Porsche 911 G series (1973-1989) (2024)

Porsche 911 G series (1973-1989) (1)

Porsche 911 : G series (1973-1989)

The next generation - Ten years after the car made its premiere, the Porsche engineers gave the 911 a comprehensive makeover. Known as the 'G-model', the new generation 911 was built from 1973 to 1989 – a longer period than any other. A particular feature of this evergreen was the striking bellows-style bumpers – an innovation created in order to comply with the latest US crash test requirements. Three-point safety belts fitted as standard and seats with integrated headrests also provided increased occupant safety. A further milestone in the car's history came in 1974, when Porsche brought out the first 911 Turbo with a three-litre engine, 260 hp and a striking rear spoiler. With its unique combination of luxury and performance the 'Turbo' became a synonym for the Porsche brand. In 1977 came the next performance level: the 911 Turbo 3.3 was given a charge air cooler and at 300 hp was the highest performance car of its class. On the naturally aspirated side the 911 Carrera re placed the SC in 1983 and, having an engine capacity of 3.2 litres and 231 hp, became a muchloved collector's piece. Lovers of fresh air were able to buy this 911 as a convertible from 1982. In launching the 911 Carrera Speedster in 1989, Porsche was building on a legend.

Porsche 911 G series (1973-1989) (2)

1973, 911 E Coupé, 2.4 litre

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1973, 911 Turbo Coupé, 3.0 litre

1973: TurbochargingEngineers searching for the "ideal charge" – optimum combustion of the air-fuel mixture – is almost as old as the combustion engine itself. The technicians aim to get as much air as possible into the cylinders so that, when it is compressed and mixed with fuel, it can create a high operating pressure and therefore high output by means of combustion. The 911 Turbo, presented in 1973, was a forward-looking study as its 3-litre turbo engine boasted charge pressure control on the exhaust side which had previously been thoroughly tested in the motor racing sector. With the 911 Turbo, which was ready for series production in 1974, Porsche was the first car manufacturer to successfully adapt the turbocharger to the various driving states. Instead of the conventional intake-side control, the company developed exhaust-side charge pressure control. This prevented unwanted excess pressure during partial load or overrun by guiding excess exhaust gases via a bypass instead of through the exhaust gas turbine. When charge pressure was needed again during an acceleration phase, the bypass valve closed and the turbine could work to its full capacity in the exhaust stream.

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1973 911 RS

Porsche 911 G series (1973-1989) (5)

1973 Porsche 911 RSR

Porsche 911 G series (1973-1989) (6)

1974, 911 Targa, 911 S Coupé, 911 Carrera Coupé

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1974, 911 Carrera Coupé, G-Series, 2.7 litre (2)

Porsche 911 G series (1973-1989) (8)

1975, 911 Targa, 2.7 litre

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1976, Porsche 911 Models

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1976, Porsche 911, Galvanised Body

1975: Galvanised bodyIn 1975, Porsche responded to the issue of corrosion with emphatic success. The 911 was the first series production car to be given a body which was galvanised on both sides – allowing Porsche to offer a six-year corrosion warranty which was extended to seven years for the 1981 model year and then later to as much as ten years. The treated body-in-white not only improved the service life but also vehicle safety as the process preserved the overall rigidity and the crash safety characteristics of the body, despite vehicle aging. It plays a part in the reputation of the 911 as being an extremely durable vehicle – two thirds of all the 911 cars ever built are still licenced for road use today. Extensive tests were carried out before the body was launched for series production. This included trials with stainless steel as the body material – three shiny silver prototypes were made from this material, one of which can be seen today at the Deutsches Museum in Munich. However, the engineers decided not to use stainless steel but to galvanise the body-in-white as this was easier to produce. Driving the prototypes through a bath of salty water to test the resistance to corrosion is a legendary part of the test course in Weissach.

