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It's not often Porsche creates an all-new model in their 911 lineup. But the 997 Carrera GTS is just that. It's faster, more powerful and better looking than any other model in the Carrera family. However it's still a little less hardcore than the 911 GT3, and a lot cheaper than the 911 Turbo. The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS features a 3.8 litre flat-six engine which is tuned to develop 408 horsepower, that's 23 hp more than the Carrera S manages. Think of it as the perfectly optioned Carrera S for less money.
The 964 Carrera RS (Standard) was introduced by Porsche for model year 1992 specifically for the European market as a lightweight, high performance version of the 964 Carrera 2. It featured a revised version of the standard 3.6 liter engine, titled M64/03 internally, with an increased power output of 260 bhp (194 kW; 264 PS). The RS does not look much different from the other 911 models of the period but its weight is reduced and power increased. True to its racing spirit, the Carrera RS featured bucket seats and thinner materials, but lacked power windows, air conditioning, air bags, and other creature comforts.
Of all the 1580 Carrera RS 2.7s, only 200 were made were ordered with this lightweight ‘Sports’ trim which made the car more responsive and purposeful. In many ways these few cars were the ultimate road-going Porsche of the 1970s. Known as the Sports, Lightweight or even the M471 option code, these cars had improved the power-to-weight ratio. Reports of 75kg were stripped from the standard model by fitting lightweight body panels and lightweight glass.
Revealed at the 1972 Paris Auto Show, the Carrera 2.7 RS was a special model used to homologate the 911 in Group 4 racing. Developed from the 911S, the 2.7 was more potent in almost every area. Compared to the standard Carrera, the 2.7 RS featured a larger engine, wider flares to accommodate the Fuchs alloy wheels, stiffened suspension, larger brakes and a ducktail rear spoiler. The Touring outsold the Lightweight, with a total of 1380 units built (the Lightweight had only 200 units).
Following the famous 1973 F-model 911 Carrera RS 2.7, Porsche built its successor based on the G-model and it was called the 911 Carrera RS 3.0. With its 172 kW engine, it was the most powerful series production street-legal Porsche made so far. With its new 3.0-liter engine, featuring mechanical fuel injection, it was capable of 230 hp. While 1,580 Carrera RS 2.7s were built for 1973, only 56 Carrera RS 3.0s were built for 1974.
The 964 Carrera RS 3.8 was produced as a base for homologation for the venerable 3.8 RSR. It was unveiled in 1993 and produced in a very small series by Porsche’s Racing Department in Weissach-Flacht, and was an extreme evolution of the 964 Carrera RS that was released two years prior. It featured the wide-body look of the Type 964 Turbo, a massive rear spoiler, and three-piece “Speedline for Porsche” wheels with 235/40 and 285/35 tires, making it distinctively more aggressive in appearance than the fairly restrained styling of the Carrera RS of 1992 and capable of providing significantly more mechanical grip.
The 993 Carrera RS is a lightweight, stiffer version of the naturally-aspirated 993 Carrera meant for ultimate street performance. At its heart was the 3.8-liter normally aspirated Type M64/20 engine producing 300 bhp at 6,500 rpm along with 262 foot-pounds of torque at 5,400 rpm. Looking to save as much weight as possible, every non-essential item from the car was removed. The Carrera RS tipped the scales at a 1,280 kg. About 1,000 Carrera RS were built, making it one of the rarest and most collectable 993-generation 911's produced. In addition to the Base Trim it was also available as the race-ready, street legal, RS Clubsport (option M003).
The 993 Carrera RS Clubsport, 213 of which were built to meet the FIA GT2 homologation requirements, is a race-ready, although street legal variant of the 993 Carrera RS, not to be confused with the track only 993 Carrera Cup RSR. Emphasizing its competition credentials, the 993 Carrera RS Clubsport came with a welded-in roll cage as standard, considerably increasing its rigidity, racing bucket seats, six-point safety harnesses, battery isolator switch, fire extinguisher, and a huge fixed rear wing, the latter also available on the 'base model' Carrera RS.
For race teams and track day customers Porsche prepared a small number of the 964 Cup cars according to the FIA NG-T regulations. Officially called the Competition model, these custom-ordered cars were an intermediary step between the Carrera Cup option (M001) and the standard tourer (M002). This M0003 option was available directly from Porsche as a road-going model. These cars had almost all the Carrera Cup modifications including the new suspension. This lowered the car by 40mm in the rear and 50mm in the front. It also included fitting of the larger 930 Turbo disc brakes and adjustable anti-roll bars.
Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8
Introduced in 1973, the RSR was a factory-built racing car based on the 911 chassis. The Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8 was the first 911 to ever wear the RSR badge. Homologated for racing by the iconic 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, the RSR’s racing career got off to the perfect start thanks to Brumos Racing’s overall triumph in the 1973 24 Hours of Daytona, while a factory car won the latest ever Targa Florio road race. For the privateer in the mid-1970s who wanted to go sports car racing this was the chosen weapon.
The Carrera S was the ultimate, naturally aspirated version of the Carrera 2. Porsche decided to offer something more to its customers when it launched the Carrera S version. It featured a stiffer and lowered suspension. Its wider tires made it better in the corners and faster around a race-track than its Carrera 2 sibling. The Carrera S took its bodywork from the Porsche Turbo. But it didn't get the turbocharger or the all-wheel-drive system. Its wider rear fenders and lowered stance than the Carrera lineup made it a desirable car for the Porsche fans. The engine was the same 3.6-liter naturally aspirated, but it was offered in the higher power output of 285 hp. The only transmission available was a 6-speed manual.
The switch to turbocharging delivers predictably faster acceleration, with 0 - 60 mph taking just 3.9 seconds with the PDK transmission and Sport Chrono optioned. The quarter mile is dispatched in 12.2 seconds and the top speed for the open top Carrera S is 190 mph. These numbers are pretty impressive for an open top 911 that is just as comfortable driving around town as it is on back roads on spirited runs. With the 991.2 Carrera S Cab, it can be argued that there is no real need dynamically to opt for. the coupe body. A great overall sports car that is fast, fun and happens to have no roof.
