Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG (pronounced Porsche, full name Doktor Ingenieur honoris causa Ferdinand Porsche Aktiengesellschaft - Joint Stock Company of the Honorary Doctor of Engineering Sciences Ferdinand Porsche) is a German engineering company founded by the famous designer Ferdinand Porsche in 1931. The headquarters and manufactory are located in Stuttgart, Germany.
The company produces luxury sports cars and SUVs. Porsche production largely cooperates with Volkswagen. Side by side with participation in motorsport, work is underway to improve the design of the car (and its components) as such: over the years, synchronizers for manual transmissions, automatic transmissions with the ability to manually shift (later - with shift buttons on the steering wheel), and turbocharging for a production car have been developed , turbocharging with variable turbine impeller geometry in a gasoline engine, electronically controlled suspension, and so on.
50.1% of the company's shares belong to Porsche Automobil Holding SE; since December 2009, 49.9% of the shares belong to Volkswagen AG. Porsche is a public company, part of its shares are traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the worldwide electronic system Xetra. Large blocks of shares belong to the Porsche and Piech families.
The company’s emblem is a coat of arms containing the following information: black and red stripes and deer antlers are symbols of the German state of Baden-Württemberg (the capital of Baden-Württemberg is the city of Stuttgart), and the inscription “Porsche” and a prancing stallion in the center of the emblem remind The brand's native Stuttgart was founded as a horse farm in 950. The author of the logo is Franz Xavier Reimspiess. The logo first appeared in 1952, when the brand entered the US market, for better recognition. Before that, cars simply had the word “Porsche” on their hoods.
By the time the first car was released under his own name, Ferdinand Porsche had accumulated considerable experience. The company he founded on April 25, 1931, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche GmbH, under his leadership, has already worked on projects such as the 6-cylinder Auto Union racing car and the Volkswagen Käfer, which became one of the best-selling cars in history. In 1939, the company's first car was developed, the Porsche 64, which became the progenitor of all future Porsches. To build this example, Ferdinand Porsche used many components from Volkswagen Käfer.
During World War II, the company was engaged in the production of military products - staff vehicles and amphibians. Ferdinand Porsche took part in the development of the German heavy Tiger tanks.
In December 1945, he was arrested on charges of war crimes and placed in prison, where he spent 20 months. At the same time, his son Ferdinand (short name Ferry) Anton Ernst decides to start producing his own cars. In Gmünd, Ferry Porsche, together with several familiar engineers, assembled a prototype of the 356 with an engine in the base and an aluminum open body, and began preparations for its mass production. In June 1948, this example was certified for public roads. Like 9 years ago, units from Volkswagen Käfer were again used here, including a 4-cylinder air-cooled engine, suspension and gearbox. The first production cars had a fundamental difference - the engine was moved behind the rear axle, which made it possible to reduce the cost of production and free up space for two additional seats in the cabin. The designed body had very good aerodynamics - Cx was equal to 0.29. In 1950 the company returned to Stuttgart.
Porsche 356 - the first road-going Porsche
Since returning to Stuttgart, all body panels were made of steel, aluminum was abandoned. The plant started with coupes and convertibles and 1100 cc engines with only 40 horsepower, but soon the choice expanded: by 1954, versions 1100, 1300, 1300A, 1300S, 1500, and 1500S were sold. The design was constantly improved: the volume and power of engines continued to grow, disc brakes appeared on all wheels and a synchronized gearbox, and new body options were offered - hardtops and roadsters. Volkswagen units were gradually replaced with our own. For example, during the production period of the 356A series (1955-1959), it was already possible to order an engine with four camshafts, two ignition coils, and other original components. Series A was replaced by B (1959-1963), and it was replaced by C (1963-1965). The total production volume of all modifications was slightly more than 76 thousand.
At the same time, modifications for racing were created (550 Spyder, 718, etc.).
In 1951, Ferdinand Porsche died of a heart attack at the age of 75 - his health was undermined by his stay in prison.
At the end of the 1950s, a prototype of the Porsche 695 was made. The company's management did not have a unanimous opinion on this matter: the 356 had already earned a good reputation, so for the small family company Porsche, the transition to a new model was associated with increased risk. But the design of the 1948 model was becoming outdated more and more quickly and there were almost no reserves left for updating it. Therefore, in 1963, the Porsche 911 was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The main points in the design remained the same (rear-mounted boxer engine and rear-wheel drive), but it was already a modern sports car with classic body lines in the spirit of the Porsche 356. The author of the design was Ferdinand Alexander "Butzi" Porsche, eldest son of Ferry Porsche. Initially, instead of the index “911”, another one should have been used - “901”. But the combination of 3 digits with a zero in the middle was already reserved for Peugeot. The car began to be called 911, but the numbers 901 did not disappear anywhere: this is how the 911 model began to be called according to the in-plant nomenclature (1964-1973).
Porsche 911
In the first 2 years of production there was only one engine - a 2-liter 130-horsepower. In 1966, the Targa modification (a type of open body with a glass roof) entered the assembly line; After the end of production of the 356 series convertibles in 1965, they did not appear as such in the company's lineup until 1982. At the end of the 60s, the wheelbase of the car was increased and engines of increased volume began to be equipped with mechanical injection. The pinnacle of the evolution of the 901s were the “combat” modifications of the Carrera RS 2.7 and Carrera RSR of the early 1970s. The word Carrera appeared in the name of the sports versions of the 356 in the mid-1950s, to commemorate the victory in the '54 Carrera Panamericana race, after which the brand became widely known in North America.
At the end of the 1960s, another new model was launched into production - the Porsche 914. At that time, Volkswagen needed to add some kind of sports car to its lineup, and Porsche needed a successor to the 912 model (a cheaper 911 with an engine from 356- go). Therefore, it was decided to join forces, and in 1969 the production of a car began under the name VW-Porsche 914, a mid-engine Targa with 4- and 6-cylinder engines. The brainchild of the alliance did not live up to expectations - its rather unusual appearance and unsuccessful marketing policy (due to the “mixed” name VW-Porsche) negatively affected sales. In just 7 years of production, about 120 thousand of these machines were manufactured.
In 1972, the legal status of the company changed from a limited liability partnership to an open (public) partnership. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche KG ceased to be a family business and was now called Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG; The Porsche family lost direct control over the company's affairs, but Ferry and his sons' share of capital in it significantly exceeded that of the Piëch family. After the restructuring, F. A. Porsche and his brother Hans-Peter founded the Porsche Design company, which produces exclusive glasses, watches, bicycles and other prestigious things. F. Porsche's grandson, Ferdinand Piëch, moved to Audi and then to Volkswagen, where he later became the general director of the concern.
The first head of the company who was not from the Porsche family was Ernst Fuhrmann, who had previously worked in the engine development department. One of his first decisions in his new position was to replace the 911 series with a classic sports car (front engine - rear wheel drive) - the 928 model with an 8-cylinder engine. During his reign, another front-engine car was put on the assembly line - the Porsche 924. After the debut of the Turbo modification at the Paris Motor Show in 1974, the development of the 911 line (by that time the modernized 930 series had gone into production (1973-1989)) actually stopped until the beginning of the 1980s. x, until Fuhrmann was removed from his post, but his projects continued to be produced: the last Porsche cars with a front engine left the factory in 1995.
The 914 of 1976 was replaced by two new cars at once - 924 and 912 (now with a Volkswagen 2.0 engine), which lasted only a year. The history of the 924 is similar to the 914 - Volkswagen did not give up the idea of its own affordable sports car and invited Porsche engineers to develop a corresponding project. They were given complete freedom of action, except for the development of the engine and gearbox - these were supposed to be units from Audi. Even before the completion of the work, the new management of Volkswagen, led by Tony Schmücker, doubted the feasibility of producing such a car, since the oil crisis began in 1973. Then the project was purchased from Volkswagen.
Compared to the 911 model, it was a completely different design: modern appearance, classic layout and weight distribution, close to ideal, economical 4-cylinder water-cooled engines. The Porsche 924 was in demand and had good potential, as evidenced by the constant updating and addition to the line. Just 3 years after the start of sales, a turbocharged version appeared, and three years later they began to produce the 944, its successor. In general, the car remained the same, but the changes were evolutionary - many indicators improved, and in appearance the most noticeable difference was the extended wings, inherited from the special version of the 924 Carrera GT. These two lines were produced together for 6 years, until the model was discontinued in 1988 (almost 150 thousand were sold in total).
The design of the 944 was noticeably different from the 924: the engine was a “half” V8 from the 928 model, and other large components were also replaced with proprietary ones. Over 9 years, 160 thousand 944s were produced, many modifications appeared - S, S2, Turbo, Cabriolet, etc. The latest round of evolution of front-engine Porsches was the 968 model (1992-1995).
Fuhrmann's decision to replace the 911 model turned out to be unsuccessful: From 78 to 95, about 60 thousand copies of 928s were produced, and 911s during this period were several times more. The car's sluggish commercial launch made it clear that the Porsche 911 was irreplaceable.
During the period 1974-1982, when the main priority was given to the development of the 924 and 928 models, there was an almost complete lull in the 911 series. With the change of generations, the 930 received new energy-absorbing bumpers and a 2.7 liter base engine. In 1976 it became a 3-liter. The following year, the line was simplified - instead of modifications 911, 911S and 911 Carrera, a single one was introduced, called 911SC and with reduced power. At the same time, the 911 Turbo received a new engine - 3.3 liters, 300 hp. With. The Porsche 911 Turbo was one of the most dynamic cars of those years, it accelerated to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and reached a top speed of 254 km/h.
Ferry Porsche sacks Fuhrmann and is replaced by Peter Schutz, Porsche's American manager. Under him, the 911 models returned to the unofficial status of the company's main car. In 1982, a convertible appeared, and a year later the 911 Carrera with a 231-horsepower power plant became the base model. New for 1985 - the Turbo-look version (aka Supersport), which was a regular Carrera with the chassis and body of the Turbo model, which in turn had wider rear fenders and a large spoiler (sometimes called a “picnic table”, “tray” or "whale tail"). The Turbo model itself, a year later, became available in the SE version, or the so-called Slantnose with a sloping front end and retractable headlights. At the same time, the lightweight 911 Carrera Clubsport appears, the successor to the Carrera RS of the 1970s and the predecessor of the modern GT3.
The history of the Porsche 959 began in 1980, when the new “Group B” was approved in the World Rally Championship. A number of companies were attracted by the liberal requirements - there were almost no restrictions, except for the release of 200 homologation copies. Porsche also decided to take part. Schutz came to the conclusion that it was necessary to show the full engineering potential of the company. The technical stuffing was at a high level: the power of the 6-cylinder engine (2.8 liters, two turbochargers) was 450 hp. With.; each wheel of the all-wheel drive transmission had 4 shock absorbers controlled by a computer (it also distributed torque between the axles and could change the ground clearance); The body parts were made of Kevlar, a lightweight and durable plastic composite material. At the fine-tuning stage, the Porsche 959 participated twice in the Dakar Rally and in 1986 took 2 first places in the overall category.
Meanwhile, it turned out that Group B no longer existed: the tragic death of several pilots and spectators at the rally prompted the FISA motorsport federation to close it. In the period from 1986-1988, more than the planned 200 units were produced.
The 959 project turned out to be unprofitable, but the ideas contained in it were useful for the development of racing technologies in production cars: the 964s (1989-1993) and subsequent versions were equipped with a simplified transmission with all drives; the Turbo line (964/993) received a modern turbocharging system. ), the 993s (1993–1998) had a similar front part of the body with headlights and air ducts; the air intakes of the 996 Turbo version (2000–2006) in the front bumper and rear wings also resemble those of the 959. The proprietary PASM adaptive suspension (installed on all current Porsche cars) is a modern analogue of the complex system that was first tested on the Porsche 959.
During these ten years, the company's veterans - front-engine cars and classic 911s - left the scene. Instead, they introduced the completely new Boxster and 911 (996) Carrera.
They produced the 901 for nine years and the 930 for sixteen years, but now Porsche could not afford such a thing; because of this, 964 lived only 4 years. This was the final period for the Targa version in its classic form, as well as for the Turbo, and to some extent for the Carrera. The latter could now be equipped with all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission. The body was changed more than it might seem at first glance: a new frame was developed, aerodynamics were seriously improved (Cx decreased from 0.40 to 0.32) and an active rear spoiler was added. They abandoned the archaic torsion bar suspension. The engine was bored to 3.6 liters. Rear- and all-wheel drive versions were called Carrera 2 and Carrera 4, respectively; the sporty Clubsport has been renamed back to RS. Turbo, for the first 3 years, was equipped with a proven 3.3 liter engine, and in 1993 it also received a 3.6 liter version (360 hp). Special versions of the 911 America Roadster and the semi-racing 911 Turbo S were sold in limited editions. In total, about 62 thousand 964s were produced. The total volume of its contemporaries (968, 1992-1995 and 928 GTS, 1991-1995) did not exceed 15.
