The Porsche 991 is the seventh generation of the Porsche 911 sports car, which was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show on 15September as the replacement for the 997. The 991 was an entirely new platform, only the third since the original 911 launched in 1963 (the 996 of 1999 was the second new platform). Production of the 991 generation ended on 20 December 2019, with 233,540 units produced.
Design
Compared to the 997, the 991 is slightly larger, with the wheelbase increased by to , and the overall length up by to . A new transaxle was developed so that the rear wheels could be moved backward in relation to the position of the engine, which significantly improves the weight distribution and cornering performance of the car.
Due to the use of high-strength steel, aluminium and some composites, the weight was reduced to for the manual Carrera, rising to for the all wheel drive Turbo model if equipped with the PDK transmission (Porsche Doppelkupplung). PDK is available as an option for all 911 Carrera and 911 Turbo (991.1 Non S) models as a 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. The PDK is essentially two gearboxes merged into a single unit and thus requires two clutches. For all 991 models, the PDK is produced by ZF Friedrichshafen. The auto start/stop function is standard on all variants of the 911 Carrera.
First phase (991.1; 2011–2016) 911 Carrera and Carrera S (2011–2015)
Introduced at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the Carrera is equipped with a 3.4-litre boxer engine with direct fuel injection generating a maximum power output of at 7,400 rpm and of torque at 5,600 rpm. The Carrera S has a 3.8-litre engine generating a maximum power output of at 7,400 rpm and of torque at 5,600 rpm.
The convertible variant of the 991 was announced in both Carrera and Carrera S versions at the LA Motor Show in November 2011.
In September 2012, at the Paris Motor Show, the all-wheel-drive variants, the Carrera 4 and 4S, were added to the 991 lineup.
In May 2012, Porsche revealed the Carrera S Club Coupe. The main difference was a power increase (from 400 to 430 hp) and a ducktail spoiler. It was only offered in Brewster Green, had 5-spoke silver over dark green rims, yellow PCCB brakes, chrome window trim and Club Coupe lettering on sides. Thirteen cars were made worldwide.
Also in 2013, Porsche showed the Carrera 4S Exclusive Edition. It features a power increase, ducktail spoiler and dark grey exterior with silver over black 5-spoke rims. It was limited to 5 units only for UK.
Again in 2013, for Asia Pacific and Middle East, Porsche introduced the Carrera S Exclusive Edition. It has a black paintjob with red accents, black over red rims, Aerokit Cup Package and black with red interior. Production totals are unknown.
In 2014, Porsche introduced the Carrera S Martini Racing Edition as a tribute to Porsche's motorsport heritage. The car has Martini stripes and comes with the Aerokit Cup Package. A total of 80 units were made.
In November 2014, Porsche introduced the Carrera 4S Exclusive Swiss Edition, only for the Swiss market. These cars were painted in dark grey exterior and dark grey over silver 5-spoke rims. They also feature red stitching and swiss flag doorstep and Sport Design front bumper. A total of 14 cars were produced. 911 Carrera GTS (2014–2016) Introduced in November 2014 at the LA Motor Show, the 991 Carrera GTS sits between the Carrera S and GT3. Base options included with purchase: power output of , Sport Chrono Package, Sport Exhaust System, Dynamic Engine Mounts, 10 mm lowered suspension, Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) system, LED daytime running lights with Porsche Dynamic Lighting System (PDLS), Sport Design Front Spoiler, Sport Design Side Mirrors, GTS badging, and 20-inch centerlock wheels. When optioned with PDK, acceleration from is achieved consistently at 3.8 seconds with the help of Launch Control.
In 2015, for China, Porsche introduced the Carrera GTS Jebsen 60th Anniversary Edition made to celebrate 60 years of the Jebsen Group. Limited to 10 units, it features a light grey paintjob with black over white 5-spoke rims, dark grey Porsche side stripes and upper stripe.
The 2016 model year also brought about the Rennsport Reunion Edition, limited to 25 cars, which feature a Fashion Grey livery and a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre flat-six engine available exclusively with a manual transmission. It also included 18-way power sports seats, PASM adaptive suspension, Bose audio system, rear parking sensors, carbon-fiber dashboard trim, 20-inch sport classic wheels, adaptive headlights (PDLS, or Porsche Dynamic Light System), and a host of decals for the hood, doors, roof, and decklid plus a key fob painted the same Fashion Gray as the car, and a special leather case for the key with "911 Carrera GTS Rennsport Reunion Edition" lettering.
