What is the Porsche 911 Turbo 50 Years?

The story behind the Porsche 911 Turbo 50 Years anniversary model

The special sportscar built to honour 50 years of the 911 Turbo

August 16, 2024

First launched in 1974, the 911 Turbo has become a Porsche icon. Now, a new anniversary model has been created to celebrate its 50th birthday. Find out what it’s all about

There are many landmark years in the history of Porsche. Like 1931, when Ferdinand Porsche established the engineering office, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche GmbH with Adolf Rosenberger and Anton Piëch. And 1948, when Ferdinand’s son, Ferry Porsche, founded the sportscar brand with the groundbreaking 356 ‘No. 1’ Roadster. Then 1963, the year that the iconic 911 (then called the 901) made its debut. And, as a manufacturer that also cherishes its motorsport history, there’s 1970, which was when Porsche celebrated its first ever overall victory at 24 Hours of Le Mans with the 917 KH race car.

1974 is also a milestone in the brand’s history. This was the year that Porsche first launched the 911 Turbo, at the Paris Motor Show on 3 October. Turbo technology had been used by Porsche in motorsport since 1971, initially in the legendary 917, but here was its first use in a Porsche series production car. In the 50 years since then, the Turbo name has become inextricably linked with Porsche. It’s a name that stands for phenomenal performance and outstanding design.

911 Turbo 50 Years with 1974 911 Turbo 3.0 (930) — The 911 Turbo 50 Years: built to celebrate half a century of the legendary 911 Turbo Photo: Porsche

Every Turbo model built comes with an air of exclusivity. And that’s certainly the case with the new 911 Turbo 50 Years anniversary model. A limited run of the 911 Turbo created to celebrate a half decade of pushing boundaries, the 911 Turbo 50 Years is a fitting tribute to the iconic Turbo name. And here’s why.

The exterior design of the 911 Turbo 50 Years

The outstanding performance of the Turbo engine in the 911 is without question, but from the very beginning its exterior design has also made it stand out on the road. It proved that power could be matched with elegance and pure emotion. There is inspiration from the first Turbo rear wing – a standout, in many ways – in the rear wing blade of the current 911 Turbo (992), which is finished in Anthracite Grey.

This sophisticated colour also extends to other parts of the 911 Turbo 50 Years – across its lower rear section, the side skirts, mirror base and rear side air intakes. The 911 Turbo 50 Years is being presented in the GT Silver Metallic colour, while models with the optional Heritage Design package come in Aventurine Green Metallic. The effect is an elegant appearance – a feeling that’s been true of every 911 Turbo since 1974. There is also the choice of 10 exterior colours as well as, of course, the option of choosing a Porsche Paint to Sample colour too. And, as another indication to the special nature of the car, every model features a unique 911 Turbo 50 Years badge on the grille of the rear engine cover, which incorporates a graphic of the Porsche turbocharger and the years 1974-2024. The anniversary model also features a special ‘turbo 50’ rear nameplate.

The appearance of the 911 Turbo 50 Years is further enhanced by the unique Turbonite differentiation on the exterior as well as the interior. This accent colour – a metallic shade of grey specially devised by the Colour and Trim experts at Porsche – is reserved for all new Turbo models.

Striking side decorative graphics, previously an option on the 911 Turbo 3.0 (930), are now standard on the 911 Turbo 50 Years. The graphics are also, fittingly, presented in Turbonite.

Interior view of 911 Turbo 50 Years anniversary model — The interior of the 911 Turbo 50 Years is inspired by the Dress Mackenzie tartan cloth. Back in 1974, three types of tartan were available for the first model year of the 911 Turbo before later being offered for every 911 Photo: Porsche

Interior styling of the 911 Turbo 50 Years

The 911 Turbo 50 Years includes several accents in Turbonite, the feature colour across all Porsche Turbo models. It can be seen in subtle decorative stitching – on the dashboard, floor mats and door sills – as well as trim strips with black leather inlays, and even the PDK gear selector and seat belts.

One of the most impressive interior features of the 911 Turbo 50 Years can be seen in the incorporation of a tartan pattern inspired by the historic Dress Mackenzie tartan. Tartan has been part of 911 Turbo history from the beginning. On its launch in 1974, there were three different tartan cloths available for the first model year of the 911 Turbo, before later being offered for every 911. Dress Mackenzie tartan corresponds to the sports car made for Ferry Porsche on his 67th birthday and, in the 911 Turbo 50 Years, comes in a new colour scheme for the 18-way adaptive Sports Seats Plus seat centres and interior door panels.

