Porsche's 911 - Part Two

In Part One of this series we looked back over the history of the classic Porsche 911 models. This time ‘round we check out the modern era 1980-onward models!

Last of the 911 SCs

In 1980, the Porsche 911 SC (which was introduced in 1977) continued to put on weight due to its added interior trim and crash safety development. In response to this extra weight, Porsche tweaked the SC’s 3.0 litre flat-six to generate 152kW at 5900 rpm. A higher compression ratio was part of the engine revision. However, one change that didn’t go down well with customers was the 1980 911 SC’s chequer interior theme... This didn’t last long!

In 1982, Porsche reintroduced the cabriolet model which had not been seen since the old 356. The 911 SC Cabriolet – a ‘proper’ convertible - was based on the 911 Targa, so relatively few structural changes were required for the new model. Aside from this, there were only detail changes on the 911 during this time - in the early ‘80s the new Porsche 944 consumed most of the company’s resources.

The Carrera 3.2s

The ever-popular Porsche 911 had its 20^th birthday in 1984 and the base SC 3.0 was replaced by the Carrera 3.2. This vehicle was fundamentally the same as the SC except it offered further upgraded trim, improved brakes and more power. The 3.2 litre flat-six could deliver up to 172kW and 284Nm of torque. This extra power was made even more attractive with the availability of the ‘Turbo look’ wide body and spoiler kit.

It was about then Porsche realised the 911 was here for the long haul.

Since its introduction, the 930-type 911 Turbo had successfully established itself as a supercar. It was reputedly the fastest accelerating production car in the world from 1978 to 1985. The mechanicals of the 911 Turbo remained essentially the same since the intercooled 3.3 litre was released in 1978 – however, with improved Bosch KE-Jetronic management, power was increased by 30kW. The biggest improvement for the 911 Turbo came in 1986 when its wide body kit became an integrated part of the body, rather than a simple add-on. The Turbo was also available in Targa and Cabriolet guise from 1986. The unusual looking 911 ‘flat nose’ body style was introduced in 1987 - this is the only 911-based vehicle to use pop-up headlights instead of the traditional style fixed headlights.

In the motorsport arena, Porsche had begun experimenting with all-wheel-drive – as evidenced by their 1984 Paris-Dakar winning 4WD 911 Turbo. The 4WD 911 Turbo then progressed into the widely recognised 959 which competed in Group B rallying as well as long-distance safaris. Interestingly, the 959 employed a sophisticated electronically-controlled 4WD system with front-to-rear torque-split able to be varied to suit different surfaces. Powered by a twin turbocharged 2.85 litre flat-six, the 959 was officially rated at 330kW and 550Nm... Only 200 examples were built for homologation.

To bridge the gap between its competition and bread-and-butter vehicles, Porsche released the 911 Carrera Clubsport (aka CS) in 1987. The ready-to-circuit-race Carrera CS didn’t have extra power over the base Carrera 3.2, but it was stripped down to weigh 100kg less - the back seat was just one of the interior parts to go. These vehicles can be identified by their overt side stickers and red wheels. Most were painted white.

The last of the 911 Carrera 3.2s was the Speedster, which was based on the concept of the 356 speedster. The Speedster used the same chassis as the Cabriolet but it employed a lower windscreen and a manual folding roof hidden beneath a fibreglass cover. These machines are strictly 2 seaters and many interior features were dropped to keep kerb weight down to around 1200kg. Most Speedsters were optioned with the Turbo-look wide body kit for maximum visual appeal.

In the late ‘80s, sales of the 911 had fallen considerably and Porsche was widely accused of falling behind in development. Other manufacturers – in particular, Japanese manufacturers – were really starting to gain ground.

The New Generation Carrera 2 and Carrera 4

Porsche answered criticisms in 1989 with the highly advanced 964-type 911 Carrera 4 – a vehicle 85 percent different to the previous model.

The biggest drawcard of the Carrera 4 was its electronic four-wheel-drive system, which was loosely based on the 959’s. In static conditions, 69 percent of torque was channelled to the rear wheels - this gave the Carrera 4 a predominantly rear-wheel-drive feel. Power was also increased to 184kW courtesy of a bigger 3.6 litre engine with 11.3: compression and a dual-stage resonance air intake system. Other areas of development included the brakes, gearbox and suspension. The body was also aerodynamically refined and included an active rear spoiler, which deploys at road speeds above 80 km/h.

The Carrera 4 was soon augmented with the Carrera 2 – a rear-wheel-drive version of the 964-type chassis. The Carrera 2 used exactly the same 184kW 3.6 litre as the Carrera 4 but was slightly quicker in certain acceleration increments thanks to its slightly lighter kerb weight - it tipped the scales at around 1350kg, versus the Carrera 4 at 1450kg. A Tiptronic transmission was introduced and both the Carrera 2 and 4 were eventually available in Coupe, Cabriolet and Targa configuration.