The economic crisis of the early 90s found the brand not in the best shape. During these years, production volumes decreased and the company suffered losses. In 1993, Wendelin Wiedeking was appointed the next head of Porsche, replacing Heinz Branicki (he became director after Arno Bohn, and he, in turn, after Schutz). In the same year, the fourth generation of its flagship, called 993, went on sale.
Only now has a significant step been taken in the evolution of the model. Integrated aerodynamic bumpers, new lighting technology and smoother body shapes give the Porsche 911 a modern look. The engine was once again slightly boosted, but the rear suspension was seriously improved. Turbo-look was now simply designated Carrera S/4S. The Targa became a regular coupe, only with a sliding panoramic roof, and the Turbo got all-wheel drive and a seriously upgraded 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged engine. Its traditional differences from regular 911s - wide rear fenders and tires - were still noticeable, and the large rear spoiler grew even larger, as the increased power (408 hp) forced the use of larger intercoolers. The 1997 Turbo S version, with an even more powerful engine and minor changes to the exterior, became the latest innovation in the 34-year history of the company's main sports car.
Since its introduction, the 911 Turbo has always been the pinnacle of the 911 range. However, the fastest and most expensive of the 993s was its road racing version, the GT2 (now called the RSR racing cars). This car was created for the newly formed BRP Global GT Series championship, where, among other things, the use of turbocharging was allowed. Therefore, the standard engine did not undergo major modifications, unlike the rest: the engineers abandoned the “ballast” in the form of a drive to the front axle and made improvements to the body necessary for racing. In 1998, the GT2 engine was improved - dual ignition was added and power was increased to 450 hp. With. The 993 GT2 often flew off the road, earning it the nickname widowmaker.
1998 was a year of losses and gains. In the summer, the last “air” 911 left the gates of the Zuffenhausen plant. Over the entire history, 410 thousand of these were produced; the contribution to this figure of the 993rd is 69 thousand. At the same time, Porsche celebrated its 50th anniversary. And in the same year, in March, Ferdinand Anton Ernst (Ferry) Porsche died at the age of 88. He has had almost no involvement in the company's affairs since he settled on an Austrian farm in Zell am See in 1989.
Wiedeking's efforts became evident at the end of 1996, when the mid-engine Porsche 986 Boxster roadster went on sale, becoming the bearer of the new face of the brand. The author of its design is Harm Lagaay (Dutch), who led the work on the exteriors of all Porsches of the 1990s and the first half of the 2000s, when creating the appearance he was based on the company’s early cars - the open 550 Spyder and 356 Speedster. The name of the model is formed from two words - boxer (that is, boxer engine) and roadster. Unlike its predecessors, whose open versions were converted from closed ones, the 986 was designed from the very beginning as an open car. The only option in the range was a roadster with a 2.5-litre flat-6 engine until it was joined by the 986 Boxster S (3.2L) in 2000. The new compact sports car at a relatively low price was very warmly received by the market and topped Porsche's annual sales results until 2003, until it was overtaken by the Porsche 955 Cayenne, which debuted a year earlier. The production capacity of the single plant was not enough, and some of the components for the cars were assembled in Finland, by the Valmet Automotive company.
After the Boxster, all eyes were on the 911. The new Carrera was unveiled at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show, and it became clear that it had a lot in common with its little brother, from the almost identical front end, with teardrop headlights, and similar interiors, to the overall engine design. Such decisions made it possible to reduce the cost of development and production, since in those years the financial resources of the brand were still very limited.
The 996 Carrera added more power and size, but remained a top-notch sports car. For example, the British magazine Evo has named the 911 (and 996 and 997) “Sports Car of the Year” 6 times since its inception (1998).
In 1998, a convertible and Carrera 4 appeared, and the following year there were two important new products: the GT3 intended for amateur competitions (this name replaced the RS) and the new flagship of the series, the 996 Turbo. The engines of the latter two were significantly different from the standard ones, as they were based on the design of the unit of the 1998 GT1 sports prototype. The naturally aspirated version went to the GT3, and the twin-supercharged version went to the Turbo. In addition, the flagship became the owner of not only the most powerful engine, but also a special appearance: specially for it, changes were made to the bumpers and lighting equipment, and this does not take into account the distinctive features of Porsche - a spoiler and a wide body, which this time had holes in the rear wings The new 3.6L liquid-cooled engine did not require large radiators, eliminating the need for a Whale-tail rear spoiler. The new design has become noticeably more compact. The GT3 was not equipped with anything like that, although it also had its own features, such as a lightweight body, lowered suspension and the absence of rear seats.
The Porsche 996 GT3 was produced from 1999 to 2004, and its improved modification, the GT3 RS, was produced from 2003 to 2005. The Turbo model was produced from 2000 to 2005; in the last 2 years, the Turbo Cabriolet and Turbo S (X50 in the USA) with a 450 hp engine were on sale. With.
The new GT2 (2001) was ideologically more like a slightly modified Turbo than its road racing version, as in the previous generation. The reason for this is the discrepancy with world motorsport regulations, since turbocharging was already banned. Structurally, it’s the same Turbo, only with rear-wheel drive, a different front bumper and a large rear wing. At first it was equipped with a 462-horsepower engine, later - with a 483-horsepower engine.
The most unusual car in the history of the brand was presented in 2002. This is a “sporty-utilitarian” Cayenne SUV, developed jointly with Volkswagen and in many ways similar to the Volkswagen Touareg. To produce it, the company built a new plant in Leipzig. Production began the following year, and the Cayenne immediately became the brand's most sought-after product, although reactions to the controversial design and the very fact of such a car's existence were mixed. Half of sales and the main profit still come from the Cayenne, which was updated in 2007. In addition to naturally aspirated versions with V6 and V8, there are supercharged Turbo and Turbo S. The model range after modernization has been expanded with the introduction of 2 new modifications: GTS and Turbo S with a 550-horsepower engine.
Until 2002, the Carrera was criticized for being too similar in the nose to the younger Boxster, so during the modernization, all atmospheric variants received lighting technology from the Turbo, and it became easier to distinguish them. Once again, the power plants were modified (from 300 to 320 hp; from 3.4 to 3.6 liters) and changed the bumpers, wheels, etc. A version similar to the Turbo model appeared in the line again, this time exclusively all-wheel drive Carrera 4S. Its new distinctive feature is the red stripe between the lights.
At the 2000 Geneva Motor Show, one of the most significant premieres was the presentation of the Carrera GT concept supercar, and it became serial only 4 years later. In fact, the history of this project is even longer, and it all started with a racing engine developed for one of the Formula 1 teams in 1992. Porsche's financial difficulties forced them to suspend work in this direction. Then it was redesigned to comply with the regulations of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2000) and abandoned again. In the end, Wiedeking decided that this engine had a place in the future Carrera GT. This is a 5.7 liter V10 with a capacity of 612 hp. With. Everything else matched its potential: a 6-speed gearbox with a ceramic clutch, carbon-ceramic brakes and some power body elements made of carbon fiber composite.
Over the two years that it was produced at the Leipzig factory, 1,270 copies were assembled, although previously it was planned to make 1,500. The reason was the introduction of new car safety requirements in the United States, which made further production or modernization of this supercar pointless.
Through the efforts of Walter Röhrl, the brand's factory test driver and rally champion, the Carrera GT became for some time the fastest production car on the Nürburgring Nordschleife - only the 2007 Pagani Zonda F with Marc Basseng behind the wheel could improve 7 minutes 28 seconds by half a second.
In the summer of 2004, the 6th generation of the 911 with the index 997 was introduced. This time there were no revolutionary changes (for the 911): the sports car largely retained the appearance of its predecessor and interior design, but minor changes affected almost the entire body - the headlights (they became round again ) and lights, bumpers, mirrors, rims, etc. Inside there is a slightly modified dashboard with classic dials. On the technical side, the most important news is the ability to install PASM adaptive suspension on all versions.
The structure of the model range remained the same - Carrera, Targa, GT2, GT3, Turbo. There were no more road-going GT1s as the 911 retired from that category in motorsport.
The Turbo version received a seriously modified engine (480 hp; 620 Nm) with variable turbine impeller geometry (brand designation VTG). Its peculiarity is the combination of the thrust of small turbines at low speeds (their low inertia compensates for the lack of revolutions) and the thrust of larger ones at high speeds, which also reduces the effect of the turbo pit. Such a turbine has been used in diesel engines for several years, but has not yet appeared in gasoline engines due to difficulties associated with higher operating temperatures. The all-wheel drive system has become new - it is not based on a viscous coupling, as before, but on an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch (PTM), which controls the distribution of torque. The Sport Chrono Package option allows you to increase engine torque to 680 Nm by pressing the corresponding button for 10 seconds. The progress in top speed is small - 310 km/h versus 305 for the 996 Turbo, but in acceleration dynamics it is more noticeable - 3.9 s in the 0-100 km/h cycle with a manual transmission and 3.7 s with an automatic transmission, according to official Porsche data. Although American journalists, who traditionally organize acceleration races on racing straights (drag-strip) with a special coating, achieved even more impressive results (for example, employees of the Motor Trend publication managed to reach 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds).
The GT3 (2006) with a naturally aspirated 415 hp engine is almost as fast as the Turbo, but at the top of the line again is the GT2 (2007), debuting at the Frankfurt Motor Show. As usual, it has an improved 530-horsepower engine from Turbo and uses a rear-wheel drive transmission with a launch control system. The advantage in weight is 100 kg compared to its all-wheel drive counterpart. The exterior is distinguished by a special wing, modified bumpers and wheels like those of the GT3.
The series of new products was temporarily interrupted in 2005, after the premiere of the new Boxster and a coupe based on it, the Cayman (officially Porsche considers it an independent car). In addition to updating and replenishing the lines of existing cars, the company's main efforts since then have actually been aimed at one goal - preparing for the release of the 4-door Panamera model, which was officially presented in April 2009 at the Shanghai Motor Show.
After the 980, the Carrera GT is the fastest production Porsche on the Nordschleife until 2010, with a time of 7 minutes 32 seconds.
In 2008, after restyling, the 997 series received new lighting equipment, bumpers, and a PDK transmission with two clutches and a power increase (Carrera 350 hp, Carrera S 385 hp, GT3 415 hp).
And in 2009, the updated GT3 RS (450 hp), Turbo (500 hp) and racing GT3R already appeared.
In the same 2009, the production Panamera S and Panamera Turbo were introduced with a power of 400 and 500 hp, respectively.
In 2010 they showed the standard Panamera (300 hp), 911 Turbo S and the revolutionary racing GT3R Hybrid with 640 hp.
Later, the GT2 RS, which is the fastest road-going 911 other than the 996 GT1 Strassenversion, and the 918, a new hybrid concept with 886 hp, were shown to the public.
The full name of the Porsche company is Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, which can also be decomposed into Doktor Ingenieur honois causa Ferdinand Porsche Aktiengesellshaft. This engineering company was founded by the legendary German designer, Doctor of Engineering Sciences Ferdinand Porsche in 1931. Porsche's headquarters and main production facility are located in the German city of Stuttgart. The main shareholder of this company to this day remains the Porsche family.
Based on profit per vehicle sold, Porsche is one of the most profitable automakers in the world. In 2010, these cars were even recognized as the most reliable on the Planet.
Ferdinand Porsche's company specializes in the production of luxury sports cars, and more recently, SUVs. Porsche production is heavily dependent on the Volkswagen Group. Side by side, the companies develop standardized vehicle designs and participate in motorsports. Over the years, engineers from both brands jointly developed a manual transmission synchronizer, an automatic transmission with manual switching (later the system evolved to a push-button switch on the steering wheel), turbocharging for production cars, turbocharging with variable turbine impeller geometry for a gasoline engine, electronically controlled suspension and much more. .
50.1% of Porsche shares are owned by Porsche Automobil Holding SE, and since December 2009, 49.9% belongs to the Volkswagen Group. Porsche is a publicly traded company with shares listed on the global electronics system Xetra and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The largest private shareholders of the brand are the Porsche and Piech families. Since 1993, Wendelin Wiedeking has been President and CEO of Porsche. The company set an absolute revenue record in the 2009/2010 financial year - 7.79 billion euros. During this time, the Stuttgart company sold 81,850 sports cars, while production capacity that year ensured the production of 89,123 cars.
The company holds regular competitions among different classes of cars, and is also the founder of authoritative cup competitions. This area of Porsche activity is highlighted in the computer game Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed.
The Porsche logo was designed by Franz Xavier Reimspiess in 1952, when the brand first began delivering cars to the American market. Previously, Stuttgart cars had a simple “Porsche” inscription on the hood.
History of Porsche 1931 – 1948 From idea to serial production
By the time Ferdinand Porsche released the first car under his own name, he had accumulated enormous design experience. Founded by Ferdinand on April 21, 1931, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche GmbH has already produced the Auto Union racing car with a 16-cylinder engine and the Volkswagen Käfer (aka VW Beetle). The latter remained the best-selling car in the world for a long time.
The first Porsche car appeared only in 1939 - it was the model 64, the progenitor of the entire family. This example is based on many components borrowed from the Volkswagen Beetle.
Throughout World War II, Porsche produced military products - staff vehicles and amphibians. Ferdinand himself worked in a team with other designers to develop heavy tanks of the Tiger family.
