Touring philosophy is part of the Porsche tradition

In Porsche models, “T” has always stood for Touring, and is synonymous with driving pleasure in a particularly pure form. The first Touring variant appears in autumn 1967 when the 911 T makes its début. As a new basic model in the company’s range of sports cars, it is distinguished by a particularly strong price-performance ratio and a standard equipment configuration that focuses on the essentials, just as the Porsche 912 (with four-cylinder boxer engine) does. Like the 718 T today, the 911 T has an engine capacity of two litres, based on which the six-cylinder boxer engine in the 911 T achieves 110 PS – combined with a weight of just 1,080 kg, the 911 T displays an agile temperament and a top speed of 200 km/h. With manual 4-gear transmission supplied as standard, it is also available in a 5-gear variant.

One outstanding sporting success earns this model a special place in Porsche history: More than 50 years ago in 1968, factory drivers Vic Elford and David Stone drove a 180 PS 911 T to victory in the Monte Carlo rally – the first big win for a 911 on the international motorsport stage.

911 Carrera Clubsport: Exclusive lightweight model

The 1987 911 Carrera Clubsport also followed the Touring philosophy, with a spartan lightweight version that knows all about stripping back to basics, especially in the interior. Rear seats and electric window switches are absent, along with the automatic heating regulation, passenger sun visor, clothes hooks, and covers for the storage compartments in the doors. The standard equipment also forgoes fog lights, engine and boot lighting, and most of the insulation. In exchange, the model comes with front and rear spoilers, a firm sports chassis, and a short gearshift, as well as “CS Clubsport” lettering on the front left-hand fender.

The 3.2-litre, 231 PS six-cylinder engine remains unchanged, but is capable of 300/min faster speeds. More importantly though, the 50-kilogramme reduction in unladen weight of the 911 Clubsport, to 1,160 kg, means that the air-cooled boxer engine has it particularly easy.

968 CS Coupé: Lightweight four-cylinder engine with large capacity

Less is more – The 1993 Porsche 968 CS Coupé embodies this concept too. The transaxle sports car unites the four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with the largest capacity and the highest torque of its era, with virtually perfect weight distribution and excellent handling. The Clubsport variant weighs 50 kg less than the 1,370 kg standard model. This is mainly thanks to its lightweight bucket seats and smaller battery, as well as the elimination of covers and insulation, back seats and airbags, and electrical comfort features such as window switches, central locking and exterior mirror adjustments. These features make way for a 360 mm three-spoke sports steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a sports chassis which lowers the centre of gravity of the 968 CS Coupé by 20 millimetres as standard. The 3.0 litre four-valve engine with VarioCam adjustment of the intake camshaft remains unchanged in terms of power at 240 PS, allowing for a top speed of 252 km/h and acceleration to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds.

911 Carrera T (991 II): Equipped as standard with an emphasis on dynamics

In 2018, Porsche resurrected the puristic Touring concept once again with the 911 Carrera T in its 991 series. Its hallmarks: lighter weight, shorter manual transmission and rear-wheel drive with mechanical rear differential lock for improved performance and intense driving pleasure. The two-seater T model, based on the 911 Carrera, achieves an output of 272 kW (370 PS) and comes with a number of standard features that are not included in the 911 Carrera. These include the PASM sports chassis with 20 mm lower positioning, the Sport Chrono package with optimised weight, the shortened gearshift with red gear markings and Sport-Tex fabric centre sections. Though it is not available for the 911 Carrera, rear-wheel steering is an option for the 911 Carrera T.