In 1998, Porsche realized that if they wanted to sell more Boxsters, they needed to produce more cars. To do so, they contracted with a plant in Finland called Valmet because the plant in Zuffenhausen couldn’t handle the increased production.

The initial plan was for Boxster to be produced in Finland for only two years. Everybody thought that by that time the demand in Zuffenhausen would decrease so that plant could handle all production. But the Boxster demand remains high, and so does the one for 996, so against all expectations the plant will remain busy for the foreseeable future. Zuffenhausen can assemble 30,000 cars per year, so the only way the Boxster would be moved entirely to Finland is if Porsche could sell the better part of that many 996s. In the short term, that isn’t likely to happen though. Most of the cars destined for North America are built in Valmet.

Now it became impossible to specify where a car was built. Even ordering Tourist Delivery doesn’t force a Stuttgart build. Apparently some cars are shipped from Finland to Stuttgart for Tourist Delivery.

The new Porsche was full of luxury. The standard Turbo had air-conditioning, electric windows, tinted glass, headlamp washers, a leather interior and Bilstein shocks. Originally, it was supposed to be a limited edition, with only 500 models to be sold. However, the demand was so high that more than 1000 cars were sold. It was now clear that Turbo would have a secure future.

What attracted so many customers was its huge rear wing, widened wheel and big tires. This great look combined with the powerful engine made the Turbo look faster than any other 911.

In 1978, the model was improved by the increase of the engine capacity to 3.3 liter and some other modifications. Now the engine produced 40 bhp more. The rear wing was also revised: the two separate grilles were replaced by one larger smooth surface, placed a little higher in order to make room for an intercooler.

In 1979 though, the Turbo was withdrawn from US and Japan, as a response to the second energy crunch.

In 1986, Turbo became again available in the US. This was the first year Porsche used flares that were created in the stamping – process of the fenders. In 1992 Porsche showed the Turbo S at Geneva’s Motorshow. It’s engine delivered 381 bhp. The car weighted 120 kg less then the standard Turbo and this helped making Turbo S really fast. There were built only 80 Turbo S.

In 1993, the engine capacity was increased again, now reaching 3.6 liter. It was easily recognized by the Turbo 3.6 badge. Also, there was a 93 Turbo 3.6 based 911 Turbo S built.

In 1996 Porsche launched yet another Turbo, based on the 993 series. Its engine produced 408 bhp, featuring a six-speed gearbox and four-wheel drive. It looked more elegant thanks to the less evocative rear-wing. The wheels are 18 inch in diameter. It saves 20% of the weight because the five spokes are hollow. The front wing has air-ducts that lead extra cooling air to the brakes, making them more powerful than before. They can stop the Turbo from 100 hm/h in 2.6 seconds and from 200km/h in just 5 seconds, increasing car’s safety.

Porsche has recently introduced the 996 Turbo. The styling is different from the previous Turbo models. Its aerodynamics are improved, making it much faster than the 993 Turbo. It gets to 100 km/h in only 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of 305 km/h. The new Turbo has a few details that make it easy to recognize: bi-xenon headlights, air intakes behind the doors and a movable rear-spoiler.

Motronic ME7.1.1.is a system that controls the split-second precision of the Cayenne V8 and V6 super engine. This new highly intelligent engine management system balances impressive power with great smoothness. All this to prove that Cayenne`s “brain” matches its brawn. The Motronic system is built to monitor a wide range of sensors and engine components. It compares streams of data with corresponding sets of reference values, all this in a speed of milliseconds. Then, if it finds any differences, the system adjusts key engine functions, such as the ignition of fuel injection, based on this comparison. Into Motronic management are included other key systems, such as onboard diagnostics and cylinder-specific knock control, with automatic adaptation to any change in fuel quality. All this for optimal performance in all driving conditions.

This process is seamless and automatic so the engine has a great level of power and torque. Also, another great result is better fuel economy and lower emissions in the exhaust stream.

Another function of the Motronic system is the managing of air flowing into the engine to ensure maximum levels of performance. It does that by regulating boost pressure on the Cayenne Turbo.

The Cayenne model includes another system, the resonance induction system with a variable-length intake manifold. This is also an inventive engineering concept that uses pressure waves created by the inlet valves. It does this to increase the density of the incoming air, which, in the end, will increase the amount of energy released during combustion. There are two intake tubes, and depending on the speed, the system will select one of them. The longer tube is used at lower speeds in order to maximize low-end torque. At around 4250 rpm, it switches to shorter Intake tube so that it maximizes power output with a more eager throttle response.

The Porsche Cayenne engineers wanted to improve combustion for more power, better fuel economy, reduced emissions and less maintenance. To do so, they created a static high-voltage ignition system with separate ignition coils on each individual spark plug. This is an advanced method that allows a longer spark-plug life. The sequential fuel injection system is equally advanced. A returnless fuel supply system serves each injector in order to continuously adjust the precise air/fuel mix. The result is of course a better environment, because it controls the emissions.

Porsche Burro designed the body after wind tunnel tests made for the Type 114, a V10 sports car that was never produced. Dr. Porsche wanted to enter the car in the 1939 Berlin-Rome race. The bodywork company Reutter built three cars in shaped aluminium. Out of the three, one was crashed in the early World War II by a Kraft durch Freude (Volkswagen) bureaucrat. The two remaining were used by the Porsche family. Later on, they put one of them in the storage and used only one. In May 1945 American troops discovered the one put in storage, cut the roof off and used it for joyriding for a few weeks until the engine gave up and it was scrapped. Pinin Farina restored the remaining Porsche 64 in 1947, as it was owned and driven by Ferry Porsche. In 1949, the Austrian racer Otto Matte bought it and won the Alpine Rally in 1950 in it.

The 6-speed manual transmission is standard to all 911s. Optional, we can choose the 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate and steering-wheel controls. Standard, the 911s have antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid/traction control and front side airbags. The redesigned Careras include side airbags in the windowsills for head protection. In the convertibles models, we find a power top and heated glass rear window. A suspension with lowered ride height and shock absorbers are standard on the Carrera S and optional on the Carrera. This system helps adjusting firmness within driver selectable Normal and Sport models. All other Porsche models have 18 inch wheels, but the Carrera S has 19s. An option for the Carrera is a Sport Chrono Package. It includes a dashboard-mounted stopwatch and it allows altering various engine and chassis controls in order to improve driving performance. All 911s offer a navigation system.

Since his adolescence, Ferdinand Porsche showed glimpses of technical genius: at the age of 18, he wired family’s home for electricity in 1893. Still, he didn’t show many signs of disciplined engineering skills that will eventually become his trademark. Even if the “Doctor” is usually appended to his name, it is in essence honorary, since his only formal technical training was as a part-time engineering student in Vienna.

By the age of 25, the young Ferdinand Porsche had entered the field of automotive design. His first car design was already accepted by Lohner & Co. of Vienna. Over the next 20 years, Ferdinand Porsche, the temperamental but brilliant engineer succeeded in associating with every major automobile manufacturer in Germany. At the same time, he designed a dozen of the most technically significant cars in history.

Working for Mercedes-Benz, he helped develop the most revered Mercedes-Benz cars of all time: the SSK series. For NSU, he designed Auto Union Wanderer and the Type 32, a precursor of the Volkswagen Beetle.

