Porsche 2018 existed in 70 for years. In that context Zuffenhausen the brand expanded several times during the past year celebrated. Yet this year too, we will consider a 70 year anniversary. The Geneva motor show, starting this week, has been an important place for Porsche for seven decades to show the world's first. To celebrate the anniversary, Porsche is coming to Geneva with major world firsts this year: the 911 Cabriolet and the 718 Cayman T and 718 Boxster T. The Germans give a glimpse into seventy years of Porsche firsts in the Swiss city.
On 17 March 1949, Porsche presented the 356 Coupé and Cabriolet, built in Gmünd, Austria, on a small stand in the main hall of the Swiss car exhibition. The audience reacted very enthusiastically. The success on this show is considered the basis for the later breakthrough of the 356, which went into series production in Zuffenhausen. Up to and including 1965, such a total of 78.000 copies of the 356 were produced.
Podium
The car show in Geneva is considered the largest car exhibition in the world. Especially in the 60 of the last century, the show made a name for itself with important scoops from Porsche and other manufacturers every year. For example, the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, designed by Ferdinand Porsche, debuted there 55 years ago. The sports car with 1966 cc middle engine and 155 PK (street version) was used in various competitions for four years. Some technical details were the aforementioned mid-engine, the obliquely placed double front and rear bearing arms, and disc brakes all around that were part of a two-circuit braking system. The 904 achieved a top of 250 kilometers per hour, and was later also equipped with six- and eight-cylinder engines.
From 917
In 1969, Geneva was the backdrop for the unveiling of the Porsche 917. The most powerful racing car of that time was described by the Porsche press department as "one of the most formidable participants in traditional long-distance racing." Exactly 50 years later, the perfectly restored 917 with chassis number 001 is given a place in the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Gijs van Lennep and Helmut Marko still have very fond memories of the 917. They also put this Porsche on the map by winning the 1971 hour of Le Mans in 24 with a distance record that lasted until 2010.
1999: debut of the GT3
The first 1999 GT911 debuted in 3 in Geneva. The 911 GT3 from the 996 series with its distinctive headlights was presented in the color Arctic Silver. This was the first water-cooled sports version of the Porsche 911, designed for competition purposes, and was a continuation of Porsche's performance history. The GT3 was named after the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Group GT3 class. The GT3 is still part of the Porsche program.
Countless GT3 versions
Since the launch in 1999, several variants for road and (successful) circuit use have been launched. In several generations (996, 997, 991), 12 road versions and 19 racing versions were launched. Porsche produced more than 14.000 cars produced from GT3, which debuted as an 996 generation with an 3.6 liter engine (360 HP). He knew striking technical applications, such as a split crankcase and separate water cooling per cylinder bank. The GT3 is still a fixed part of the 911 program. In fact, in 2018, the GT3 RS was unveiled on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Motor sport in the spotlights
In 2014, Porsche in Geneva is celebrating the return to the highest level of long-distance racing with the world premiere of the 919 Hybrid for the WMP (World Endurance Championship) LMP1 class. The race in that championship is the Le Mans 24 hour race. The then WEC regulations prescribed innovative hybrid drive. The 919 Hybrid - with a top power of such an 1.000 pk - also acted as database for the development of future production models. In addition, it is a source of inspiration for the further development of the electric Porsches line, such as the Mission E that was unveiled last year.
