Porsche 911 Generations
- 5 years ago
Porsche 911’s eighth generation celebrated its world premiere on 27th November 2018 at Los Angeles. This event happened 55 years after the original 911 model debuted. Let's take a look back at the previous generations:
In 1973, ten years after the debut, the successful 911 model got the most significant changes. Powerful turbo engines and a galvanised body have been added. Porsche has also launched a Cabriolet version of the 911 and the Speedster on the market in addition to the Targa. At that time it was clear that this model range is on its path to becoming an icon later.
But first, the long-running model had to prove its adaptability. The US regulations were very strict and required that all new cars had to withstand a collision at 8 km/h without damage when driving forward and backwards. That is why the German automaker introduced the impact bumpers with rubber lip in front of the luggage compartment that is well known for the G model. These bumpers could be compressed by up to 50 millimetres without any damage to important vehicle parts. The US version got flexible impact absorbers that absorbed the collision energy. After that Porsche offered them on all other markets. For this second generation of Porsche 911, safety was very important in general and many details were showing this - standard three-point seat belts, front seats with integrated head restraints, impact services in the newly designed sports steering wheels etc. The standard 911 had a six-cylinder engine that already featured 2.7-litre displacement. This increased to 3.0 litres shortly afterwards. From 1983 on this increased again to 3.2 litres showing that there was huge potential.
From 1974 on this 3.0-litre flat engine at the rear of the 911 Turbo reached even higher power as the turbocharged technology was adopted from motorsports. From 1977 onwards the displacement was increased to 3.3 and intercooler was added. This led to performance values that were unrivalled in the mid '70s - 5.2 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. With the Turbo a new legend was born.
However, something new was coming - new sports cars with transaxle technology /engine at the front, transmission at the rear axle/ such as the 924, the 928 and the 944 model series. But they didn't succeed that much and market still wanted the 911 as before. Porsche then decided to change the strategy and it looks like that they have taken the right decision. A Cabriolet version was offered from 1982 together with the Coupe and the Targa. In 1989 even a 911 Carrera Speedster followed, marking the end of the second 911 generation.
In 1973, ten years after the debut, the successful 911 model got the most significant changes. Powerful turbo engines and a galvanised body have been added. Porsche has also launched a Cabriolet version of the 911 and the Speedster on the market in addition to the Targa. At that time it was clear that this model range is on its path to becoming an icon later.
But first, the long-running model had to prove its adaptability. The US regulations were very strict and required that all new cars had to withstand a collision at 8 km/h without damage when driving forward and backwards. That is why the German automaker introduced the impact bumpers with rubber lip in front of the luggage compartment that is well known for the G model. These bumpers could be compressed by up to 50 millimetres without any damage to important vehicle parts. The US version got flexible impact absorbers that absorbed the collision energy. After that Porsche offered them on all other markets. For this second generation of Porsche 911, safety was very important in general and many details were showing this - standard three-point seat belts, front seats with integrated head restraints, impact services in the newly designed sports steering wheels etc. The standard 911 had a six-cylinder engine that already featured 2.7-litre displacement. This increased to 3.0 litres shortly afterwards. From 1983 on this increased again to 3.2 litres showing that there was huge potential.
From 1974 on this 3.0-litre flat engine at the rear of the 911 Turbo reached even higher power as the turbocharged technology was adopted from motorsports. From 1977 onwards the displacement was increased to 3.3 and intercooler was added. This led to performance values that were unrivalled in the mid '70s - 5.2 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. With the Turbo a new legend was born.
However, something new was coming - new sports cars with transaxle technology /engine at the front, transmission at the rear axle/ such as the 924, the 928 and the 944 model series. But they didn't succeed that much and market still wanted the 911 as before. Porsche then decided to change the strategy and it looks like that they have taken the right decision. A Cabriolet version was offered from 1982 together with the Coupe and the Targa. In 1989 even a 911 Carrera Speedster followed, marking the end of the second 911 generation.