The Porsche 930
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The Porsche 930
The Porsche 930 made history. It was
the first production car to make practical use of a turbocharger. First
of all, let me answer the obvious question: "What's a 930?" Well,
when you hear "930," it's a reference to the factory "type" number given
to production vehicles.
For instance, when the original 911
was introduced in the sixties, it was called a "911", but often referred
to as "type 901". In this case, "type 930" designates
a 911 with a turbocharged engine. So you might see a turbocharged Porsche
referred to as 930 or 911 Turbo--these designations mean the exact same
thing.
1977 Turbo Carrera
For the 1976 production year, a new
model, called the "Turbo Carrera" was available (type 930, but officially
titled "Turbo Carrera"). The car was a 911, but a very special one. It
was turbocharged. This new model had the 3.0 liter engine, modified suspension,
fender flares, and the most well-known trademark of all, the whaletail.
It developed 234 hp and 246 lb-ft torque. It could go from 0-60 in 6.7
seconds, and cruise to 156 mph. The car was fast, powerful, and extremely
tail-happy.
However, the 1976/77 Turbo Carrera
was simply an intro to the "big" 930, of the 1978 model. In 2 years
of further development, the car was upgraded into a 3.3 liter, intercooled,
turbocharged monster that could go from 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, and allow
the speedo needle to soar past the 165 mark. The 930 was now just titled
"Turbo" on the rear deck lid. Sadly, 1979 was the last year for the 930
in America. The 930 was discontinued in the US due mainly to emissions
requirements. There are grey market 930's running all over the states,
though.
After a 7 year absence, the Turbo finally returned in 1986. It was virtually
the same model, sporting the 4 speed gearbox and a very nervous rear end.
Yet by 1989, the car had a 5 speed box, 285 horsepower, a better suspension,
better brakes, and wider tires. Performance was down from the Euro version
due to strict emissions laws. It was unfortunately slower than the 1978-79
model. In 1990, no 911 Turbo showed up in the brochures. Sales were
down, prices were up, and the 930 was, I guess, impractical.
But the engineers were busily at work.
They were preparing the 1991 911 Turbo (No longer designated type 930),
a car rolling on the 964 chassis, but with a 3.3 liter engine, instead
of the 3.6 of the Carrera. They worked wonders with the exhaust system,
and even with all the required emissions crap, the '91 Turbo arrived as
the fastest and safest 911 yet.
Beautiful 1992 911 Carrera 2 Turbo
Each year, we thought that the 911
Turbo was at its peak. Not yet so, because for 1993, the engine size was
increased to 3.6 liters, and more power, more speed, and better handling
was set forth. It now had 360 horsepower and 383 lb-ft torque. It had dual
exhaust, better brakes (how???), and totally redone engine components.
The 911 Turbo 3.6 (below), as it was now called, showed the world how much
Porsche could improve on something already thought to be perfect.
The first displacement upgrade
for the Turbo in 15 years
The Turbo 3.6 led the way for 2 years,
and was discontinued by 1995. At Geneva in 1995, Porsche introduced the
1996 911 Turbo. It had the updated 993 body style with flared fenders and
a new, melted-look whaletail. The engine was of 993 variety, but this time
with twin
turbochargers! 1996-98
911 Turbo
:: Volkswagen Group :: Porsche :: 930
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