After the end of World War II in 1945, Ferdinand Porsche was arrested on charges of war crimes. The great designer spent 20 months in prison. At the same time, Ferdinand's son Ferdinand Anton Ernst (better known by his short name Ferry) decides to organize serial production of his own cars. In Gmünd, through the efforts of Ferry and several engineers he knew, the first prototype of the Porsche 356 was assembled. The car received an open aluminum body. Active preparations for serial production of this machine begin. In 1948, the car successfully passed certification for public roads. Ferry followed his father's example and based the Porsche 356 on parts from the Volkswagen Beetle, including its suspension, gearbox, cooling system and, of course, its four-cylinder engine.
But the first production Porsche cars were fundamentally different from their prototype - the engine was installed on the rear axle, due to which they reduced the cost of production and freed up space for seating for two more passengers. The new body had very good aerodynamics CX 0.29. Only in 1950 did Porsche production return to its native Stuttgart.
History of Porsche 1948 – 1965 Prosperity of the brand
Porsche's return to Stuttgart was marked by a switch to steel body panels. The plant mainly specializes in the assembly of coupe and convertible cars. At first, 1100 cc engines with a power of only 40 hp were produced, but by 1954 the choice expanded significantly: the range was complemented by engines 1300, 1300A, 1300S, 1500, 1500S. The design is constantly being improved, the volume and power of engines is growing, a synchronized gearbox, a disc brake system and new bodies are appearing - roadsters and hardtops.
Porsche is gradually abandoning Volkswagen units, replacing them with its own. For example, the 356A, produced from 1955 to 1959, was already equipped with a four-cam engine, a pair of ignition coils and many other original components. The A series is replaced by the B series (59 - 63), and the latter is replaced by the C series (produced from 1963 to 1965). All modifications are produced in quantities of slightly more than 76,000 copies.
In parallel, development of racing modifications of the Porsche 550 Spyder, 718 and others is underway. In 1951, 75-year-old Ferdinand Porsche suffered a heart attack, from which he dies. The designer could have lived longer, but the time spent in prison greatly undermined his health.
History of Porsche from 1963 to 1976 The 911 takes off
By the end of the 50s, the development of the Porsche 695 prototype was completed. The management's opinion about this car is divided: the 356th model enjoyed a good reputation, so the transition to the production of a new model for a small family company was associated with a great risk. However, the design developed in 1948 was outdated, and there was almost no reserve for updating it.
In 1963, something happened that predetermined the future of Porsche - an open presentation of the Porsche 911 takes place at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The main points in the design of the car do not change: a boxer engine at the rear, rear-wheel drive and classic body lines inherited from the Porsche 356. The design of the car was developed by Ferdinand's son Anton Ernst - Ferdinand Alexander Porsche (nicknamed “Butzi”). Read more information about this car in the article "". At first it was assumed that the car would be released under the symbol “901”, but the combination of these numbers had already been reserved for itself by another company - Peugeot. The transition to the 911 index does not at all put an end to the 901 index - it was used in the company’s in-plant nomenclature until 1973.
In the first two years of production of the Porsche 911, the model was only available with a 2.0-liter, 130-horsepower engine. In 1966, assembly line assembly of the Targa modification (an open body with a glass roof) began. In 1965, production of Porsche 356 convertibles ended.
At the end of the 1960s, the wheelbase of the 911 increased. The range includes engines with increased displacement and a mechanical injection system. The pinnacle of the evolution of the 901 is the modification of the Carrera RS 2.7 and Carrera RSR of the 70s. The word Carrera was added to the vocabulary of the Stuttgart company in the mid-1950s - then the sports version of the Porsche 356 was named by this name, perpetuating the memory of the victory in the Carrera Panamericana race in 1954, which glorified the German brand in North America.
At the end of the 60s, the Stuttgart manufactory mastered the production of another sports car - the Porsche 914 with an unusual conveyor history. During this period, Volkswagen decides to expand its lineup with at least one sports model, and Porsche is just finishing the development of a successor for the model with the 912 index (a cheaper version of the 911 with an engine from the 356). The companies join forces and in 1969 release the one-of-a-kind Volkswage-Porsche 914. The model is equipped with a 4- or 6-cylinder engine. But the project does not live up to its expectations - the rather unusual appearance and unsuccessful marketing (in particular, the indication of Volkswagen-Porsche in the name) negatively affect sales. As a result, over 7 years, the Volkswagen-Porsche 914 was produced in the amount of 120,000 copies.
History of Porsche in 1972 - 1981 Led by Ernst Fuhrmann
In 1972, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche KG becomes a public company and the Porsche family loses direct control over all its affairs. Despite this, the Porsche family still has a share of shares at its disposal that exceeds that of the Piech family. Ferdidand Alexander Porsche and his brother Hans-Peter founded their own company, Porsche Design, which produces exclusive watches, glasses, bicycles and many other prestigious things. Ferdinand Porsche's nephew, Ferdinand Piech, moves to Audi and then to Volkswagen, where he subsequently holds the post of CEO.
The first head of Porsche who is not a member of the Porsche family is Ernst Fuhrmann, who previously headed the engine development department. Upon taking office, Fuhrmann replaces the 911-series with a sports car with a classic layout (front engine and rear-wheel drive), which becomes the Porsche 928. An 8-cylinder engine is installed under the hood of the car. Under Fuhrmann's leadership, Porsche begins mass production of another front-engine car, the Porsche 924.
After the 1974 Porsche 911 Turbo premiered at the Paris Motor Show, development of the entire line virtually stopped until the early 1980s. The modernized 930 series was catching up to this point, remaining in production from 1973 to 1989 (when Fuhrmann lost control of the company). But Ernst's projects continue to be produced even after a change in management: the last front-engine Porsche car rolled off the assembly line in 1995.
A replacement for the Porsche 914 arrived in 1976, not just one, but two at once - 924 and 912 (with a Volkswagen 2.0 engine). The last machine turns out to be unsuccessful. The history of the Porsche 924 is very reminiscent of the history of the 914 model, but with a happy ending - Volkswagen continues to harbor illusions about the prospect of releasing an affordable sports car and invites Porsche engineers to develop such a car. They get complete freedom of action, but under one condition: to ensure compatibility with the engine and gearbox developed in the bowels of the Audi design department. Work on the project does not have time to finish when there is a change of leadership at Volkswagen: the German concern is headed by Tony Schmücker, who doubted the feasibility of the project due to the oil crisis that broke out in 1973. Then Porsche decides to completely buy out the protracted project from Volkswagen.
Compared to its ideological inspiration, the 911, the Porsche 924 receives a completely different design, modern design, classic layout and close to ideal weight distribution along the axles. The car is equipped with economical 4-cylinder water-cooled engines. The Porsche 924 immediately sells well, which the sports car owes to constant updates and additions to the family. Just three years after the start of sales, the Porsche 924 with turbocharging appears, and three years later the successor to the model, the Porsche 944, comes out.
In general, the Porsche 944 is still the same 924 with evolutionary changes: many important indicators are improved, and the most noticeable change in appearance is the protruding wings, inherited from the special version of the Porsche 924 Carrera GT. Both cars have been produced in parallel for six years. In 1988, they were discontinued with a total circulation of almost 150,000 copies.
The Porsche 944 had a noticeably more advanced engine than the 924. By and large, the sports car inherited the V8 engine from the 928 model, which worked with other proprietary components. Over 9 years, Porsche produces 160,000 copies of the 944 in all modifications: S, S2, Turbo and even Cabriolet. The latest evolutionary step in this model is the front-engine Porsche 968, produced from 1992 to 1995.
Fuhrmann's biggest mistake was abandoning the 911 model: between 1978 and 1995, only 60,000 928s were produced, while several times more 911s were sold during the same period. Judging by the sluggish commercial start of the Porsche 928, one could conclude that the 911 series is indispensable.
When in 74-82. The 924 and 928 models were developed in priority; there was complete lull in the 911 family. With the change of generations, the Porsche 930 is equipped with new energy-absorbing bumpers and a base engine with a displacement of 2.7 liters. Since 1976, it has been replaced by a 3.0-liter unit. Starting next year, the line will be simplified: the production of the 911, 911S and 911 Carrera modifications will be phased out, instead of which only one will be produced - the 911SC with less power. A new 3.3-liter engine with a power reserve of 300 hp is being prepared for the 911 Turbo version. This version becomes the most dynamic car of its time: the coupe could accelerate to the first “hundred” in just 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 254 km/h.
History of Porsche 1981 – 1988 Led by Peter Schutz
With the assistance of Ferry Porsche, Fuhrmann nevertheless resigns, and his post passes to Peter Schutz, the American manager of Porsche. Peter is returning the 911 to its unspoken flagship status. Thanks to his efforts, the Porsche 911 Cabriolet kept pace by 1982. Another year later, the role of the base model is taken over by the Porsche 911 Carrera with a 231-horsepower engine as the driving force.
New for 1985 is the Porsche 911 Supersport, built on the basis of the regular Carrera (the chassis and body are borrowed from the Turbo version, wider rear wings and a large spoiler are installed). A year later, the Porsche 911 Turbo comes in an SE version with retractable headlights and a sloping front end. At the same time, Porsche is releasing a lightweight version of the 911 Carrera Clubsport, which is the successor to the Carrera RS of the 70s. The Clubsport version itself later forms the basis of the modern GT3.
The origins of the Porsche 959 go back to 1980, the year the world rally championship approved the new “Group B”. Almost all cars are accepted into the group without restrictions, except for the need to produce it in quantities of at least 200 copies. Takes part in the new group and Porsche. Schutz involves the company's best engineers in the development of new products. The technical filling is based on a 2.8-liter 6-cylinder engine with two turbochargers, producing 450 hp. The transmission of the sports coupe is all-wheel drive, and each suspension shock absorber was controlled by a computer (it was also responsible for the distribution of torque between the axles and the change in ground clearance).
The body of the Porsche 959 is made of Kevlar, a very lightweight and durable plastic composite material. Even at the stage of pre-production copies, the Porsche 959 twice participated in the Dakar Rally, and in 1986 it took two first places in the overall standings.
A little later, the inevitable happens: “Group B” is closed: several pilots and spectators tragically die, prompting the FISA motorsport federation to abandon the group. From 86 to 88, the Porsche 959 was produced in quantities of more than 200 copies.
In general, the 959 project brings nothing but losses, but the ideas tested in it are later used as the basis for new technologies for production cars: a simplified all-wheel drive transmission is subsequently installed in the Porsche 964 (serial production from 1989 to 1993). Modern turbocharging is derived from the 959 Porsche 964 Turbo and 993 Turbo. A similar front end, headlights and air intakes were later used in the Porsche 993, produced from '93 to '98. The same air intakes are installed on the Porsche 996 Turbo (this is already 2000 - 2006) with similar front bumpers and rear fenders. The proprietary PASM adaptive suspension (all modern Porsches are equipped with it) is also based on a complex system first used in the Porsche 959.
History of Porsche in 1989 – 1998 Time for a change
During this period, the front-engine “veterans” and classic Porsche 911s completely left the assembly line. They were replaced by the new Boxster convertible and 911 Carrera. The latter is now equipped with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
The most changes in the Carrera occur with the body: a new frame is being developed, aerodynamics are seriously improved (CX is reduced to 0.32) and an active spoiler appears at the rear. The archaic torsion bar suspension is a thing of the past, and engine displacement increases to 3.6 liters. The car with rear-wheel drive is called Carrera 2, and with all-wheel drive – Carrera 4. The sports version of Clubsport is renamed back to RS. For the first three years, the Turbo is equipped with a proven 3.3-liter engine, but since 1993, the coupe has been equipped with a 3.6-liter version (producing 360 hp).
Limited editions of the Porsche 911 America Roadster and the semi-racing Porsche 911 Turbo S are produced. During the same period, 62,000 Porsche 964 units rolled off the assembly line.
The economic crisis of the early 1990s found Porsche not in the best shape: production volumes were rapidly declining and losses were growing. In 1993, another change of leadership took place: the company is headed by Wendelin Wiedeking (he comes after Arnaud Bon, who, in turn, was Schutz’s successor). From the same year, serial production of the fourth generation of the flagship model Porsche 991 was mastered.
Only this time the model evolves significantly. The car is equipped with built-in aerodynamic bumpers, new lighting equipment and a body with smoother shapes. The engine is once again undergoing a slight boost, and the rear suspension is undergoing major modifications. The Targa is based on a regular coupe, while the Turbo gets a successor with all-wheel drive and a heavily upgraded 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged engine. Traditional features of the Porsche 911 Turbo include wide rear wings and an even larger rear spoiler. This resulted from an increase in power to 408 hp. and the need to use larger intercoolers.
In 1997, the Porsche 911 Turbo S was released, which was equipped with an even more powerful power plant and minor changes in body design. But the fastest and most expensive modification of the 993 was the road racing GT 2. Porsche planned to compete with this car in the newly formed BRP Global GT Series championship (turbocharged cars were allowed in the championship). Therefore, the standard engine does not change significantly, unlike other elements: the sports car gets rid of “ballast” in the form of all-wheel drive, and its body is improved to meet racing needs. In 1998, the GT2 engine was improved - a dual ignition system appeared, and power increased to 450 hp. The sports coupe turned out to be far from the most successful, as it often flew off the road, which is why it got the nickname “widowmaker,” which literally translates as “leaving widows.”
