3.6-Liter Air-cooled Twin-Turbo Flat 6-Cylinder Engine
Electronic Fuel Injection
408bhp at 5,750rpm
398lb-ft at 4,500rpm
6-Speed Manual Transaxle - All-Wheel Drive
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*Highly original and well-preserved example of the air-cooled 993 Turbo
*Original finishes intact and just 21,605 miles from new at the time of cataloguing
*Striking color combination Midnight blue Metallic over Blue interior
*The last air-cooled 911 Turbo model - the end of an era
THE PORSCHE 993
In 1993 Porsche introduced what is regarded by many as the most beautiful 911 of all: the Type 993. Over the years the 911 had received numerous aerodynamic and safety-inspired add-ons, diluting the purity of the original form; the Type 993's arrival marked a return to basic principles, being recognizably a 911 but one in which all functions had been harmoniously integrated in a truly outstanding example of modern automotive styling. The range offered remained pretty much as before, comprising two- and four-wheel drive models, the legendary Turbo and the Cabriolet convertible, all powered by the latest, 3.6-liter version of Porsche's perennial flat-six engine.
The 993 Turbo, introduced in mid-1995 as a 1996, continued to hold the torch of the most powerful 911 variant while continuing to improve the breed as a whole. Among the new features on the 993 Turbo was an electronically controlled viscous coupling all-wheel drive system—something Porsche had not offered on a turbocharged model since the 959 and a system that greatly improved the performance of the Turbo. Under the engine lid—now topped with a sculpted spoiler tail with downturned edges—resided the 3.6 liter flat six fed by twin KKK K16 turbos, each featuring integrated wastegates and two charge air intercoolers. Combined with bigger brakes, fatter tires, a wide body and stance, specially designed 'Technologie-Rad' cast alloy wheels, the 993 Turbo was one of the fastest cars on the planet. With all four wheels tearing into the pavement, 0-60mph came in a face melting 3.7 seconds, 100mph ticked by in 5.7 seconds, and the forward progression continued until the speedometer had crossed 180mph. Beyond just going fast in a straight line though, the car could pull up to 1.00g on the skidpad and haul to a stop from 60mph in just 111 feet. In reviewing the 993 Turbo in June of 1995, Motor Trend magazine proclaimed, "To beat this Stuttgart screamer into submission requires a force no less wieldy than the million-dollar 627-horsepower V-12 McLaren F1."
So popular was the 993 Turbo that production continued until July 1998—nearly a year after the introduction of the 996 model that replaced the 993.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
One of 1.046 U.S. spec 993 Turbos for 1997–the penultimate model year for the Turbo's original, air-cooled form–the stunning double blue auction car has just three documented owners, and fewer than 22,000 miles from new.
Nearly two-and-a-half inches wider than standard, non-S spec, naturally aspirated 993 911 coupes, the 993 Turbo's pronounced widebody look, with its muscularly shaped fenders, and aggressive, planted, foursquare stance, leaves no ambiguity as to the car's fearsome performance potential.
Midnight blue is a wonderfully pretty and complex color, revealing subtle shades of plum as light shifts across the car's sinuous sheet metal. This rare color's impact is doubled by the specification of blue leather upholstery on the seats, door panels, and much of the dashboard.
Key to the 993 Turbo's stunning performance figures, including sub-four-second 0-60 mph acceleration and 13-second, 117 mph quarter mile runs, was the traction afforded by its all-wheel drive system, based on that of the 959 and the first of its kind fitted to a 911 Turbo. Second, but by no means least, was the car's new 3.6-liter, twin-turbocharged, air-cooled flat-six of 408 hp and 398 lb.-ft of torque. Hiding beneath a massive air-to-air intercooler, this all-alloy unit sings the classic air-cooled 911 song, from gruff, off-beat idle to howling redline crescendo.