Porsche 911 at 50: Seven generations of 911 - autocar.co.uk

Over seven generations and 50 years, the Porsche 911 has changed with the times and technology without diluting its DNA. Steve Sutcliffe drives the 911 classic, 933 and 911 back on a snowy and slippery handling circuit at Silverstone.

The Porsche 911 is 50 years and seven-generations old, having evolved from the 911 classic, to the G-Series, 964, 993, 996, 997 and current 991. Along the way there have been some major changes, perhaps none more so than the switch from air-cooled to water-cooled motors in the 996. Steve Sutcliffe takes the original 911 tested by Motor magazine in 1966, a 993 and 991 for a spin at a very snowy Silverstone.

Autocar, the world's leading motoring magazine and website, delivers industry-leading news, the most in-depth car reviews and opinion from our team of experts. Our presenters include some of the world's top motoring journalists who have unrivalled access to the world's fastest, rarest, most exotic and most exciting cars on some of the world's best roads and race tracks.

Can a supercar beat a superbike? Can a Audi A1 outrun a Nissan GT-R on a wet circuit? Can a Porsche 911 slay a Corvette on the drag strip? Autocar pitches the giants of the performance car world against each other to deliver the all-important verdict.

[TassieLorenzo]

As a Porsche novice I was hoping to find out about the difference between the iteration of the original 911 revisions, up to the G-series and then what the difference is with the drastic, radical 964 (85% new after all!!).  Going straight from the original 911 to the 993 was quite the disappointment. :(

[mpfourfour]

Sutcliffe said the 991 generation has put on some weight... to the best of my knowledge it is actually lighter than the 997!

[lz]

I think this piece should've been much longer. Instead of jumping from the classic to the 993 to the 991, I would've loved to see the evolution from generation to generation. Frankly, the 911 deserves the screen time. This is a car that fully embodies and proves the worth of the idea of evolutionary change over revolutionary.

[oibal]

I bought my doctor's 1996 Iris Blue 993 C2, after HE had owned it for 10 yrs, with only 19, 000 miles. I've had it an additional 10yrs and now she has 56, 000. All I've done is change the oil, (various fluids too) and put fuel in it. Bullet proof 6-spd 'manny tranny' and, need I add... always a head-turner!

[McLarenMercedes]

The air-cooled engine has charisma and can take a heck of a beating. I'd say the 993 was the last of the breed.

[blackjacket_]

991 - Cristiano Ronaldo
993 - Eric Cantona

That is how those two generations feels to me - both are great, both in some other ways.

Excellent job Porsche as always! :)

[laxbro]

Here's to the greatest sports car of all time. Reign on, 911.

[Roninwarrior]

The 993 is my favorite as well. Best balance between the older feel and sound of the 911 while still having the more modern look to it. It's hard to tell from this video but they are tiny compared to the 991.

[sisyphus]

they have gotten progressively more powerful but also progressively heavier. Also regarding the VW and porsche - the first VW was designed and built by Dr Porsche. Also, as most of you probably know, porsche/audi/vw share parts and engineering and are essentially one company.

[ScottHillsmusclecargarage]

I must say, I do miss my 1991, 928. I could fold up wheelchair and fit it in the back. And there was lots of legroom in the passenger seat. Plus it was one of 25 manual transmission cars that was imported each year to the US. It was black with the gray interior. That thing ran on rails, even have 150 mph.

[Motorgt]

So according to autocar there is 3 Porsche 911 generations

[KnnyMcCormickk]

the audio from the latest videos sucks, i can barely hear it, and Steve speaks in a very calm way, so it is not loud enough.

[KingCast]

I've driven the both and of course they are different but shall we say, same genus type. Same relatively light but quick responsive steering, they both feel so nimble. Of course the beetle lacks the power to dynamically push the chasis as much but unmodified and with its height and swing axles this is probably a Good Thing LOL

[TheBigBazzy]

Evolution shot at the end was awesome!

[mrmot]

At 4:01 it says that Carrera 3.2 was produced from 1973-1989, that's not correct. 3.2 Carreras were produced from 1984-1989, 911SC (3.0) was before it, and 2.7 Carreras and 2.7 911 & 911S since 1974.

[misimerci]

Right, the classic Porsches sounds better then the news!

[PischkePerformance]

I really hope they make a proper video in the spring/summer where they go in depth with nice weather. This is a pretty nice teaser though :)

[Silverwarhawk]

My dream car : The original 911, Silver Exterior, Black Leather Interior.

[kurtrusellpatrickswayze]

My favorites are the 3.2 Carreras and the 996s.

[teakbridge]

Agree with Nathan, would have been nice to see a longer vid. Great with what was shown, though!