The open-top 991 Carrera S Cabriolet requires an $11,600 premium over a comparable coupe; ta not-cheap $108,950 price point for those shopping. For that, you get the best overall open-top sports car around. With the 400-hp, 3.8-liter six and the benefit of the PDK automatic’s launch control, the Carrera S cabriolet should hit 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and cover the quarter-mile in the low 12s. Performance is on-par with the coupe on backroads so any fears that this is a soft-911 are thrown out the window. This is a serious sports car, sans roof.
The Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet also features a heated glass rear window and integrated magnesium support elements. The automatic fabric top opens and closes at speeds of up to 31 miles per hour in just 12 seconds – one second quicker than before. The 992 Carrera S Cabriolet gets a twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six with 443 bhp and 390 ft lbs of torque. That is 29 more horsepower and 22 more ft lbs of torque than the outgoing model.
Like the rest of the range the Carrera S Cabriolet got a new 997.2 generation update. Not much is new on the outside, but the design refresh did give it a revised front bumper and larger air intakes, as well as by new large mirrors and the bright strip of LEDs below the headlights that serve as daytime running lights. Inside the car, there's a new communication management system, PCM 3.0 which includes a new touchscreen feature, is standard on all 2009 and onward 911s.
The Carrera S convertible was introduced to the market at the same time with the Carrera Cabriolet, a few months after their coupe-versions were unveiled. The convertible version for the Carrera S got reinforcements needed for the cabriolet built while the engineering was going on for the coupe, ensuring that the drop-top version was just as strong and performance-focused. It got the same engine as the Carrera S and made a case for itself as the best 911 of the range at the time.
In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Porsche Club of America (PCA), Porsche has created an exclusive 911 Carrera' S Coupe model featuring a distinctive exterior color, unique interior styling and commemorative touches, and a more powerful and higher performing engine. Limited to an exclusive production run of just 50 cars initially made available to eligible PCA members, the 911 Club Coupe was unveiled this past weekend at PCA's 50th Annual Porsche Parade in Hershey, Pa.
Porsche purists might moan that the flat-six engine in the rear is no longer naturally aspirated, but with more power and torque, improved efficiency and some advanced interior tech giving this 911 an even bigger breadth of ability than before, this facelifted 991-generation model carries on where the old car left off. Sure, it’s lost a touch of that high rev zing from the old car, but if you add the sports exhaust, the bark from the engine inside and out is still intoxicating. And so is the speed. The 991.2 Carrera S is absolutely amazing on both road and track and still the best sports car around.
The 991 Carrera S continued the time honored Porsche 911 tradition of growing in physical size and power. Over the years the 911 has continued its evolution from a pure sports car to a luxurious super-car and the 2012 Carrera S Coupe was no exception. The seventh generation 911 launched in 2012 and it sits on a new platform, with a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs. It also featured new headlights and taillights. Features a 3.8-liter flat-six engine mated as standard to a world's first seven-speed manual transmission.
If the base 911 coupe doesn't do it for you, maybe the Carrera S coupe gets you over the line. For about $20k more, you get more horsepower, torque vectoring and bigger wheels. The Carrera S uses a version of the 3.0L twin-turbo flat-6 that generates 443 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Torque vectoring allows different amounts of torque to be distributed between drive wheels on the same axle. This means the inside wheel can turn slower than the outside wheel for improved cornering.
For the 997.2 generation, power from the 3.6-liter Carrera engine was increased to 345 hp while the Carrera S saw 385 horsepower from its 3.8-liter flat-six. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a standard manual box but for the first time, the 997.2 saw the introduction of the dual-clutch PDK as an option. The chassis remains largely unchanged, with slightly modified springs and dampers. The sports suspension is replaced with a variable, electronically controlled sports suspension based on the active PASM suspension. The sweet spot in the used car market at the moment.
The 997 Carrera S was the first step up in performance over the base 997 Carrera. Available over two distinct generations, the 997.1 Carrera S used a 3.8-liter engine producing 355hp – the available X51 Powerkit bumped that number to 376hp. From 2009 onwards, the 997.2 Carrera S offered 380hp from 3.8 liters. Besides a more powerful engine, it also comes standard with 19 inch wheels, larger brakes, and a lowered suspension with PASM.
To the untrained eye, the Carrera T may appear to be a bare-bones and sparingly equipped 911 at first glance. The purpose of the T is to create a driver-focused 911, equipped with only the necessities required to appeal to those of a purist’s ilk. The Carrera T employs the same power plant used in the current base Carrera - a twin-turbocharged 3.0L flat-six with 370 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. A 7-speed manual transmission comes standard with the T, along with a shorter final-drive ratio and the limited-slip differential. Porsche Sport Exhaust (PSE) is also standard. PASM sport suspension comes standard in the T, which lowers the chassis by 0.4 inches relative to the base Carrera and allows for two modes of dampening.
The return of the Touring badge, now on the Type 992. In a way, the car may seem sparingly equipped, and apart from the paint color, the wheels, and if you want a 7-speed manual or 8-speed PDK, it is. But it’s what it’s equipped with that makes the Porsche drivers smile. The purist-focused Carrera T is perfectly specced for fun, with its sweet rear-wheel drive, no rear seats, and a manual gearbox for just $118,050.
For 1974 both the 911 Carrera RSR 3.0 and RSR Turbo 2.1 were created - the 3.0L for the customer teams and the 2.1 turbo for Porsche’s own team. The 911 Carrera RSR Turbo 2.1 developed 338-368 kW in power, but as the engine was small, the turbo lag was big and it wasn’t as easy to drive out of the corners as it was with the 3-litre normally aspirated car. Weight reduction measures included plastic hoods, fender flares and doors and an aluminium safety cage.
