Five iconic models adorn anniversary exhibit
Porsche kicked off activities to celebrate its 70th anniversary with a special five-car exhibit at the 2018 Canadian International AutoShow (Feb. 16-25). On display in the ’70 Years of Porsche’ are some of the brand’s most celebrated and iconic models.
“I’m not only delighted, but also honoured to be here for the first showcase of 70 Years of Porsche sports cars on the occasion of the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto. We have a lot do worldwide and we will also have some special things here back in Canada later this year,” said Achim Stejskal, Director of the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, who was on site to open the exhibit.
Achim Stejskal, director of the Porsche Museum (left) talks with Canadian International AutoShow media relations director Norris McDonald (right) about the 70 Years of Porsche exhibit.
From the introduction of the first production car (356) in 1948, through the development and launch of the iconic 911 in 1963 to the debut of the hybrid 918 Spyder hypercar in 2013, Porsche is a marque that is synonymous with performance innovation on and off the race track.
The five cars on display in the 70 Years of Porsche are:
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356 In 1948, 17 yeas after Ferdinand Porsche founded the company, the first production Porsche rolled off the line. Proof that great things take time, the 356 pioneered the same aerodynamic, rear-engine design enthusiasts across the globe have come to revere. Light and fast, the 356 made its mark in the automotive industry with agile handling and a level of comfort unheard of in sports cars at the time. |
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912 Since its introduction in 1963, the 911 has become the holy grail of sports cars. But it was actually the 912, an entry-level alternative to the 911, which secured the Porsche brand’s early success. In production between 1965-69 and again from 1975-76, the four-cylinder 912 significantly outsold the 911 during their first years on the market. |
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911 (930) Turbo In the late 60s, Porsche started developing turbocharging technology for race cars. But before any of it could see a track, they’d have to roll out a production model to comply with homologation rules. Enter the 911 (930) Turbo. With a top speed of 246 km/h, the first turbocharged 911 was the fastest production car in Germany. Susceptible to both turbo lag and oversteer, it became notorious for its white-knuckle driving dynamics. |
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Carrera GT With a 0-100 km/h time under four seconds and a monstrous 605 hp output, the performance capability of the Carrera GT is praised even today. Famous for its exhaust note, there’s a reason this roadster wails like a race car: it’s 5.7-litre V10 was first developed for a Le Mans prototype car. When the project was abandoned, the V10 was shelved until the Carrera GT went into production in 2004. |
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918 Spyder A true technological marvel, the highly efficient, relentlessly powerful drive of the mid-engine 918 Spyder embodies the purest essence of the Porsche brand. A naturally-aspirated, 4.6-litre V8 works in harmony with two electric motors to produce a total of 887 hp, earning the 918 its reputation as the world’s first hybrid hypercar. In September 2013, it became the first street-legal series production car to shatter the 7-minute barrier on the Nürburgring “Green Hell” Nordschleife. |
The “70 Years of Porsche” will be on display on Level 100 of the North Building, just to the west of Auto Exotica in a space that was occupied last year by “50 Years of Formula One in Canada.”
Meanwhile, time is running out to purchase tickets at a discount. Available now at the AutoShow’s website, www.autoshow.ca, regular $24 tickets can be purchased at a 10 per cent saving until the show opens on Fri., Feb. 16, at the beginning of the three-day-long Family Day Weekend in Ontario.
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