The year 1998 was a period of losses and gains. In the summer, the last air-cooled 911 is produced at the Porsche plant in Zuffenhausen. Over the entire period, 410,000 copies of such cars have been produced (the 993rd contributes 69,000 copies to this figure). At the same time, Porsche celebrates 50 years since its founding. In March, 88-year-old Ferdinand Anton Ernst Porsche passed away. Recently, he no longer took any part in the affairs of the company and since 1989 he lived on an Austrian farm in Zell am See.
Porsche history. 1996 – 2001
At the end of 1996, Wiedeking's efforts became evident: in 1996, the first Porsche 986 Boxster roadster rolled off the assembly line, becoming the new face of the brand. The design for the car is being developed by Harm Lagaay, who led the development of the exteriors of all Ingolstadt cars from the 1990s to the first half of the 2000s. In creating the appearance of the Boxster, he relied on the exterior of the company's earlier models - the open Porsche 550 Spyder and Porsche 356 Speedster.
The name of the new product is a combination of two words – boxer (the so-called boxer engines) and roadster (roadster, two-seater open coupe). Compared to its predecessors, which often received open versions based on closed ones, the Porsche 986 Boxster was initially designed as an open car.
The Boxster gets one single engine - a 2.5-liter 6-cylinder boxer unit. This continued until 2000, when a 3.2-liter unit became its companion (it was equipped with the Porsche 986 Boxster S). The new compact roadster was relatively inexpensive, which is why it was very well received by the public. Until 2003, the new roadster topped the Ingolstadt company's annual sales, until it was overtaken by the Porsche 955 Cayenne, which debuted in 2002.
The brand's first SUV becomes so popular that the production capacity of the brand's only plant is not enough and it orders the production of some components for SUVs from Valmet Automotive (Finland).
After the success of the Boxster, the 911 is once again turning heads. The presentation of the new Carrera takes place at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show. It immediately becomes clear that the new product has a lot in common with its younger brother, starting from the similarity of the front part of the body, ending with drop-shaped headlights, a similar interior and the general design of the engines. Due to such solutions, development and production costs are reduced, which is very useful, since the financial resources of the brand by the end of the 90s were still far from desired.
The Carrera in the 996 body receives a good supply of power and a noticeable increase in size, but this does not prevent the model from remaining a first-class sports car. For example, Evo magazine (British publication) alone has recognized the Porsche 911 in the 996 and 997 body as “Sports Car of the Year” six times in a row since 1998.
1998 brings the convertible and Carrera 4 to the world, and in 1999 the public meets two big new products at once: the first generation GT3 for amateur competitions and the new flagship in the model range - the 996 Turbo. Both of the latest models receive engines based on the design of the GT1 unit (the 1998 sports prototype).
The GT3 is equipped with a naturally aspirated engine option, while the Turbo is equipped with a twin-supercharged version. The flagship not only gets the most powerful engine, but also a special appearance: the bumper and lighting equipment are changed especially for it, and this does not take into account the unique spoiler and wide body with holes in the rear wings. The new liquid-cooled 3.6-liter engine could run without a large radiator, meaning the design could eliminate the Whale-tail rear spoiler. The compactness of the new design is noticeably increased. The GT3 had nothing like that, although the sports car was not deprived of its features: a lightweight body, lowered suspension and the absence of rear seats.
The Porsche 996 GT3 was produced between 1999 and 2004. The conveyor assembly of its improved GT3 RS modification was established in 2003 and closed in 2005. The Turbo version has been produced for 5 years since 2000. In 2004 and 2005, Turbo Cabriolet and Turbo S versions with a 450-horsepower engine were sold.
In terms of ideology, the GT2 of the 2001 model year was more of a modified version of the Turbo, rather than its road-racing modification, as it was before the change of generations. The reason for this was the tightening of global motorsport regulations, which banned turbocharging. Structurally, it was the same Turbo, only with rear axle drive, a large rear wing and a different front bumper. First, the car is equipped with a 462-horsepower engine, and later it is replaced with a 483-horsepower analogue.
In November 1999, Porsche announced an increase in production of the Porsche 911 Turbo by 60 percent, which was preceded by increased demand for the model. Buyers were forced to wait several weeks for their sports car. If it was previously planned to produce the car in the amount of 2,500 copies, then as a result the production volume is increased to 4,000.
Based on an analysis of sales in Latin America (250 vehicles in 2000), Porsche decides to double its sales volume. Analysts from Stuttgart make such optimistic forecasts based on a study of demand dynamics over the past 5 years. The popularization of the brand's cars is entrusted to the head of Porsche's Latin American division, Thomas Starzelli.
Porsche's first SUV, called the Cayenne, will be officially announced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. During the preliminary presentation of the model, the president of the brand, Wendelin Wiedeking, spoke, who said that with the Cayenne a new era was beginning in the history of the Stuttgart company. New products and the right company policy allow it not only to stay afloat, but also to increase sales. The USA is becoming a particularly important market for the new SUV and all other cars: this market brings Porsche 50% of its profits.
By the end of 2001, Porsche is preparing an update for the Boxster roadster (a restyled version will debut in 2002). The main changes affect only the design of the car. Thus, the front and rear bumpers, ellipsoidal exhaust pipe and front air intakes are subject to modifications. There are some changes in the interior as well.
At the end of October, Porsche resumes production of the Targa modification, albeit based on the Carrera coupe. The car gets a glass roof and a rear sliding window, like a hatchback. By pressing a button on the dashboard, a servo drive is activated, which moves the roof back by 50 cm, creating an open area of almost 0.5 square meters above the head of the driver and his passenger. m. Like any other Carrera, the Targa modification receives a 3.6-liter boxer engine with a power of 320 hp, paired with a manual gearbox or an automatic Tiptronic S. The sports car reaches a top speed of 285 km/h and gains first " hundred" in 5.2 seconds.
Porsche history. 2002
At the beginning of the year, Wendelin Wiedeking reported at the Detroit auto show that they were almost ready for mass production of their new flagship supercar, the Garrera GT. At first, it is planned to produce only 1,000 of these cars.
The official presentation of the Porsche Cayenne, built on a modified platform from the Volkswagen Touareg, is taking place at the Geneva auto show. The Stuttgart masters are developing all-wheel drive for their SUV themselves (the system is called Porsche Stability MANagement).
The SUV gets quite impressive body dimensions: 4.78 m long, 1.93 m wide and 1.7 m high. Porsche is positioning its debutant not so much as an SUV, but as a sports car with increased capacity and cross-country ability. Both the body shape and the low ground clearance give off a sporty spirit in the Cayenne. By the way, the front of the first-generation SUV strongly resembled the Porsche 911 sports coupe.
From the very beginning, the Cayenne is available in S and Turbo versions. Under the hood of the first is a 340-horsepower V8 engine producing 420 Nm of torque. The Turbo version uses a 450-horsepower version of the same engine with a torque of 620 Nm. The Turbo version also featured more luxurious interior trim. The engines work in conjunction with a Tiptronic S semi-automatic gearbox.
The Porsche Cayenne gets pretty good dynamic performance: even in the “base” version it accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, while the Turbo version takes 5.6 seconds. The maximum speed is 242 and 266 km/h, respectively.
In May, the American division of Porsche AG reports a 17% drop in sales compared to last year. The worst situation is with the demand for the Boxster roadster - minus 31%: for example, in April 2002 in the USA, the roadster in all modifications was sold in the amount of only 934 copies, while in 2001 they were sold here in the amount of 1,361 copies.
In the same month, testing of the restyled Porsche 911 GT3 ends. The current generation was released in 1999, and the GT2 version was introduced at the beginning of 2001. The GT3 is based on the 911 Carrera. The new Porsche 911 GT3 is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and a 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine producing 370 hp. The car reaches a maximum speed of 310 km/h. Traditionally, the GT3 gets a spartan interior, as it has been a true racing car throughout its generations.
On August 24, the opening ceremony of the new Porsche plant is held in Leipzig. Porsche invested $127 million in the construction of the new plant. The number one model for the plant is the Porsche Cayenne sports SUV. The annual production capacity of the plant is 25,000 cars. Later, production of the flagship supercar Porsche Carrera GT was established here.
Porsche history. 2003
The year 2003 begins for the brand with a reshuffle in the top management of the American division of Porsche: Fred Schwab resigns and is replaced by Peter Schwarzenbaur, who previously managed the company's sales markets in Spain and Portugal.
In February, Porsche is getting closer to the start of production production of its newest model, the Carrera GT. Deliveries of the first cars to customers begin by the end of the year. The Germans presented a conceptual model of this supercar back in 2001, and they plan to premiere the production modification at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show.
Everything is going according to plan: in Geneva, Porsche is rolling out its supercar with a completely new design, not devoid of corporate style. Powering the new supercar is a 5.7-liter engine producing 612 hp. and a torque of 590 Nm. To transfer all this power to the wheels, Porsche engineers developed a special six-speed transmission. With this filling, the supercar accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, and to 200 km/h in 10 seconds. This roadster becomes the most powerful production car of the German company. The widespread use of carbon fiber made it possible to reduce the weight of the supercar to 1,380 kg. The top speed for the Carrera GT is 330 km/h.
In mid-August, Porsche announces the updated Porsche 911 GT2, sales of which begin in October. Compared to the previous modification, the power and speed of the sports coupe increases. The main innovation is an uprated 3.6-liter turbocharged engine producing 483 hp, an increase of 21 hp. more than before. The updated GT2 accelerates from zero to one hundred in just 4 seconds, and the top speed reaches 319 km/h. The suspension and braking systems are also being modernized.
The body of the updated GT2 is complemented by a new powerful carbon fiber rear spoiler and an upgraded aerodynamic body kit. 18-inch wheels appear as standard. The updated supercar is sold in Europe at a price of 184,674 euros.
Porsche celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 550 Spyder in October. In honor of this car, a special edition of the Porsche Boxster S 50 Jahre 550 Spyder roadster is being produced. The special series differs from the base car in a special configuration.
In this version, the power of the 3.3-liter engine increases by 6 hp. – 266 “horses”. The maximum speed is brought to a symbolic 266 km/h. The car hits 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. Another difference of the special series is the suspension lowered by 10 mm.
The sports coupe receives a special body color, new 18-inch wheels, special trim, xenon headlights, climate control and high-quality sound. Exactly 1,953 examples of the Porsche Boxster S 50 Jahre 550 Spyder are produced.
Porsche history. 2004
The year begins with a series of spy photos of the new Porsche 911 Turbo on road tests. Porsche reports sales growth for the first 6 months of its fiscal year and recalls 22,000 Cayenne SUVs for the possibility of pinching nearby wires with the parking brake lever, which can cause electronic malfunctions.
In March, Porsche Chairman of the Board of Management Wendelin Wiedeking receives the award for best manager.
April brings a series of spy photos of the new generation Porsche Boxster road testing at the Nurburgring. The premiere of the roadster is planned for the fall. At first, it is assumed that the main innovation of the Boxster with the change of generations will be the appearance of the Coupe modification, but in reality, a new representative of the model range is being built on the roadster platform - the Cayman.
In mid-April, Porsche confirmed the development of a four-door GT coupe, the production version of which is scheduled to debut in 2008. In reality, the car only catches up in 2009 and it becomes the Panamera. Porsche management initially had ambitious plans for this model, since 16 years have already passed since the presentation of the first concept!
In May, Porsche officially unveils the new generation of the legendary Porsche 911 (body style 997). As you would expect, the design does not change much, but the technical content changes quite significantly. Externally, the new generation is moving closer to the classic design (this is largely due to the return of round headlights). The sports coupe receives a new front bumper with direction indicators and fog lights. The rear part of the body also changes slightly.
The “base” is equipped with a modernized 3.6-liter 325-horsepower engine, with which the Porsche 911 accelerates to 60 mph in 5 seconds at a top speed of 285 km/h. Under the hood of the more powerful version of the Carrera S is a 3.8-liter 355-horsepower engine, which accelerates the new coupe to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds with a maximum speed of 293 km/h.
Each engine is paired with the latest six-speed transmission. The car is equipped with an upgraded PASM active suspension with several operating modes. It is included immediately in the Carrera S equipment. And in the basic version of the Porsche 911, the PASM suspension is installed as an option. Sales of the new generation Porsche 911 begin in the summer.
At the end of May, the new generation of Porsche 911 will be replenished with the most powerful modification, Turbo S, boosted to 450 hp. engine, which is 30 horsepower more than the 911 Turbo. The increase in power is due to a more efficient turbocharger, an upgraded engine control unit and a new intercooler. With a manual transmission, the Porsche 911 Turbo S accelerates to 200 km/h in just 13.6 seconds with a top speed of 307 km/h.
The Porsche 911 Turbo S comes standard with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes with 350mm discs and six-piston calipers. The fastest Porsche 911 is sold in Germany for 142,248 euros. A similar convertible gets a price tag of 152,224 euros.
In August, Porsche publishes statistics for the previous financial year. During the reporting period, the automaker sold 15,299 cars, which is 15.7% more than the financial year 2002/2003. The largest growth was recorded for the Cayenne SUV, which sold as many as 5,872 units, which is 74% more than a year earlier. The other models, on the contrary, sold worse.
On September 9, Porsche officially announces the new generation of Porsche Boxster and its “charged” modification Boxster S. The cars will premiere at the Paris Auto Show, and sales will begin by the end of the year.
The Porsche Boxster features a modernized body design. The front part of the roadster changes greatly, which is more consistent with the style of the new generation Porsche 911. The new product is equipped with a different front bumper with large ventilation holes. The rear wings are complemented by new air intakes. The width of the car increases, which has a positive effect on its handling and impressive image.
A 6-cylinder 2.7-liter boxer engine producing 240 hp is installed under the hood of the base new generation Porsche Boxster. (previously there were 12 forces less). This Boxster accelerates from zero to one hundred in 6.2 seconds with a top speed of 256 km/h. The Porsche Boxster S modification now gets a 3.2-liter engine producing 280 hp. (20 strength gain). Acceleration from zero to hundred in this roadster takes 5.5 seconds with the ability to accelerate to a maximum of 268 km/h. Both modifications are available with five- and six-speed manual transmissions, or with a five-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission.
The first version of the Boxster is available with 17-inch wheels, and the second with 18-inch wheels. The Porsche Boxster starts in Germany from 43,068 euros, and the Boxster S from 51,304 euros.
In September, Porsche will announce the updated Cayenne SUV for the 2005 model year (deliveries begin in December). The most obvious change is the panoramic roof with three sliding elements, which allows you to choose to open the space above only the front, only the rear, or above all the seats in the cabin at once. A panoramic roof becomes an option on all models and is offered for $3,900.
At the same time, the Cayenne Turbo is being updated, receiving an increase of 50 hp. (500 hp). The increase in power is due to the upgraded intercooler. Acceleration to 100 km/h is reduced to 4.9 seconds, and the maximum speed jumps to 267 km/h. An optional rearview camera is available on all 2005 Cayenne models, complete with a 6.5-inch display on the instrument panel. Porsche is asking $1,680 for this option.
Another announcement at the end of September is the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, based on the new generation of Porsche 911, specially built for participation in professional racing. This modification becomes the entry ticket for many sports teams into the world of racing. In the GT3 Cup, engine power is increased to 400 hp. and 400 Nm of torque. Another innovation of the new product is a sequential six-speed gearbox and a ceramic clutch. At the rear of the sports car there is a huge spoiler, increased by 60 cm in width. A second adjustable spoiler is installed under the front bumper.
During test runs at the Nürburgring, the Porsche Carrera GT sets a world speed record for completing the 22.6-kilometer track in 7.32.44 minutes.
In November, the American press publishes spy photos of the new generation coupe-cabriolet version of the Porsche 911. Prototypes of the car are seen during road tests.
Porsche history. 2005 year
The coupe, based on the Porsche Boxster, is split into an independent model called the Cayman. The premiere of a new representative of the model range of the Stuttgart brand is being prepared for the autumn auto show in Frankfurt.
In January, Wendelin Wiedeking admitted that Porsche bought a hybrid power plant from Toyota, which it plans to use as the basis for the hybrid modification of the Cayenne. The head of the Stuttgart brand considers this unit the only way to meet strict emission standards.
In March, the future of the Porsche Panamera becomes increasingly clear. It is announced that the car will have a front-engine layout and a 340-horsepower V8 engine producing 300 hp. The concept arrives at the Frankfurt auto show, and the production model is launched in 2009. Assembly of the model is subsequently mastered at the new Porsche plant in Leipzig, where the Cayenne SUV and the flagship Carrera GT are already produced without it.
In the summer, during road tests, a restyled Porsche Cayenne SUV comes across, which goes on sale in the spring of 2006. There are no revolutionary changes in the design: new bumpers, different optics, etc. The suspension, steering and other components are slightly modernized. The range of engines is replenished with a new unit, which replaces the base 3.2-liter V6. Volkswagen's new VR6 produces 280 hp. instead of the previous 250.
The year 2005 ends with the closure of the Carrera GT project. The last copy of the model rolled off the assembly line on December 29, which brought the total number of supercars produced to 1,250. In total, the car lasted in the series for only 2 years.
Porsche history. 2006
At the beginning of the year, Porsche announced the start of sales of the most powerful Cayenne Turbo S, equipped with a 4.5-liter V8 twin-turbocharged engine producing 521 hp. Increase of 71 hp is due to an increase in the degree of boost and some changes in the engine control unit. Torque also increases - 720 Nm instead of the previous 620 Nm. Due to this, acceleration to 100 km/h is reduced to 5.2 seconds. The Turbo S version is more expensive than the Turbo by 15,500 euros.
By the middle of the year, production of the “budget” Cayman coupe, equipped with a 2.7-liter engine producing 245 hp, is being mastered. Even with this engine, the car reaches a top speed of 258 km/h.
In the fall, intensive road testing of the 4-door car begins. According to preliminary statements, the length of the car will be about 5 meters: about the same as the BMW 7-series and Mercedes S-classe. The cabin can comfortably accommodate 4 people and place all your belongings in the trunk (volume 450 liters).
The Stuttgart company delayed updating its Cayenne crossover until the end of 2006. Official photos of the restyled car are published on December 5, while the car itself arrives at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2007.
In the restyled crossover, the design of the front part of the body changes - different headlights, a huge air intake in the bumper, new fenders, a hood, etc. The rear part changes accordingly. The range of engines is changing, all-wheel drive is being improved. Special active stabilizers appear in the suspension, which eliminate the strong roll of the SUV when cornering. The new Porsche Cayenne goes on sale on February 24, 2007.
Porsche history. 2007
At the beginning of the year, some online publications publish new computer drawings of the four-door Panamera coupe, which by this time is about to begin road testing on the Nurburgring track, where all cars of the brand are traditionally honed. In these pictures, the Panamera was as close as possible to its real appearance.
At the March Geneva Motor Show, Porsche is showing several new products, including the restyled Cayenne SUV (which was talked about so much at the end of 2006). The engines for the restyled crossover deserve the most public interest. Thus, the base 3.2-liter unit, which produced 250 hp, is replaced with a 3.6-liter engine with a power of 290 hp. Well, the most popular 4.5-liter engine is being replaced with a 4.8-liter unit with a power of 385 hp. (with a turbine it already produced 500 hp). The most powerful modification of the Cayenne after restyling began to accelerate to a maximum of 275 km/h and reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 5.1 seconds.
Porsche's other Geneva premiere is the bright orange Porsche 911 GT3 RS, built for racing. The declared title corresponds to a 3.6-liter boxer engine with an output of 415 hp. The sports car is freed from excess cargo in the form of passenger seats and unnecessary panels in the interior, but a safety cage and a fire extinguisher are installed. The 911 GT3 RS is equipped with an adjustable carbon fiber wing. Porsche dealers in Germany sell the sports car at prices starting from 133,000 euros.
On March 7, Porsche officially reveals its fastest convertible ever, the 911 Turbo Cabriolet. This roadster is powered by a 3.6-liter boxer engine producing 480 hp. and 620 N m (turbocharged version). The acceleration dynamics of 0-100 km/h is 3.8 seconds for the convertible, and the top speed reaches 310 km/h, which at one time made the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet one of the fastest production convertibles in the world.
In June, the Stuttgart-based company shares information about plans to launch a new generation of the Cayenne SUV in 2010. This time the forecast turns out to be surprisingly accurate - the new Caen appears on time. The second generation of the SUV, as before, is based on the platform from the Volkswagen Touareg (this time the second generation). At the same time, more economical and environmentally friendly engines are being developed.
Towards the end of June, spy photographers are sharing several photos of the restyled Boxster Convertible road testing at the Nurburgring. The changes, quite naturally, do not become revolutionary: restyling is limited to new bumpers and slightly different headlights. The chassis of the convertible is also being slightly modernized.
July. The first official photos of the 911 GT2 sports car have been published, which at one time became the fastest mass-produced 911. The coupe is driven by a 3.6-liter turbocharged boxer engine producing 530 hp. and 684 Nm of torque. The new coupe had a record low weight of 1,440 kg, which predetermined amazing dynamics: 3.6 seconds to 100 km/h and a top speed of 328 km/h. The public presentation of the fastest Porsche 911 GT2 is held at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
By the end of the year, one of the most sensational news was the bonus of Porsche head Wendelin Wiedeking in the amount of 70 million euros, which made him the richest top manager of his time.
Porsche history. 2008
In February, Porsche introduces a new supercar for racing - the 911 GT3 Cup S. The sports car borrows heavily from the standard 911, but is equipped with a completely new aerodynamic body kit, an active rear wing, a completely different suspension and brakes. And in the interior of the GT3 Cup S, little remains of the production car. The fastest Porsche 911 is driven by a 3.6-liter engine producing 440 hp, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The hottest 911 sells for 250,000 euros. The circulation of the new item is very modest - only 265 copies.
Next month brings news of Porsche's plans to release its first ever diesel car. This important role is assigned to the off-road Cayenne, which is equipped with a 300-horsepower unit developed by Audi.
In the summer, even before the official presentation of the Porsche Panamera, information about prices appears. The publication AutoBild predicts a price tag of at least $127,000 for the car, and only for a car with a base 3.6-liter engine.
Meanwhile, the first spy photos of the Panamera's interior are being published. The photographs show incredible luxury and stunning style of the future car.
In September, road tests of the new generation Cayenne will start, which is again reported by photo spies.
On September 16, Porsche begins to intrigue fans with photographs of individual parts of the four-door Panamera coupe.
Restyled Boxster and Cayman co-platforms are being prepared for the Los Angeles Auto Show. A full generation change is predicted by 2012, and in restyled versions of cars they are limited to changing the optics and adding a proprietary strip of LEDs to the headlights. The updated cars are equipped with a modernized aerodynamic body kit, new design wheels and dual exhaust pipes. From now on, the cars are equipped with manual gearboxes and robotic PDK with two clutches.
November. The long-awaited Porsche Cayenne with heavy fuel is released. The version is equipped with a V-shaped turbocharged “six” with a capacity of 240 hp. and 550 Nm of torque. The engine's efficiency is fine - only 9.3 liters of diesel per 100 km. The partner for the new engine is the adapted “hydromechanics” Tiptronic-S. In Europe, the diesel version of the Cayenne is sold at a price of 47,250 euros.
November 24. A series of first official photos of the Porsche Panamera are published. The length of the new four-door coupe is 4,970 mm, slightly less than that of the Mercedes-Benz S-classe and BMW 7-series. The interior turned out to be really very spacious for the driver and all passengers.
As expected, under the hood of the most modest Panamera they put a 3.6-liter gasoline engine, developed by Volkswagen mechanics, producing 300 hp. The next step is a V8 unit with a displacement of 4.8 liters. In the naturally aspirated version it develops 405 hp, and with turbocharging – 500 hp. There is not a single diesel engine. Instead of diesel engines, lovers of economy are offered a hybrid version that combines a gasoline V6 and an electric motor. The choice of gearboxes is limited to the standard manual and the newfangled dual-clutch automatic with manual shift capability.
Porsche history. year 2009
The new Porsche Museum in Stuttgart opens in January. In 5 months it is visited by 250,000 people. The exhibition of the new museum consists of more than 80 sports cars. For comparison, the old museum housed only 20 cars of the brand.
End of January. Porsche presents the restyled 911 GT3 coupe - the most powerful modification of the 911 model, intended for track racing, and not for public roads. Externally, the updated sports car remains virtually unchanged: except for the headlights, bumpers and spoiler.
But the technical filling is undergoing a more serious modernization: if previously the sports car was equipped with a 3.6-liter boxer engine, then with restyling it now has 3.8-liters and 435 hp. Such a powerful engine accelerates the 911 GT3 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 312 km/h.
Other changes to this Porsche include a more powerful braking system and adjustable spoilers. In Europe, the 911 GT3 starts with a price tag of 116,947 euros.
On March 10, the 250,000th Porsche Cayenne rolls off the assembly line at the Leipzig plant. The anniversary was an all-terrain vehicle with a diesel engine. By this time, the crossover existed in seven modifications. The 250,000th example of the Cayenne was sent to a buyer from Austria.
The Stuttgart company will make an official presentation of the previously announced four-door Panamera coupe in April at the Shanghai auto show.
In June, Porsche begins a project to revive the legendary Spyder, a convertible produced from 1953 to 1956. The future Porsche 918 Spyder super hybrid will be based on the platform from the Volkswgaen BlueSport concept.
End of August. Porsche is updating the track-ready 911 GT3 RS, which is also suitable for use on public roads. The modernization turns out to be very thorough: just what does it cost to replace the old 3.6-liter engine with a new 3.8-liter engine producing 450 hp? The car is equipped only with a six-speed manual transmission, optimized for shorter shifts, which obviously reduces the maximum speed of the car in favor of faster acceleration. To improve sporting qualities, the GT3 RS is equipped with a special PASM suspension. The car body becomes wider, which increases its stability when cornering.