Dashboard badge of 911 Turbo 50 Years anniversary model — The limited edition plaque of the 911 Turbo 50 Years indicates the exclusivity of this anniversary model, showing the individual number of the 1974 versions that are being built. The early 911 Turbo models also had an option for a ‘turbo’ badge on its glove box, with the owner’s name included on it Photo: Porsche

The interior combines the GT sports steering wheel in leather where the Porsche crest, black ring, decorative stitching and drive mode switch all feature the exclusive Turbo colour, Turbonite. And in a further nod to Turbo history, the back of the foldable rear seats include a luggage brake. Designed to secure baggage, this was a feature of older models. There’s also ‘turbo 50’ lettering embroidered on the rear left seat – a design that is well-known from the 911 Turbo (930).

Of course, the 911 Turbo has always been about performance as well as design and the 911 Turbo 50 Years helps you keep track of your times with the Porsche Design Subsecond clock incorporated in the dashboard. This analogue timepiece has indices and lettering in white that contrast with the black dial with sunburst finish and rings in Turbonite. It is an exact representation of the 911 Turbo 50 Years Chronograph from Porsche Design. Made available to customers alongside the launch of the 911 Turbo 50 Years anniversary model, it is limited to 1974 units to correspond to the year that the 911 Turbo made its debut.

The dashboard-mounted Porsche Design Subsecond clock in the 911 Turbo 50 Years anniversary model is the spitting image of the 911 Turbo 50 Years Chronograph which has been released at the same time Photo: Porsche

The Heritage Design package of the 911 Turbo 50 Years

The 911 Turbo 50 Years is available with an optional Heritage Design package from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. The Heritage Design package comes in a paint finish in Aventurine Green Metallic and a historic Porsche crest that’s based on the first ever crest seen on a 911 (type 901) back in 1963. It comes with Sport Classic wheels, painted in brilliant silver and white, with central locking and wheel covers that feature the historic Porsche crest.

All Heritage Design models across the Porsche range are known for their special character. In the case of the 911 Turbo 50 Years that’s clearly displayed in the gold lettering at the rear and the standout white decorative graphics on the side of the car, with ‘turbo 50’ and ‘PORSCHE’ lettering and a ‘lollipop’ – a round graphic which customers can individually select with the start number of their choice.

Inside, PORSCHE Exclusive Manufaktur is embossed on the lid of the storage compartment and the on-board folder – a further display of unparalleled Porsche craftsmanship that enhances the exclusivity of the 911 Turbo 50 Years. High-quality tartan details are also incorporated in the likes of the dashboard trim, glove compartment, on-board folder and trunk mat as well decorative elements on the seat backs.

Special badge of the Porsche 911 Turbo 50 Years edition — The specially designed 911 Turbo 50 Years badge on the rear lid grille Photo: Porsche

How fast is the 911 Turbo 50 Years?

The 911 Turbo 50 Years boasts the supreme performance that you expect of the current 911 Turbo models. It’s based on the 911 Turbo S that has been in production since 2019. Featuring a 3.7-litre boxer engine with variable turbine geometry (VTG) twin turbocharging and 650PS of power, a kerb weight of 1,640kg results in a power-to-weight ratio of 2.52kg/PS. The 911 Turbo 50 Years takes just 2.7 seconds to sprint from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) and can hit 200km/h (124mph) in just 8.9 seconds.

Consumption and emission information

911 Turbo 50 Years (WLTP): Fuel consumption combined: 12.5 – 12.3 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 283 – 278 g/km; CO₂ class: G.

How many versions of the 911 Turbo 50 Years will be made?

The number of versions of the 911 Turbo 50 Years being made – 1974 – isn’t by chance, of course. It relates to the year that the 911 Turbo series production car was launched. Each model is individually numbered – and customers will always know how special their car is as it is incorporated into the ‘turbo 50’ badge on the dashboard fascia.

Consumption and emission information

911 Turbo 50 Years (WLTP): Fuel consumption combined: 12.5 – 12.3 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 283 – 278 g/km; CO₂ class: G.

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