Timo Bernhard talks turbos with Porsche

In the early 1970s, Porsche took the leap into turbo technology -- f irst in motorsport, then in series production. Porsche took global ...

In the early 1970s, Porsche took the leap into turbo technology -- first in motorsport, then in series production.

Porsche took global victories with this revolutionary technology, and 17 of the 19 overall victories at Le Mans were achieved with turbo engines.

Transferring concepts that have been successfully tested in motorsport to series production is a tradition at Porsche.

On October 3, 1974, Porsche presented a series production version of the 911 Turbo at the Paris Motor Show.

Fifty years and eight 911 Turbo generations later, the sports car manufacturer is publishing a four-part series of ‘Porsche Heritage Moments’ to Porsche YouTube channel in celebration of the anniversary.

Timo Bernhard, Le Mans winner and long-distance world champion, guides viewers through the episodes, shows off selected Porsche sports cars and invites guests to share stories.

For instance, viewers can listen to stories from: Thomas Krickelberg, Project Manager Operating Excellence Series 911/718, Norbert Singer, former racing engineer, Frank Jung, Head of Corporate Archives, Hermann Burst, former Head of Bodywork Testing and Walter Röhrl, two-time World Rally Champion and Porsche brand ambassador.

Episode 1: Turbo in motorsport – the basis for the first 911 Turbo

Timo Bernhard hosts a very special guest for the first episode of ‘Porsche Heritage Moments’: Norbert Singer.

A meeting between Bernhard and the former racing engineer always feels like a journey into the past.

The pair start by looking back to the summer of 1970 with the victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans: the first for Porsche.

Episode 2: The start of series production – the result of a tried-and-tested concept

Bernhard meets another member of the original turbo team for the second episode of ‘Porsche Heritage Moments’: Hermann Burst.

In 1969, the now 84-year-old began working under Peter Falk as an aerodynamics engineer in the racing department.

He later worked as the Head of Bodywork Testing.

Working together with his team in the early 1970s, he focused on reducing aerodynamic lift in the 911. The result was the rear spoiler of the 911 Carrera RS 2.7, which quickly earned the nickname ‘ducktail’.

Episode 3: The Turbo in new spheres – water cooling

In the third part of ‘Porsche Heritage Moments’ on the ‘50 Years of Porsche Turbo’ anniversary, Timo Bernhard meets two men in whose lives the 911 has always played a major role: Walter Röhrl and Thomas Krickelberg.

The latter started in the Racing Engine Development and Engine Research department in 1990 at Porsche AG and is now working as the Project Manager Operating Excellence for the 911/718 series.

Together with the two-time World Rally Champion and Porsche brand ambassador, the trio discuss the topic of ‘Turbo in new spheres’ – specifically the issue of water cooling, illustrated by the 996 generation Porsche 911 Turbo S, which Porsche presented 20 years ago.

Episode 4: Turbo – Beyond Performance

In the fourth and final part of ‘Porsche Heritage Moments’, the host talks to Thomas Krickelberg and Frank Jung about what ‘Beyond Performance’ means in connection with the 50th anniversary of the Turbo.

The conversation goes into detail about iconic design, Porsche DNA, dynamics and day-to-day usability.

In this episode, they look at a 997-generation Porsche 911 GT2 and the 911 Turbo 50-year anniversary model.

Hermann Burst presents private photos and documents in episode 2.

The Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Turbo 2.1 from 1974 is the first race car with a turbocharger and charge-air cooler at Le Mans.

In 1976, Porsche won the first overall victory of a turbo engine at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the two-seater 936 Spyder.

Thomas Krickelberg answers Timo Bernhard's questions about the development of the Porsche Turbo in two episodes.

Norbert Singer (left) shares special features of the 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Turbo 2.1 with Timo Bernhard.

 

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