Dial 911

Now in its eighth-generation, the new Porsche 911 – referred to as the Porsche 992 – is a masterclass in how to age, without ageing at all.

- Varun Godinho

The 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show was one of those industry-altering moments that will forever change how we perceive sportscars. It was at this fair that Porsche introduced its iconic 911. A few months earlier, a twenty-something Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, sketched the initial designs for a high-performance sportscar with spacious interiors. A fastback design, round headlights and a sweeping side profile were the design highlights of the production model displayed at the motor show.

So forward-thinking was the design on the 1963 model, that it has stayed as relevant and contemporary even today (with only a few tweaks along the way). Interestingly, the 911 has remained on sale uninterrupted over the last five-and-a-half decades, making it one of the most successful sportscars ever made.

Which brings us to the eighth-generation of the 911, technically referred to as the Porsche 992, introduced into markets globally earlier this year.

Through the car’s many iterations, Porsche has focused on upgrading the technology and materials used in the car’s construction rather than overhauling its design. Here too, the silhouette of the 992 remains nearly the same as its predecessor, but the body is now made up of 70 per cent aluminium, up from one-third in the previous generation of the 911. The result? A stiffer and lighter body, the perfect combination to improve performance in a sportscar.