911 Carrera GTS Club Coupe (2016)
The Club Coupe was introduced to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Porsche Club of America. Just 60 Club Coupes were produced for the 2016 model year. Notable changes from the standard GTS include 20" alloy wheels (the same as those found on the 2014 50th Anniversary Edition) which pays homage to the "Fuchs"-style wheels on classic 911s, special "Club Blau" exterior paint, SportDesign bodywork, and a "ducktail"-style spoiler which references classic motorsports-oriented 911s, for example the Carrera RS 2.7. The interior features Club Coupe-specific dashboard trim, door sills, and centre console lid.
The Club Coupe had an MSRP of $136,060 excluding destination fee and was only available to Porsche Club of America members.
911 50th Anniversary Edition (2014)
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 911's introduction, Porsche introduced the 911 50th Anniversary Edition at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show for the 2014 model year. 1,963 individually-numbered examples were produced. The 50th Anniversary Edition was based on the Carrera S, including the standard 400PS/394 hp 3.8L flat-6 and standard 7-speed manual with the 7-speed PDK transmission as an available option. Contrary to the standard Carrera S, however, the 50th Anniversary Edition features the Porsche Active Suspension Management system and Porsche Torque Vectoring as standard equipment. The optional Powerkit increased the engine's output to 430PS/424 hp.
Cosmetically, the 50th Anniversary Edition features the wider body of the Carrera 4S, 10 mm lower suspension, special 20" alloy wheels which reference the iconic Fuchs wheels on classic 911s, chrome trim across the body including the vents on the rear engine cover and window trim, standard SportDesign side mirrors, and a special "911 50" rear badge. Three colours were available: Geyser Grey, Graphite Grey, and black monochrome. On the interior, the 50th Anniversary Edition has vintage-style green instrument dials, white instrument dial needles, retro "houndstooth" seat inserts, and a badge on the trim above the glovebox commemorating the special edition and listing the production number of the vehicle.
The 50th Anniversary Edition carried an MSRP of €121,119 including VAT or £92,257, and was only made available to current Porsche owners.
911 Targa 4 and 4S (2014–2016)
At the Detroit Motor Show 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 electronically operated soft top along with the original B-pillar and the glass 'dome' at the rear.
On 12 January 2015, Porsche announced the 911 Targa 4 GTS at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Similar in appearance to the existing Targa 4 and 4S models, the GTS added the engine plus several otherwise optional features.
In 2015, Porsche introduced the Targa 4S Exclusive Mayfair Edition. It features black over silver 5-spoke rims, silver or dark grey paint and "Florio" script on the side. It was limited to ten examples, all of which were sold in UK.
Also in 2015, at the Amsterdam Motor Show, Porsche unveiled the Targa 4S Exclusive Edition. It is painted in light blue color and has black over silver 5-spoke rims. It features black Porsche decals on sides and full Sport Design package. Fifteen units were sold only in Netherlands.
Porsche also produced a limited edition for the Italian market called the Targa 4S 30th Anniversary Porsche Italy. It features a light blue metallic paintjob and black 5-spoke rims. A total of 30 cars were sold only in Italy.
On the 50th anniversary of the 911 Targa, Porsche introduced the Targa 4S Exclusive Belgium Edition, featuring dark grey paint, sport design front bumper, and black 5-spoke rims. It was limited to 10 units only for Belgium.
911 GT3 (2013–2015)
The GT3 variant was added to the 991 line up at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show equipped with Porsche's new active rear wheel steering. The system is claimed to provide higher lateral dynamics than previously available by the manufacturer. Car speed inputs determine whether the rear wheels steer in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels. It is the first GT3 model to be offered with an automatic transmission.
At the start of 2014, deliveries of the GT3 were halted following two incidents of the car catching fire. A subsequent recall to replace the engines of all 785 cars manufactured at that time was announced in March 2014 before production of the GT3 would restart.
911 GT3 RS (2015–2016)
Porsche launched the RS version of the 991 GT3 at the Geneva Motor Show in 2015. Compared to the 991 GT3, the front fenders are now equipped with louvers above the wheels and the rear fenders now include intakes taken from the 911 Turbo, 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 generating a maximum power output of and of torque. The transmission is PDK only. The car is able to accelerate from in 3.3 seconds (0.6 seconds quicker than the 997 GT3 RS 4.0) and to 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 a Pit Speed limiter button. As with the 991 GT3, there is rear-axle steering and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus system with fully variable rear axle differential lock.
911 R (2016)
Unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show on 1 March, the 911 R shares most of its underpinnings with the GT3 RS, but does not include the roll cage, rear wing, and associated bodywork for a weight saving of . The 911 R comes only with a 6-speed manual transmission, and has a top speed of due to a lower drag coefficient as compared to the GT3 RS. It also offers additional options including a lighter flywheel and removal of the air conditioning and audio systems. Production was limited to 991 examples, as a 2016 model.
911 Turbo and Turbo S (2013–2016)