The legendary German engineer who played a big role in the brand's Turbo story shares his thoughts in the hour long film part of a new mini documentary series by Porsche
Let me preface by saying that I’m no expert when it comes to Porsche’s motorsport legacy. Having said that, I am aware that the German brand is quite literally built upon the foundations of their glory days in racing, as this tech eventually finds its way into Porsche’s road cars. Where do you think the names like Panamera and Carrera actually come from? Last month, at the Icons of Porsche event in Dubai, I had the privilege of coming face-to-face with a select few Porsche race cars that have dominated at Le Mans: the 911 GT1, the alien-looking 963, the brutal 956, and the legendary 962.
Another big highlight at the event and also a big part of Porsche’s motorsport history has to do with forced induction. Yes today, "Turbo" practically screams Porsche. But have you ever wondered where it all began? Enter Norbert Singer, the legendary Porsche engineer who was instrumental in developing some of Porsche’s greatest race cars and, in the first episode of "Porsche Heritage Momentsâ€, featuring cars like the 917/10, the first ever Porsche with a Turbo, the 936 and the 911 Turbo Carrera RSR, spills the high-octane beans on Porsche’s turbocharged rise to dominance in the 70s and here are just some of the highlights from the hour-long film.
Origins Of Porsche’s Turbo Story
Porsche developed the 917/10, a naturally aspirated sports prototype with a 5.0-liter flat-12 engine
Forget bolt-on upgrades. Turbocharging was both a necessity and a revolution at the same at the same time for Porsche, back in the early 1970s. While Porsche had a pretty successful stint in the late 1960s with race cars like the iconic 917 powered by naturally-aspirated engines, the competition was getting fierce, and more power was needed, and fast.
Also, facing new regulations that limited engine displacement in endurance racing like Le Mans, Porsche sought alternative ways to maintain competitiveness. Turbocharging offered a solution, allowing smaller engines to produce substantial power. Embracing turbo tech wasn’t easy, but the rewards were well worth it.
The challenges of turbocharging
Porsche developed advanced aerodynamics with rear wings and body kits to maximize downforce while minimizing drag
The decision to go turbo was a calculated risk. But the fight wasn’t just about engine internals. The challenge was that of smooth power delivery. While early tests of turbocharging were promising, the trade-off for power was sluggish throttle response. Norbert Singer and his team tirelessly tweaked and tuned the engine to minimize turbo lag.
After all, every millisecond counts in racing and they had to find a way to increase downforce without increasing drag. Porsche developed rear wings and body kits that maximized downforce while keeping drag in check. This balance was crucial for scorching lap times. He also adds that partnerships with racing teams like Penske were invaluable, and real-world testing provided crucial feedback, allowing Porsche to refine both engine design and driving dynamics.
Porsche 917/10
Legendary Porsche engineer Nobert Singer shares his insights about the origins of Turbocharging in the German brand’s race car history
The first car that Singer touched upon in the film was the Porsche 917/10 a groundbreaking sports prototype race car, that emerged in 1972. Designed to compete in the Can-Am series, the 917/10 was a radical departure from its predecessors, boasting a lightweight chassis and a potent, naturally aspirated 5.0-liter flat-12 engine capable of delivering up to 660 horsepower.
However, as previously mentioned, Porsche’s ambition extended beyond naturally aspirated power, leading to the development of the 917/10 Turbo in 1972. This iteration incorporated a pair of KKK turbochargers, transforming the 5.4-liter flat-12 into an absolute powerhouse. With an astonishing 1,150 horsepower on tap, the 917/10 Turbo became a force to be reckoned with, dominating the Can-Am series and setting new standards for turbocharged performance in motorsport.
Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Turbo
Next to feature in the film was the 911 Carrera RSR Turbo, which packed a downsized 2.1-liter flat-six engine with turbocharging technology and 500 horsepower on tap
The second car to feature in the film was the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Turbo. At its heart was a turbocharged mill but this time with a downsized flat-six engine, but still based on technology that had been previously explored in the Can-Am series with the Porsche 917/10. Displacing 2.1 liters, delivered an impressive 500 horsepower.
This smaller displacement, combined with advanced turbocharging technology, allowed the RSR Turbo to achieve impressive power while improving fuel economy and overall efficiency. The 911 RSR’s success at Le Mans solidified Porsche’s position as a leader in both racing and turbocharging technology. The lessons learned from the 911 RSR paved the way for future generations of turbocharged Porsche sports cars, including the iconic 930 Turbo and the modern-day 911 Turbo.
Porsche 936
In 1976, Porsche introduced the 936, a Group 6 race car with a turbocharged 2.1-liter flat-six engine, becoming the first turbocharged car to win Le Mans
Singer wraps things up with a white Porsche 936, a Group 6 race car built by Porsche in 1976. It was powered by a turbocharged flat-six engine, displacing 2.1 liters. This engine produced an impressive 540 horsepower, giving the 936 a top speed of over 200 mph. The 936 was extremely successful in racing, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1976 and 1977. It also became the first turbocharged car to win Le Mans, proving the effectiveness of this technology in endurance racing.