The Most Desirable Porsche 911 Model Years

Why It's On The List

Porsche's latest 911 model lineup is chocked full of the latest performance-enhancing technology and design tweaks, enough to keep the fleet at the apex of the performance car segment.

For instance, the front end has been restyled and now incorporates five vertical louvres bracketing the lower front air intake. The active shutters help channel air to cool the radiators and brake.

A new decklid grille and an updated light strip with Porsche lettering are the major changes at the rear end. The interior has been updated and now includes a fully digital dashboard for the first time.

However, the biggest news is undoubtedly the addition of a hybrid powertrain to the lineup. That setup is reserved for the GTS trim for now, where it helps the car make up to 532 hp.

The lightweight 911 T, with a 388-hp flat-six and 6-speed manual, remains in the lineup for those who prefer a pure, no-frills driving experience.

Why It's On The List

The already large 911 family expanded even further for the 2023 model year. There was the 911 GTS Cabriolet America Edition, introduced for the North American market, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the 1953 356 America Roadster.

Porsche also introduced an off-road version of the Porsche 911, following what Lamborghini did with the Huracan. Dubbed the 911 Dakar, the sports car boasts knobby offroad tires, a lifted suspension and the same powertrain as the Carrera 4 GTS.

Another big news with the 2023 Porsche 911 model year is the replacement of the 911 (991.2) GT3 RS. The new 911 (992.1) GT3 RS debuted with one of the largest wings Porsche has ever fitted on a Production car. There's also a motorsports-inspired aerodynamics package and a punchy naturally aspirated flat-six pushing over 500 hp.

There's also the non-RS GT3 model, available as the regular winged model, and a Touring variant offered sans rear wing for a more toned-down appearance.

Why It's On The List

The 1994 model year was another highlight moment for the Porsche 911, with the Type 964 model being replaced by the Type 993.

The 993 marked the start of the fourth generation of the 911, and it was much more than a change in nomenclature. The 911 underwent significant design and mechanical changes.

The new design retained the signature 911 profile, but some of the exterior body panels had been updated. The front wings of the 993 were wider and flatter. The rear wings were also widened and now ran in a straighter line towards the rear with higher-positioned taillights.

The 1994 model year marked the start of an era's end for the 911, with the models from the 1999 model year onwards, featuring water-cooled engines.

This final iteration of the air-cooled 911, with its refined handling, robust and reliable engines, and timeless design, has become highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.

Why It's On The List

It was in 1973 that another important chapter was written in the history of the 911 - the emergence of the 911 Carrera RS 2.7. Arguably the most famous 911 ever made, the 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7 was produced to homologate the 911 RSR race car for GT racing.

The car boasted a lightweight construction and a new 911/83 2.7-litre engine, a combination that made the car one of the fastest production vehicles of its era.

Apart from the groundbreaking Carrera RS 2.7, Porsche also revamped the entire lineup, introducing an entirely new 911 generation dubbed the G-Series. One of the design highlights was the bellows-style sections on the sides of the bumpers to meet the strict safety regulations in the US. The car also featured considerably fewer chrome parts, which were considered outdated at the time.

Also, to help address the power loss resulting from decreased compression ratios due following a switch to lower-octane unleaded fuel, the engine displacement for the 1973 911 models was increased to 2.4 litres (apart from the Carrera RS 2.7 with a 2.7-litre engine).

Why It's On The List

The 991 generation saw significant advancements in chassis technology. A wider track, a 10 cm longer wheelbase, and the introduction of adaptive aerodynamics significantly enhanced the 911's handling and stability.

These modifications, combined with a newly developed platform featuring a stiffer lightweight body constructed from aluminum and steel, resulted in a weight reduction of 80 kg compared to its predecessor.

The interior was also redesigned, partly inspired by the Porsche Carrera GT supercar. Among other tweaks, the 991 gained a high-resolution infotainment screen to operate the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system.

The 991 initially featured a 3.4-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine producing about 345 hp. Despite the reduced displacement, the introduction of twin-turbochargers boosted power output. This combination of downsized turbocharging and a newly developed seven-speed manual transmission, a world-first, greatly elevated the driving experience.