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1978, 911 Turbo Coupé, 3.3 litre

1977: Charge air coolingOne of the secrets of the success of the 911 series is that it has been enhanced constantly and systematically. Each year, lots of small details on the 911 have been improved so that it has become closer and closer to Ferry Porsche's ideal image of a perfect sports car. This philosophy was also applied to the 911 Turbo. The main features of the 911 Turbo, reworked in 1977, were an increased displacement of 3.3 litres and a charge air cooler positioned underneath the rear spoiler. Derived from the field of motor racing, it was a world first in a series production car. The charge air cooler reduces the intake air temperature by up to 100 degrees Celsius, thus enabling the engine to achieve higher output and torque in all engine speed ranges – cooler gases are denser and therefore charge the engine more effectively. The result was a stable 300 hp at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 412 Newton metres. Furthermore, the charge air cooling also reduces the thermal load on the engine. The exhaust gas temperatures fall, as do the emissions, and fuel consumption is reduced. Another advantage is the improvement in antiknock properties – excess temperatures causing the mixture to self-ignite is virtually ruled out.

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1982 911 Carrera S Coupé, G-Series, 3.0 litre

Porsche 911 G series (1973-1989) (13)

1983, 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, G-Series, 3.0 litre

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1983, 911 SC Cabrio, Targa, Coupé

1983: Digital engine electronicsDigital engine electronics (DEE) celebrated its debut in 1983 with the new naturally aspirated engine with 3.2-litre displacement. Its most important advantages were better fuel consumption, cleaner combustion and therefore maximum power output. The system worked with a shared control unit which all the engine's operating states were programmed into. The correct injection quantity and the exact ignition point were assigned to each engine speed, each accelerator position and temperature. The overrun fuel cutoff, i.e. no fuel was consumed when the engine was overrunning, and electronic idle speed control when auxiliary components were activated were useful additions provided by the digital engine electronics. The knock control system ensured "healthy" engine operating conditions. DEE is combined with various injection systems, depending on the engine.

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1983, 911 SC Cabriolet, 3.0 litre

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1984, 911 Carrera, 3.2 litre Targa

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1985, 911 Turbo Coupé, 3.3 litre, Flatnose

  • Porsche 911 Turbo 3.0 Coupé
  • Year of production: 1976
  • Power unit: six-cylinder boxer engine, turbocharged
  • Capacity: 2994 cc
  • Output: 260 bhp (191 kW)
  • Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)

Porsche's first production car to use an exhaust gas turbocharger for extra power developed an almost incredible 260 bhp at the time. And indeed, the 911 Turbo was a bold move in the days of the energy crisis. The 911 Turbo immediately took over the top position within Porsche's model range, benefiting from technology proven in motorsport. Apart from the turbocharged power unit, this technology was to be admired above all on the brakes and the car's streamlining

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Highly Coveted Model by Porsche Exclusive; 911 Turbo "Flachbau" based on a type 935 race car.
This low-profile variant of the type 930. 984 units of this model were sold between 1982 and 1989.

911 classis | > G series | Type 964 | Type 993 | Type 996 | Type 997 | Type 991

Porsche 911 G series (1973-1989) (2024)

FAQs

Porsche 911 G series (1973-1989)? ›

The G-Series was built between 1973 and 1989 and, during that 16-year run, Porsche manufactured 198,496 of them. Technically, the G-Series designation actually only applies to the 1974 model year. A year later, the 911 was called the H-Series internally, the J-Series in 1976, the K-Series in 1977 and so on.

What is a 911 G model? ›

The G model was built in the period between 1973 and 1989, and Porsche produced 198,496 of these vehicles during these 16 years. The G is, of course, easier to drive than the preceding model, but it's also considerably faster. This is the first “real” 911 with the performance to match the visual promise.

How much horsepower does the 911 G Series have? ›

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.

How much did a Porsche 911 cost in 1989? ›

1989 Porsche 911 Trims
Trim typeMSRP
Carrera Coupe$51,860
Carrera Speedster Cabriolet$66,135
Carrera Targa Turbo Coupe$77,720
Carrera Turbo Coupe$71,630
4 more rows

How many 1973 Porsche 911 were made? ›

Total production for 1973-1/2 911 was only 1,944.

