Performance Review: Porsche 959 Turbo - [1987]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche 959 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche 959 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1987. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8 and the 1987 Porsche 911 Ruf CTR Yellow Bird.This particular Porsche 959 has a 2849cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F6's includes the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

The 959 shares its Petrol F6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS and the 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S 991 II. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 959's All Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1451 kgs (3198 lbs) this makes the Porsche 959 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche 959 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 2849cc 24V F6 engine produces 450 bhp (335 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Twin Turbo F6 throws out 369 lb-ft (500.2 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche 959 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2004 Porsche 911 GT2 996 (334.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche 959.

The Porsche 959 has a Power to weight ratio of 310.1 bhp per ton and 254.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1987 959 competing with the 2004 Porsche 911 GT2 996 (334.5 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Lotus Exige Sport 380 3.8 V6 Auto (334.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Porsche 959 generating around 254.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG (279.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 (279.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.8 secs, this made the Porsche 959 Turbo as fast as the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 (3.70 secs) the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (3.70 secs) the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring 992 (3.70 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 992 (3.70 secs). This Porsche 959 Turbo is also faster than the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the and the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 959 and the 2017 Mercedes G Class 63 AMG

When talking about the performance of the Porsche 959 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.64 secs @ 117.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Mercedes G Class 63 AMG (11.58 secs), the 2009 Aston-Martin Rapide 6.0 V12 (11.59 secs), and the 1973 DeTomaso Pantera GTS 5.8 V8 (11.59 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1987 version of the Porsche 959 Turbo has a maximum speed of 197mph.

Top Speed of the 1987 959 equals the 2020 McLaren Elva 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (208 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo then how about the 2020 McLaren Elva 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (208 mph), the 2018 Aston-Martin DB11 AMR 5.2 V12 twin Turbo (208 mph), or the 2017 Apollo Intensa Emozione 6.3 V12 (208 mph).

Related Links:

1987 959 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison