Porsche 959 - Revision history

Ardeshirmehta: /* Performance */

2009-09-06T17:46:09Z

Performance

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:46, 6 September 2009
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	The ride height automatically lowered at different speeds, along with the stiffness of the suspension. This meant that around 30 mph, the ride was soft and supple, but by 110 mph was at its stiffest. The driver was unaware of the changes, due to the system being controlled entirely by computer. Although manual changes to the suspension settings could be made, the ability was switched off above 110 mph for safety reasons.		The ride height automatically lowered at different speeds, along with the stiffness of the suspension. This meant that around 30 mph, the ride was soft and supple, but by 110 mph was at its stiffest. The driver was unaware of the changes, due to the system being controlled entirely by computer. Although manual changes to the suspension settings could be made, the ability was switched off above 110 mph for safety reasons.

	The period press revelled in the car, and fought each other for the most superlatives - the general consensus was that Porsche had created a wonderful automobile. It was truly all-weather, and although it may have lacked a little of its arch-nemesis, the [[Ferrari F40]]~~'s passion~~, it was a great deal more reliable and less temperamental. Porsche eventually produced 283 959s in total, this figure including Komfort and Clubsport specifications		The period press revelled in the car, and fought each other for the most superlatives - the general consensus was that Porsche had created a wonderful automobile. It was truly all-weather, and although it may have lacked a little of the passion of its arch-nemesis, the [[Ferrari F40]], it was a great deal more reliable and less temperamental. Porsche eventually produced 283 959s in total, this figure including Komfort and Clubsport specifications

	==Models==		==Models==

64.53.235.64 at 12:23, 13 February 2008

2008-02-13T12:23:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:23, 13 February 2008
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	\|- style="vertical-align:top;"		\|- style="vertical-align:top;"
	\| Similar		\| Similar
	\| [[Ferrari F40]]		\| [[Ferrari F40,Ferrari 288 GTO]]
	\|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"		\|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
	\| Designer		\| Designer

77.99.120.94: /* History */

2007-04-18T14:34:01Z

History

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:34, 18 April 2007
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	Under the bonnet, the ubiquitous flat six configuration of the 911 was retained, though extensively modified. Twin turbochargers were added, and benefitted from 'multi-stage turbocharging', in which boost strength was increased or decreased according to engine revs. This provide a lag-free system, and ensured a constant, Earth-moving acceleration. The engine itself (2.85 litres in capacity), was air cooled, apart from the cylinder heads, which were water cooled, for the improved efficiency. The lump developed 450 BHP, and 370 lb ft of torque, allowing the 1451 KG car to power from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds - quicker than anything else out there, at the time, and still comfortingly quick these days. The 959 topped out at 197 mph.		Under the bonnet, the ubiquitous flat six configuration of the 911 was retained, though extensively modified. Twin turbochargers were added, and benefitted from 'multi-stage turbocharging', in which boost strength was increased or decreased according to engine revs. This provide a lag-free system, and ensured a constant, Earth-moving acceleration. The engine itself (2.85 litres in capacity), was air cooled, apart from the cylinder heads, which were water cooled, for the improved efficiency. The lump developed 450 BHP, and 370 lb ft of torque, allowing the 1451 KG car to power from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds - quicker than anything else out there, at the time, and still comfortingly quick these days. The 959 topped out at 197 mph.

	Development, which took place around the infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife, highlighted a loose link in the 959-branded chain - the tyres. The harsh acceleration and high top-end speeds, added to the stress from the four-wheel drive chassis, caused the tyres to wear unperceptably quickly. Also, due to the width of the new design alloys, a spare could not be fitted anywhere in the car. So, Porsche joined forces with [[Dunlop]], to create a tyre that would 'never go flat'. Called the ~~Duloc~~, the tyre featured much stiffer sidewalls than a standard version - thus providing continued support in the event of a deflation, allowing a 959 driver to drive 150 miles, with a speed limited to 50 mph, with a flat. The pressures were monitored by a computer, and the driver was alerted to a pressure drop. The forged magnesium wheels hid suitably humungous brake discs - 322 mm at the front, and 308 mm at the rear.		Development, which took place around the infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife, highlighted a loose link in the 959-branded chain - the tyres. The harsh acceleration and high top-end speeds, added to the stress from the four-wheel drive chassis, caused the tyres to wear unperceptably quickly. Also, due to the width of the new design alloys, a spare could not be fitted anywhere in the car. So, Porsche joined forces with [[Dunlop]], to create a tyre that would 'never go flat'. Called the Denloc, the tyre featured much stiffer sidewalls than a standard version - thus providing continued support in the event of a deflation, allowing a 959 driver to drive 150 miles, with a speed limited to 50 mph, with a flat. The pressures were monitored by a computer, and the driver was alerted to a pressure drop. The forged magnesium wheels hid suitably humungous brake discs - 322 mm at the front, and 308 mm at the rear.

