Porsche 911

Generations: what changed in the numbers

All listed engines are Gasoline, 6 cylinders, Opposite layout, Rear position. Injection is Direct injection (direct) from 5 generation restyling onward in the supplied Turbo and later cars; 3–5 generation naturally aspirated cars use Distributed injection (multi-point).

3 generation (January 1988–December 1994, Cabrio, 10 versions listed of 10). Peak listed power is 3.6 MT at 360 hp / 520 Nm (Turbo, RWD, 4.8 s, 280 km/h, 1470 kg). The naturally aspirated baseline is 3.6 MT at 250 hp / 310 Nm. The lightest kerb weight in the whole 911 file is this generation’s 3.6 MT at 260 hp: 1240 kg (4.76 kg/hp). 3.3 MT at 320 hp (Turbo) reaches 100 km/h in 5.0 s. 3.3 MT at 355 hp has 0–100, top speed, torque, fuel use and kerb weight not measured. Tank 77 L is the largest in the file.

4 generation (January 1993–December 1998, Cabrio, 12 of 19 listed). Power steps are 3.6 MT 272 hp, 3.6 MT 285 hp, 3.8 MT 300 hp. The 272 hp 3.6 MT AWD is 5.3 s / 267 km/h; the 272 hp 3.6 MT RWD is 5.6 s / 270 km/h (fuel not measured). Two 3.6 AT 272 hp cars share 6.6 s / 265 km/h / 1395 kg / mixed 9.5 L/100 km and differ only in ground clearance: 110 mm vs 119 mm. 3.8 MT 300 hp (RWD and AWD) has 0–100, top speed, consumption and mass not measured. Tank 73 L.

5 generation (January 1997–December 2001, Coupe, 8 of 8). Every listed car is 3.4 MT or 3.4 AT at 300 hp / 350 Nm / 3387 cm³, boost No. Manual RWD 3.4 MT is 1320 kg and 5.2 s; Automatic AWD 3.4 AT is 1450 kg and 6.2 s — 130 kg and 1.0 s for AWD plus Automatic. Mixed consumption is measured only on some Automatics (12.0–12.4 L/100 km).

5 generation, restyling (January 2000–November 2005, Cabrio, 12 of 22). Naturally aspirated cars stay at 3.6 MT / 3.6 AT 320 hp. Turbo cars are 3.6 MT 420 hp (4.2 s, 306 km/h, 1700 kg) and 3.6 MT 450 hp (4.3 s, 307 km/h, 1700 kg): 30 extra hp does not cut the sprint here. Ground clearance is 100 mm on every listed car — 20 mm below 5 generation Coupe’s 120 mm. Tank 64 L.

6 generation (June 2004–January 2009, Targa, 12 of 28). Naturally aspirated 3.6 MT 325 hp vs 3.8 MT 355 hp. Turbo 3.6 MT 480 hp is 4.0 s / 311 km/h / 1585 kg. Several PDK and Automatic cars have 0–100 or kerb weight not measured. 3.6 AT 480 hp is 3.8 s with top speed not measured.

6 generation, restyling (July 2008–June 2014, Targa, 12 of 30). Naturally aspirated peak is 3.8 MT 408 hp (4.8 s, 306 km/h). Turbo peak is 3.8 PDK 530 hp (3.4 s, 315 km/h, 1660 kg) versus 3.8 PDK 500 hp (3.6 s, same 315 km/h, 1670 kg): 30 hp and 10 kg buy 0.2 s. 3.6 MT 345 hp mixed consumption is not measured on one AWD row.

7 generation (September 2011–February 2017, Coupe, 12 of 34). Naturally aspirated 3.4 cars are 350 hp; 3.8 cars are 400 or 430 hp; Turbo is 3.8 PDK 520 hp (3.4 s, 315 km/h, 1595 kg, 9.7 L/100 km mixed). 3.4 MT RWD is 1380 kg (3.94 kg/hp). 3.8 MT 430 hp RWD is 1425 kg and 306 km/h; the AWD twin is 1470 kg and 304 km/h.

7 generation, restyling (January 2016–October 2018, Targa, 12 of 37). Displacement of the volume cars drops to 2981 cm³ with Turbo. Distinguish same names by power: 3.0 MT 370 hp, 3.0 MT 420 hp, 3.0 MT 450 hp; 3.0 PDK 370 / 420 / 450 hp. The 450 hp 3.0 PDK AWD is 3.7 s / 306 km/h. 4.0 MT 510 hp is the only boost No car in this block (3996 cm³, 6-speed Manual, RWD, 4.0 s, 310 km/h, mixed 13.8 L/100 km, CO2 317 g/km, clearance not measured).

