Porsche 911
Porsche 911 is the rear-engined sports car that's been in production since 1964 and still looks unmistakably like the original. It started as an air-cooled 2.0-liter coupe, switched to water cooling in the late 90s, and today spans everything from the 388-hp Carrera to the 701-hp Turbo S T-Hybrid. Pick your year below to jump to the right generation, or read on for the history and which one suits you.
Porsche 911 at a Glance
First shown 1963 Frankfurt show, as the 901
Built in Zuffenhausen Every 911 since 1964
Generations 8 From the original to today's 992
Milestone 1,000,000 The millionth 911 was built in May 2017
2025 deliveries 51,583 A record year for the 911
Top output today 701 hp Turbo S T-Hybrid
Porsche 911 Generations
Years shown are US model years. Porsche built the first production 911s in September 1964, and generations often overlapped by a few months as a new one took over. Pick a card to open its full guide.
1965–1973
1st generation
Original9 model years
The first air-cooled 911, launched as the 901, with a 2.0-liter flat-six that grew to 2.4 liters by 1972.
Guide coming soon
1974–1989
2nd generation
G-series16 model years
Impact bumpers, the first 911 Turbo (930) and the 3.2 Carrera. Digital engine electronics arrived in 1984.
Guide coming soon
1989–1994
3rd generation
Type 9646 model years
The first all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 and the first Tiptronic automatic, plus a bigger 3.6-liter engine.
Guide coming soon
1995–1998
4th generation
Type 9934 model years
The last air-cooled 911, with smoother styling and a twin-turbo, all-wheel-drive Turbo.
Guide coming soon
1999–2005
5th generation
Type 9967 model years
The first water-cooled 911, with an all-new body and the much-debated 'fried egg' headlights.
Guide coming soon
2005–2012
6th generation
Type 9978 model years
Round headlights returned, and the PDK dual-clutch gearbox replaced Tiptronic for 2009.
Guide coming soon
2012–2019
7th generation
Type 9918 model years
Longer and lighter, with electric steering and a 7-speed manual. Carreras went turbo for 2017.
Guide coming soon
2020–present
8th generation
Type 9927 model years
Today's 911: wider, with an 8-speed PDK, and from 2025 the first hybrid 911s.
Read the Type 992 guide →
Porsche 911 History
The 911 has changed almost completely under the skin since 1964, yet the shape and the rear-mounted flat-six never went away. Here are the moments that shaped it.
- 1963 Porsche reveals its new sports car at the Frankfurt show as the 901. Because Peugeot claimed three-digit names with a zero in the middle, it becomes the 911.
- 1964 Series production starts in Zuffenhausen on September 14, and Ferry Porsche gets his own 911 in October.
- 1972 The Carrera RS 2.7 debuts at the Paris show in October, and it's now a collector favorite.
- 1974 The 911 Turbo, known as the 930, is shown at Paris. It was the first Porsche production car with a turbocharger.
- 1989 The 964 brings all-wheel drive to the Carrera 4, using a system developed from the 959, plus a Tiptronic automatic.
- 1994 The 993 arrives, and it turns out to be the last 911 with an air-cooled engine.
- 1998 The 996 switches the 911 to water cooling, a big change that upset purists at the time.
- 2008 The facelifted 997 gets the PDK dual-clutch gearbox, which goes on to dominate 911 sales.
- 2017 The one-millionth 911 rolls out of Zuffenhausen on May 11: an Irish Green Carrera S with a manual.
- 2018 The eighth-generation 992 is revealed in Los Angeles in November and goes on sale as a 2020 model.
- 2024 Porsche reveals the Carrera GTS T-Hybrid in May, the first road-legal hybrid 911.
- 2025 Porsche delivers a record 51,583 911s worldwide.
Which 911 Generation Is Right for You?
The right 911 depends on whether you want a classic to keep, a car to drive every day, or a track toy. Air-cooled cars are now collector items with prices to match, while the water-cooled generations are where most buyers shop. Here's how they line up.
| Generation | Years | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Original and G-series | 1965–1989 | Collectors and fans of the classic air-cooled shape; budget for restoration costs |
| 964 and 993 | 1989–1998 | Air-cooled feel with more modern comfort; 993s command the highest prices |
| 996 | 1999–2005 | The cheapest way into a 911, if you deal with the IMS bearing question |
| 997 | 2005–2012 | A sweet spot for many drivers; 2009-and-up cars have direct injection and PDK |
| 991 | 2012–2019 | Modern daily driver with lots of choice, from Carrera to GT3 |
| 992 | 2020–present | Newest tech and safety features, plus the T-Hybrid models from 2025 |
Our take: if you want a 911 to drive often, a 997 or 991 Carrera gives you most of the modern experience for far less than a new car. If you want the newest tech and warranty peace of mind, a certified pre-owned 992 makes the most sense.
911 Owners Community
911 owners talk track days, maintenance costs, manual vs PDK and which generation feels best. Share your 911, ask questions and swap tips with other owners.
- Manual vs PDK: which to buy
- Track days and driver's education events
- IMS bearing fixes on 996 and early 997 cars
- Air-cooled care and restoration
- Tires, wheels and alignment settings
- GT3 and RS ownership
- Recalls and dealer service experiences
- Long-term costs of a used 911
Porsche 911 FAQ
Why is it called the 911?
Porsche first showed the car in 1963 as the 901. However, Peugeot claimed the rights to three-digit car names with a zero in the middle, so Porsche renamed it the 911 before sales began.
What years is each 911 generation?
In US model years: original 1965–1973, G-series 1974–1989, 964 1989–1994, 993 1995–1998, 996 1999–2005, 997 2005–2012, 991 2012–2019 and 992 from 2020 on.
What was the last air-cooled 911?
The 993, sold in the US for the 1995 through 1998 model years. The 996 that replaced it was the first water-cooled 911.
Is there a hybrid 911?
Yes. The 2025 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid was the first, with 532 hp combined, and the 2026 Turbo S T-Hybrid makes 701 hp.
Can you still buy a 911 with a manual?
Yes, but not on every version. In the facelifted 992, the Carrera T and the GT3 come with a manual, and Porsche added a manual Carrera S package for 2027 in North America.
How many 911s has Porsche built?
Porsche built its one-millionth 911 on May 11, 2017. In addition, it delivered a record 51,583 911s worldwide in 2025.
Keep Exploring
Explore Porsche's full lineup, or see the Mustang guide and what Chevrolet and BMW build for sports-car buyers.
Photo credits
- Header image: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet of the…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Gray 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S coupe…: David Villarreal Fernández, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped and resized.
- White Porsche 911 Carrera coupe of the…: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Silver 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S coupe…: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.