The turbocharger turns 100 years old this week

Another masterpiece achieved by Porsche's engineers was the car's exhaust management system, sophisticated catalyst technology in conjunction with Porsche's new On-Board Diagnosis II (OBD II) making the new 911 Turbo the cleanest car in the world. Using the engine's electronic "brain", OBD II was able to detect possible deficiencies in the management of exhaust emissions and record up to 20 malfunctions for subsequent diagnosis.

Two Engine Concepts in One

The most outstanding technical highlight featured in the current 911 Turbo which entered the market in early 2000 is VarioCam Plus, an ingenious system reducing both fuel consumption and emissions and improving the engine's refinement at the same time. A further benefit of this superior technology is that it optimises both engine output and torque, the Turbo now developing 420 bhp at 6000 rpm and reaching a top speed of 305 km/h or 189 mph. Fuel consumption, in turn, is 18 per cent lower than on the former model.

The great advantage of VarioCam Plus is that it combines two engine concepts in one, adjusting the camshaft on the intake side and varying the engine's valve stroke by means of Motronic engine management. This means even greater fuel economy and lower emissions both when idling and under part load, combined with high torque and maximum output at full load ensured by uncompromising cam contours with valve stroke of not more than 10 millimetres or 0.39".