Porsche 911 Cup 3.8 (993) (1994 - 1998)
The 993 Carrera Cup 3.8 was developed from the 993 Carrera RS, as purpose-built competition car designed by Porsche for its single-model racing series taking place around the world. Replacing the 964 Carrera Cup, the 993 Carrera Cup had a claimed 315 bhp on tap, weighed only 1,100kg, and offered a top speed of around 270km/h (170mph). Approximately 216 samples were built. The Carrera Cup should not be confused witth the Carrera RSR, or the 993 Carrera RS Clubsport version.
The 993 Carrera RSR takes the 993 Carrera RS formula and makes it even more track-ready by adding a roll-cage and removing carpet, power windows, and a/c. There were just thirty Porsche 911 Cup 3.8 RSR (Type 993) race cars produced for the 1997 season. This model was the last of the breed of air-cooled, naturally-aspirated 911 race cars to come from the Weissach race department before the introduction of the Type 996 water-cooled cars. To find a 993 3.8 RSR that participated in some of the world’s toughest endurance races in period, and survived unscathed and unmolested, is quite rare.
Porsche makes sports car history by launching its first publicly available rally car, the $223,450 911 Dakar. After extensive testing, Porsche has settled on a 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder boxer engine with 473 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque and an 8-speed PDK. True to rally form, an 80-mm suspension lifts the car, along with an optional roof rack and model-specific Pirelli Scorpion all-terrain tires.
The Porsche 911 E was designed to fall nicely between the 911 T touring model and the top of range high-performance 911S. The Porsche 911 T would continue for its second year in Europe, and newly introduced into the United States market, as the entry level offering for the 911, sitting below the 1969 911E and the 1969 911S. The 1969 911E was powered by engine Type 901/09 (Type 901/11 with Sportomatic) featuring mechanical fuel injection (MFI). The 2.0 L Aircooled Flat 6 was good for 140 bhp at 6500 rpm.
The Porsche 911E continued as the midrange 911 for the 1970 and 1971 model years, fitting between the contemporaneous 2.2L 911T and the 2.2L 911S. It produced 155 bhp and featured all the upgrades that came with C-Series production including longer wheelbase, Fuchs alloy wheels. Both the E and S model 911 had an aluminium engine-lid and aluminium bumpers. The 911 E 2.2 was once again available as either a Coupe or Targa body. For model year 1972, the 2.2L 911E was replaced by the 2.4L 911E.
The Porsche 911E continued as the midrange 911 model for 1972 and 1973, fitting between the contemporaneous 2.4L 911T and the 2.4L 911S. As with the T and S variants, Porsche would upgrade the 911E to a new, larger 2,341 cc (2.3 L) engine, commonly known as the "2.4 L" engines. The 911E version, designated 911/52 was rated at 165 hp (it was designated 911/62 with Sportomatic). With the power and torque increase, the 2.4-liter cars also got the newer and stronger transmission.
In 1972 Porsche Design was founded. The celebratory car is a 911 Targa 4 GTS, painted and finished to commemorate the Chronograph 1, which Porsche says was the first all-black watch. Gloss black paint is highlighted by a Satin Platinum finish on the targa bar and wheels. Inside, the Edition 50 Years Porsche Design—as English majors, you have no idea how painful it is for us to type that—gets black-and-gray checkered upholstery, a slate-gray steering wheel, and plenty of limited-edition badging, including F.A. Porsche's signature embossed into the center armrest. The powertrain is standard for the Targa 4 GTS.
Porsche 911 GT America (991)
The 911 GT America was based on the 991 GT3 Cup. It was built exclusively for the United Sports Car Racing (USRC) series and its GT Daytona class for 2014. While the GT3 Cup had a 3.8-litre engine at the time, the GT America was fitted with a 4.0-litre unit developing 351 kW. The main visual difference is the rear spoiler made to fit the USRC rules. Like the GT3 Cup, the GT America has 380 mm steel brake rotors at the front axle with 6-piston fixed calipers.
The 1998 GT1 car was a totally rethink and vast upgrade versus the prior year car. 1998 Le Mans 24-hour race In the 1998 jubilee year, the Porsche team celebrated its 16th overall victory in Le Mans with a double win for the 911 GT1 98. On 6th/7th June, the winning car was driven by Laurent Aiello, Allan McNish and Stéphane Ortelli. It was almost 50 years to the day on which the first Porsche sports car saw the light of day.
A single car - the 911 GT1-98 Straßenversion - was built in 1998 to homologate the all-new racing version under the new FIA regulations. The engine had to be slightly de-tuned to meet European emissions laws, although its 400 kW (544 PS; 536 hp) at 7,200 rpm and 600 N⋅m (443 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,250 rpm proved to be more than adequate; the car could accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 3.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 193 mph.
In spite of its 911 moniker, the car actually had very little in common with the 911 of the time, only sharing the front and rear headlamps with the production sports car. Designed and developed to compete in the GT1 class of sportscar racing, which also required a street-legal version for homologation purposes. It was powered by a twin-turbo flat 6 that was good for 600 bhp. The 1996 911 GT1 clocked at a top speed of exactly 330 km/h (205 mph) on the legendary Mulsanne Straight.
Towards the end of the 1996 season, Porsche made revisions to the 911 GT1 in preparation for the 1997 season. The front end of the car was revised including new bodywork which featured headlamps that previewed the all-new generation of the (996) Porsche 911 which would be unveiled in 1997. It had the same engine as the previous version, but new aerodynamic elements allowed the 1997 version to be considerably faster than the 1996 version. At Le Mans the works cars led the race but did not last the full distance; a privately entered 1996 specification GT1 managed 5th overall and third in its class.
To comply with homologation requirements, Porsche built two street versions of their 1996 Le Mans contender. These pre-production cars are essentially the same as the race version without all the safety equipment, a higher ride height and more interior amenities. The two street versions were actually built in 1995 as 1996 model year cars. The engines were slightly detuned from 600 bhp to 544 and the gear ratios were changed.
