The Porsche 959: A Technological Marvel and Supercar Icon
The Porsche 959 has gone down in history as a game-changer. Launched in 1986, the twin-turbocharged 2-door coupé was the world's fastest street-legal production car and packed with revolutionary technology.
Its sequential twin-turbo, flat-six 2.8-liter engine was derived from Porsche’s dominant 956 and 962 race cars. Delivering 450 hp, the 959 could sprint from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of just under 200 mph, which are staggering figures for its era.
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Built as a rolling technological showcase, the 959 featured a lightweight aluminum and Kevlar body, active aerodynamics with an adjustable rear spoiler and underbody flaps, and an advanced all-wheel-drive system. Visually it refined the familiar 911 silhouette into a smoother, wider, and more aerodynamic form, with integrated bumpers and large intakes to feed the engine and cool the brakes.
But the true genius lay in its brain: the Porsche-Steuer-Kupplung (PSK) all-wheel-drive system. Controlled by a computer, it constantly shifted torque between the axles for maximum grip. Whether launching from a standstill or powering through wet corners, the PSK system gave the 959 a level of stability and control that no other supercar of the 1980s could match.
Other innovations included hollow-spoke magnesium wheels with integrated tire-pressure monitoring and electronically adjustable suspension, both of which added to its reputation as a true pioneer.
Only 292 examples were produced, making the 959 one of the rarest and most desirable Porsches ever. More than just the fastest car of its day, it was the blueprint for every high-performance Porsche that followed, cementing its place as both a technological marvel and a timeless supercar icon.
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