What Was It Like To Drive A Porsche 993 Turbo When It Was Brand New?

The 993 Turbo was an interesting departure for Porsche, focussing more on the luxury market and drivability than on insane speed. Basically all-new for 1995, this version of the Turbo had all-wheel-drive and a largely leather interior. Cribbing a lot of technology from Porsche's 1980s sensation, the 959 supercar, this Turbo was punching well above its weight. Any car that managed to run a 12.4 second quarter mile time was surely a force to be reckoned with in 1996, and it's still quite respectable today. Twenty years ago, the 993 Turbo was the class of the field and set Porsche up for a new standard in 911 Turbo. Ever since this car was introduced, each subsequent Turbo has followed a similar formula, but with more power, more luxury, and more tech. The car in this video would jump from zero to sixty in just 4.5 seconds, and now we have the 991-generation capable of the same sprint in less than 3 seconds.

It's hard to argue with the mystique of the 'last of the aircooled' turbos. Particularly when they're presented in gorgeous Arena Red. No wonder they're trading hands for well into the six-figures these days.