In 2024, Porsche is celebrating five decades of the mighty Turbo moniker. Let's take a look at the top-flight car's history and where to drive it in sim racing.
The year is 1974. You have spent the last few years doing well for yourself in your job as a banker and fancy a nice present. The sporty demeanour and flowing lines of the Porsche 911 seem to appeal, but why follow the grain and drive around in the same car as all your colleagues?
But then, the Stuttgart manufacturer brings out the newest version of its popular sportscar. Fresh lines, modern looks and a revolutionary powertrain, this is the car to set you apart. This is the Porsche 911 Turbo, and some 50 years later, the name lives on strong as a synonym for speed, power and class.
In the midst of Summer's hot, motoring-friendly weather, this is story of Porsche's Turbo name.
The original Porsche Turbo, the 930. Image: Porsche Newsroom
But back in the 1970's, the turbo was all about performance, and so it found its place early on in its life in motorsport and the performance cars derived from racing. And that is exactly how Porsche's Turbo name came to be.
In the early 1970's, racing sportscars like the 917 were dominant across the endurance racing scene, but as is ever the case, evolution is a big part of motorsport. With the advent of the turbo, Porsche decided to take its long-distance sportscar to new heights by entering turbocharged variants, the 917/10 and then the 917/30 into the Can-Am series.
Porsche 917/30 Can-Am racer in Assetto Corsa - possibly one of the wildest race cars ever built.
Boxy looks and deafening whistles, it may be unrecognisable as the sleek Le Mans-winning 917 we all remember, but this legend in its own right would go on to establish a new line of Stuttgart products.
Come 1973, the turbocharger would become a mainstay in Porsche's racing efforts and, as such, the manufacturer looked to celebrate its success with a special concept. Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show was a 911 baring the Turbo name on its rear end much like it does today. That concept went on to become the ever-popular 930 generation 911 that kicked off the Turbo craze.
The covers rose on the first ever production turbocharged Porsche 911 at the 1974 Paris Auto Show. Three-litre turbocharged flat six pumping out almost 260bhp and hitting 100km/h from a standstill in under 6 seconds, those are competitive sportscar figures today, let alone some 50 years ago.
The 1973 Frankfurt Motor Show Porsche 911 Turbo Concept. Image: Porsche Corporate Archive
The 1980s saw the 911 mature with its 964 generation, and so too did the Turbo finding its place at the top of the tree. With the main model's move to a comfortable grand tourer, the Turbo also became the straight line destroyer it is today. But it never lost its racing pedigree as the next version would confirm.
The 993 generation launched in 1994 and immediately overhauled the 911's shape. Radically different proportions, modernised details, yet under the shell, it retained its air-cooled nature. In Turbo specification, the engine grew to 3.6-litres and managed 425 brake horsepower. But it was the first GT product that put the Turbo name back to racing use with the GT2. Wide arches, an impressive wing and 450bhp in its utmost form, the 993 turned the Turbo from a banker's cruiser to a poster car.
The Porsche that took the Turbo and made it thrilling. Image: Porsche Newsroom
The GT2 name with its turbocharged engine continued throughout the years then after adopting the name "Widow maker" for its immense power, lack of driver assists and vast turbo lag. On the other end of the Porsche turbocharged spectrum remained the traditional 911 Turbo and its unleashed S variant.
Through the 996, 997 and 991 generations of Porsche 911, the Turbo name retained its place very much at the top of the road-focused 911 tree above the various Carrera models. But come the most recent 992 iteration, the Turbo name became more than just a moniker describing engine layout. Indeed, it was this most recent model that got turbocharged engines across the range in an effort to aid fuel efficiency.
955 Generation Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. Image: Porsche Newsroom
Sure, the 1980s saw epic boosted versions of the 944 and 924. But with the introduction of large brand-saving SUVs like the Cayenne and Macan alongside larger products like the Panamera, the Turbo name became a synonym for top-of-the-line.
High-performance and uber luxury came with Turbo variants of each Porsche model, but so too did jaw-dropping price tags. At this point, owning a Porsche Turbo was a status symbol.
Porsche Taycan Turbo - even an EV can be a Turbo apparently. Image: Porsche Newsroom
Over the years, the name has begun to mean less and less however. Sure, turbocharged, range-topping SUVs gave the Turbo name more appeal, but it was the all-electric Taycan that truly pinpointed what the Turbo name would mean for the next half-century. Nowadays, it is akin to a trim level, much like Ghia Fords and Esprit Alpine Renaults. But that will not stop petrol heads from finding an interest in the cars, especially as these unobtainable road weapons become accessible through gaming.
The 1981 model featuring in GT7 may not quite be to the specification of the first display car unveiled in 1974, getting a slightly larger engine. But with the same simple yet gorgeous shape, it is a great way of transporting oneself back to a time where manufacturers were turbocharging cars with their fingers crossed. Just like you in your back garden with that rusty Toyota MR2. Though perhaps with a smidge more sophistication.
Some stunning liveries on show on Raceroom's Porsche 944 Turbo Cup. Image: KW Studios
A predecessor to the modern Porsche Carrera (or GT3) Cup, the 944 Turbo Cup was a grassroot series helping to nurture young talent. But above all, it provided fantastic racing.
Last summer, a pack full of Porsche racecars joined RaceRoom Racing Experience, including the 944 Turbo Cup. The model comes with a good number of liveries and drives nicely in a soft, old fashioned style that produces good racing.
A collection of Turbo Porsches in Assetto Corsa. Image: Kunos Simulazioni
Aside from the modern machinery like the 718 Cayman or 918 Spyder, it is the all-dominant 917/30 Can-Am racer available to drive in AC that racing fans will love. Tricky to drive, but supremely satisfying to master, we recommend some practice with the 1,400bhp monster that sits alongside other turbocharged icons like the 935/78 Moby Dick and Carrera RSR 3.0 used as a blue print for the first ever road-going Turbo concept.
The Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series is available in Need For Speed Unbound. Image: Porsche Newsroom
Need for Speed Unbound, the most recent of the name, gets the perfect car. Limited to just 500 examples, the 2018 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series was, at the time, the most powerful 911 on-sale, getting a 27 brake horsepower boost over the standard model. Gold with black details, it certainly attracts attention and means modifications are not particularly necessary to stand out from the crowd - even in the glitzy world that is NFS.
Porsche Turbo 50 Years in Roblox. Image: Porsche/Driving Empire
Parts for both the first 930 generation 911 Turbo and the most recent 992 generation, in special '50 Years' form are available to collect in-game. Collect every car part and you can build your very own classic or modern 911 Turbo to race in Driving Empire.
It is also possible to admire each model in more detail by opening its doors, for instance, allowing players who successfully gathered all the parts to check out their own virtual Carrera Turbo that they assembled. No small feat, considering there are 12 parts per car to find - which makes the anniversary models all the more special.
What is your favourite representation of a Porsche Turbo in racing games? Tell us in the comments below - and be sure to also let us know whether we should dive into automotive history like we did with this article more often and what you would like to see highlighted!
The year is 1974. You have spent the last few years doing well for yourself in your job as a banker and fancy a nice present. The sporty demeanour and flowing lines of the Porsche 911 seem to appeal, but why follow the grain and drive around in the same car as all your colleagues?
But then, the Stuttgart manufacturer brings out the newest version of its popular sportscar. Fresh lines, modern looks and a revolutionary powertrain, this is the car to set you apart. This is the Porsche 911 Turbo, and some 50 years later, the name lives on strong as a synonym for speed, power and class.
In the midst of Summer's hot, motoring-friendly weather, this is story of Porsche's Turbo name.
The original Porsche Turbo, the 930. Image: Porsche Newsroom
Porsche Turbo's Racing Roots
Today, the turbocharger is very much a common device on modern engines. Using fast-flowing exhaust gases to spin a turbine directing fresh, cold air into the engine, it helps create more power all whilst maintaining fuel usage and carbon emissions in check.But back in the 1970's, the turbo was all about performance, and so it found its place early on in its life in motorsport and the performance cars derived from racing. And that is exactly how Porsche's Turbo name came to be.
In the early 1970's, racing sportscars like the 917 were dominant across the endurance racing scene, but as is ever the case, evolution is a big part of motorsport. With the advent of the turbo, Porsche decided to take its long-distance sportscar to new heights by entering turbocharged variants, the 917/10 and then the 917/30 into the Can-Am series.
