The Porsche 930, also known as the 911 Turbo, debuted in 1975 and soon became a legend in its own right. Renowned for its blistering speed, distinctive design, and game-changing performance, the 930 paved the way for future turbocharged sports cars. With its introduction, Porsche established a new standard for road-going sports cars, blending high-performance engineering with everyday usability. CLcompany is delighted to feature the facts about the 1970s Classic Porsche 930.
Flashback
In the early 1970s, Porsche sought to build on its racing pedigree by creating a turbocharged version of its iconic 911. Initially developed to homologate Porsche’s race cars for the FIA Group 4 and Group 5 categories, the Porsche 930 quickly transcended its racing roots and became a high-performance street car. It became a symbol of the decade’s automotive innovation, standing as one of the most powerful and exciting cars available to the public. Introduced in 1975, the 930’s arrival marked Porsche’s foray into turbocharging for production cars, making it a key player in defining the supercar genre.
Years in Production – 1975 to 1989
The Design
The Porsche 930 retained the unmistakable 911 silhouette but featured several key changes to enhance performance and aerodynamics. Its widened rear fenders, integrated with a massive rear spoiler, accommodated larger wheels and improved high-speed stability. Flared wheel arches further emphasized the 930’s aggressive stance, enhancing its visual and dynamic appeal. Powering the 930 was a 3.0-liter turbocharged flat-six engine that produced 260 horsepower, a figure that grew to 300 horsepower with the introduction of a 3.3-liter engine in 1978.
Lightweight materials, such as aluminum, helped offset the additional weight of the turbocharging system, while Porsche’s engineers developed a four-speed manual transmission to manage the substantial torque. The car’s rear-engine layout, combined with the turbo, delivered exhilarating yet challenging handling, earning the 930 a reputation for being unforgiving at the limit but rewarding for skilled drivers.
Top Specifications of Porsche 930
- Displacement – 3745 cm³
- Power – 379.50 bhp @ 6500rpm
- Torque – 465 Nm @ 6300rpm
- Transmission – 4-speed manual (later models featured a 5-speed)
- Top speed – 330 km/h
- Kerb weight – 1295 kg
- Wheelbase – 2450 mm
Interesting Facts
- The Porsche 930 was the first Porsche production car to feature turbocharging, influencing the design of future 911 models.
- Due to its power and rear-engine configuration, the 930 earned the nickname “The Widowmaker” for its unforgiving handling at the limit.
- The large rear wing, known as the “whale tail,” became one of the most recognizable design elements of the Porsche Turbo models.
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