	As spy photographs of the 959 circulated, the rumour mill wound into overdrive. Porsche received over 100 letters of interest from loyal customers, inquiring into the new car. The specification and technology was kept tightly under lock and key, and several styling bucks, named 'Gruppe B', did the worldwide motorshow tour. Schutz was getting tetchy over development times, and to solve the problem, Porsche enlisted British rally specialists, [[Prodrive]], to help produce three 959s for the 1985 [[Paris to Dakar rally]]. The rally was to provide a test bed for the car - and Porsche gained so much data that it reputably slashed two years from the development time. The rally 959s used the basic Carrera engine, due to the early stage of the real engine's development, but featured all the technology from the finished article. However, results-wise, the '85 Dakar was a flop for Porsche, with one car rolling spectacularly, and other smashing into a sand-covered rock at near-on 170 mph, and the third and final car suffering from a burst oil pipe - but Bott was quick to explain that the race was never about the results.		As spy photographs of the 959 circulated, the rumour mill wound into overdrive. Porsche received over 100 letters of interest from loyal customers, inquiring into the new car. The specification and technology was kept tightly under lock and key, and several styling bucks, named 'Gruppe B', did the worldwide motorshow tour. Schutz was getting tetchy over development times, and to solve the problem, Porsche enlisted British rally specialists, [[Prodrive]], to help produce three 959s for the 1985 [[Paris to Dakar rally]]. The rally was to provide a test bed for the car - and Porsche gained so much data that it reputably slashed two years from the development time. The rally 959s used the basic Carrera engine, due to the early stage of the real engine's development, but featured all the technology from the finished article. However, results-wise, the '85 Dakar was a flop for Porsche, with one car rolling spectacularly, and other smashing into a sand-covered rock at near-on 170 mph, and the third and final car suffering from a burst oil pipe - but Bott was quick to explain that the race was never about the results.

Red marquis: /* Gallery */

2007-03-12T00:25:43Z

Gallery

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:25, 12 March 2007
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	Image:376.jpg		Image:376.jpg
	Image:382.jpg		Image:382.jpg
			Image:Parisdakar959.jpg
	</gallery>		</gallery>

	{{Porsche}}		{{Porsche}}

Red marquis: /* Gallery */

2007-03-02T08:06:51Z

Gallery

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:06, 2 March 2007
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	<gallery>		<gallery>
	Image:376.jpg		Image:376.jpg
			Image:382.jpg
	</gallery>		</gallery>

	{{Porsche}}		{{Porsche}}

Red marquis: /* Gallery */

2007-03-02T08:06:19Z

Gallery

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:06, 2 March 2007
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	==Gallery==		==Gallery==
	<gallery>		<gallery>
			Image:376.jpg
	</gallery>		</gallery>

