Porsche history · 2011–2019

Porsche 991: History, Specs & What to Know

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The Porsche 991 is the seventh-generation 911, launched in 2011 with a 10 cm longer wheelbase and an aluminum-steel body 45 kg lighter than before. The 991.1 used 350 and 400 PS naturally aspirated engines; the 991.2 update switched Carreras to 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-sixes. Porsche built 217,930 through October 2018.

The 991 was a bigger, more technical 911. Its interior architecture came from the Carrera GT and its adaptive aerodynamics from the 918 Spyder. Porsche calls it the best-selling 911 generation of all.

Its second phase changed the 911's character. From the 991.2, Carrera, Carrera S and GTS used twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter engines (370, 420 and 450 PS), while GT models kept high-revving naturally aspirated engines, including limited cars such as the 991-unit 911 R, the GT3 Touring and the 1,948-car Speedster.

991 history: what changed, year by year

  1. 2011 — The 991 launches; 3.4-liter Carrera (350 PS) and 3.8-liter Carrera S (400 PS).[1]
  2. 2013 — The 50 Years 911 anniversary model, of which exactly 1,963 were built; the 991.1 Turbo S arrives with 560 PS.[1],[2],[3]
  3. Jan. 2014 — The 991 Targa returns to a wide roll bar with a fully automatic roof.[3],[4]
  4. 2014 — The 2014 GT3 is recalled for a connecting-rod bolt issue; affected cars received replacement engines.[5]
  5. 2015 — 991.2 update: twin-turbo 3.0-liter Carreras with 370, 420 and 450 PS (GTS).[1]
  6. 2016 — The 911 R, limited to 991 cars.[1]
  7. 11 May 2017 — The one-millionth 911, an Irish Green Carrera S, rolls off the line in Zuffenhausen.[1],[6]
  8. 2017 — 911 GT3 with Touring Package premieres; the GT2 RS (700 PS) becomes the fastest series 911.[1],[7]
  9. 2019 — The 991 Speedster, limited to 1,948 cars, closes out the generation.[8]

How many 991s were made?

Porsche 991 production figures (units). ≈ marks a figure Porsche gives as approximate.
Model / variantYearsUnitsWhat the figure counts
9912011–Oct 2018217,930[1]built through 31 Oct 2018 (generation still in production then)Interim count, not a final generation total.
991 — 991.12011–MY2016152,659[9]built through end of model year 2016
991 — 991.12013–20169,629[2]built up to the facelift
991 — 991.22016–10,079[2]total built
9912017500[10]limited to 500 units worldwide
9912016991[1]limited edition
991—1,963[1]exactly 1,963 built
99120191,948[8],[11]exactly 1,948 units
991 — 991.1 GT3 Cup—673[12]race cars built
991 — 991.2 GT3 Cup—737[12]race cars built

More model-by-model totals: Porsche production numbers.

991 variants and engines

Key Porsche 991 variants. Power in PS (metric horsepower) as Porsche quotes it, or hp where marked.
VariantYearsEnginePowerNotes
Carrera / Carrera 4 (991.1)MY2012–20163.4 L naturally aspirated flat-6350 PS[1],[13]US 350 hp; MSRP $82,100 (2012).
Carrera S / 4S (991.1)MY2012–20163.8 L naturally aspirated flat-6400 PS[1],[13]
Carrera GTS (991.1)MY2015–20163.8 L naturally aspirated flat-6430 PS[1]
Carrera / S / GTS (991.2)MY2017–20193.0 L twin-turbo flat-6370 / 420 / 450 PS[1],[13]
Turbo S (991.1 / 991.2)MY2014–20193.8 L twin-turbo flat-6560 / 580 PS[2]
GT3 RS (991.2)MY20194.0 L naturally aspirated flat-6520 PS[1]1,370 kg.
GT2 RSMY2018–20193.8 L twin-turbo flat-6700 PS[1]340 km/h.
911 R20164.0 L naturally aspirated flat-6500 hp (US)[1],[13]991 built.

Full trim-by-trim figures (US hp, torque, 0–60, weight, launch MSRP): Porsche 991 specs (991.1 and 991.2).

