers in terms of building the best cars. Porsche made fundamental changes to the 911, making it more comfortable and simultaneously higher-performing. A balancing act that previously seemed impossible. Porsche further developed almost 90 per cent of the components, or redesigned them. The Type 991 represented the most technically advanced 911 model to date.
My Pick: One of the loudest cars in the 2018/2019 WEC season. In order to install a proper diffuser under the rear end of the 991, the engine had to make room for it and the engine/transmission unit was rotated 180 degrees. meaning a mid engine 911, more importantly meant a straight piped exhaust. A sound that lives rent free in my head. Also the liveries Porsche pulled out for this season where magnifique!
Porsche 911 Turbo S 992 StuttCars
Eighth Generation (992): 2020-Present
The 992 generation is largest, fastest and digital oriented 911. Porsche readied the 992 for a partially electric future with a newly designed transmission that left room for an electric motor. Improvements within the engine reduced harmful emissions from the flat-six powertrains.
The technology revolution for the 911 starts with Wet-road detection, Night Vision Assist and a drag reduction system are just a few of the innovations that made their debuts. For the first time since 1984, there is an off-road-capable 911 Dakar version.
My Pick: It’s another Turbo, for me they encapsulate what the ultimate sports car should be. A comfortable Grand Tourer that’ll eat up the miles, Curb stomping any track it turns up to and something you can use everyday, with features like the 4 wheel drive and other technological advancements for safety. It’s the complete package.
Porsche 911 Sports Classic Porsche AG
The Future:
Since the 997, the life span of each generation of the 911 has been about 7 years, So we’re not expecting anything until 2026. In 992 they have futureproofed by leaving space for electric motors so at least we can expect a 911 hybrid for the facelifted version, which has been seen testing at the Nürburgring.
As we enter the electric era, The Porsche 911 will become the only internal-combustion product in Porsche’s line-up as it moves to target 80 percent of its sales from pure electric vehicles by 2030. It lines up nicely that perhaps the 9th Generation could be the last combustion powered car and at the end of a centenary of 911’s they’ll become fully electric.
Nothings for certain, The development of Bio Fuels could power future 911’s of even Hydrogen. The one constant is the 911 has and always will be the ultimate sports car.
“And even with all the innovations, the 911 is still what it has been from the very beginning: a purist’s sports car and the pulsating heart of Porsche. It is our icon.” - Oliver Blume, CEO Porsche.
What do you think? Is the 911 the ultimate sports car? Are Turbos the best variant? or am I a complete lunatic? Let me know what you favourite 911 is in the comments and don’t forget to subscribe for more content like this plus so much more.
Freddie.
