Here’s how Porsche’s flagship sports cars have evolved since the 1960s
Just like other automakers, Porsche has designated some of its vehicles as flagship models over the years. For each period, the flagship is generally the most prestigious and expensive model to wear the company badge. Much like a Navy flag officer commanding his fleet from the most advanced ship, sailing in a flagship car is a sign of prestige. These cars straddle the top of the food chain in terms of technological advancements, eye-catching designs and jaw-dropping performance.
Most of the new technologies and features that Porsche brought to the industry were introduced through the flagship models. The use of turbocharging in a production Porsche was introduced with the 930 Turbo while the Carrera GT was the first built on a carbon fiber monocoque chassis. That said, here are all of Porsche’s flagship sports cars since the ’60s.
ten 1964: Porsche 904
The 904, designed by Alexander Ferdinand Porsche and known officially as the Porsche Carrera GTS, is a gem built by Porsche in 1964 and 1965. To reduce cost and weight, the ladder chassis was made from sections in stamped steel while the body was fabricated. with fiberglass.
Power was provided by a 2-liter flat-4 engine that sent 180 hp to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission. With this setup, which was good for a top speed of 160 mph, it achieved great success in the 1964 racing season.
9 1966: Porsche 911S
The 911S was introduced in 1966 as a more powerful version of the hugely popular Porsche 911. Along with a set of forged aluminum alloy wheels, the 911S featured a more powerful engine and several chassis upgrades that made it gave an advantage over the standard 911.
Power came from an air-cooled 2-liter flat-6 engine that produced 160 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque for a top speed of 141 mph. With its precise and responsive steering, short wheelbase and lighter weight, the 911S was a mechanical machine that rewarded drivers with an exciting ride.
8 1978: Porsche 930 Turbo
The original 930 Turbo was created when Porsche applied its supercharging technology to the 3-litre flat-6 engine that powered the Carrera RS 3.0. For the 1978 model year, the 930 received a significant upgrade in the form of a 3.3-liter flat-6 engine with an intercooler.
With power boosted to 296 hp (261 hp for the US version), the 930 Turbo could sprint to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and top out at 165 mph. The negative side of the upgrade was that it came with an increase in weight which detracted from the car’s handling and character.
7 1980: Porsche 928 S
The 928 is a luxury grand tourer designed when the CEO of Porsche wanted to replace the compact 911. Arriving in Europe in 1980, the 928 S had wider tires and new front and rear spoilers unlike the standard 928.
For power, it relied on a 4.7 liter V8 which had an output of 296 hp which was later increased to 306 hp in 1984. In 1985 the power of the American version increased from 235 hp to 288 hp, and the 928 S was able to reach 155 mph.
6 1986: Porsche 959
When the flagship Porsche 959 first arrived as a Group B rally car and later as a road-legal supercar, it thrilled the gears with its stellar qualities. It featured an electronically controlled chassis, superior aerodynamics and a 2.8-liter flat-6 engine with 2 turbochargers that worked sequentially for smooth power delivery.
Mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, it sent 444bhp through a sophisticated 4WD system for a top speed of 197mph. Later versions with larger turbochargers could reach 211 mph, and despite the exorbitant price, the flagship 959 sold out quickly.
5 2004: Porsche Carrera GT
The Porsche Carrera GT is a sophisticated and racy supercar that was developed to replace the flagship Porsche 959. Priced at $448,400, it was a technological powerhouse built on a pure carbon fiber monocoque chassis and sporting an electronically controlled rear spoiler.
For motivation, he got a mid-mounted, 5.7-liter aluminum V-10 engine mill that powered the rear wheels with 605 hp and 435 lb-ft of torque. This translated to a top speed of 205 mph, a 0-60 mph run of 3.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 11.2 seconds at 132 mph.
4 2008: Porsche 911 GT2
When the 911 GT2 arrived in 2007, it was the scariest turbocharged 911 on the market, more powerful but weighing less than the 911 Turbo. Boosted by two turbochargers, the 3.6-liter flat-6 engine sends 523 horsepower and 505 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels.
With so much power on tap, it was able to hit 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, do the quarter mile in 11.4 seconds to top out at 205 mph. For all its ferocity, it came with luxury options like multi-adjustable leather seats, a premium Bose stereo system and a navigation system.
3 2014: Porsche 918 Spyder
Porsche’s hybrid masterpiece was so advanced that all 918 units sold out within a year despite a price tag of $845,000. A 599 hp 4.6-liter V8 supported by an electric motor drives the rear wheels while a second motor drives the front axle. Delivering a combined 875 hp and 944 lb-ft of torque, they rocketed the car to 60 mph in 2.2 seconds and a top speed of 218.4 mph.
On the 7-inch infotainment touchscreen you can access features like the navigation system and Bluetooth connectivity, while an 11-speaker Burmester audio system serenades you.
2 2018: Porsche Panamera Turbo SE Hybrid
When it was unveiled in 2017 for the 2018 model year, the Panamera Turbo SE Hybrid was one of the most powerful Porsches ever. With a starting price of $185,450, it offers seating for 4 passengers in a well-built and comfortable cabin.
A 4-liter twin-turbo V8 mill teams up with an electric motor to deliver 680bhp and enough torque for a 0-60mph time of 2.9 seconds. Available features include InnoDrive adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, 4-zone climate control and a night vision camera.
1 2021: Porsche 911 Turbo S
Starting at a lofty price of $208,350 for the coupe, the 911 Turbo S is all-new for the 992 generation. Unsurprisingly, it delivers monstrously fast acceleration, 2.2 seconds to 60 mph and 10.1 seconds to quarter mile at 137 mph.
This is made possible by 640 ponies and 572 lb-ft of torque sent to all 4 wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Sharp, well-weighted steering helps it handle like a race car while Porsche’s adaptive suspension system ensures a smooth ride.
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