Homologated roadgoing version of the ’97 911 GT1 Evolution racer costing $890,805 upon release. Twin-turbochargers were fitted to the M96/80 engine, which had water-cooled cylinder heads. Apparent from the front and rear lights, the GT1 shares many components with its series production counterparts, but puts them together in a more competitive way. Gone is the rear engine layout which isn't suitable for prototype GT racing, the GT1's turbocharged flat-six engine sits in front of the rear axle and is supported by chassis tubes instead of the typical 911 rear sub frame. 
The Porsche 911 GT2 (or GT as it was initially called) from the 993 Porsche series was built in order to meet homologation requirements for the GT2 class racing which had banned all-wheel-drive vehicles by the mid 1990's. As a two-wheel drive vehicle, the GT2 had significant weight savings as compared to the standard 993 Turbo from Porsche, making it instantly competitive in racing. The 993 GT2's original 3.6 L (220 cu in) engine generated a maximum power output of 316 kW (430 PS; 424 hp). There was an update in 1998 that upped power to 450 bhp.
From model year 2001, the model range was extended to include the 911 GT2. The body of the extreme sports car was based on the body of the 911 Turbo. The GT2 engine was also based on the 911 Turbo but had ten percent more power. The bi-turbo engine delivered 462 horsepower. The GT2 was offered with a Clubsport Package for use in motorsport. In late 2003 the Porsche 911 GT2 received a power upgrade from 462hp to 483hp, maximum torque also increased from 457 lb ft to 472 ft lbs, thanks to a revised engine management program. Top speed increased by 2mph to 198mph while 0-60 is claimed to take 3.8 sec.
The 2008 Porsche 997 GT2 is the most powerful and fastest roadgoing 911 Porsche has ever created. Power for the 997 GT2 comes from a 3.6 litre, twin-turbo, flat-6 cylinder engine which develops 530 bhp @ 6500 rpm, and a tire destroying 505 lb-ft of torque @ 2200 - 4500 rpm. most of the power gains have been achieved with changes to the turbo-charging system and the addition of a high-flow titanium exhaust system. Power is transferred to the rear wheels of through a 6-speed manual giving the car a 0-60 mph time of just 3.6 seconds and a 204 mph top speed.
Porsche 911 GT2 Clubsport (993)
The GT2 was the hardcore, race-focused version of the 993 Turbo, using essentially the same 3.6 L twin-turbocharged engine, but slightly modified with increased power output. The car was made to compete in the FIA GT2 racing class. Among this already very exclusive circle of 57 cars there is an even more rare community. 20 of the 57 road-legal cars were produced in a second – and last – badge with upgraded engine power (450 PS) called GT2 “Clubsport” which make them the last Porsche models with air-cooled engines.
The Porsche 911 GT2 Evo represented the top specification ever produced for any air-cooled Porsche. Designed to compete in FIA GT1, it incorporated a twin turbocharged 3.6L flat-6 engine rated at a full 600 HP and 491 lb-ft of torque. As compared to the standard 993 GT2, Porsche widened the rear fender extensions to cover wider modular wheels and added a new front spoiler with inlets for oil and brake cooling. A second deck appeared on the already outlandish rear spoiler, which could be mounted higher in the air stream for added downforce. Approximately 11 samples were produced.
The racing sportscar is prepared by Porsche following the Le Mans GT2 regulations for the over 1,150 kg weight classification. It features a 3.6-litre engine with two turbo-chargers (KKK 24 with 33.8 mm restrictors), which delivers around 450 hp at 5,750 rpm. Even this racing vehicle, with its suspension featuring a McPherson front axle and Porsche multi-link rear axle with LSA system, closely resembles its production relative. Utilizing a steel 993 Twin Turbo chassis with modifications for racing, scored numerous victories in a wide variety of racing venues.
The GT2 RS's reputation as the most powerful street-legal car is as monstrous as this comprehensive guide. Suffice to say, this supercar has been built with the best Porsche has to offer. It's not bragging, it's just facts. There is no doubt that the new GT2 RS is the pinnacle of the 911 in terms of performance. It is simply the fastest 911 in history, and that’s a fact. It is the quickest production car to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It is the most powerful 911 ever made.
Porsche’s 911 GT2 RS is a brute, a lightweight, twin-turbocharged, 620-hp bout of madness that stemmed from Stuttgart’s quest to see how high up the sports-car ladder the 911 could punch. It is the most serious roadgoing Porsche ever. The engine is a port-injected, 3.6-liter flat-six from the Le Mans–winning GT1 race car of the late ’90s, with a pair of variable-geometry turbochargers huffing a maximum of 23.2 psi of boost into the combustion chambers. The result is 620 hp at 6500 rpm and 516 lb-ft of torque at 2250. It gets a six-speed manual gearbox and rear-drive only. Yikes.
Porsche will only build 30 examples of the Clubsport 25. Mechanically, it's similar to the regular GT2 RS Clubsport. It makes the 691 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six. But it gets many, many changes to the exterior and even the cooling system. As you can clearly see, the body has been lengthened, and it has also been widened. The latter is necessary to house the wide, low-offset 18-inch wheels taken from the Porsche 935, though without the aerodynamic covers.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 carries the same four-litre flat engine from the GT3 RS with its power increased by 25hp for a new total of 500hp. The chassis is also redesigned and now features a rear-axle steering and a lighter construction. The Porsche 911 GT3 type 991.2 comes in at 1,430 kg when its tank is full. Although it is a bit heavier than the previous model, it still manages to reach 0-100km/h in just 3.4 seconds and reach top speeds of 318km/h. What’s more interesting here is that Porsche finally decided to switch back to a 6-speed manual gearbox (7-speed PDK is standard).
