History of the Porsche 911

December 19th, 2023 by

60th Anniversary Limited Edition Black Porsche 911 S/T with 12 spoke performance wheels

Celebrating 60 years of production, the Porsche 911 has captivated the hearts of car enthusiasts and speedsters around the world for decades. The 911 debuted at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in 1963 featuring its distinct design and first-ever rear-engine layout. The concept was created by F.A. Porsche – son of the founder of the company, Ferry Porsche – and his team. The first 911 ditched the smaller body and four-cylinder boxer engine of the Porsche 356 for a larger frame and air-cooled flat-six engine. Over the decades the 911 has only become stronger while maintaining the qualities that made it great in the first place.

 

 

Porsche 911 Generations

Although maintaining the character of the original Porsche 911 that debuted sixty years ago, the 911 has gone through many generations of innovations and updates through the years. The original 911 was the first iteration, debuting with the air-cooled flat-six engine. 

 

G series (1974-1989): This 911 model introduced the first front-end impact bumper to comply with US Safety Regulations. Porsche also debuted the first 911 Turbo that welcomed wider wheel arches and a turbocharged engine.

 

Porsche 964 (1988-1994): Porsche took a major leap forward with the 911 in this generation. Receiving a complete rehaul on parts and power steering, and anti-lock braking systems for the first time. This was also the first generation with all-wheel-drive and a larger 3.6-liter engine.

 

Porsche 993 (1993-1998): The 993 series is one of the most sought-after generations of the 911 as the last models with air-cooled engines. As Porsche said goodbye to air-cooled engines it welcomed a redesigned chassis and a new multi-link rear suspension system.

 

Porsche 996 (1997-2005): The 996 series welcomed the start of water-cooled engines in the Porsche 911. This massive update was followed by new body and interior designs and the introduction of the well-known fried-egg lamp design.

 

Porsche 997 (2004-2012): The 997 series saw the return of styling cues from older generations while refining the 996 series design. This generation was the first with direct fuel injection (2009), leading to improved performance and handling.

 

Porsche 991 (2011-2019): The 911 had a growth spurt in this series with a longer wheelbase and wider front track. Porsche also debuted a new rear axle, a 7-speed manual transmission and a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic.

 

Porsche 992 (2018-present): The current generation of the Porsche 911 features a wider, more muscular look across all variants. As technology has advanced, the 911 features the Porsche Advanced Cockpit and other connective technology. This generation also welcomed the new  8-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) and a suite of driver-assist technologies.

Silver 1993 911 RS1993 911 RS

2003 Gray Porsche 911 Targa

2003 911 Targa

Black 2005 911 Turbo S with 5 spoke wheels

2005 911 Turbo S

 

2024 Porsche 911

The latest Porsche 911 upholds the legacy of the original model through continuous innovations and a commitment to excellence in every vehicle. The 2024 Porsche 911 features a powerful twin-turbo six-cylinder horizontally opposed engine in the same rear-position from the original model. This powerful engine is paired with a high-precision Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Stability Management (PSM), and rear-axle steering to combine for an unmatched handling, agility, and comfort. The 2024 Porsche 911 sits on the largest wheels it’s ever had (20-21 inches) and features an interior that blends modern technology with hints from the original Porsche 911 designs. For a closer look at the most recent Porsche 911 models, visit Porsche Oklahoma City.

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