The Models Evolve, Yet are Still Iconic, says Greg Pittard
Porsche is a brand synonymous with sports cars, says Greg Pittard, an automotive entrepreneur and consultant. Porsche has been producing quality sports cars since the 356 “No.1” Roadster launched on June 8, 1948. Over the years, Porsche has innovated and modernized its sports cars while still maintaining its mystique, he says.
The 356 series
The No. 1 Roadster was the first in the 356 series. Although the No. 1 had a mid-engine, the rest of the series had rear engines. Ferdinand Porsche established temporary premises in Gmünd, Austria, and Porsche built the first models there. Porsche returned to Stuttgart in 1950 to begin the internationally successful 356 series. By 1965, Porsche had built about 78,000.
“The 356 really set the standard for what a sports car could be,” says Greg Pittard. “The model was critical in establishing Porsche as a motorsport brand and set the stage for its successor.”
The 911
The successor to the 356 was the Porsche 911, which the company introduced in 1963, Pittard says. The 911 has evolved through seven generations and has sold more than 1 million units.
Generation 1
The first 911 had an air-cooled six-cylinder, 130-hp-engine with a top speed of 210 km an hour, according to Pittard. In 1966, Porsche introduced the 160 hp 911 S with forged alloy wheels, and in late 1966, the 911 Targa debuted as a safety cabriolet, the world’s first.
Also part of Generation 1 was a semi-automatic four-speed version of the 911, launched in 1967. Porsche also created the 911 T in 1967, becoming the first German automaker to meet US emission control standards. As the Porsche 911 continued to evolve, it became more powerful, with the 911 Carrera RS2.7 having a 210 hp engine. The car was also the first production vehicle to sport a rear spoiler, Pittard said.
Generation 2
Manufacturers gave the model a makeover in 1973 and called it the 911 G. Porsche produced the “G model” from 1973 to 1989. It featured bellows bumpers, three-point safety belts, and integrated headrests.
In 1974, the first Porsche 911 Turbo appeared with a 260 hp engine and a large rear spoiler. By 1977, the 911 Turbo 3.3 had a 300-hp engine. In 1983, the 911 Carrerra sported a 231 hp engine and became a collector’s item.
Generation 3
The third generation of the 911 began in 1988 with the 911 Carrera 4 (964). Once again, the 911 platform evolved, and the vehicle gained a modern, aerodynamic appearance, Pittard says. The car also featured anti-lock brakes, power steering, and airbags and rode on a redesigned chassis with coil springs instead of torsion bars.
An all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive version were also part of this generation. Porsche also added a Turbo version to its Coupe, Cabriolet, and Targa versions.
Generation 4
The 911-993, introduced in 1993, had some design changes and was the first 911 to have an aluminum chassis. The Turbo version had two innovations: a Biturbo engine, which was low emission, and hollow-spoke aluminum wheels.
“The Porsche 911 GT2 of this generation is one of my favorites because I enjoy high speeds, says Greg Pittard.
This generation, produced through 1998, was the last to have an air-cooled engine.
Generation 5
Porsche launched the fifth generation 911 in 1997. This generation was the first to feature a water-cooled engine.
“Generation 5 also broke new ground in terms of noise, fuel consumption, and reduced emissions,” says Pittard.
The line had a lower drag coefficient and headlights with integrated direction indicators, an innovation, Pittard said. This generation also included the 911 GT2, an “extreme sports vehicle,” Pittard says.
Generation 6
The sixth generation of the 911 premiered in 2004 and featured high-performance vehicles, with engines managing 325 hp to 355 hp, depending on specific models. Direct fuel injection and a double-clutch transmission made the 911s of 2008 incredibly efficient. The 911 Turbo, launched in 2006, was the first gas-operated series-produced car to include a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. Porsche also began introducing more models of the 911 to suit various preferences.
Generation 7
Generation 7 vehicles feature a new chassis, ergonomic interior, and “Intelligent Performance,” which equals both greater power and lower fuel consumption. This generation has also included a model with a manual seven-speed transmission. The seventh-generation 911 also improved the 911’s time on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife to 7.30 minutes, which was 10 seconds faster than its competition.
The 911 is “the quintessential sports car” and continues to be the mainstay of Porsche’s product line, Pittard says.
The 718
The iconic 718 began in 1956, with the first one debuting at Le Mans the following years, says Pittard. The car didn’t fare well at the first race but dominated the race track scene for the next few years. Porsche stopped producing the car for several years, then brought the two-seater back in 2016. Several 718 models are available today.
Current Models
In addition to the 911 and 718, Porsche offers other sports models today. The Taycan has three body shapes, two of which are decidedly sporty and electric. Porsche bills its Panamera as a sports car for four, Pittard says.
Greg Pittard has a long career in the automotive industry, working for three automotive companies, owning a dealership, and being a regional manager for the Markowitz Agency, before becoming an automotive business consultant. Race cars are his passion.
driveonline.car.blog 