Porsche introduced the 991 GT3 for the 2014 model year, as follow up to the multiple 997 GT3 variants. The 991 GT3 featured a new 3.8 litre direct fuel injection (DFI) flat-six engine developing 475 hp (354 kW; 482 PS) at 8,250 rpm, Porsche's Doppelkupplung (PDK) double-clutch gearbox, and rear-wheel steering. The 911 GT3 is claimed to be able to accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.1 seconds or less, and the quarter mile in 11.2 seconds at 126 mph (203 km/h). It evolved into the 991.2 GT3 for model year 2018.
The 992-era 911 GT3 confirms that Porsche is prepared to go to astonishing lengths to keep the hardcore faithful happy. The engine is a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre that revs to 9,000 rm and has little in common with the unit found elsewhere in the 992 range and a lot to do with the one in the GT3 Cup car. Power is up a modest 10bhp to 503 bhp, torque to 347 ft lbs. That’s more than enough. It’ll accelerate to 62mph in 3.4 seconds. It is the best sports car on the planet.
The second generation GT3 takes all that was good about it's predecessor and then improves it! Power from the GT1 derived flat-6 is up by 21 bhp to 381 bhp (with an 8200 rpm redline), ride height is lowered for increased stability and also has an upgraded braking setup, as it features a 6-piston calipers on the front. Two versions are offered, the more extreme 'Clubsport' showing it's track day colors with a full roll cage, racing seat and a 6-point harness. The 996.2 GT3 was the first GT3 marketed in the North America. The new Porsche 911 GT3 comes with all the features of half a century Porsche motorsport. It is a sports car for the purist through and through.
The GT3 was based on the standard 996 Carrera, but was stripped of a great deal of equipment for weight savings, featuring stiffer, adjustable suspension and upgraded brakes. The GT3 used the bodyshell of the four-wheel-drive Carrera 4, which incorporated additional front-end stiffening. It featured a naturally aspirated 3.6-litre flat-six engine generating a maximum power output of 360 bhp @ 7200 rpm and torque of 273 ft lbs @ 5000 rpm. This engine was shared with the 996 Turbo and was a derivative of the engine developed for the 911 GT1 race car.
Even more powerful, faster and more dynamic than ever before, the updated 997 Porsche 911 GT3 (differentiated from the earlier with a new 997.2 designation) is about to prove its enhanced potential. The Porsche 911 GT3 now reaches an even higher standard in its two main qualities: power and driving dynamics. The naturally-aspirated six-cylinder now increased in size to 3.8 litres is 435 bhp (320 kW), up 20 bhp over the previous model. In particular, the flat-six power unit carefully upgraded for even more muscle and performance offers a significant increase in torque at medium engine speeds. Road performance is spectacular.
If the 996.1 911 GT3 was all about the engine, in the 997.1 completes the rest of the formula. The surgical clarity of its transmission, steering, brakes, pedal weights and heights, and overall chassis balance represented a clear step-change from its regular 997 911 siblings. But the engine was still the heart of the car, the water-cooled 3.6-liter flat-six boasting a new intake and a new exhaust compared with the 996 versions. Official output was 415 hp, though insiders admit some engines made close to 430 hp. Launched in 2006, today this is in many ways the sweet-spot GT3, way more affordable than the later 4.0.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is powered by a 3.8-litre six-cylinder flat engine. It generates 460 hp (338 kW) at 7,500 revs, surpassing the predecessor by 10 hp. A six-speed dog-type gearbox developed by Porsche Motorsport which is operated via shift paddles at the steering wheel for the first time in a Porsche brand trophy race car transmits the power to the rear axle. The single piece race wheels with centre mount were also new.
The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup features the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, the world’s best-selling race car. For this season, it’s the new generation. 510 hp, optimised intake manifold, electronic gearshift and power steering, fully digital cockpit, larger rear wing, and a double-wishbone front axle. This is a meaningfully upgraded race car. The new 911 GT3 Cup is taking on a great legacy. And it has already proven itself!
The 996 GT3 Cup served as the basis for the 996 GT3 road car, featuring a 3.6 litre engine with 355 hp. For the 1999 season the engine output was increased to 365 hp. For the 2001 season the GT3 Cup received modified aerodynamics including an enlarged rear wing and improved cooling. For 2002, the GT3 Cup received several changes, adopting facelift 996.2 features such as Turbo-style headlights. The new body significantly improves aerodynamics and cooling. Engine output was increased to 380 hp. For 20003 onward, the power was hiked once again, with the engine now pumping out 385 bhp @ 7250 rpm and of torque 288 ft lbs @ 6500 rpm.
The Porsche 997 GT3 Cup was a series of race cars created by Porsche to enter the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Group GT3 racing class. Replacing the 996 GT3 Cup, the 997 Cup's 3.6 litre engine is rated at 294 kW (400 PS; 394 hp) and was mated to a six-speed sequential transmission. In 2009, the GT3 Cup received several 997.2 updates including a new 3.8 litre engine with an output of 331 kW (450 PS; 444 hp).
To a large extent, the 3.6-litre boxer engine is identical to the power unit used in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup and the international Carrera Cup championships. Power output has increased by 20 horsepower to now 440 hp (324 kW) at 8,000 rpm. Maximum torque is up by ten Nm to 430 at 7,250 revs per minute. The power increase results from optimised engine electronics and a modified exhaust system. In contrast to the GT3 Cup, the body of the Cup S is not based on the road-going GT3 but on the GT3 RS.
Based on the 911 GT3 RS production sports car, Porsche has designed a customer sport race car for GT3 series around the world: The 911 GT3 R. In developing the more than 368 kW (500 hp) racing nine-eleven, special attention was paid to lightweight design, better aerodynamic efficiency, reducing consumption, improved handling and optimised safety. The 911 GT3 R features the distinctive double-bubble roof, and the wheelbase which had been lengthened compared to the prior generation.
The GT3 R has always been placed between the GT3 Cup and the very expensive RSR. All the 991.2 racing cars have normally aspirated 4-litre engines. Compared to the 991.1 GT3 R, the 991.2 GT3 R engine offers a broader usable rev range and the engine response is more precise due to 6 throttle butterflies. The roof, front hood and fairing, wheel arches, doors, side and tail sections, rear lid and interior trim are made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic. Gets new double wishbone suspension.
