When Porsche met turbo

By bolting a turbo to its everyday sports car, the 911, Porsche started a performance revolution that continues to this day. We take a look at the development of the Turbo from 1974 to the present day.

In 1969, Porsche was working on extracting more power from its race engines. Stuttgart even built a 770bhp flat-16, 6.0-litre, naturally aspirated Can-Am engine, but it was rendered almost instantly obsolete by a turbocharged version of the 917 Spyder’s 5.0-litre flat-12 that produced a bewildering 900bhp.

The writing was on the wall for a road-going turbocharged Porsche and, in 1974, it would come in the form of a blown 911 with a 3.0-litre flat six, giving 260bhp. The legend was born!

The Porsche’s engine capacity would be increased in 1978 to 3.3-litres, but styling changes would remain minimal. That same year the model was fitted with an intercooler, an upgraded drivetrain, wider tyres and new brakes, which were developed from the 917 sports car. The 930 would be fitted with a five-speed gearbox in 1989, with production drawing to a close later that year.

The next 911 to receive the Turbo treatment was the 964 in 1991. Power swelled to  360bhp, but much of the work went into making the car more usable day-to-day with better ventilation and power steering. It would also be the last Turbo to be rear-wheel drive.

By 1995, the 993 Turbo had been launched and boasted the added stability of four-wheel drive. Its 3.6-litre engine featured twin turbos, which gave a smoother power delivery and an impressive 408bhp.

While the 996 (of 1997)  signalled the end of the air-cooled flat-six, it also heralded the arrival of the Mezger engine, which was developed by Hans Mezger – the man behind much of Porsche’s motorsport success from 1960-’80s. It was the same engine as used in the company’s GT3 racer and is regarded as one of Porsche’s finest units.  Fitting two turbos, brought power up to 420bhp.

In 2006, the blown 997 was launched. It delivered 480bhp using the same Mezger engine. That would change in 2010, though, when the second generation 997 brought with it an all-new, 500bhp, 3.8-litre flat-six, plus the company’s dual-clutch, PDK gearbox. The ultimate incarnation was the Turbo S, which had 530bhp.

The latest 911 Turbo, the 991, was launched this year and features 560bhp, rear-wheel steering, an advanced four-wheel drive system and active aerodynamics.