Porsche 917/30 Can-Am racer in Assetto Corsa - possibly one of the wildest race cars ever built.
Boxy looks and deafening whistles, it may be unrecognisable as the sleek Le Mans-winning 917 we all remember, but this legend in its own right would go on to establish a new line of Stuttgart products.
Come 1973, the turbocharger would become a mainstay in Porsche's racing efforts and, as such, the manufacturer looked to celebrate its success with a special concept. Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show was a 911 baring the Turbo name on its rear end much like it does today. That concept went on to become the ever-popular 930 generation 911 that kicked off the Turbo craze.
The covers rose on the first ever production turbocharged Porsche 911 at the 1974 Paris Auto Show. Three-litre turbocharged flat six pumping out almost 260bhp and hitting 100km/h from a standstill in under 6 seconds, those are competitive sportscar figures today, let alone some 50 years ago.
The 1973 Frankfurt Motor Show Porsche 911 Turbo Concept. Image: Porsche Corporate Archive
Generations Of 911 Turbo
Over the years, a total of seven generation of Porsche 911 have sat on dealership forecourts, not including the several facelifts more recent iterations of the car have received.The 1980s saw the 911 mature with its 964 generation, and so too did the Turbo finding its place at the top of the tree. With the main model's move to a comfortable grand tourer, the Turbo also became the straight line destroyer it is today. But it never lost its racing pedigree as the next version would confirm.
The 993 generation launched in 1994 and immediately overhauled the 911's shape. Radically different proportions, modernised details, yet under the shell, it retained its air-cooled nature. In Turbo specification, the engine grew to 3.6-litres and managed 425 brake horsepower. But it was the first GT product that put the Turbo name back to racing use with the GT2. Wide arches, an impressive wing and 450bhp in its utmost form, the 993 turned the Turbo from a banker's cruiser to a poster car.
The Porsche that took the Turbo and made it thrilling. Image: Porsche Newsroom
The GT2 name with its turbocharged engine continued throughout the years then after adopting the name "Widow maker" for its immense power, lack of driver assists and vast turbo lag. On the other end of the Porsche turbocharged spectrum remained the traditional 911 Turbo and its unleashed S variant.
Through the 996, 997 and 991 generations of Porsche 911, the Turbo name retained its place very much at the top of the road-focused 911 tree above the various Carrera models. But come the most recent 992 iteration, the Turbo name became more than just a moniker describing engine layout. Indeed, it was this most recent model that got turbocharged engines across the range in an effort to aid fuel efficiency.
Turbo in the 2000s: More Than a Model
Yes, from early on, the Turbo moniker began to symbolize the top echelon of Porsche 911 available on the market. Omitting the GT products that many gawk over nowadays, Turbo 911s are the best of the best for the everyday road user. But with the manufacturer's list of offerings growing around the turn of the century, so too did the Turbo name's use.955 Generation Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. Image: Porsche Newsroom
Sure, the 1980s saw epic boosted versions of the 944 and 924. But with the introduction of large brand-saving SUVs like the Cayenne and Macan alongside larger products like the Panamera, the Turbo name became a synonym for top-of-the-line.
High-performance and uber luxury came with Turbo variants of each Porsche model, but so too did jaw-dropping price tags. At this point, owning a Porsche Turbo was a status symbol.
Porsche Taycan Turbo - even an EV can be a Turbo apparently. Image: Porsche Newsroom
Over the years, the name has begun to mean less and less however. Sure, turbocharged, range-topping SUVs gave the Turbo name more appeal, but it was the all-electric Taycan that truly pinpointed what the Turbo name would mean for the next half-century. Nowadays, it is akin to a trim level, much like Ghia Fords and Esprit Alpine Renaults. But that will not stop petrol heads from finding an interest in the cars, especially as these unobtainable road weapons become accessible through gaming.