What is the difference between different 911 models? ›

The base 911 is known as the Carrera, with the model's signature rear-engined, rear-wheel drive formula. The Carrera S adds a wider stance and more power. The quad exhaust pipes that most S models have are a key differentiator from the standard Carrera, which has dual exhausts.

What are the Porsche 911 model numbers? ›

The model series and associated internal codes are as follows:
  • 911 (1964–1989)
  • 930 (1975–1989) the turbocharged version.
  • 964 (1989–1994)
  • 993 (1995–1998) the last air-cooled 911.
  • 996 (1999–2004) all-new body and water-cooled engines.
  • 997 (2005–2012)
  • 991 (2012–2019) all-new body.
  • 992 (2019–)

What year did 911 get turbo? ›

In model year 1975, thanks to turbocharging, a particularly powerful version of the Porsche 911 – the 911 Turbo – came onto the market. Since its market launch in MY 1975, the 911 Turbo (initially named internally as the 930) has been the top-of-the-range model in the 911 model line.

What generation is the 1974 911? ›

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.

What is the most powerful Porsche 911 engine? ›

911 GT2 RS

Its incredible biturbo 3.8-liter flat-six engine is capable of delivering up to a rip-roaring 700 horsepower. That dynamic duo of turbochargers and additional cooling system–together with a slimmed-down weight–help this sizzler reach 60 MPH in under three seconds.

How much should I pay for a Porsche 911? ›

In the USA, the Porsche 911 Carrera starts at around $114,400. In the UK, it begins at £97,000. Meanwhile, in Germany, the birthplace of Porsche, the starting price is €122,493. For customers in China, the price is 1,298,000 CNY.

What year is the oldest Porsche 911? ›

When was the Porsche 911 first launched? The Porsche 911 was first unveiled to the public on 12 September 1963 when it was launched at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. Full production of the car began a year later in September 1964 at the Porsche factory in Zuffenhausen.

How much horsepower does a 1989 Porsche 911 have? ›

Mechanically, a powerful 3.2L flat-six engine (M930/25) producing 217HP with a smooth-shifting 915 manual G50 5-speed transmission (G50/01) that runs and drives as it should.

How fast is a 1973 Porsche 911? ›

Capable of sprinting 0–60 mph in just 7.8 seconds and covering the standing quarter mile in 16.3 seconds with a top speed of 142 miles an hour, the 1973 911 S offers dazzling performance figures for an otherwise very tractable road car of the period.

What engine is in a 1973 Porsche 911? ›

However, all models got a new, larger 2,341 cc (2.341 L; 142.9 cu in) engine. This is universally known as the "2.4L" engine, despite its displacement being closer to 2.3 litres— perhaps to emphasize the increase over the 2.2 L.

Which Porsche 911 is the best? ›

For example, if you're looking for track-focused performance, the best Porsche 911 to buy would probably be a GT2 or GT3 model, while amazing luxury sports cars can be found in a Carrera or Turbo model. Because of its icon status, buying a 911 is rarely a bad investment.

What does GT stand for in 911? ›

It's fitting, then, that in the context of vehicles, a grand tourer is a model that's meant to be comfortable and powerful over long distances. Ultimately, when it comes to cars, the grand tourer definition indicates tangible differences in performance, comfort, and amenities between GT cars and other vehicles.

How do you tell a 991 from a 992? ›

Rear – Perhaps the most noticeable design differences between the 992 and 991 are evident when both models are viewed from the rear. Wider and more eye-catching than ever before, the all-new 911 now includes an expansive thin [BK3] set of taillights which stretch across the engine cover.

What does Porsche AG stand for? ›

h.c. F. Porsche AG (which stands for Doktor Ingenieur honoris causa Ferdinand Porsche Aktiengesellschaft), as a 100% subsidiary of VW AG, is responsible for the actual production and manufacture of the Porsche automobile line.

Is 992 GT3 a 911? ›

The new 911 GT3 R is based on the current 992 generation, but this high-performance 911 boasts an evolutionary result.

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