Interestingly, the 930-type 911 Turbo was dropped in 1989 but the Turbo was reintroduced in late 1990. The new model was based on the contemporary 964-type chassis but sported a wider body and more power than previously. The established 3.3 litre turbo engine – not the 3.6 used in the Carreras – was upgraded to deliver a substantial 235kW. This was achieved through use of a larger intercooler and turbocharger delivering more boost pressure. Big 4-pot brakes were also fitted as standard. Still, everyone asked why it didn’t use the bigger 3.6 litre engine.

Not long after the release of the 964-type 911 Turbo, Porsche ran a limited build of Turbo S models. With extensive use of carbon fibre and a stripped interior, this vehicle weighed about 120kg less than the 911 Turbo. Power from the 3.3 litre six was also increased to 284kW and exotic modular wheels were fitted. Less than 100 were built.

Meanwhile, the Porsche 968 replaced the 944 at about this time.

In 1991, Porsche released the enthusiast’s Carrera RS 3.6. The RS boasted slightly more power (191kW versus 184kw), Turbo-spec brakes, less weight and various other tweaks to make it suitable for track use. An aluminium hood and pull-cord door openers contributed to a 1230kg kerb weight – about 220kg lighter than the full-house Carrera 4. The body was also seam welded, the suspension was stiffened and 17 inch wheels were fitted as standard. We believe just over 200 examples were built.

A 3.8 litre version of the 964-type Carrera RS was built immediately after. With 100mm cylinder bores (as big as the existing flat-six engine design could accommodate) the RS 3.8 made a very healthy 224kW. The 3.8 also got a Turbo-look wide body kit, dual-element rear wing and even stiffer suspension. It was another limited build special that wasn’t intended for regular road use.

At last, in late 1992, the 964-type 911 Turbo was upgraded to the 3.6 litre engine capacity used throughout the rest of the range. This move upped the ante to a huge 521Nm and 265kW – together with a (new) retail price tag that equates to approximately AUD$1k per kilowatt... It also came with 18 inch modular wheel as seen on the earlier Turbo S. Curiously, boost pressure was not electronically controlled as in other mass produced turbo cars of the era.

In early 1993, a Speedster 2-seater version of the Carrera 2 was released in a last-ditch attempt to keep buyers interested until the release of the new 911 series. It wasn’t a very successful ploy – less than 1000 examples were sold.

Type 993 911

In late 1993, the 964-type 911 – which had served for only 4 years - was replaced by the significantly revised 993-type model.

The 993-type 911 brought major suspension changes that include widened front and rear track, a quicker steering ratio and a switch from semi-trailing arms to a multi-link IRS. Luggage space was increased, the headlights were laid back at an angle, wheel arches were widened and the body was further smoothened to maintain aerodynamics.

The carried-over 3.6 litre flat-six was tuned for the 993-type 911 to give 200kW and 330Nm. The base rear-wheel-drive version was now known as the Carrera – not Carrera 2s, as previously. Meanwhile, the four-wheel-drive Carrera 4 received a simplified driveline to reduce the weight penalty. A viscous coupling was now employed to apportion torque front-to-rear.

A Cabriolet version was later released and the Targa was dropped. Buyers had to wait until 1995 for the Targa to be reintroduced – the new model employing a glass roof panel.

In the 964-type chassis, the 911 Turbo received a twin turbocharged 3.6 litre flat-six that reduced lag and pumped out 300kW. The 964-type 911 Turbo also sported monster 330mm brakes, hollow-spoke alloy wheels, electronic boost control (for up to around 14 psi), improved intercooling and a 6 speed gearbox coupled to a Carrera 4-type AWD system. Despite weighing almost 1500kg, this vehicle could accelerate to 100 km/h in mid 4s and reach a 290 km/h top speed. Not hanging around...

For even more bang, the GT2 version delivered a massive 316kW – and through the rear wheels only! The GT2 also boasted an extreme body kit and, thanks to many plastic and aluminium components and the removal of the rear seat, it weighed around 200kg less than the tubby 911 Turbo.

In early 1995, Porsche released a go-fast naturally aspirated 911 – the 993-type Carrera RS 3.8. With an engine based on the 964-type RS’s 3.8 litre flat-six, this monster scored a Varioram variable length intake manifold for improved torque spread.

All 911 models then received the Varioram variable-length intake system later during 1995. This delivered improved driveability and a 10kW power increase, for a total of 210kW.

An attractive sliding glass 911 Targa – developed in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz - was also introduced by the end of 1995.

Type 996 - a True 911?

In late 1997, Porsche phased in the new - and noticeably larger - 996-type 911. But is this a real 911?

Ask any dedicated Porsche fan and they’ll tell you the 996-type body is a 911 in name only – it’s a completely new design that’s linked closely to the Boxster. It also uses a water-cooled engine unlike any of the classic 911s.

The last traditional-style 911 emerged from Porsche’s Zuffenhausen factory in Germanyduring April 1998. After 34 years of faithful service, more than 400,000 911s were built – an incredible achievement for such a niche sportscar.