Beginning of autumn. Porsche produces a unique model – the 911 Sport Classic, limited to 250 units. This car was developed for 3 years by the Porsche Exclusive division for the most demanding customers of the brand. The exclusive coupe is equipped with a new roof, a redesigned “stern” (built on the basis of the Carrera S) and a characteristic front cladding. The coupe is distinguished by a special rear spoiler in the shape of a duck's tail (from the 1973 Porsche Carrera RS 2.7).
The engine of the 911 Sport Classic is also special - a 3.8-liter unit with direct injection that produces 408 hp. Only a six-speed manual transmission is available for the car. The ground clearance is reduced by 20 mm, a mechanical rear differential lock and 19-inch wheels of a special design appear. The exclusive 911 Sport Classic arrives at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997 body). 2009 - 2013
In addition to the 911 Sport Classic, Porsche is showing the 911 Turbo, 911 GT3 RS and 911 GT3 RS Cup in Frankfurt. All cars are equipped with a 3.8-liter engine, which has become a source of special pride for the engineers of the Stuttgart brand. Moreover, they really have a reason to be proud, since they developed this engine from scratch.
November. By the middle of the month, Porsche is revealing the fastest version of the 911, designed exclusively for racing competitions. The name of the special version is Porsche 911 GT3 R, which the Stuttgart brand’s racers are driving in next year’s championships. In addition to racing teams, cars are offered to everyone at a price of 279,000 euros.
The Porsche 911 GT3 R version is based on the 911 GT3 Cup, presented in Frankfurt. Compared to its progenitor, the weight of the car is reduced to 1,200 kg, and its heart becomes a 4.0-liter six-cylinder unit developing 480 hp. Only a six-speed manual transmission is available for the engine.
At the beginning of December, the new generation of Porsche Cayenne is captured by spy photographers. The official presentation of the new generation of the all-terrain vehicle is planned for the March Geneva Motor Show.
Porsche Panamera exceeds all expectations: the Leipzig plant produces the 10,000th Panamera, despite the fact that mass production of the car started only 3 months ago! Another interesting thing is that Porsche initially planned to produce only 20,000 four-door coupes per year.
Porsche history. 2010
In March, the official presentation of the most powerful road-going 911 in history, the Porsche 911 Turbo S, takes place. The model is proclaimed to be the pinnacle of development of the current generation of sports car and the company no longer plans to continue working on the project.
The 3.8-liter unit of this car produces 530 hp. and 700 N m, which is a great merit of the new turbocharging. The Porsche 911 Turbo S dashes to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, and to 200 km/h in just 10.8 seconds. The engine power is enough to accelerate the sports coupe to a top speed of 315 km/h. The coupe and convertible versions immediately appear.
One of the main sensations of the Geneva Motor Show is the Porsche 918 Spyder concept. No one doubted the prospects of launching such a machine into series from the very first presentation. The car inherits a lot from the previous flagship in the form of the Carrera GT.
The supercar gets a spectacular appearance and an equally impressive technical component. The driving force behind the concept is a hybrid power plant based on a 3.4-liter petrol V8 producing 500 hp. and two electric motors with a total power of 218 hp. This provides the lightweight model with dynamic acceleration to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 320 km/h. What surprises most is the average fuel consumption - only 3 liters per “hundred”! The supercar can travel 20 km on electric power alone.
Porsche's next big premiere in Geneva is the second generation Cayenne. The car turned out just great! He inherited all the related features of the first-generation thoroughbred Stuttgart crossover. Changes in the interior are also predictable, but this doesn’t make it boring.
What’s even more interesting is that a hybrid modification of the Cayenne is immediately announced, with a 333-horsepower 3.3-liter gasoline engine and a 47-hp electric motor. With the change of generations, the Cayenne receives a range of very economical engines. Compared to their predecessor, all engines become more economical by an average of 23%. The most modest consumption is the 3.6-liter six, with a power of 300 hp. In the naturally aspirated version, the power of this 8-cylinder unit is 400 hp. (previously 385 hp), and in the turbocharged version – already 500 hp. The characteristics of the diesel engine do not change: 3.0-liter volume and 240 hp. power.
All engines are coupled with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. All modifications of the crossover receive a switchable start-stop system.
The latest high-profile presentation of Porsche in Geneva is the hybrid “combat” coupe 911 GT3 R. This sports car is based on a four-liter petrol boxer engine producing 480 hp. Paired with this internal combustion engine are two electric motors of 60 kW each.
At the end of March, photo spies catch a camouflaged Porsche 911 of the new generation, the development of which ends only at the end of 2011. Such lengthy work on the car can be explained simply – this is the key model of the brand. No revolutions are expected in design. But at the same time, the coupe gets rid of all the old body parts! In addition, the suspension is radically reconfigured, as the coupe increases in length and width.
In the summer, Porsche finally decides to mass produce a flagship model based on the 918 Spyder Concept, but it immediately becomes known about its small-scale production and terribly high cost.
By the end of the year, Porsche is creating a new version of the 911 – the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, which becomes the stop version of the entire line. The engine chosen for the model is quite predictable - a 3.8-liter unit with a capacity of 408 hp. The new coupe is very different both externally and technically. The coupe rides on 19-inch RS Spyder wheels painted black. The front fascia of the coupe, the spoiler lip, the side sills, the doors and the rear lid are greatly changed. Particular attention was paid to the special resonant intake system with six dampers in the sports car. The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS is immediately available in coupe and convertible body styles.
At the same time, a new modification of the Porsche 911 Speedster is being built, released in honor of the 356 Speedster model, which was on the assembly line in the 50s. In technical terms, the special version is very similar to the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS. The new product is produced in an exclusive edition of 356 copies.
In November, talk about Porsche's plans to release a compact crossover, a junior version of the Cayenne, will not subside. The management of the Stuttgart brand cannot make a final decision for a long time. And when the project is given the green light, at first it is assumed that the new crossover will be called Cajun, but later it is changed to Macan.
This month marks another batch of spy photos of the new generation Porsche 911 undergoing road tests at the Nurburgring.
Also in November, photos of Porsche’s new “hot” Cayman R are published. The sports car not only receives an increase of 10 hp, but also becomes 55 kg lighter. The Cayman R's 3.4-liter engine increases output to 330 hp. Not only is a stiffer suspension installed, but also a reinforced braking system.
All the work to reduce weight and increase power results in a reduction in acceleration to 100 km/h to 4.9 seconds (which is 0.2 seconds faster than the Porsche Cayman S). The new central-engine coupe with manual transmission accelerates to a maximum of 282 km/h, and with the PDK automatic transmission up to 280 km/h. Sales of the car begin in February 2011.
Porsche history. 2011
January. The main novelty of Detroit is the Porsche 918 RSR concept, which became a further development of the 918 Spyder Concept. The model pleases not only with its spectacular appearance, but also with its technical perfection. The new Spider is powered by a V8 petrol engine with a displacement of 3.4 liters and a power reserve of 500 hp. As before, its partners are two electric motors with a total power of 218 hp. The enormous torque of the electric motors allows the 918 RSR to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds.
The 918 RSR at this exhibition already looked completely ready for series production. It combines all the engineering experience of the company in recent years, all the most modern and technologically advanced.
At the end of February, the company will present a limited edition of the 911 Black Edition coupe, produced in the amount of 1,911 units. A similar series is being prepared for the Boxster, released in 987 copies and called the Boxster S Black Edition. Black cars differ in almost everything, from the body and interior trim, to new air intakes, 19-inch wheels and more.
The Geneva Motor Show becomes the venue for the presentation of the second production hybrid in the Porsche range – the Panamera S Hybrid. Just like the hybrid Cayenne, the role of the main fiddle still goes to the petrol 3.0-liter V6 compressor engine, developing 333 hp. An electric motor with a power of 47 hp plays along with this “violin”. The engines can work either together or separately, however, on electric power alone the range is only 2 km (with the prospect of acceleration to a maximum of 165 km/h).
In total, the Panamera S Hybrid develops 380 hp, thanks to which its maximum speed reaches 270 km/h and acceleration to 60 mph takes 6.0 seconds. The average fuel consumption declared by the manufacturer is 6.8 liters of fuel per 100 km. Sales of the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid will start in the summer.
April. The official presentation of one of the fastest Porsche cars is taking place - the 911 GT3 RS 4.0, which is produced in the amount of 600 copies. Yes, it wasn’t the most powerful exclusive, but its 4.0-liter, 500-horsepower unit was enough to make it an enviable sports car. The four-liter unit in the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 is called the largest engine ever used in a production 911 model. Moreover, it produces the highest power of any naturally-aspirated engine - 125 hp. per liter of working volume. The power reserve gave the dynamics of acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.
May. Spy photographers catch the new generation of Cayman during road tests. The Boxter co-platform is planned to be shown in 2012. At the end of May, Porsche strives to create an environmentally friendly image for itself, for which it creates the Boxster E electric car concept, which develops 121 hp. The concept model takes an eternity to accelerate to 100 km/h - 9.8 seconds, which is very mediocre even for a golf class. The maximum speed is generally discouraging - only 150 km/h. The Germans have been emphatic about their plans to add a decent electric car to their lineup in the coming years.
Mid August. The first official photos of the new generation Porsche 911 are being circulated, while a public presentation is planned for the Frankfurt Motor Show. The design does not change too much, but this should not be surprising: Porsche has never allowed itself radical experiments with the appearance of the 911 model. But quite significant changes are taking place in the cabin: the interior inherits a lot from the Panamera, and important buttons are placed on the central tunnel.
The new model's wheelbase increases slightly, and new engines appear in the range. So, the 911 Carrera is equipped with a 3.4-liter engine producing 350 hp. (the same one is installed in the Boxster S). The Porsche 911 Carrera S is already equipped with a 3.8-liter unit producing 400 hp. In both cases, power is transferred to the rear axle via a 7-speed manual transmission or a PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission.
By November, a convertible based on the new 911 will also arrive. The highlight of the convertible is not only its stunning design, but also its roof, which folds in just 11 seconds. The roof is made of a special composite material covered with fabric. A lot of magnesium is used in the roof structure, which provides significant lightening of the entire structure. The convertible is produced in two versions: 911 Carrera with a 3.4-liter boxer 350-horsepower engine and 911 Carrera S with a 3.8-liter 400-horsepower engine.
In December, road tests of early prototypes of the brand's new crossover, the Macan, begin. Then it was also tested in the shell of the Audi Q5, which is not surprising, since the cars have an identical platform.
Porsche history. year 2012
Contrary to the expected Cajun name for the new crossover, Porsche still chooses the Macan name. At the beginning of the year, it becomes known that although the platform will be common with the Audi Q5, the Stuttgart craftsmen are making a completely original suspension, steering, wheels, stabilization system and brakes for the car.
The third generation of the Porsche Boxster roadster arrives at the 82nd Geneva Motor Show. In technical terms, the development of the Boxster proceeds smoothly and time after time this sports car comes closer to Porsche’s ideas of ideal and impeccability.
But if the previous generation of Boxster was just a deep restyling of its predecessor, now we are talking about a fundamentally new Boxster with body index 981. First of all, the wheelbase increases - 2,475 mm (plus 59 mm), although the dimensions increase only by 5 mm – 4,374 mm.
Porsche Boxster (body 981). 2012 - 2016
As before, the Boxster is offered with two engines – both opposed six-cylinder. The base Boxster gets a 2.7-liter unit that produces 265 horsepower and 280 Newton-meters. With a manual transmission, acceleration to 100 km/h takes 5.8 seconds for this modification. With the PDK robot, this exercise takes him 5.7 seconds. The Boxster S modification is equipped with a 3.4-liter engine producing 315 hp, with which the dynamics of acceleration to hundred are reduced by a second. The maximum speed of the most powerful Boxster is 279 km/h, and the “regular” one is 264 km/h.
On April 3, Porsche announces sad news: Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, who once created the legendary 911 model, dies at the age of 76. He designed cars almost all his life, and he headed the project to create the Porsche 911 in 1962. In addition to this legendary sports car, he also created sports models such as the Type 804 Formula and 904 Carrera GTS.
On April 10, Porsche will present the Cayenne GTS. The modification receives a V8 engine with 420 hp. A forced unit, a slightly different aerodynamic body kit and a stiffer suspension increase the maximum speed of the Cayenne GTS to 261 km/h. The base already has an air suspension with adjustable ground clearance. The interior of the car is leather, and some elements are upholstered in Alcantara.
In May, an almost uncamouflaged Porsche Macan comes across during road tests, the official presentation of which is carried out only a year later. In the summer, car tests begin at the Nürburgring.
On August 6, Porsche shows the production 918 Spyder roadster for the first time at a private event in New York, a video of which is posted on YouTube. After a few hours, the video is deleted from the video hosting site, but vigilant fans manage to take screenshots. There are no radical changes in appearance compared to the concept: the massive rear spoiler disappears, a different diffuser appears, and the exhaust pipes “move” behind the headrests.