991 engine and drivetrain facts

  • Wheelbase stretched by 10 cm; aluminum-steel body 45 kg lighter.[1]
  • First series Porsche sports car with adaptive aerodynamics, adopted from the 918 Spyder.[1]
  • From the 991.2 every Carrera is turbocharged; a 911 Carrera reached 100 km/h in under four seconds.[1]
  • The 991.1 Turbo S was the first Turbo with rear-axle steering and active aerodynamics.[2]

What to check before you buy a 991

  • 2014 GT3: confirm the connecting-rod-bolt recall (NHTSA 14V-090) was completed; affected cars received new engines.[5]
  • 2014–2016 GT3: ask about the valvetrain finger-follower issue and whether the car is covered by Porsche's extended engine warranty.[5]
  • On PDK cars, ask for gearbox fluid service records.[5]
  • 991.1 vs 991.2: model year and engine type change the car completely; confirm both from the VIN and build record.

Documented problems, recalls and pre-purchase checks: 2014 GT3 engine recall · GT3 finger followers · Porsche 911 known issues by generation.

991 market context

CarWhere tracks median asking prices for used 911s by model year from live dealer listings. The 2018 and 2019 model years in that table are 991.2s; the medians pool every trim from Carrera to GT models. See Porsche 911 depreciation by model year.

How to verify a 991's factory options

Every 991 carries a 17-character VIN. A build sheet lists the factory paint, interior and option codes for the specific car, which is how you confirm items such as Sport Chrono, rear-axle steering, ceramic brakes or a manual gearbox.

See exactly how this 991 left the factory.

The CarWhere build sheet decodes a US-market Porsche VIN into its factory record: paint, interior, option codes and equipment as built. $9.99, and the free availability check shows whether build data exists before you pay.

Porsche build sheet by VIN

Porsche 991 FAQ

What is the difference between the 991.1 and 991.2?

The 991.1 Carreras (2012–2016 model years) used naturally aspirated 3.4- and 3.8-liter engines with 350 and 400 PS. The 991.2 (2017–2019) switched to twin-turbo 3.0-liter engines with 370, 420 and 450 PS for the Carrera, Carrera S and GTS.

How many Porsche 991s were made?

Porsche had built 217,930 991s by 31 October 2018, with production still running; it calls the 991 the best-selling 911 generation. 152,659 were 991.1 cars built through the 2016 model year.

What years is the Porsche 991?

The 991 launched in 2011 and was sold in the US for the 2012 to 2019 model years before the 992 replaced it.

Is the 991 GT3 reliable?

Early 2014 GT3s were recalled for a connecting-rod bolt problem and received new engines, and some 2014–2016 cars had finger-follower wear covered by an extended Porsche engine warranty. Check the VIN for completed recall work.

How many 911 R were made?

Porsche limited the 911 R to 991 cars.

Related Porsche history

Specs, production and buying research

Sources

Production counts, power outputs and dates on this page come from the sources below. Where sources disagree, the page says so or uses Porsche's own figure.

  1. The seven generations of the Porsche 911 (Part 7) - The 991: the 911 passes the one million mark (press release, 27 Nov 2018) — Porsche Newsroom
  2. Porsche 911 Turbo S: history (press kit) — Porsche Newsroom
  3. Porsche Historical Background: 1948-2025 — Porsche Cars North America (Porsche Newsroom)
  4. History of the Porsche Targa — Porsche Newsroom
  5. Porsche 911 known issues by generation (each issue sourced on the page) — CarWhere Research
  6. Porsche one millionth 911: milestone details — Porsche Newsroom
  7. IAA: 911 GT3 with Touring Package celebrates its world premiere — Porsche Newsroom
  8. New 911 Speedster goes into production — Porsche Newsroom
  9. From zero to 1,000,000: Seven generations of the Porsche 911 — Porsche Newsroom
  10. A rarity with increased power and luxury: the new 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series — Porsche Newsroom
  11. There can only be two — Porsche Newsroom
  12. 5,000th Cup 911 features in the Porsche Supercup as the VIP car — Porsche Newsroom
  13. Porsche 911 specs by generation (US-market figures, each sourced on the page) — CarWhere Research

Independent reference published by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Porsche, 911, Carrera, Targa and Boxster are trademarks of their owner.