The 996 GT3 R was a one-year-only (2000 model year) special of which only 63 were produced. The car took the basic GT3 bones and amplified it for motorsport. The Mezger engine produced over 400 horsepower, while factory-fitted adjustable shock absorbers gave better handling. Most notably, the GT3 R wore carbon-fiber bodywork meant for ultimate light weight in motorsport. The 996 GT3 R was introduced in 1999 as a replacement for the 993 RSR. Before its introduction, it was extensively tested at Weissach and Paul Ricard. In the 2000 FIA GT Championship, the 996 GT3 R was in the N-GT class and won every run. Won the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. 
Following the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is entering yet another racing car in the 2010 motorsport season: The 911 GT3 R will be raced in series based on the international FIA GT3 regulations, thus succeeding the 911 GT3 Cup S. The main focus in developing this new model was on even better drivability and even easier handling. The 911 GT3 R is powered by a four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine delivering maximum output of 480 bhp (353 kW) transmitted to the rear axle by a sequential six-speed dog gearbox.
During the Geneva Motor Show, a Porsche 911 GT3 R with innovative hybrid drive is making its debut. The innovative hybrid technology featured in the car has been developed especially for racing, standing out significantly in its configuration and components from conventional hybrid systems. In this case, electrical front axle drive with two electric motors developing 60 kW each supplements the 480-bhp four-litre flat-six at the rear of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Instead of batteries, an electrical flywheel power generator delivers energy to the electric motors.
Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0 (2011)
The Porsche 997 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0 is an update to the 997 GT3 R Hybrid. Compared to its predecessor, which debuted in 2010, the 2011 second-generation hybrid is 20 percent lighter and more efficient without any concession to lap times. While sharing the same paint scheme, the new vehicle is easily identified by its lack of intakes in front of each rear wheel - changes to engine cooling allowed the slats to be dropped and aerodynamic efficiency improved. It gets a traditional race-bred flat six engine. The GT3 R Hybrid has a completely independent second driveline in the front of the chassis, a clever and complex hybrid electric set up that rockets it from standstill to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds.
Matt Prior from Autocar nails the 991.2 GT3 RS: “While I don’t think the 3 communicates any better than a 2, the messages it does transmit are superior: you can feel that it’s lighter, more willing to turn, easier and more satisfying to ease onto the throttle and keep it pinned. It’s why this car is only a few seconds slower than a 2RS around the Nürburgring Nordschleife despite being almost 200bhp down.” He goes on... “And in the form of the GT3 RS it goes into creating - little by little, detail by detail - what might just be the best driver’s car currently on sale.”
For those who want more extreme performance, handling and track-day bragging rights, the RS is it. It's far from practical and may be too extreme for some, especially on the street, but on track it is exceptional. Only marginally quicker than the 991 GT3 that it is based on, but it delivers that performance with a different character. Massive grip, massive downforce and more extreme than the GT3. It delivers 80 per cent of the downforce of the full-on GT3 R race car, and with a carbon fibre bonnet and wings, a magnesium roof and polycarbonate rear windows and screen, it’s also light, weighing in at just 1,420kg.
Arguably the most extreme 911 to be build as a production car for the road and track. The most significant improvements made to the RS—over both the 992 GT3 and the previous-gen 991 GT3 RS—were applied to the aerodynamics and chassis departments of the car. The new 911 GT3 RS is even more optimized for track use than its predecessors. The spontaneously responsive, high-revving four-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine has proven ideal for use at track days and club sport events.
The 996 GT3 RS was a sharpened version of the Mk.2 GT3, built for track use and it was the homologation model for the GT3 race-car. It was the forbidden fruit for the U.S. and Canadian customers. It was available in a limited number and it was a true track-oriented vehicle. It was based on the GT3 version, but with fewer comfort features and even stiffer suspension. It was the kind of car which could have been taken from the shop and dive into the first race-track. The GT3 was available in white color only, with red or blue inscriptions on its sides. The adjustable rear wing and the “duck-tail” were mounted in the back, to provide better traction on higher speeds. It was fitted with the same engine as the GT3.
Based on the already primal 997.2 GT3, the RS gets another 15 hp from the 3.8-liter flat-six for a total of 450, or more than 118 hp per liter. A racing machine tamed for street use, the GT3 RS is hardly just about horsepower. It gets a wider track, it weighs less, and it produces more downforce than the GT3. The only available transmission is a six-speed manual gearbox (with the ratios even shorter than the GT3). A racing machine tamed for street use, the GT3 RS also gets a wider track, it weighs less, and it produces more downforce than the GT3.
The 997 911 GT3 RS is an even lighter and more purist version of the 911 than the regular GT3. 20 kilograms lighter than the GT3 and equipped with a close-ratio six speed manual the GT3 RS gets to 60 mph 1/10th of a second faster than the GT3. The 911 GT3 RS is 44mm wider at the rear than the GT3. The wider track helps improve directional stability when cornering. Weight savings can be found throughout the car. The Clubsport version there is a bolted roll cage, a six-point harness for the driver and a built in fire extinguisher. 
This is the best 911 Porsche has ever made. The headline power figure and the ability to rev to 8,500 snare your attention, but the most staggering aspect of this engine is actually its tractability. Mid-range lunge is marvelous, even if the peak number of 339 pound-feet doesn't sound huge in the context of short gear ratios, lightweight, and a compact frontal area. In third gear, the way this thing flies between 4,500 and 8,500 rpm is scintillating. Plus, the utter progression of the delivery makes it vastly easier to take advantage of compared to the GT2's ridiculous turbo surge. This is one special car.