In September, Porsche officially announces the most powerful diesel modification, the Cayenne S Diesel. The car is equipped with a 4.2-liter eight-cylinder biturbo engine producing 382 hp. and 850 N m. With this engine, the Cayenne S Diesel accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds with a top speed limit of 252 km/h. In mixed mode, the car consumes 8.3 liters of fuel per 100 km. With this consumption, with a full 100-liter tank, the range reaches 1,200 km. The modification arrives at the Paris Motor Show this fall.
A little later, Porsche shows the first photos of the Cayenne Turbo S, the fastest crossover in its history. Under the hood of the modification is a turbocharged V8 engine with a displacement of 4.8 liters and a power of 550 hp. and 750 N m. The most powerful version of the Porsche Cayenne is distinguished by “tinted” optics, a slightly different aerodynamic body kit, stylish 21-inch wheels and a sports suspension with active stabilizers. All this ensures the car accelerates to a hundred in 4.5 seconds.
In December, official information about the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, built on the basis of the seventh generation 911 GT3, will be released. The sports car is being built specifically to participate in the Porsche Mobil 1 Super Cup race. The heart of the car is a 3.8-liter six-cylinder boxer engine producing 460 hp. The car is equipped with a redesigned brake system, ground and ventilated brake discs, six-piston aluminum monoblock calipers and more. The safety of the pilot is well taken care of: in the event of a rollover or collision, he is protected by a new safety cage and bucket seats with special protective padding.
Porsche history. year 2013
The Germans are showing the seventh generation of the Porsche 911 GT3 in Geneva. The driving force behind the debutant is a 3.8-liter naturally aspirated boxer engine, developing 475 hp, with which acceleration to 60 takes 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 315 km/h. This Porsche becomes the first GT3 available exclusively with PDK, while the manual is consigned to oblivion. This GT3 is also the first to be equipped with a fully steering chassis: at speeds of up to 50 km/h, the rear wheels also turn in antiphase, which improves agility. At high speeds, the rear wheels turn slightly towards the front ones, increasing the stability of the car.
On April 20, an open display of the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid is taking place in Shanghai with an increased power reserve and expanded capabilities for interacting with your car through a special program for your smartphone. The machine's power increases to 416 hp. (one electric motor develops 95 hp). On electric power alone, the car can travel 36 km with acceptable acceleration dynamics and a maximum speed of 135 km/h. But if you connect the internal combustion engine, the dynamics of acceleration to 100 km/h will be only 5.5 seconds, and the maximum speed will be 270 km/h.
In May, the story of the new generation of the legendary Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S begins, which are discussed in more detail in our.
On September 10, 2.5 years after the first display of the Porsche 918 Spyder concept, the production flagship supercar of the Stuttgart brand is coming to the stand. This car is immediately declared the most powerful, fastest and most technically advanced in Porsche history. The 918 Spyder uses technology from the future.
Super hybrid Porsche 918 Spyder
The production supercar differs little from the concept. In both cases, the cars were built with a durable carbon fiber monocoque and a subframe made of the same material. The roof of the Porsche 918 Spyder consists of two removable halves that can be folded into the 100-liter trunk.
At the rear there is a 4.6-liter petrol V8, created using Porsche RS Spyder technology and producing 608 hp. The rear wheels rotate through a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. This internal combustion engine has two assistants working with the front wheels (though only at speeds up to 235 km/h, after which the supercar again becomes rear-wheel drive). The total power of the power unit is 887 hp. The supercar accelerates to “hundred” in 2.8 seconds, to two in 7.7 seconds, and to three in just 22 seconds. The physical maximum for the new Porsche flagship is 345 km/h with an average fuel consumption of only 3.0 - 3.3 liters.
Read about other key moments in the life of Porsche in the main sections of our website and on the page.
| Full title: | |
| Other names: | Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG |
| Existence: | 1931 - present day |
| Location: | Germany: Stuttgart |
| Key figures: | Founder: Ferdinand Porsche |
| Products: | cars |
| The lineup: |
The Porsche company cannot boast of considerable age. It was formed much later than many of its “compatriots”, such as Audi or Mercedes.
Ferdinand Porsche opened a design bureau only in 1931. The design bureau was directly related to vehicles, but was not involved in their production.
The founder of the famous company was born in 1875. As a teenager, he began helping his father in his repair shop. Ferdinand did not become a tinsmith like his father. He was interested in technology since childhood. As a young man, he built a generator. From that time on, electric lighting appeared in the house - a wonder of which there were only two in the entire city. And one is in the house of the Porsche family.
After completing his studies, young Porsche began working at Bela Egger & Co. The electric company was located in Vienna. The talent did not go unnoticed: from a simple worker in a short period of time, Ferdinand “grew” to the position of head of the testing chamber.
At the age of 22, Porsche changed his employer and began working in the royal carriage manufactories. Here he developed a hub motor. At an exhibition in Paris (1900), the engine created a real sensation. And the inventor received enormous fame.
Before opening his own Design Bureau, Ferdinand managed to work in various companies, including Austro-Daimler and Daimler-Benz.
The Type 22, a racing car, was developed in the bureau at the request of Auto-Union in 1936. And then Porsche received Hitler’s order to develop a “people’s car.” The task was completed perfectly. “Beetles” (the official name is “Volkswagen”) have been traveling on the roads of different countries and continents for many years, but not in the numbers expected when they were created.
Porsche sports cars
Ferdinand Porsche received an order for the first sports car in 1937. The Third Reich needed the car for unconditional victory in the marathon planned in two years. The German leadership longed for victories, self-affirmation and recognition by other peoples of Aryan exclusivity, especially since the marathon was to begin in Berlin.
The National Sports Committee provided Porsche with great support in its work on the racing car.
The same “Beetle” was taken as a basis. The standard engine with twenty-four “horses” was removed from the “People’s Car” and installed with fifty. Perhaps the car would have won, having arrived first in Rome, where the marathon was supposed to end. But he never managed to get to the start. The Nazis themselves, once again, prevented the implementation of their own plans.
Long years of war were devoted to the creation of special equipment: heavy tanks, amphibians, self-propelled guns. Among the government orders were off-road vehicles intended for staff workers. To be fair, it is worth saying that the development of military equipment was not Ferdinand Porsche’s strong point.
Another Porsche, Ferry, returned to creating sports cars in 1948. Ferdinand Sr., after leaving the French prison, where the professor was accused by the Ministry of Justice of France - one of the victorious countries, could no longer independently deal with the affairs of the bureau. He passed on everything he could to his son, and he limited himself to the position of consultant.
Then a very small Porsche 356 was assembled. In essence, it was a streamlined coupe with a souped-up Volkswagen engine. Luck “smiled” on the new product, allowing it to “show itself” almost immediately after getting on its wheels. Victory in the first races went to the 356th. This car went into production with a rear engine. It was produced in this form until 1965, and then the Carrera model was created on its basis. Porsche's father never knew about this: he died in January 1951.
In the same 51st Porsche Jr. began creating another sports car. Development ended by 1953, and the “purely sporty” Porsche 550 was born. He was given the “name” “Spudder”.
The Porsche Spudder won a lot of victories in various races. After another triumph in Mexico at the prestigious Carrera Panamecana race (1953), it was decided to “assign” the name “Spider” to the fastest cars of the company. The following year, the next Spudder received a soft top and a directly positioned windshield.
For the Porsche Carrera, the company's specialists created their own engine. This event dates back to 1955. A similar unit was installed on the Porsche 550, which allowed the latter to continue to win victories in racing competitions. And the creators of the new “machine heart” became famous.
The last version of the famous 550 was released in 1960. Its “name” was “718/RS”. A year later, the production of another legendary car, the Porsche Carrera 2, was completed.
New times - new requirements
The automotive industry was developing rapidly. The former high-speed cars became obsolete. Time required more and more new technical solutions.
Another representative of the family appeared at the Porsche company - the grandson of the creator - Ferdinand Alexander. He was directly involved in the world-famous Porsche 911.
The first appearance of the “Nine Hundred and Eleven” took place at the Frankfurt Motor Show in ’63. Four years later, anyone could become the happy owner of three modifications of the Porsche 911 Targa. The most “modest” option was designated with the letter “T”. The luxury model is “marked” with the letter “E”. And especially for representatives of the United States of America, whose markets were inaccessible to the Germans for some time, they developed a model with the designation “S”.
The two-door, four-seater coupe was so successful that it was produced for many, many years, periodically modernizing it and bringing it closer to the requirements of the time.
In the sixties, several racing car models were created. The first was the 904 GTS. It was followed by "906" - "908", "917". All models were united by exceptional reliability and excellent style.
The title of the most economical sports car in the world was awarded to the Porsche 924 (born 1975). The “younger” Porsche 928 (born in 1977) was also given the title. In the vastness of the Old World, an eight-cylinder with 240 “horses”, it was recognized as the “Car of 1978”.
With each subsequent development, Porsche cars became more environmentally friendly, more reliable, more powerful and faster. Maximum speeds significantly exceeded two hundred kilometers per hour. It is not surprising that such cars (“956”, “959”, “962”) still often “took prizes” at various competitions.
Return of Spider
For three decades, the name “Spider” was not mentioned in the names of models. They “remembered” him only at the very end of the 80s and never forgot about him.
Modern Spiders, for example, are represented by the Porsche 918 supercar. The development of German engineers in 2013 is presented in two versions: standard and lightweight.
The squat car (only 1,167 meters high) has incredible power - 887 hp. Similar indicators are provided by three engines: one internal combustion and two electric, located on the axles of the car. At the front (on the front axle) there is a 95 kW electric motor, and on the rear axle there is a more powerful 115 kW motor.
Only with electric motors can a car travel at a speed of 150 km/h. True, you can travel no more than thirty kilometers without refueling. Complete restoration of electrical forces occurs in three hours. The car's developers offer an additional charger that allows you to “saturate” the batteries in just 30 minutes. You can buy such a charger for 20 thousand euros (almost a million Russian rubles).
In general, the 918 Spyder can cover a distance of 345 km in a maximum hour.
As for the estimated acceleration, the Porsche 918 reaches hundreds in less than 3 seconds. It will take him about 7.3 seconds to accelerate to two hundred km/h. After 20.9 seconds, the car will be racing one and a half times faster.
The most interesting thing is that with super power and the same speed, Proshe-918 “eats” very little. The Germans claim that per hundred you need only 3.0 liters of high-quality fuel. The news is absolutely incredible!
The car comes with a 4-year warranty (electric batteries are longer - 7 years).
Amazingly beautiful two-seater roadster
Porsche 918 Spyder, according to manufacturers, will be released in limited quantities - 918 units. And this despite the fact that already in 2012 a much larger number of applications for its acquisition were submitted.
The initial cost of a modern Spider is slightly less than 770 thousand euros. But this does not seem to stop those who want to get a supercar.
For Russian buyers, the price is much higher - 991.3 thousand euros (the cost of the basic configuration). It’s incredible, but even for such “mad” money (991,300 x 49.0 (exchange rate in May 2014) = 48.6 million rubles) our compatriots are ready to purchase an extremely environmentally friendly hybrid sports car.
Extraordinary and stunning, unique and recognizable, and the character of its owner, stylish and pretentious, sporty and comfortable. Cars that cannot be confused with any other and cannot be forgotten. Cars with charisma and history. But what was it like, the Porsche story?
How it all started
This story might not have happened if a boy had not been born, who was given the name Ferdinand. The history of the Porsche brand began with this name Porsche. This happened in September 1875 in the city of Liberec. A baby was born into the family of Anton Porsche, a coppersmith who was considered the best in his difficult business in the city. Already at the age of 16, Ferdinand began to study electrical engineering seriously. The end of the 19th century, in general, was marked by a craze among the population for any type of technology. At that time, self-propelled carriages were already fully replacing horse teams. What other dream could a teenager have? Of course, design cars. He entered the university, graduating in 1898. And, without thinking twice, he began to try his hand at an invention bureau. The young specialist’s first place of work was the Loner automobile plant in Vienna. I had to work hard for seven years in a row. Ferdinand's first successful work - a wheel with an integrated motor - helped the engineer gain fame. Car companies simply could not miss such a star, and in 1906 Austro-Daimler got a new chief designer. This, of course, becomes Ferdinand Porsche. His next creation was an artillery tractor unit, the sight of which was active. But the design soul asks for speed and Ferdinand Porsche becomes a racer. Of course, the author must feel the power of his creations. In the Prince of Prussia auto race, the newly minted racing driver competes in an Austro-Daimler, which he built himself. In this race he comes second, but the next year he gets the palm. After more than ten years of hard work, thanks to the work of Porsche, the concern begins to assemble premium models AD-617 and ADM-1.
