Porsche witnessed significant swings in its fortunes during the final two decades of the 20th Century. In Book 3 of Porsche: Excellence Was Expected author Karl Ludvigsen brings his industry experience and insider knowledge to bear in
describing Porsche's pitfalls and its pivotal comeback.
In the mid-1980s, the company's exploration of the FIA's Group B resulted in the fabulous all-wheel-drive 959 of 1985. It was
fast, sophisticated and beautiful. It was also a money loser for the company. In this same period, Porsche conquered the highest levels of
Formula One with the McLaren-TAG team. In contrast, Porsche lost its way with the CART program and experienced a disappointing return to
Formula One in 1991 with the Footwork Arrows team.
The 924 evolved into the 944, with its muscular flanks and its torquey inline-four. Well-received, the 944 earned the respect of
even the toughest journalists. Ludvigsen's account shows how this model proliferation and the rise of the dollar took its toll on Porsche.
With the return of manufacturing specialist Wendelin Wiedeking in 1992 came massive changes that led to new efficiencies within the
company. By the mid-1990s, the 911 - as the Type 993 - was Porsche's only product. Variations of the 911 also performed with distinction on
the track, by way of the GT1, GT2 and GT3 racers available from the Porsche factory.
In addition, the company made a stock offering and reached into reserves to provide development funds for a pair of new automobiles. The
resulting Boxster and Type 996 version of the 911 brought about a gradual resurgence for the little firm. Ludvigsenʼs Porsche history
follows the carmaker into the first decade of the 21st century when the Cayenne SUV and the Carrera GT supercar expanded the Porsche
product offering dramatically.
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From 1990 Carreras both 2 and 4 were vailable with all body styles including this
Targa, a 1993 model."
A water-cooled flat six engine was designed for the new 986 Boxster launched in
1996. The same water-cooled engine would power the 996 911 that debuted the following year.
Highlights in Book 3:
· 944 proves a
winner · Porsche's 959 supercar · Formula I engine supplier · Last of the air-cooled 911s (993) · Boxster success (986) · A new 911 (996) · Cayenne SUV · Carrera GT · Porsche model timeline
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Models in Book 3:
Production 959 928 944 968 911 (964) 911 (993) Boxster (986) 911 (996) Cayenne (E1) Carrera GT |
Competition 959 &
961 McLaren-TAG F1 Footwork-Arrows FA12 2708 Indycar 911 Turbo 2 911 GT2 911S LM GT Carrera RS 3.8 WSC95 911 GT1 911 GT3 Cup 911 GT3 RS |
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