2001 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Race Car (996) (2001 - 2004)
In the 2000 FIA GT Championship, the 996 GT3 R was the dominant racer in the new N-GT class and won every run. In the same year, the factory-supported Phoenix Racing won the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. In 2001, the modified version, now called the 996 GT3 RS, was used. The vehicle was not only very successful in its class, it also achieved overall victories. Modelled on the 911 GT3 R, the GT3 RS race cars offered a number of technical improvements, which combine to ensure a racing car with optimal competitiveness. 50 racing cars were produced.
Based on the road-going 996 911 GT3 RS, the GT3 RSR features improvements to its predecessor in all key areas. The vehicle is available in an ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest) version for competing in Le Mans and in the American Le Mans Series as well as in a FIA specification. The 911 GT3 RSR features a modified front which improves downforce at the front axle. The 3.6-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine delivers 445 hp at 8,250 revs. Maximum torque is now 405 Nm at 7,200 rpm, with top revs reached at 8,500 (for the FIA specification with two 30.8 mm air restrictors). Race cars never got more exciting than this.
Porsche has announced the introduction of the new 2007 911 GT3 RSR (type 997) for the American Le Mans Series and other world GT racing venues. The latest version of the most successful racing sports car in history is based on the street production model 911 GT3 RS (model year 2007) and was launched in late 2006. The 911 GT3 RSR has wider rear fenders and rear track to improve performance capabilities over its predecessor. The car has also been developed to fit into the 1,225 kg class. The new car is built in accordance with the ACO LMGT2 Regulations and the FIA Article 257.
The Touring makes sense for those who envision their GT3 more as a daily mode of transportation than a track specialist (it can do both well). GT performance is good enough for any paved road but the Touring was created for a certain type of personality. There is no other car that can invoke a sense of connection and purpose like a GT3 Touring (with a 6-speed manual transmission) can. This is the car to buy and own forever.
In 1967 the A-Series Porsche production line was divided into the entry-level 911T, the standard 911 L for Lux and the sporting 911S. The 911L was effectively the 911 2.0 from previous years with only very minor updates such as new door handles, a brushed aluminum dashboard, a black steering wheel and other very minor details. In Europe, where it was considered the midrange model it featured engine Type 901/06 (Type 901/07 with Sportomatic) rated at 130 hp. In North America, the 911L was the highest level offering.
Based on the 911S, the 911 R was produced by Porsche to compete in the FIA’s GT 2.0 category. To make it competitive, the 911R was powered by a flat-six engine, Type 901/22 from the Porsche 906, capable of 210 hp. It went on a diet too, with weight savings coming from everywhere, getting the 911 R down to just 1,800 pounds dry. Four prototypes were constructed after which Porsche had coachbuilder Karl Baur build another 20 customer cars. In the end, because of the modifications to the 911R, the FIA refused to homologate the car.
Sticking to their strengths, Porsche has created the most sought after car in its line-up, the 2017 Porsche 911 R. We have seen numerous rumors about this car for a couple of months now and this time we finally get to see it. The new Porsche 911 R with 4-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine with a six-speed manual gearbox is coming to us for sure. It's lighter and faster with its engines pumping out 493 bhp at 8,250 rpm and 333 lb-ft at 6,250 rpm. The result is probably the best 911 of the modern era. Porsche at its finest. 
The original 1973 Carrera RS was available in Europe but not in the USA. Porsche decided to build the 1993 Carrera RS both to European spec and a limited number in compliance with US regulations. These US spec cars were assigned the name “RS America”. The intent was to create a basic lightweight, no frills 911 with minimal luxury options. The standard US Carrera 2 brakes, engine and gearbox were used. The RS weighed 2,945 pounds so it was almost 80 pounds lighter than a standard Carrera 2. 
As the rules do not permit higher output engines, the engine for the 991 RSR was taken from the 997 GT3 RSR 4.0 and the development work focused on the chassis, body, aerodynamics and the gearbox. A wishbone front suspension replaced the McPherson struts used in 997. A new development was the lightweight gearbox. One of the priorities in the development was the more evenly balanced weight distribution. The centre of gravity was lower, too.
Two decades after the different 911 GT1 cars the mid-engined 911 is back! In order to install a proper diffuser under the rear end of the 991, the engine had to make room for it and the engine/transmission unit was rotated 180 degrees. The extended rear diffuser, a top-suspended rear wing and the new side mirrors help to increase downforce with reduced drag. The FIA rules meant no turbo was needed due to power limits, so the normally aspirated 4-litre flat-6 was taken from the 991 GT3 R.
This was the fourth version of the 991 RSR - the first two came with the rear engine, then the first mid-engine version was launched (all 4.0-litre) and finally the mid-engined RSR 4.2 with the largest 911 engine ever made. The increase in the engine capacity is a question mark as on production models the capacities are decreased and turbochargers are used. The 991 RSR 4.2 didn't have anything in common with the production cars anymore. No change in terms of power-to-weight ratio.
In 1966 the beefier 160hp 911S was introduced as the first variation of the 911. The "S" which stood for "Super" boasted performance upgrades and modifications that included larger valves, a higher compression ratio, better porting and larger carburetor jets. Along with the mechanical tweaks, the 911S also received chassis upgrades in the form of a rear anti-roll bar, Koni shocks, distinctive 5-spoke Fuchs alloy wheels and ventilated disc brakes on all four corners to replace the solid discs.
Along with all the C-series improvements to the 911 line, the 1970 Porsche 911 S was upgraded to include a 180 bhp version flat-6. This further improved the performance credentials of the model which already had Fuchs light alloy wheels and bigger brakes. Specific to the S model's engine was a re-profiled camshaft, larger valves, better porting, higher compression and larger jets for the Weber carburetors. This resulted in 30 more horsepower for a total 180 horsepower.