Strong Gaming Heritage
The Porsche Turbo is not just an infamous name throughout automotive history. With so many popular cars baring the Turbo name, it is far from a rare sight in the world of gaming. From the most recent 992 generation of 911 Turbo all the way through to jaw-dropping classics like the first 930 and racing icons like the slant nose 935, think of a Turbo Porsche and you can probably drive it in a game.Porsche 911 930 in Gran Turismo 7
If you are looking to drive a Porsche 911 Turbo in any game, surely your first shot has to be the original. Well, in Gran Turismo 7, arguably one of the prettiest games out there, you can admire every nook and cranny of the first generation of turbocharged 911, the 930.The 1981 model featuring in GT7 may not quite be to the specification of the first display car unveiled in 1974, getting a slightly larger engine. But with the same simple yet gorgeous shape, it is a great way of transporting oneself back to a time where manufacturers were turbocharging cars with their fingers crossed. Just like you in your back garden with that rusty Toyota MR2. Though perhaps with a smidge more sophistication.
Porsche 944 Turbo Cup in Raceroom
For many, the Porsche 944 is the most realistic of obtainable dream Stuttgart models thanks to its different formula mounting a four-cylinder engine under the bonnet. Those lucky enough to live through the 1980s will have seen the entry-level Porsche take to the track in the form of the 944 Turbo Cup, a single-make racing variant of the model run in a quintet of series across Europe and America.Some stunning liveries on show on Raceroom's Porsche 944 Turbo Cup. Image: KW Studios
A predecessor to the modern Porsche Carrera (or GT3) Cup, the 944 Turbo Cup was a grassroot series helping to nurture young talent. But above all, it provided fantastic racing.
Last summer, a pack full of Porsche racecars joined RaceRoom Racing Experience, including the 944 Turbo Cup. The model comes with a good number of liveries and drives nicely in a soft, old fashioned style that produces good racing.
Assetto Corsa Porsche Pack 1
Whilst not a particular car, Assetto Corsa's Porsche Pack 1 features a number of immensely important turbocharged Porsche racecars that set the Stuttgart manufacturer down its current path. Without several models in this DLC pack, the Turbo name may never have become what it is today.A collection of Turbo Porsches in Assetto Corsa. Image: Kunos Simulazioni
Aside from the modern machinery like the 718 Cayman or 918 Spyder, it is the all-dominant 917/30 Can-Am racer available to drive in AC that racing fans will love. Tricky to drive, but supremely satisfying to master, we recommend some practice with the 1,400bhp monster that sits alongside other turbocharged icons like the 935/78 Moby Dick and Carrera RSR 3.0 used as a blue print for the first ever road-going Turbo concept.
NFS: Porsche 911 Turbo Exclusive Series
For many years, EA and its Need for Speed franchise held an exclusive license for the Porsche brand in racing games. As a result, the series' back catalogue features a seemingly endless list of Stuttgart's best in a variety of titles. But for patrolling the streets of a modern street racing scene, surely you want to show off in the newest, fastest, most eye-catching unit possible.The Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series is available in Need For Speed Unbound. Image: Porsche Newsroom
Need for Speed Unbound, the most recent of the name, gets the perfect car. Limited to just 500 examples, the 2018 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series was, at the time, the most powerful 911 on-sale, getting a 27 brake horsepower boost over the standard model. Gold with black details, it certainly attracts attention and means modifications are not particularly necessary to stand out from the crowd - even in the glitzy world that is NFS.
50 Years of Porsche Turbo in Roblox
The most recent addition of the Turbo name to gaming was also in celebration of its 50th anniversary. Recently, Roblox and Porsche collaborated on the inclusion of two Porsche 911 Turbo models to the game's open-world racing mode, Driving Empire.Porsche Turbo 50 Years in Roblox. Image: Porsche/Driving Empire
Parts for both the first 930 generation 911 Turbo and the most recent 992 generation, in special '50 Years' form are available to collect in-game. Collect every car part and you can build your very own classic or modern 911 Turbo to race in Driving Empire.
It is also possible to admire each model in more detail by opening its doors, for instance, allowing players who successfully gathered all the parts to check out their own virtual Carrera Turbo that they assembled. No small feat, considering there are 12 parts per car to find - which makes the anniversary models all the more special.
What is your favourite representation of a Porsche Turbo in racing games? Tell us in the comments below - and be sure to also let us know whether we should dive into automotive history like we did with this article more often and what you would like to see highlighted!