Work at Daimler-Benz
Ferdinand Porsche leaves to work for the Daimler-Benz concern. Of course, he gets the post of chief designer. Professionally, Porsche begins to devote a lot of time to developing engines. The compressor units captured his attention. He is engaged in their development and modernization. Creates them for both racing and production cars. In this corporation, he was the first among those who came up with Mercedes, which attracts the attention of people with a good level of income. After bringing his plans to life, Porsche also became involved with the legendary Mercedes K and S series. His ideas subsequently became the inspiration for the production of the flagship models of the SS, SSK and SSKL series. Ferdinand Porsche is invited to the main post of the design department of the Steyr corporation. He returns to his small homeland. And in 1928, two unique models rolled off the assembly line. The new products of that time were called Austria and Type XXX. True, these machines did not bring financial stability to the company. The designer feels an imminent collapse, and therefore decides not to stay long at Steyr and leaves the company.
On the way to a dream
Ferdinand Porsche was quite famous, and therefore in 1924 the Stuttgart Academy awarded the designer - no less than - the scientific degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences. At 56 years old, the famous automaker takes his first step towards his dream - he opens his own design bureau. April 25, 1931 can be marked in red on the calendar. And orders came immediately. They were all quite prestigious. For example, the Zündapp corporation wanted the famous engineer Porsche to create. Another well-known company at that time, Wanderer, placed an order to create an engine for a passenger car. Porsche not only carried out orders that were interesting to him, but also worked on other projects. So, in 1932, a talented designer produced a torsion bar suspension on trailing arms. This has become a new word in depreciation. The ambitious Ferdinand Porsche did not limit himself to this. The leadership of the Soviet Union even offered him the position of chief designer and, of course, all sorts of privileges. But the Austrian refuses and takes another position - the head of the design bureau of the Auto Union corporation. There he hatches the idea of a hitherto unknown racing car and it comes to life. From 1934 to 1937, this car “teared” everyone on the race tracks of Europe, setting records one after another. In the same years, Porsche informed the German Ministry of Transport about its desire to produce a “people's car” (“Volkswagen”).
First Porsche
During the war years, Ferdinand Porsche, with the help of the guys from his bureau, worked hard to produce not cars at all, but weapons: tanks and self-propelled guns. When the war ended, he spent 22 months in prison. Then he finds out that his brainchild, Volkswagen, is already being produced. But at the factory where his idea was brought to life, the designer was no longer useful, and therefore the inventor returned to his homeland. In 1945, he actively participated in the birth of his first child - a sports car with a Porsche badge. In 1948, the long-awaited firstborn with a numerical designation was born. Porsche 356 is the joint child of a son and father. The history of the creation of the brand began with this brainchild of Porsche. The engine, transmission and suspension of the Volkswagen Beetle were encased in an aluminum body. The motor was placed under the rear axle. Two years later, a black Porsche 356 Ferdinand coupe became a gift for the 75th anniversary of the talented automaker Ferdinand Porsche Sr. from his son. A year later, the founder of the company passed away, but this is only the beginning of history worldwide. His son headed the corporation. The first 50 copies of the Porsche 356 were released quickly and easily. Transport, simple and easy, was loved by consumers in post-war Europe. Moreover, at the first races the car won a landslide victory. Almost immediately after birth. The car was decent. Within a few years, the Porsche KG company settled in Zuffenhausen. And today the plant is located on this site. Serial production began precisely from the time the company moved. The Porsche and Volkswagen companies exchanged components and therefore sold cars through a single network. The cars entered production with a steel body, which turned out to be cheaper. And the engine was already moved behind the rear axle. The line was complemented by coupe and convertible bodies.
Development of the company
It is no coincidence that the rearing horse became the emblem of Porsche cars. This is a combination of the heraldic shield of the Ducal House of Württemberg and the coat of arms of Stuttgart. This badge became a reflection of Porsche. perfect sports car. For a PR company at that time, it was simply necessary to attract attention by participating in races. And the main thing is to win. For this purpose, Ferdinand Porsche Jr. creates a purely sports car. This happens in 1953. Then the Porsche 550 Spider saw the light of day. It was this representative of the line that more than once became a prize-winner in sports competitions, winning palms one after another. He was nicknamed “Carrera” because of his victory at the auto race of the same name in Mexico. From now on, the fastest models of the corporation began to be called that way. In 1954, numbers began to appear on the trunk that indicated the displacement. At the same time, the first Spider was born. Its distinctive feature was its unusually straight windshield, as well as its canvas roof.
Company success
The first Carrera flew out of Porsche's garage in 1955. Corporation employees came up with a new “engine” specifically for this project. It later became the heart of the 550 model. The company's success was enormous. In 1956, the 356 model was updated. This version entered the American market. The line has been expanded with the 550A model. A completely new externally and internally sports car, the Porsche 718, rolled off the assembly line in 1957. It was lighter than its predecessors. The headlight sockets were hidden under the glass. All this was aimed at improving aerodynamics. The beloved Spider was replaced in 1958 by another car - the powerful horse 356D. In 1960, Porsche created the 718/RS model. It is different from the previous dynasty of 550 models. The car was equipped with an unbreakable windshield and also added headlights. In mass production, Porsche played a major role with the 356B code. It could be easily recognized by the shape of the bumpers. Three trim levels were put up for sale. Super-90 became power in the flesh. In 1961, the fastest car in the Carrera line appeared - Carrera-2. In 1963, the 356C was born.
The unique “911” and others
For decades, the Porsche 356 has been the most prestigious car on the world stage. But the time came when the consumer wanted change. Ferdinand Porsche simply needed to create something completely new. Feeling the spirit of the times and realizing that further success depends on it, the mastermind of the company creates a car that many owners still dream of. This car was simply destined to become a masterpiece. This is a Porsche 911. The grandson of Porsche's founder, Ferdinand Alexander, took part in the creation of the car. In 1963, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the canopy was removed from a brand new Porsche car. The power is demonstrated by the six-cylinder engine. It accommodated 160 “horses”. Cooling was by air. The stunning and unique Porsche 911 car has won the hearts of motorists around the world. In the sports industry, the 904 GTS entered the arena. In 1965, a Porsche 912 with a four-cylinder Super 90 engine rolled off the assembly line. In 1967, motorists around the world began to dream of the Porsche 911 Targa convertible, which became the safest of its brothers. A few years later, the 911S underwent a change. The wheelbase was increased by moving the rear axle. The buyers were happy. The line of Porsche cars was replenished with new modifications. At the same time, a joint project of the mega-corporations of the automotive world, Porsche and Volkswagen, was created. But this work could not be called successful. Despite all the disadvantages, the 914/916 was sold under the Volkswagen-Porsche brand for almost ten years.
A new milestone in history
In 1972, three companies that had previously collaborated merged into one large corporation - the joint-stock company Porsche AG. It included: the design bureau, Porsche and Volkswagen-Porsche. Also in 1972, Carrera was revived. Received the name 911 RS, the car acquired a more than two-hundred-horsepower unit and a hitherto unseen spoiler. The wing pressed the car to the ground at high speed. In 1974, the concern introduced the 911 Turbo. Presentation takes place at the Paris Motor Show. A work of art appears on stage. A powerful 260 horsepower engine, a large spoiler and stunning appearance. Aggressiveness and elegance - in one bottle. The Porsche car was equipped with bumpers with a rubberized part for a small impact in the color of the body.
New design
Porsche had to move on; he did not want to stop at the success he had already achieved. The decision was prompted by the spirit of the times. A completely new car was invented. The engine was in the front. The axle and gearbox are located at the rear. This is what the Porsche 924 became. 125 horsepower in a light metal “package”; a body unlike its predecessors. The designers even hid the headlights in the body. Every effort was made to reduce resistance. The Porsche 924 Turbo entered the automotive arena three years later. 170 “horses” under the hood and, surprisingly, the lowest consumption among sports competitors. At the same time, the 928th model was released. 8 cylinders and 240 horsepower. Excellent aerodynamics, unique, always up-to-date appearance, Porsche character. Turning headlights, integrated bumper. All this in a coupe body earned this model the title of “Car of 1978”. He beat the rest of the Europeans. Thanks to this success, an even more powerful swallow appeared the next year. 928S. Almost 300 “horses” in a miniature car. It was capable of accelerating to 250 km/h. Three years later, the Porsche 944 rolled off the production line. The flared nostrils of the wings, inherited from the special version of the 924 Carrera GT, have become a new breath. The appearance was unforgettable. Yes, and other indicators have improved. Over 9 years, 160 thousand of these swallows were released. In various modifications. Among them are S, S2, Turbo, Convertible. The evolution of cars with an engine under the hood ended in 1992–1995. It was a 968 model.
Group "B"
Group B is known to everyone who is interested in auto racing and cannot imagine life without cars. This is a milestone in the history of motorsport. She brought changes to the lives of many people and automakers. The history of Porsche 959 began with it. This happened in 1980. The company was attracted by its liberal requirements. No restrictions, only release of 200 homologation copies. Porsches simply could not pass by. 6-liter engine, 450 horsepower, 4 shock absorbers per wheel, all-wheel drive, computer-controlled torque distribution between the axles, floating ground clearance, Kevlar body parts. This is not a car, this is a dream. In 1986 it was presented in the Dakar Rally. And she takes the first two places. Only group B did not exist for long. The tragic death of pilots and spectators forced the leadership of the motorsport federation to close the race. But the consumer liked the car, and therefore more than 200 of the required copies were produced. Production ended in 1988.
The ideas that formed the basis of the Porsche sports car began to be used to assemble production cars. The 964 and other versions were equipped with all-wheel drive, the turbocharging system was given to the cars of the Turbo line, and the body was modified for the 993. The proprietary PASM adaptive suspension, which is now equipped with all modern cars of the brand, is an analogue of the one that was first installed on the Porsche 959.
Change of years
The brand's flagships soon left the scene, replaced by completely innovative cars - the Boxster and 911 (996) Carrera. The latter was equipped with 4-wheel drive and an automatic transmission. Improved dynamics, new frame, larger rear spoiler, 3.6-liter engine. Carreras were also equipped with other drives. The turbocharged version was initially equipped with a proven engine with a displacement of 3.3 liters, and in 1993 a 3.6-liter version was also launched, with 360 horsepower. The 911 Turbo S semi-racing car and the 911 America Roadster were limited editions. The limited edition sold out very quickly.
911 Turbo, series 964
The modern appearance of the Porsche 911, aerodynamic bumpers, streamlined shapes, new lighting technology - all these are components of a huge step in the evolution of the famous model. The rear suspension has changed significantly, the engine has become more powerful. The Turbo version was equipped with all-wheel drive and a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged engine. Larger intercoolers, a huge spoiler, 408 horsepower, wide rear fenders. Power in the flesh. The personification of auto aggression with an elegant cover. At 34 years old, the history of this model has turned another page. In 1997, Porsche designers gave the Turbo S an even more powerful engine. The pinnacle of sports production was the car that the craftsmen created for the BRP Global GT Series championship. The GT2 engine has become even more powerful. It got dual ignition, power was up to 450 hp. With. This happened in 1998. This version was nicknamed “leaving widows” due to frequent accidents. Also in 1998, in the summer, the last Porsche 911 with a naturally aspirated power unit rolled off the assembly line.
Legendary Boxter
In 1996, the Porsche company released the Porsche 986 Boxster central-engine roadster. This car has become the new personification of the legendary brand. The car was equipped with a 6-cylinder boxer engine with a volume of 2.5 liters. And only in 2000 it began to be equipped with another 3.2-liter engine, receiving the designation S. The car was well received by consumers for relatively little money.
"Porsche 996 GT3"
Today the Frankfurt Motor Show is one of the most famous in the world. All companies strive to present their new products at the event. This was the case in 1997. Then the Porsche company introduced the new Carrera. She was very similar to her predecessor both externally and internally. The design of the heart of the car, the exterior, the headlights - all this was done in this way to reduce production and development costs. The car became even more powerful, increased in size, but continued to win the hearts of not only car enthusiasts, but also various authoritative sources. The car has repeatedly become the best sports car according to many magazines. In 1998, a convertible and Carrera 4 saw the light of day. And a year later, two more new cars from the Porsche line. One of them was introduced for amateur competition - the GT3 (this additional nameplate replaced the RS) and the new 996 Turbo. The last two engines were very different from the previous ones. The basis for them was the design of the unit of the 1998 GT1 sports prototype. The Turbo version received a dual-supercharged version, while the GT3 version was equipped with an atmospheric one.
New breath
The most unusual car for Porsche was presented in 2002. It was an SUV called Cayenne. To produce this swallow, the corporation even erected a new conveyor belt in Leipzig. Already in 2003, production of this model was put into production. This is a joint project between Porsche and Volkswagen. In many ways it is similar to the Volkswagen Touareg model. Of course, consumers are divided into two teams; those who immediately fell in love with this car, and those who did not understand this step, because the car was not like other Porsches. There are several versions of the car: naturally aspirated V6 and V8, supercharged Turbo and Turbo S, as well as GTS and Turbo S with a 550-horsepower engine.
Legendary Porsches
The history of the Porsche company began a long time ago and will not end for a long time. No matter how the public encountered Porsche cars in different years of their existence, sooner or later they always won the hearts of consumers. These stunning and unforgettable shapes, powerful engines, bold design solutions. Porsche was and remains the dream of many, the goal of life, a manifestation of the status and character of its owner. Consumers just have to wait for the new legendary Porsches, and they will definitely come.