The final early 911S befitted from Porsche's 2.4-liter engine the the long-wheel-base body. As such it is one of the final classic 911s before the 2.7 came out in 1973. Visually, the 2.4 range received a new chin on the front valence that was standard on the 911S and optional for the rest of the range. The S model had slight larger 6Jx15 Fuchs alloy wheels over the other models. The final early 911S benefitted from Porsche's 2.4-liter engine the the long-wheel-base body
Production of the second generation 911 started in August 1973. The 1974 model year G-series derivative replaced the outgoing 1973 model year F-series. Visually, the new 911 was given a major facelift and all three production variants now came with fuel-injected 2.7-litre engines. The entry level 911 had 150bhp, the mid-range 911 S offered 175bhp and the flagship 911 Carrera came with 210bhp. Once again, customers were given the choice of either Coupe or Targa body styles.
Commemorating 25 years of Porsche sports car production, the 911S Silver Anniversary Edition is distinguished by unique Diamond Silver Metallic paint and a special black leatherette and tweed interior. The first of Porsche’s commemorative ‘celebration’ cars, this Silver Anniversary was produced in a limited run of 1,063 examples, of which approximately 500 are reported to have made their way to the United States.
Porsche developed the S/T, of which 33 were built in 1970 and 1971, taking full advantage of new FIA rules allowing a two-inch wider track. Accordingly, wheel arches were widened to accommodate seven-inch front and nine-inch rear wheels. Weight reduction was even more radical, including thinner-gauge steel for the roof and floorpans. Heating ducts, seat slide supports, the glove-box lid, ashtray, sun visors and rear torsion-bar covers were deleted.
Röhrl and Geistdörfer very nearly won that San Remo Rally, after a comeback that would have been one for the ages. Röhrl and Geistdörfer were up against a field of faster, more powerful four-wheel-drive cars in their rear-wheel-drive Porsche 911 SC, and somehow managed to pull within an eyelash of victory. Unfortunately, a broken driveshaft forced the pair to retire, leaving Michele Mouton's Audi Quattro to run away with the race.
The 911 SC effectively replaced the 911 S and was one of Porsche's first models that was meant for the international market. It was sold as a cheaper alternative to the 911 Turbo. The SC used an unblown version the 930 Turbo unit that offered 180 to 200 bhp depending on model year. Options included the rear whale tail, front chin spoiler, Bilstein dampers, 16 inch wheels with Pirelli P7 tires and sports seats. Sometimes dealers lumped these options together to create their own sport package. It was available as a Coupe and Targa from 1978 - 1983, while the Cabriolet version was only available in 1983.
Finally, in 1982 the model 911 SP 'Ferry Porsche' was introduced as a special edition to celebrate 50 years of Porsche. This special edition was finished in Meteor metallic paint with burgundy leather interior and a 'Ferry Porsche' signature on the headrests. Only 200 of these now-classic special cars were built (130 Coupes and 70 Targas). The 911 SC “Jubilee” or “Ferry Porsche” is the first “limited series” sold in Europe.
1978 Porsche 911 SC Martini Edition
The 'Martini' edition of 1978, was identifiable by a set of side stripes similar to those that appeared on the 1976 British Motor Show 911 Turbo which was clad with the stripes to celebrate victories in the World Manufacturers Championship and the World Sports Car Championship, as well as the fourth consecutive racing season with sponsors Martini & Rossi. The stripes were so popular that Porsche quickly made them an option available to any owner as a factory or retro fit.
Built so that the factory Rothmans Porsche Rally Team could hit the international stage, the SC RS used the Turbo’s body with fibreglass bumpers and aluminium doors. In Autumn 1983, Porsche presents the 911 SC/RS for motor racing. The engine originates from the 911 SC, with improved performance achieved by the mechanical ball fuel injection, increased compression, the cylinder heads from the 935 and forged pistons. Racing seats are fitted in place of the standard seats.
In 1978, the works team fields two 911 SC at the East African Safari Rally. The name of game is to survive 5,000 kilometres of the toughest tracks in sweltering heat and torrential rain. The conditions take their toll: of the 72 starters, 13 reach the finish line. Martini Racing Porsche System Engineering signs on two specialists to drive: Sweden’s Björn Waldegård (Start No. 5) and Kenyan Vic Preston Jnr (Start No. 14).
In 1980, a true limited edition model 911SC was produced for the American market. The 'Weissach' edition was a standard SC with special paint. It was built in 1980 to honor the Porsche Motorsport team working in Weissach Germany. 468 units were made and half were painted Metallic Black, the other half in Platinum Metallic. The interiors were wrapped in Doric Grey leather with burgundy piping. Additional body and mechanical specs included whale tail spoiler, Bilstein dampers and Fuchs wheels.
The 964 based Speedster was the 1994 Speedster which was based on the 964 Carrera 2 platform. There are far fewer 1994 911 Speedsters in the world than the 1989 model, with production reportedly totaled only around 936 units, less than half as many as the 1989 example. Whereas the 1989 Speedster was primarily an aesthetic package, the 964 version sought a happy medium between the regular Carrera 2 and the hardcore Carrera RS. It had the same engine as the base Carrera and didn’t have the same suspension bits as the RS.
2019 911 speedster
Make no mistake that the Speedster is an absolutely fitting conclusion to the 991-generation. The Porsche 911 Speedster is an ingenious amalgamation of the latest technologies on offer, and the more simple ingredients that have been a principle of driving enjoyment since the invention of automobiles. A 502-horsepower engine, without turbochargers. A modern transmission, with just one clutch. A state-of-the-art suspension and chassis, with an unsullied purity. The list goes on. Perhaps the only drawback is that the Speedster’s rarity and price.
Porsche faithful are probably shaking their heads right about now. Porsche never officially made a production 993 Speedster. Notice we said “production.” In 1995, the company created a dark green 993 Speedster for Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche 60th birthday. Jerry Seinfeld apparently felt left out; he commissioned a silver 993 Speedster in 1998, though it seemed to have begun life as either a Targa or Cabriolet before being sent to Porsche Exclusive. Only two 993 Speedsters were ever made; if you see one that’s not silver or dark green, chances are it’s a phony. The rarest among these models is the 911 Speedster.