8 generation (November 2018–May 2024, Coupe, 12 of 33). Carrera / T stay at 385 hp; S / 4S at 450 hp; GTS / 4 GTS at 480 hp; 3.8 PDK Sport Classic 550 hp (2745 cm³); 3.8 PDK Turbo 580 hp and 3.8 PDK Turbo S 650 hp (both 3745 cm³). PDK on S/4S is 8-speed; Carrera T PDK is 7-speed. Euro 6 and 98 fuel on every listed 8 generation car.

Engines and specs

All listed engines are Gasoline, 6 cylinders, Opposite layout, Rear position. Injection is Direct injection (direct) from 5 generation restyling onward in the supplied Turbo and later cars; 3–5 generation naturally aspirated cars use Distributed injection (multi-point).

Specific output (hp per litre, displacement in litres = cm³/1000): 3.8 PDK Sport Classic 550 / 2.745 = 200.4 hp/L; 3.8 PDK Turbo S 650 / 3.745 = 173.6 hp/L; 3.0 MT Carrera GTS 480 / 2.981 = 161.0 hp/L; 4.0 MT (7 generation, restyling) 510 / 3.996 = 127.6 hp/L; 3.4 MT (5 generation) 300 / 3.387 = 88.6 hp/L.

Performance and economy (0–100, top speed, mpg-style L/100 km)

Fastest 0–100 in the file: 3.8 PDK Turbo S 2.7 s. Next: 3.8 PDK Turbo 2.8 s. Then 3.0 MT Carrera GTS and 7 generation 3.8 PDK 520 hp, both 3.4 s — the GTS is 85 kg lighter (1510 vs 1595) with 40 hp less. Slowest measured 8 generation sprint: 3.0 MT Carrera T 4.5 s. Highest top speed: Turbo S 330 km/h; Turbo 320; Sport Classic 315; GTS 311; 4 GTS 309.

AWD vs RWD at the same 480 hp Manual: 3.0 MT Carrera GTS 3.4 s / 311 km/h vs 3.0 MT Carrera 4 GTS 4.1 s / 309 km/h. Manual vs Robotic at 450 hp AWD: 3.0 MT Carrera 4S 4.2 s vs 3.0 PDK Carrera 4S 3.6 s (0.6 s). At 385 hp RWD: 3.0 PDK Carrera T 4.0 s vs 3.0 MT Carrera T 4.5 s; 3.0 PDK Carrera (8-speed) is 4.2 s — T’s 7-speed Robotic is 0.2 s quicker than the 8-speed Carrera despite identical 385 hp / 450 Nm.

Lowest mixed consumption in the supplied file: 7 generation, restyling 3.0 PDK 370 hp RWD at 7.5 L/100 km (city 9.9, highway 6.2, CO2 172 g/km). Highest mixed: same generation’s 4.0 MT 13.8 L/100 km, then 8 generation 3.8 PDK Sport Classic 12.8 (city 18.7, highway 9.3, CO2 285 g/km). Among 8 generation Carreras, 3.0 PDK Carrera 4 mixed 9.2 beats 3.0 PDK Carrera 9.4; 3.0 MT Carrera GTS is 10.3. 3.0 PDK Carrera T and 3.0 MT Carrera T mixed 10.8; city and highway for both T cars are not measured.

7 generation 3.4 MT RWD mixed 9.0 vs 3.8 MT 430 hp RWD 9.5. 6 generation mixed figures are largely not measured. 4 generation 3.6 MT 272 hp AWD mixed 9.2 vs 3.6 MT 285 hp RWD 11.9. 3 generation Turbo 3.6 MT 360 hp mixed 10.3 vs 3.3 MT 320 hp 10.4.

Dimensions and weight

Kerb weight (measured): 1240 kg (3.6 MT 260 hp, 3 generation) to 1700 kg (3.6 MT 420 hp and 450 hp Turbo, 5 generation, restyling). 8 generation range 1470–1645 kg. Lightest 8 generation: 3.0 MT Carrera T 1470 kg (3.82 kg/hp). Heaviest 8 generation: 3.8 PDK Sport Classic 1645 kg (2.99 kg/hp) — 5 kg more than Turbo S at 1640 kg, which has 100 hp more, so Turbo S is 2.52 kg/hp. Gross mass peaks at 3.8 PDK Turbo 2040 kg; 3.0 MT Carrera T gross 1850 kg. Sport Classic gross 1955 kg equals 3.0 MT Carrera GTS despite 135 kg extra kerb — payload is 310 kg vs 445 kg.

