What the car is and where it came from
A Group B rally car adapted into a road-legal production model between 1986 and 1988. Developed from 1981 under Peter Schutz to meet FIA homologation rules requiring at least 200 units. Built as a technological demonstrator—not a volume model.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
It sends power to all four wheels through the PSK system, which varies torque front-to-rear depending on grip. The sequential twin-turbo flat-six delivers power in two stages: one turbo for low revs, the second kicking in higher up. Its aluminium-Aramid composite body is light and stiff. The driver feels a precise, race-derived chassis with high-speed stability and all-weather traction.
What it gets right
It gets right the integration of race-derived systems into a street-legal package: AWD for grip across conditions, twin-turbos for usable power delivery, aerodynamic efficiency (Cd 0.31), and a lightweight composite structure. It delivers on its core brief—being the fastest street-legal car at launch while remaining driveable in rain or snow.
What it does not
It does not offer everyday usability by modern standards. It was never built for daily commuting, long-haul comfort or service network support. Its complexity was purpose-built for homologation, not longevity or accessibility.
What it changed
It made all-wheel drive standard on turbocharged 911s from the 993 onward. Its twin-turbo layout became standard on future turbocharged Porsche sports cars. It proved that rally-bred AWD could work in a road car without sacrificing performance or drivability.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for engineers, historians and enthusiasts who want to understand where Porsche’s AWD and turbo strategies began. It is not for collectors seeking usability, drivers wanting modern infotainment or buyers expecting broad dealer support.
Is it worth your time
Yes—if you care about how all-wheel drive, turbocharging and lightweight composites entered the sports-car mainstream. It is not a car to own or drive today, but a machine whose engineering logic still shapes Porsche’s thinking.
