The car was made technically
possible by an invention from 1905.
The Swiss engineer, Dr. Büchi,
utilised the energy of the flow of
exhaust gases to increase the
ef ficiency of combustion engines.
You don’t need to be an engineer
to understand the practical benefits
of this. Turbocharging means
a tremendous gain in power for
comparatively small engine
displacements. The advantage of
small-
displacement engines is
particularly
felt in the lower and
middle load ranges – in other
words, during everyday driving on
the road. In these conditions, fuel
consumption and CO
2 emissions
figures are significantly lower than
those for larger engines.
Another advantage is the compact
engine size which reduces weight.
The engine takes up less space
and keeps the overall vehicle
weight down. In short, agilit y
and dynamic performance are
increased and fuel consumption
is decreased.
Of course, in 1974, the technology
was still in its infancy. The idea
needed to mature, but the fact
remained that it worked. What
started out as a scheduled produc -
tion run of 400 vehicles has b e -
come a lifetime’s work.
Over the years, alongside con tinual
increases in power output, the
911 Turbo has seen the introduc -
tion of a wide variet y of technolo -
gies to improve handling and
dynamic performance as well as
fuel consumption and efficiency.
Examples from 1977 include
above all the intercooler,
which improved turbocharger
efficiency, and the cross-drilled
brake discs, which increased
braking per formance and reduced
unsprung masses. In 1990, the
911 Turbo based on the Type 964
was the first to be equipped with
a regulated cataly tic converter as
st a n d a rd .
The t win -turbo engine introduced
in 1995 performed excellently,
delivering a significantly more
harmonious build-up of power
and making the 911 Turbo a
much more composed and there-
by more fuel-efficient vehicle.
All-wheel drive was introduced
for the first time, increasing both
traction and safet y.
A major step towards greater
ef ficiency was achieved in 2000
with the launch of the 911 Turbo
based on the Type 996. This saw
the use of technologies that
are also to be found on the latest
911 Turbo generation. VarioCam
Plus reduced fuel consumption
drastically, whilst the extending
rear wing, through its abilit y to
change position, complemented
the already exemplary aero -
dynamic performance.
In 2006, the launch of the
911 Turbo based on the Type 997
revealed a revolution in turbo -
charging, with the advent of
Variable Turbine Geometry (V TG).
More power. More torque. Less
fuel. Less CO
2. Porsche was
the first car manufacturer that
was able to use this technology
in standard-production petrol
engines. And so far is the only
one to do so.
And today? The principle behind
the 911 Turbo is still one of power
and ef ficiency and consequently
is just as valid as ever.
Direct fuel injection (DFI) improves
power output, torque and engine
response whilst also reducing fuel
consumption and CO2 em issio ns.
The Porsche Doppelkupplung
(PDK), or double-clutch gearbox,
shortens gearshift times, elimi -
nates any interruption in the flow
of power and increases ef ficiency
thanks to the long-ratioed 7th
gear. Also doing their bit are the
expansion intake manifold and
on - demand oil pump.
Let ’s get down to the details.
The 911 Turbo concept | Ef ficiency
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