Ground clearance: 100 mm on every listed 5 generation, restyling Cabrio; 108–125 mm on 6–7 generation cars; 116–120 mm on 8 generation (T and Sport Classic 116 mm; Turbo/Turbo S 120 mm; Carrera/S/GTS 118 mm). 4.0 MT clearance not measured. Wheels (8 generation): Carrera/T/4 GTS 235/40 R19 and 295/35 R20; GTS/S/4S 245/35 R20 and 305/30 R21; Sport Classic 245/35 R20 and 315/30 R21; Turbo S 255/35 R20 and 305/30 R21. Tank: 77 L (3 generation), 73 L (4), 64–68 L later. Brakes: Sport Classic is Ceramic ventilated front and rear; 7 generation, restyling 4.0 MT rear Ceramic; most others Ventilated disc / Disc ventilated as labelled.

Which version to choose

Shortest sprint, 8 generation: 3.8 PDK Turbo S. It is 0.1 s and 10 km/h ahead of 3.8 PDK Turbo at the same 1640 kg and the same mixed 11.1 L/100 km / 254 g/km CO2. The extra 70 hp and 50 Nm do not cost extra fuel in these figures.

GTS Manual without AWD: 3.0 MT Carrera GTS. Versus 3.0 PDK Carrera S (450 hp, 3.7 s, 1515 kg) you pay 5 kg and gain 30 hp and 0.3 s. Versus 3.0 MT Carrera 4 GTS you save 50 kg and 0.7 s. Power per litre is identical to 4 GTS (161.0 hp/L).

S with Robotic and AWD: 3.0 PDK Carrera 4S (3.6 s) is the quickest 450 hp car; RWD 3.0 PDK Carrera S is 3.7 s and 50 kg lighter (1515 vs 1565). Manual 3.0 MT Carrera 4S is 0.6 s slower than the PDK 4S at 35 kg less.

Lightest new-era Carrera: 3.0 MT Carrera T. Versus 3.0 PDK Carrera you lose 0.3 s (4.5 vs 4.2) and 2 km/h, gain 35 kg less kerb, and mixed fuel is worse (10.8 vs 9.4). 3.0 PDK Carrera T is the compromise: 4.0 s, 1505 kg.

If displacement label vs litres matters: 3.8 PDK Sport Classic is 2745 cm³, not 3745. It is 70 hp below Turbo and 100 below Turbo S, 4.1 s (1.4 s slower than Turbo S), 315 km/h, and the thirstiest 8 generation mixed figure (12.8). It is the only 8 generation car with Ceramic ventilated brakes both ends. Buy it for that brake spec and 200.4 hp/L, not for sprint.

Naturally aspirated high-rev 7 generation, restyling: 4.0 MT (510 hp, boost No, 8400 rpm, 4.0 s). Mixed 13.8 L/100 km is 4.4 worse than 3.0 PDK 450 hp (8.7) and 6.3 worse than 3.0 PDK 370 hp RWD (7.5). Specific output 127.6 hp/L is below every 8 generation Turbo listed.

7 generation without restyling, naturally aspirated: 3.8 MT 430 hp RWD (4.4 s, 306 km/h, 1425 kg, 3.31 kg/hp) if you want Manual RWD; 3.8 PDK 430 hp AWD if you want Robotic AWD at 4.0 s. Turbo buyer in this generation has only 3.8 PDK 520 hp.

6 generation, restyling Turbo: 3.8 PDK 530 hp matches 8 generation GTS’s 3.4 s with 50 hp more and 150 kg more (1660 vs 1510). 3.8 MT 408 hp is the strongest naturally aspirated Manual in that block.

Early 911 if mass is the filter: 3 generation 3.6 MT 260 hp at 1240 kg. Performance (5.4 s, 260 km/h) is far from 8 generation T, but kg/hp (4.77) is worse than T (3.82) and far worse than Turbo S (2.52). 3.6 MT 360 hp Turbo in the same generation is 4.8 s / 280 km/h — 2.1 s slower than 8 generation Turbo S at 170 kg less.

Reliability and problems: this dataset has no failure rates, service intervals or known-fault lists. Those items are not measured here; do not treat silence as a clean bill of health.

Arithmetic bottom line. 8 generation Turbo S is the performance buy (2.7 s, 2.52 kg/hp, 173.6 hp/L). 8 generation 3.0 MT Carrera T is the mass buy (1470 kg). 8 generation 3.0 MT Carrera GTS is the Manual sprint buy (3.4 s at 480 hp). 7 generation, restyling 3.0 PDK 370 hp RWD is the economy buy (7.5 L/100 km mixed). 4.0 MT is the boost-No buy (510 hp, 4.0 s) if mixed 13.8 L/100 km is acceptable. Same name, different car: always read the horsepower next to 3.0 MT, 3.0 PDK, 3.6 MT, 3.8 MT and 3.8 PDK.