	{{Porsche}}		{{Porsche}}

Red marquis: /* Legacy */

2007-03-02T08:06:13Z

Legacy

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:06, 2 March 2007
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	Porsche board members were right - the 959 never made back its investment - conservative estimates describe Porsche selling 959s for half of the build cost. Well, not in the sense of the single model, but traits of the 959 can be seen in modern Porsches. For example, the four-wheel drive entered series production with the [[Porsche 964\|964]], and had been part of the 911 range since. The changeable turbochargers made future racing models and Turbo models easier to produce and develop. The front wings and headlamps were simplified and formed the front end of the [[Porsche 993\|993]]. The air intakes in the bumpers are echoed in the [[Porsche 996\|996 Turbo]], and the rear 'vacuum' have similar purposes. The mirror and alloy wheel designs became and integral feature of the 1990s Porsche range. And, most recently, the adjustable suspension has been released on the [[Porsche 997\|997]], [[Porsche Boxster\|Boxster]], [[Porsche Cayenne\|Cayenne]] and [[Porsche Cayman\|Cayman]], as [[PASM]], although in a more advanced format.		Porsche board members were right - the 959 never made back its investment - conservative estimates describe Porsche selling 959s for half of the build cost. Well, not in the sense of the single model, but traits of the 959 can be seen in modern Porsches. For example, the four-wheel drive entered series production with the [[Porsche 964\|964]], and had been part of the 911 range since. The changeable turbochargers made future racing models and Turbo models easier to produce and develop. The front wings and headlamps were simplified and formed the front end of the [[Porsche 993\|993]]. The air intakes in the bumpers are echoed in the [[Porsche 996\|996 Turbo]], and the rear 'vacuum' have similar purposes. The mirror and alloy wheel designs became and integral feature of the 1990s Porsche range. And, most recently, the adjustable suspension has been released on the [[Porsche 997\|997]], [[Porsche Boxster\|Boxster]], [[Porsche Cayenne\|Cayenne]] and [[Porsche Cayman\|Cayman]], as [[PASM]], although in a more advanced format.

	But the 959's influence spread wider than the confines of Porsche. The runflat tyres feature prominently on modern cars, as does the variable four wheel drive. The turbocharging technique features on almost all modern diesel cars, and is similar in essence to Porsche's own VTG system. The 959 became the benchmark for modern supercars - and its DNA can be found in the [[McLaren F1]], [[Bugatti Veyron]] and almost every contemporary supercar. Porsche may not have created a monitary profit, but instead created a new benchmark for the automotive world.		But the 959's influence spread wider than the confines of Porsche. The runflat tyres feature prominently on modern cars, as does the variable four wheel drive. The turbocharging technique features on almost all modern diesel cars, and is similar in essence to Porsche's own VTG system. The 959 became the benchmark for modern supercars - and its DNA can be found in the [[McLaren F1]], [[Bugatti Veyron]] and almost every contemporary supercar. Porsche may not have created a monitary profit, but instead created a new benchmark for the automotive world.

	==Gallery==		==Gallery==

Red marquis: /* Legacy */

2007-03-02T08:04:57Z

Legacy

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:04, 2 March 2007
Line 104:		Line 104:
	But the 959's influence spread wider than the confines of Porsche. The runflat tyres feature prominently on modern cars, as does the variable four wheel drive. The turbocharging technique features on almost all modern diesel cars, and is similar in essence to Porsche's own VTG system. The 959 became the benchmark for modern supercars - and its DNA can be found in the [[McLaren F1]], [[Bugatti Veyron]] and almost every contemporary supercar. Porsche may not have created a monitary profit, but instead created a new benchmark for the automotive world.		But the 959's influence spread wider than the confines of Porsche. The runflat tyres feature prominently on modern cars, as does the variable four wheel drive. The turbocharging technique features on almost all modern diesel cars, and is similar in essence to Porsche's own VTG system. The 959 became the benchmark for modern supercars - and its DNA can be found in the [[McLaren F1]], [[Bugatti Veyron]] and almost every contemporary supercar. Porsche may not have created a monitary profit, but instead created a new benchmark for the automotive world.

			==Gallery==
			<gallery>
			</gallery>

	{{Porsche}}		{{Porsche}}

Red marquis at 23:13, 12 February 2007

2007-02-12T23:13:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:13, 12 February 2007
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	\|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"		\|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
	\| Power		\| Power
	\| 450 hp		\| 450 hp <br>370 lb-ft of [[torque]]
	\|- style="vertical-align:top;"		\|- style="vertical-align:top;"
	\| Similar		\| Similar

82.41.159.41 at 11:41, 12 February 2007

2007-02-12T11:41:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:41, 12 February 2007
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	\|- style="vertical-align:top;		\|- style="vertical-align:top;
	\| Height		\| Height
	\|		\| 1280 mm
	\|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"		\|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
	\| Wheelbase		\| Wheelbase