Seventh Generation (1990-1994)

With new bumpers, new mirrors and other detail changes, the 911 sold during late '89 and into 1990 was a definite break with traditional 911 styling and incorporated a small spoiler that would rise mechanically from the rear deck at speed. All that new styling was wrapped over new engineering.

First, the new 911 Carrera was offered with both two- and four-wheel drive for the first time, with the two-wheel drivers now known as Carrera 2s and the four-wheelers known as, you guessed it, Carrera 4s. The accommodation of the all-wheel-drive system meant the underside of the 911's structure was heavily revised for the first time.

Also offered for the first time during the '90 model year was the Tiptronic four-speed automatic transmission that could be shifted using buttons on the steering wheel. It was better than the old Sportomatic, but still not the transmission of choice for most Porsche lovers.

Both Carreras were powered by a new 3.6-liter, twin spark plug version of the 911 engine making a stout 247 horsepower — that's 13 horsepower more than the first 911 Turbo. The suspension was also revised with MacPherson struts retained up front and a new rear suspension using coil springs instead of torsion bars with new trailing arms. Also part of the rear suspension was Porsche's "Weissach" rear axle that added self-steering elements to the rear end to minimize the chance of unwanted oversteer. And with the "964," the 911 got front airbags for the first time. Initially at least, there was no Turbo model, but the coupe, Targa and Cabriolet all returned.

The 964-based Turbo emerged for the 1991 model year with its turbo-inflated 3.3-liter engine whacking out an astounding 315 horsepower. Available only with rear-wheel drive and a five-speed transmission, the new Turbo was the quickest 911 yet (outside the 959) with Motor Trend measuring a 0-to-60-mph time of just 4.8 seconds. The other 911s went forward with few changes.

For 1992 Porsche offered a 911 Turbo S2 with a lofty $118,935 price (not including luxury tax) that had longer gearing and, to many minds, somewhat disappointing performance. Also offered in '92 was a 911 Carrera 2 RS with a fixed whale tail rear wing. Other changes were slight.

Though technically a '94 model, Porsche introduced the awesome Turbo 3.6 about halfway through the 1993 model year. While otherwise similar to the previous 3.3-liter Turbo, the 3.6-liter Turbo blasted forth with a jaw-dropping 355 horsepower.

Other models offered during '93 included an RS America coupe and the America Roadster that mated a Turbo cabriolet body with the standard 3.6-liter, normally aspirated engine and deleted the rear seats.

While most 911 Carrera 2 and Carrera 4 models carried over into 1994 almost unchanged, the chopped-top 911 Speedster did return for a second appearance. But by the middle of the year, the new 911 was ready and it is rightly considered the best air-cooled 911 of them all.