GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

All Porsche articles

911 pricing

Porsche - 911 - Hybrid

Latest articles for Porsche 911

Porsche 911

911

Make: Porsche

Model: 911

Released: Jan 1970

Discontinued: Nov 1989

Porsche logo1 Oct 1963

By THE GOAUTO TEAM

PORSCHE’S iconic 911 was presented at the 1963 Frankfurt motor show as the ‘901’ – until Peugeot complained that the Stuttgart-based firm was infringing its model copyright.

So the car that was supposed to supplant and not replace the 356 series replacement became the 911, sold here as a 97kW 1991cc ‘flat’ six-cylinder two-door coupe.

And like its predecessor, the 911 favoured the rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout that was the lynchpin of the original Volkswagen Beetle. Its creator Dr Ferry Porsche envisaged the 911 as a roomier, more comfortable alternative to the 356.

From October ’65 to ’69 a 67kW 1.6-litre four-cylinder model was also available, and known as the 912. This was the true replacement for the 356.

The first 911 Targa was unveiled in 1965, making a feature of its protective roll bar, as Porsche didn’t foresee big sales so never bothered to re-engineer the two-door coupe body to be a proper convertible.

Meanwhile the 1968 911S featured significantly more performance from its 120kW 2.0-litre engine, There was also the 82kW 911T with a twin-carburettor 2.0, 104kW 911E with fuel-injection, and a more powerfully fuel-injected 911S from 1969 offering 127kW.

At around the same time the 911 B-series attempted to address some of the earlier models’ cornering and high-speed instability by having the wheelbase stretched 57mm to lessen the 41.4:58.5 front-rear weight distribution in-balance.

In 1970 a five-speed manual or semi-automatic clutchless manual gearbox was offered in the new 93kW/176Nm 911T 2.2, 116kW/190Nm 911E 2.2, and 134kW/198Nm 2.2 911S 2165cc flat six-cylinder C-Series 911 range.

There were also front suspension and interior changes, among other revisions.

In ’72 the E-Series 911 arrived, using a new 2341cc ‘2.4’ flat six. The 911T developed 97kW/224Nm, the 911E 123kW/235Nm and the 911S 142kW/244Nm.

For the ’73 model year in Australia they were known as the F-Series 911. One big difference was the removal of an oil-tank flap since many owners and/or service station attendants confused it for a fuel tank. A small chin spoiler was another.

In November 1973 the big bumper look (conforming to US 8km/h front impact laws) arrived, along with a galvanised body, large rear spoilers, new seats and the 2687cc 2.7 flat sixes.

The G-Series range read: 911 2.7 Coupe and Targa: 112kW/236Nm 129kW/235Nm, in three-speed semi-auto or four-speed manual 911S 2.7 Coupe and Targa: 129kW/235Nm, with the semi-auto or five-speed manual gearbox and 911 Carrera 2.7 Coupe and Targa: 156kW/254Nm with a five-speed manual gearbox.

A deeper front spoiler denotes the 1975 H-Series 911 range, along with a 147kW/255Nm 2993cc flat six Carrera 3.0 Coupe and Targa models, while minor trim and specification adjustments make up the ’76 I-Series.

In November ’75 the revered 930 Turbo was released, using a turbo-charged 3.0-litare OHC flat six to produce 194kW of power and 344Nm of torque, and driving the rear wheels via a special four-speed manual gearbox.

The whole 911 range from 1978-1983 went 3.0-litres and five-speed manual, with the base SC Coupe and Targa showing 133kW and 265Nm. The latter was also available with a new four-speed automatic.

The 911 Turbo four-speed manual now pumped out 221kW/430Nm.

A full convertible 911 SC Cabriolet, with the 133kW/265Nm 3.0-litre engine and five-speed manual, debuted in November ’82.

For the final phase of this series 911 from November ’84 to November ’89 the 3.0 grew to a 152kW/262Nm 3164cc 3.2-litre flax six-cylinder engine, for the revised Coupe, Targa and Convertible.

A Carrera Sport version was also released alongside these in November ’87, with 160kW and 265Nm, while a special small-windscreen 911 Speedster was brought in from June to November ’89.

Latest reviews

All Porsche articles

911 pricing

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here