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| 959 (car) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Porsche 959 |
| Manufacturer | Porsche AG |
| Production | 1986–1993 |
| Assembly | Zuffenhausen, Stuttgart, Germany |
| Designer | Norbert Singer |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Rear-engine, all-wheel drive |
| Engine | 2.85 L twin-turbocharged flat-6 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2400 mm |
| Length | 4300 mm |
| Width | 1860 mm |
| Height | 1270 mm |
959 (car) was a high-performance sports car developed by Porsche AG during the 1980s as a technological flagship and homologation model for rally competition. Combining advanced materials, turbocharging, and an innovative all-wheel-drive system, it influenced later supercars and homologation specials from manufacturers across Europe and Japan. The vehicle bridged road and rally disciplines while showcasing engineering partnerships and motorsport ambitions in an era defined by Group B rallying and endurance racing.
Porsche AG initiated the project in response to demands from Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile homologation rules and competition from manufacturers such as Audi, Lancia, Peugeot, Renault and Ford Motor Company in rally and endurance arenas. Development involved Porsche's motorsport division led by engineers including Norbert Singer and collaborations with suppliers like BBS, Bilstein, Pirelli, and ZF. Design work took place at Porsche's design studios in Zuffenhausen and drew on lessons from projects associated with Porsche 911, Porsche 959 prototype, and prototypes tested at the Nürburgring and Circuit de la Sarthe.
The 959's body used advanced composites and aluminium inspired by innovations from McLaren Technology Group, Lotus Cars, and aerospace contractors linked to Rolls-Royce Holdings plc and Aerojet Rocketdyne. Aerodynamic development referenced wind tunnel programs similar to those employed by McLaren MP4/2, Ferrari F40, and Sauber, integrating elements to reduce lift and enhance cooling for twin-turbochargers supplied by companies akin to Garrett Motion.
The powerplant was a water-cooled 2.85-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six derived from the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 and motorsport engines developed by Porsche motorsport engineers familiar with FIA endurance rules and Group B specifications. The engine architecture included forged pistons and dry-sump lubrication like engines campaigned by Toyota Gazoo Racing, Mazda rotary prototypes, and BMW M Division performance units.
Drivetrain featured an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system with variable torque split between front and rear differentials, integrating hydraulic and electronic control elements comparable to systems developed by Audi Sport GmbH and Mitsubishi Motors for rally cars. Suspension components employed adjustable dampers from Bilstein and wheel technology from BBS. Braking hardware used ventilated discs and advanced calipers similar to those found on contemporary Ferrari 288 GTO and Lamborghini Countach models.
Chassis employed tubular steel and aluminium sections with composite body panels referencing techniques used by Alfa Romeo, Porsche 959 prototype, and coaches working with Pininfarina. Electronics included early engine management and traction control systems influenced by developments at Bosch and Siemens in automotive electronics.
On road tests and competitive events the car demonstrated top speed and acceleration that positioned it alongside hypercars produced by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Jaguar, and Lotus Cars. Official top speed figures were comparable to machines from Mercedes-Benz AMG and BMW M Division and exceeded many contemporaries from DeLorean Motor Company and TVR.
Porsche entered competition versions in events including the Paris-Dakar Rally, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and select rally events under the governance of FIA and national federations. Notable campaigns connected engineers and drivers from Porsche Carrera Cup programs and endurance squads such as Team Joest and attracted drivers who raced for McLaren, Ferrari, and Audi Sport. Motorsport variants emphasized chassis stiffening, roll cages overseen by homologation experts, and tuned powertrains adapted to regulations used by Group B and World Rally Championship stages.
Production was limited and overseen at Porsche's Zuffenhausen facilities with final assembly and quality control influenced by practices at Volkswagen Group and component sourcing from suppliers like Recaro, Siemens, Bosch, and Hella. Variants included road-going homologation models, competition-prepared rally cars, and bespoke customer cars modified by Porsche's motorsport and special vehicles departments, echoing limited-run strategies used by Ferrari Special Projects and Aston Martin Works.
Registration, export compliance, and aftermarket conversion involved interactions with regulatory authorities in markets including United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Australia. Collector demand later produced factory-approved restorations and upgrades managed by Porsche Classic and independent specialists with provenance tracing similar to programs at RM Sotheby's, Bonhams, and Christie's auction houses.
Contemporaneous press coverage from outlets such as Autocar (magazine), Car and Driver, Road & Track, Top Gear, and Motor Trend praised the vehicle's technological achievements, influencing manufacturers including Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, Jaguar, and Nissan to pursue advanced materials and electronic control in performance cars. The car's role in homologation and motorsport contributed to regulatory discussions at the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile and influenced subsequent supercars and rally prototypes from Porsche 911 GT2, Audi Quattro, Lancia Delta S4, and Toyota Celica GT-Four programs.
Its legacy persists through Porsche Classic restorations, museum exhibits at institutions such as the Porsche Museum, National Motor Museum (Beaulieu), and private collections featured in auctions at Gooding & Company and RM Sotheby's. The engineering solutions it pioneered later appeared in road and racing cars developed by divisions within Volkswagen Group, Renault Sport, and Nissan Nismo, cementing its status as a milestone in 20th-century automotive engineering.
Category:Porsche vehicles Category:Sports cars