After being dismissed from Mercedes for disagreeing with the firm’s staid engineering policies, Porsche decided to establish what later became Porsche A.G.: his own engineering consulting group. In a small office in Stuttgart, the senior Dr. Porsche gathered a select group of engineers to work under the dramatic name, “Doctor of Engineering Ferdinand Porsche, Inc., Construction Facility for Land, Air, and Sea Transportation.” One of his employees was his youthful son, Ferry. His primary interest was one that any young man might select: sports and racing cars

The senior Dr. Porsche and his team were kept extremely busy. The consulting firm developed for Steyr (now the utility-vehicle wing of the Steyr- Daimler-Puch combine), the Austria luxury sedan, but it did not progress beyond the prototype stage. They worked a lot for Auto Union, now Audi: the company developed the Front, the world’s first front-drive economy car. They astonished Auto Union with the mid-engine Grand Prix cars and their supercharged V-12 and V-16 engines which, together with Mercedes- Benz racers, dominated European auto racing for nearly a decade.

After that, the firm created its best-known designs for NSU and Zundapp. The pair of prototypes was characterized by Dr. Porsche’s patented torsion-bar suspension and a rear-mounted engine. Since neither company moved rapidly enough to manufacture the designs, Porsche sold the concept to the German government. Then, he oversaw the construction of a plant on Wolfsburg to manufacture the design. His drawings called the car the Type 60. The world came to know it as the Volkswagen Beetle

After the second World War, the Porsche Company started to create vehicles that beard its name, and so became knows world wide. Now, nearly a century later, Porsche became the marque and the family that created outstanding, often unique and surely lasting contributions to automotive engineering and design.

But what is the difference between a Porsche Approved certified vehicle from a conventional pre-owned vehicle?

First of all, the Porsche Approved cars are inspected by factory trained technicians and if they find any faults, repairs are carried out in line with the strict Porsche quality criteria. Secondly, every Porsche Approved vehicle comes with a comprehensive Warranty:

– If sold while under the new car warranty, Coverage is up to 6 years or 100,000m/160,000km total, whichever comes first

– If sold once the new vehicle warranty has expired, Coverage is 2 years from the date of sale or up to 100,000m/160,000km, whichever comes first.

And last but not least, you will get membership in Porsche Road Assistance that offers exclusive support server & security. The result of owing a Porsche Approved is that you will enjoy driving a safe, quality value which really cannot be described as a pre-owned vehicle.

First of all, you should check the oil, but only when the engine is warm. That’s because it expands when it’s hot and contracts when it’s cold; different temperatures will give you different readings. And since you’re already checking the fluids you should also check the brake fluid. It’s easy to do and only takes a minute.

Radiator fluid, or coolant, is the most important part of your Porsche’s cooling system, which protects your engine from overheating. Low coolant can lead to a breakdown and expensive repairs. Before checking the power steering fluid (which is also easy on most cars) you should see if you have it. Try to parallel park with one hand and eat an ice cream cone with the other. If you can do that, then you have it.

If you have an automatic transmission, you’ll want to check the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) every month. Also, if your Porsche has a hydraulic clutch that connects the clutch pedal to the transmission, you should check that fluid too.

Over the years, Porsche transformed itself from serious money-loser into one of the most profitable car companies in the world, all this while other car manufactures toil over cash incentives, market share and strategies for the Chinese market. Porsche has constantly rolled out new products and despite the costs and risks is has quadrupled its annual unit sales in just under a decade. The most recent debuts are the Boxster and the Cayenne. And so far, the key of their success seems to be the long product life cycles and the company intends to maintain this strategy.

In 1983, Porsche returned to Formula One, supplying engines badged as TAG units for the McLaren Team. It was a success as the Porsche-powered cars won two constructor championships in 1984 and 1985 and three driver crowns in 1984, 1985 and 1986.

Less than ten years later, in 1991, Porsche returned as a engine supplier, but this time the results were disastrous: Footwork, the Porsche-powered cars, didn’t score a single point and at over half of the races it even failed to qualify. Since that year, Porsche has not participated to Formula One.

Still, lightly-modified Porsches participate in many competitions around the world, mostly in amateur classes for enthusiasts. The only professional category is the Porsche Michelin Supercup raced as a support category for European Formula One rounds.