One hundred and sixty miles an hour. Time to change into top. This kind of formidable acceleration can only be boasted by a handful of cars. The Porsche 959 is among them. Years before the introduction of the 959, the engineers at Porsche wanted to design a mid-engine model using the 914 base, but instead Bott (one of the head engineers at Porsche) went with the rear-engined 911 base. There was one major difference that separated the 959 from the 911 - four-wheel drive, with electronically controlled front & rear differentials.

What that all means is, they created one of the most highly technical four-wheel drive systems ever. This innovation, combined with the stiffer frame and the engine refinements (borrowed from the Porsche Racing teams) made the 959 one of the most desirable cars on the world market. They are now desirable due to the limited production of 229, including 29 prototypes. When the first prototype was driven, the designers at Porsche knew they had something a bit more special than a 911.

In 1983 at the Frankfurt motor show the 959 appeared as a group B four-wheel drive project car. Priced at �140,000 the first 959s were delivered in 1987. In 1986 three pre-production cars entered the Paris to Dakar rally and finished first, second and sixth. Most of the bodywork was made from plastic materials and consequently the car was 50% lighter than its steel equivalent. A water-cooled flat six based on the 956/962 racer produced 450bhp with twin turbochargers. A six speed gear box together with computer controlled torque, ride height and brakes produced a car that was faster than practically anything else on the road. But the 959 proved to be very costly and Porsche showed relief when the last car was delivered in 1988. Although the specs of the newer 911 turbos may come close, and even beat the 959 in a few categories, the 959 will always be the first production Porsche to break the 4 second 0-60 mph time, and a top speed of over 200 mph, which the production Turbo still has not beaten.
Cian S Hanley