The innovations of the 911

“The first standard safety cabriolet in the world” – this was the headline when Porsche presented the first 911 Targa at the IAA in September 1965. The innovation in the new sports car model was the fixed Targa bar, derived from the roll-over bar which had proven itself in motor racing events and guaranteed a high level of protection for the occupants. With its removable folding roof and the plastic rear window that could be folded down, the 911 Targa was also extremely flexible and offered its occupants no fewer than four different options for open-top or closed-top driving. more …

Effective cooling of the brakes is important in a high-performance vehicle – only then can they stably and repeatedly brake the car at high speeds. For this reason, Porsche introduced internally ventilated discs to the 911 S as early as 1966. These discs are double-walled so that air can circulate and frictional heat is reduced. Furthermore, the perforations also have the advantage that water spray is conducted away from the discs very quickly. more …

The Porsche engineers worked unceasingly to make the entire 911 package even better. This included improved aerodynamics – which was taken into account in 1971 with the first front spoiler, based on knowledge taken directly from the field of motor racing. It was used on the 911 S and later on the 911 E. The spoiler guided the air away to the side, thus reducing the lift on the front section. It improved directional stability and made the car easier to handle. The 911 T was also fitted with the front spoiler one year later. The 911 Carrera RS 2. more …

The search on the part of automotive engineers for the “ideal charge” – optimum combustion of the air-fuel mixture – is almost as old as the combustion engine itself. The technicians’ aim is to get as much air as possible into the cylinders so that when it is compressed and mixed with fuel, it can create a high operating pressure and therefore high output by means of combustion. more …

In 1975, Porsche responded to the issue of corrosion with emphatic success. The 911 was the first series production car to be given a body that was hot-dip galvanised on both sides – allowing Porsche to offer a six-year corrosion guarantee, which was extended to seven years for the 1981 model year and then later to as much as ten years. The treated body-in-white not only improved the service life but also vehicle safety, as the process preserved the overall rigidity and the crash safety characteristics of the body, despite vehicle ageing. more …

One of the secrets to the success of the 911 series is its constant and systematic enhancement. Each year, many small details on the 911 have been improved, making it closer and closer to Ferry Porsche’s ideal image of the perfect sports car. This philosophy was also applied to the 911 Turbo. The main features of the 911 Turbo, reworked in 1977, were an increased displacement of 3.3 litres and a charge-air cooler positioned underneath the rear spoiler. Derived from the field of motor racing, it was a world first in a series production car. more …

Digital engine electronics (DEE) celebrated its debut in 1983 with the new naturally aspirated engine with 3.2-litre displacement. Its most important advantages were better fuel consumption, cleaner combustion and therefore maximum power output. The system worked with a shared control unit into which all the engine’s operating states were programmed. The correct injection quantity and the exact ignition point were assigned to each engine speed, each accelerator pedal position and temperature. The overrun fuel cut-off, i.e. more …

Porsche gained extensive experience of using all-wheel drive in a sports car with the Type 959, a technology demonstrator in every respect. Produced in low numbers as a special series, its influence could be seen in its successor, Porsche’s first series production all-wheel drive sports car, the 911 Carrera 4, which was introduced in 1988. For excellent driving dynamics, the 959 had an electronic, infinitely variable centre-differential lock, and torque was distributed to the two axles depending on the wheel-load distribution and the friction coefficients of the wheels on the road. more …

From 1989, Porsche offered an innovative gearbox in the 964 series 911 – the Tiptronic, the perfect synthesis of comfort and sportiness. The driving data was only marginally lower than that of the same vehicles with manual 5 or 6-speed gearboxes. The Tiptronic was an automatic gearbox with intelligent shift programmes and the option for individual manual intervention. In addition to the conventional selector lever positions, it also featured a second parallel gate in which simply tapping on the selector lever changed the gear immediately. more …

The new chassis designed in accordance with the “LSA” concept (Light, Stable, Agile) in the 993 series finally put an end to the capriciousness of the rear engine-powered 911. It mainly affected the rear axle, which was based on a multi-link suspension tested in motor races and which facilitated excellent driving dynamics. The axle kinematics are designed to ensure that the vehicle’s suspension compresses significantly less when accelerating and driving round bends. This stabilises the overall handling. Furthermore, lightweight spring struts with aluminium dampers improve agility. more …

The 993 series 911 Turbo, presented in 1995, was given a 3.6-litre engine fitted with two small turbochargers. The engine’s performance curve was not dissimilar to a high-displacement naturally aspirated engine. From as low as 2,000 rpm, the engine generated plenty of thrust which changed into impressive, rousing velocity as of 3,500 rpm, pressing the occupants into their seats. more …

Another technical highlight of the six-cylinder car was the new OBD (on-board diagnostics) II emissions monitoring system, which was used for the first time by a series production manufacturer. It facilitated early detection of faults or defects in the exhaust and fuel system. The extensive measures for reducing emissions were very effective on the 911 Turbo. To the great surprise of the experts, the turbo engine turned out to be the lowest emission series production engine in the world. The supercharged 993 was also the first biturbo with air mass control in automotive history. more …

In 2000, Porsche presented the 911 Turbo model line 996. On request, it could be equipped with ceramic composite brake discs; these were standard on the 911 GT2.  The new brake, known as the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB), was a significant technological advancement that set new standards, in particular in terms of decisive criteria, such as responsiveness, fading stability, weight and service life. Porsche was the first car manufacturer in the world to develop a ceramic composite brake disc with an involute cooling channel for efficient interior cooling. more …

The optionally available Porsche double-clutch transmission (PDK) was featured in a series production sports car for the very first time when it was fitted into the 997 series of the 911 in 2008. It had seven forward gears and one reverse gear and was initially available in the Carrera and Carrera S. Its main advantages were faster gear changes in comparison with manual gearboxes and automatic converter gearboxes. The gears were already engaged when the driver changed gear and drive was not lost during the process. more …

In the 991 series of the 911, which was introduced in 2011, Porsche further perfected the lightweight design for sports cars. This achieved a number of goals: improving vehicle dynamics while reducing fuel consumption, as well as enhancing safety and raising levels of comfort in comparison with earlier vehicles. The engineers chose a concept that puts the right material in the right place, using the right construction method. For the first time, this has meant that the current vehicle generation is lighter than its direct predecessor – by approximately 40 kilogrammes. more …

In the 991 series of the 911, which was introduced in 2011, Porsche further perfected the lightweight design for sports cars. This achieved a number of goals: improving vehicle dynamics while reducing fuel consumption, as well as enhancing safety and raising levels of comfort in comparison with earlier vehicles. The engineers chose a concept that puts the right material in the right place, using the right construction method. For the first time, this has meant that the current vehicle generation is lighter than its direct predecessor – by approximately 40 kilogrammes. more …