Porsche 991

The Porsche 991 is the internal designation for the seventh generation Porsche 911 which was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show on 15 September as the replacement for the 997. The 991 is an entirely new platform, only the third since the original 911launched in 1963 (the 996 of 1999 was the second new platform). The design has taken an evolutionary step, in keeping with the previous generation 997 and 996. The designer of the 991 is Porsche's Chief Designer Michael Mauer.

Compared to the outgoing 997, the 991 is slightly larger, with the wheelbase increased by 100 mm (3.9 in) to 2,450 millimetres (96.5 in), and the overall length up by 70 mm (2.8 in) to 4,490 millimetres (176.8 in).[1] A new transaxle was developed so that the rear wheels could be moved 76 millimetres (3 in) backward in relation to the position of the engine, which significantly improves the weight distribution and cornering performance of the new 911.[2][3]

Due to the use of high-strength steels, aluminium and some composites the weight has been reduced to 1,380 kg (3,040 lb) for the manual Carrera, rising to 1,605 kg (3,538 lb) for the four wheel drive Turbo model with PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung). PDK is available as an option for all 911 Carrera models as 7-speed transmission, featuring manual and automatic modes. Gears 1 to 6 have a sports ratio and top speed is reached in 6th gear. 7th gear has a long ratio and helps to reduce fuel consumption by keeping engine revs low. PDK is essentially two gearboxes in one and thus requires two clutches. For all 991 models PDK is produced by ZF Friedrichshafen.

The auto start/stop function is standard in the 911 Carrera models.

First generation
Design

Typically for Porsche Carrera, 991 is an evolutionary design step. Two basic principles were strictly respected: the roof line tapers down into the rear and the front wings are higher than the lid.

911 Carrera
Base model, introduced in 2011. Car is equipped with a 3.4 litre boxer engine with direct fuel injection. The engine develops 257 kW (350 hp) at 7,400 rpm and the maximum torque is 390 Nm at 5,600 rpm. For the 911 Carrera with 7-speed manual gearbox, this means acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 289 km/h.

911 Carrera S
Introduced with 911 Carrera, in 2011, and equipped with more powerful 3.8 litre engine developing 294 kW (400 hp).

911 Carrera GTS
Introduced in 2015, the 991 Carrera GTS sits between the Carrera S and GT3. Base options included with purchase: 430hp PowerKit, Sport Chrono Package, Sport Exhaust System, Dynamic Engine Mounts, 10mm lowered suspension, Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTM) system, LED daytime running lights with Porsche Dynamic Lighting System (PDLS), Sport Design Front Spoiler, Sport Design Rear Mirrors, GTS badging, and 20" Centerlock wheels. When optioned with PDK, 0-60 mph is achieved consistently at 3.8 seconds with the help of Launch Control.

2015 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

911 Cabriolet
In February 2012, the convertible model of the 991 was announced. Initially available in Carrera Cabriolet and Carrera S Cabriolet models,[4] a Turbo version was added to the range at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.[5]

911 GT3
With the introduction in 2012 of the latest GT3 modelcame the announcement of active rear steering. It is claimed by Porsche to provide higher lateral dynamics than previously available. Car speed inputs determine whether the rears steer in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels. It is the first GT3 offered only with automatic transmission.

At the start of 2014, deliveries of the GT3 were halted following two fires.[6] A subsequent recall to replace the engines of all 785 cars was announced in March 2014 before manufacturing of the GT3 would restart.[7]

911 GT3 RS
Porsche launched the RS version of the 991 GT3 at the Geneva Motor Show in 2015.[8]Compared to the 991 GT3, the front fenders are now equipped with louvers above the wheels and the rear fenders now include Turbo-like intakes, rather than an intake below the rear wing. The roof is made from magnesium. The interior includes full bucket seats (based on the carbon seats of the 918 Spyder), carbon-fibre inserts, lightweight door handles and the Club Sport Package as standard (a bolted-on roll cage behind the front seats, preparation for a battery master switch, and a six-point safety harness for the driver and fire extinguisher with mounting bracket).

The 3.8-litre unit found in the 991 GT3 is replaced with a 4.0-litre unit with 500 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is PDK only. The drivetrain delivers 0-62 mph (0-100kmh) in 3.3 seconds (0.6 seconds quicker than the 997 GT3 RS 4.0) and 0-124 mph (0-200kmh) in 10.9 seconds. The 991 GT3 RS also comes with functions such as declutching by "paddle neutral" — comparable to pressing the clutch with a conventional manual gearbox –- and Pit Speed limiter button. As with the 991 GT3, there is rear-axle steering and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus with fully variable rear axle differential lock.

911 Targa
In January 2014, Porsche introduced the Targa 4 and Targa 4S models. These new derivatives come equipped with an all-new roof technology with the original targa design, now with an all electric cabriolet roof along with the B-pillar and the glass 'dome' at the rear.

On January 12, 2015, Porsche announced the 911 Targa GTS at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Similar in appearance to the existing Targa 4 and 4S models, the GTS added a more powerful engine plus several otherwise optional features.[9]

911 Turbo and Turbo S
The 991 Turbo has a twin-turbocharged 3.8 litre engine generating 520 PS (382 kW; 513 bhp) and 620 N·m (457 lb·ft) of torque.[10] The S version has 560 PS (412 kW; 552 bhp) and 700 N·m (516 lb·ft) of torque, but the torque is pushed to 750 N·m (553 lb·ft) with overboost. Both vehicles have all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual clutch sequential transmission. The Turbo S can reach 0 – 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds as claimed by Porsche but has achieved 2.6 seconds by many car magazine tests.[11][12] New technologies featuring adaptive aerodynamics and rear wheel steer are new on these cars.
 * Porsche 911 GT3 3.8 at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
 * Porsche 911 Targa 4 at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.
 * 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo S coupe.
 * 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.

Engines
All 911s are powered by either a 3.4 or a 3.8-litre flat-six engine with direct injection. Compared to the previous Carrera S the power is increased to 400 PS (294 kW; 395 hp). A Powerkit option is available for the Carrera S, increasing power to 430 PS.[13] The standard Carrera engine is a 3.4-litre, producing 350 PS (257 kW; 345 hp). The car features stop/start system, a coasting function and also electro-mechanical power steering to aid efficiency.

New for a 911 model are electronic parking brakes and 20 inch diameter wheels. The car has a new seven-speed manual gearbox, a first for a production car, along with an improved seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) dual clutch transmission.[14]

PerformanceEdit
(SC) = Sport Chrono (PK) = Powerkit

Second generation (2016- Present)
The 991 was revised in 2015 for the 2016 model year. The updated Porsche 911 (referred to as 991/2 internally at Porsche) introduced new styling and options, along with all new, smaller 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six engines across the range. This was the first time standard Carrera models had adopted turbocharged engines rather than naturally aspirated ones.

On September 6, 2015, these changes to the Porsche 911 were revealed on the Porsche website. Initially available models include coupé and cabriolet versions of Carrera and Carrera S, with Carrera 4, Carrera 4S, Targa 4 and Targa 4S coming a few weeks later.

Awards
The Porsche 991 was titled World Performance Car 2012[15] shortly after famed Porsche designer Ferdinand Alexander Porsche died. The GT3 was awarded the title of World Performance Car Of The Year in 2014.