Discover the story of the Turbo and what it means to Porsche
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The word ‘Turbo’ means everything to Porsche. Today, ‘Turbo’ can almost be recognised as a brand of its own – and represents so much more. More than just a car part or just a car, Turbo inspires devotion and emotion
When Porsche revealed the 911 Turbo – its first-ever turbo-charged series production car – at the Paris Motor Show in October 1974, it would have been difficult to have imagined the icon that it would become. In 2024 the 911 Turbo brand is celebrating its 50th birthday and, in the period since its launch, it’s become more than just the name of a powerful type of Porsche engine. Rather, it’s now a brand in its own right – one that has continued to expand across the Porsche model range. Here’s to five decades of an ever-growing emotional connection with Porsche fans and beyond. A prototype of the new Porsche 911 Turbo at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1973. A year later it was officially revealed at the 1974 Paris Motor Show Photo: Porsche Corporate ArchivesThe first 911 Turbo As with various Porsche innovations over the years, the story of series production Turbo cars can be traced back to the gamechanging exploits of the company’s motorsport division. The use of Porsche turbo technology in the hugely successful 917/10 and 917/30 racecars of the early 1970s paved the way for its introduction into its celebrated production sportscar, the 911. After appearing as a prototype at the 1973 Frankfurt Motor Show, complete with ‘Turbo’ lettering on its rear wing, it received its official unveiling a little over a year later at the Paris Motor Show in October 1974. Originally intended as a limited-run series, the first turbo-generation 930 had a 3.0-litre turbocharged engine that produced 191 kW (260PS), could sprint from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in just 5.5 seconds and had a top speed of over 250km/h (155mph). These figures alone meant it came as no surprise that public reaction to this exciting sportscar was every bit as explosive as its performance. But even then, a Turbo model was about more than just a display of superior performance. As has been true for every Turbo model since, the 930 combined extraordinary speed and agility with an elegant, sophisticated design and as yet unprecedented everyday usability. Today, the Turbo name represents the highest levels of performance and everyday drivability across every model in the Porsche range Photo: PorscheEventually, in its first three years of production the 911 Turbo (930) would go on to produce 2,850 units. The first-ever turbo-charged series production model created a legacy that continues through to today, fostering an emotional attachment to the Turbo name that few others can muster. Legacy of Turbo: from the racetrack to the road What made Turbo technology revolutionary wasn’t just its raw power, but how this innovation was transferred from the racetrack to road-legal vehicles. After the first big leap forward in 1974 with the debut of the 911 Turbo 3.0, the 911 Turbo 3.3 followed in 1977, introducing intercooling – a technology first used in racing that allowed for significant power boosts. By 1995, Porsche had integrated race-proven biturbo systems into the 993-generation 911, setting a new standard for road-legal performance cars. With two smaller turbochargers working simultaneously, the 911 Turbo (993) had a faster response and a smoother power curve. In addition, the introduction of the Porsche dual clutch transmission (PDK), developed in the late 90s to keep the engine and turbochargers of road cars up to speed during gear changes, further bridged the gap between racing and road cars. Today, the PDK is an integral part of the Porsche range. After that, Porsche Turbo thrilled petrolheads with many more leaps forward in innovation, from the first Porsche series application of direct petrol injection in a Turbo in the Porsche 911 Turbo (997) in 2009 to a redesigned air-cooling system in the Porsche 911 Turbo (992) in 2020. The best proving ground for turbo technology was, of course, the racetrack Photo: Porsche Corporate ArchivesTurbo technology: compact, powerful and efficient Turbocharging works by using high-energy exhaust gases to spin a turbine, which in turn drives a compressor that forces more air into the engine’s combustion chambers. More air means more oxygen, which equals more power. Porsche has been at the forefront of turbo technology since the 1970s, and today almost all Porsche internal combustion engines are turbocharged. This approach, known as downsizing, results in engines that are more compact, more powerful and more fuel efficient. Over the years, the word Turbo has taken on a life of its own, entering everyday language as a superlative for speed and