 1986 Porsche 959
One of the biggest advantages of the company Porsche is well, that they can sell almost any special model. Thus, of the in image 1 and 2 shown group B vehicle are required 200 units for homologation. According to the
company, the development costs are so huge that they are not to recoup even at a price far from 450.000 DM. Yet it seems somehow to be working, because there are sold almost 300 vehicles and creates a lot of know-
how for future models.
Although the start is anything but promising. Presented at the IAA 1983 in Frankfurt, one wants to start after only two years at the Rally Paris-Dakar. Are normally five to seven years. Perhaps it would have done glorious once
again, would not come in between labour disputes in Germany.
So it does not succeed in 1985 to continue in the success of last year's 911-SC 4x4, although next to Jacky Ickx and Jochen Mass there is also the last year's winner René Metge. All three must capitulate after accidents
with wild catch-up races. Next year then one creates the double win, but the survival of group B conditions is not permanent.
Technically the 959 is of course very interesting. Aramid we now know as the carcass material for low-rolling-resistance tyres. It finds its way in the body in 1983, where it is used for roof, fenders and various other parts.
The doors are then from aluminum, and here and there is also already inserted carbon fiber. 1100 kg in the racing version are the reward.
Two turbochargers on an engine have been known, but in relatively small type connected in series are here again. Relatively high then the compression. Rarely, the air cooling of the engine combined with the liquid cooling
of the cylinder heads. As a result arises despite the relatively small displacement, a huge performance at very reasonable speeds together with a corresponding torque.
Four-wheel is also not new, not even at Porsche. But this time the power is dynamically distributable. Served with two dampers per wheel from which one can adjusted electronically. In addition, there is a new rear axle,
which is later in the series. Even the tyre pressure is monitored from the hub about the hollow spokes to the wheel.
A vehicle probably unique at the time, especially the vast majority of it is still equipped with all comfort (figure 3). No wonder that is offered on the black market for far more than a million (DM).
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