performance. It’s a mark of enthusiasm and a nod to the powerful experience that Turbo models offer. Even outside the automotive world, words like turbofast and turbogeil (German for totally awesome) show just how deeply the Turbo name has become embedded in pop culture. One of the most iconic – and enduring – design elements of a Porsche Turbo is the striking rear wing, commonly referred to as the whale tail Photo: PorscheThe evolution of iconic Turbo design elements From the moment the 911 Turbo was introduced, its design was as bold and distinctive as its performance. The rear wing – often called the whale tail – became a defining feature of the car, as did the widened body, which made room for wider wheels and a special Turbo chassis to handle the increased power on the road. As Porsche continued to refine the Turbo line, additional features such as side air intakes were introduced from the 996 generation onwards for optimised engine cool, rounding off the design. Inside, the Turbo models also stood out from the start, thanks largely to the tartan upholstery options. Black Watch in blue, green and black, McLaughlan in red and blue, and Dress Mackenzie in beige, red, blue, white and olive green were initially reserved for Turbo models, with all 911 models receiving the option in 1976. One of the most iconic uses of the tartan was on the 911 Turbo “No. 1” presented to Louise Piëch for her 70th birthday in 1974. This unique car combined silver bodywork with brick-red leather seats accented by the McLaughlan tartan. And just like its predecessors, the latest Porsche 911 Turbo 50 Years anniversary model embodies this rich heritage while flawlessly incorporating modern advances – thanks to the tartan motif inspired by the Dress Mackenzie pattern with a new colour scheme for the seat centres and interior door panels – combined with elements in Turbonite. Tartan has been a unique design option on Porsche Turbo models since the first 911 Turbo was launched in 1974. Seen here is the legendary Porsche 911 Turbo “No. 1” with the McLaughlan tartan in red and blue Photo: PorscheIn addition to the interior fabric patterns, there's also an exciting new colour option available to all Turbo enthusiasts from 2023 – a unique metallic colour tone for Turbo models called Turbonite. Used on both exterior and interior components, it lends Turbo models an even more unmistakable appearance. Tales of Turbo: from the 911 to the Taycan When Porsche developed the 930, it explored the limits of what’s possible in sportscar technology. But the more it explored, the more the boundaries for the Turbo expanded. Five years after the launch of that first Turbo sportscar, the Turbo name appeared on the newest sportscar in the Porsche range with the launch of the 924 Turbo in 1979. It was followed in 1985 by the 944 Turbo. The Cayenne Turbo was launched in 2002 and by 2009 Porsche welcomed the Panamera range, whose Turbo variant went on sale that very year. The Macan Turbo appeared in 2014 while the Turbo badge appeared for the first time on the all-electric Taycan sportscar in 2019. Today, Turbo is a familiar term that immediately tells the driver whether a Porsche is a base model or one that is top-of-the-range. A symbol that embodies the high-performance spirit of Porsche hybrid, electric and internal combustion vehicles. The Taycan Turbo models of today, like the new all-electric Macan Turbo, are undoubtedly an exciting embodiment of what the name Turbo stands for. Turbo goes beyond performance – it's an unmistakable feeling that touches the soul Beyond the drive technology, Turbo represents the pursuit of perfection; the idea of settling for nothing less than the superlative – the perfect sportscar that is the best in its class. The demand for performance, sportiness and dynamism remains unchanged. And yet it is also a car suitable for everyday driving. Turbo stands for continuous technical evolution and all-round power. And whether it’s the 911 Turbo or Macan Turbo, Cayenne Turbo or Taycan Turbo, what Turbo really means goes beyond performance, beyond even what you can see and instead about what you can feel. You can feel its power – whether you’re at the wheel or admiring the car from the outside. It’s a feeling that’s transported through every curve of the Turbo. And through its incredible community of enthusiasts. Just as it did in 1974, Turbo will always stand for pushing boundaries, of going beyond the ordinary. Of that unique and unforgettable feeling.
Consumption and emission information911 Turbo 50 Years
(WLTP): Fuel consumption combined: 12.5 – 12.3 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 283 – 278 g/km; CO₂ class: G.
Taycan Turbo GT
(WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 21.6 – 20.7 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: A.
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