Porsche 930 Turbo Whale Tail Explained – Video

Porsche badged the vehicle simply as “Turbo” (although early U.S. units were badged as “Turbo Carrera”) and debuted it at the Paris Auto Show in October 1974 before putting it on sale in the spring of 1975; export to the United States began in 1976.

The 930 proved very fast but also very demanding to drive fast, and due to its short wheelbase and rear engine layout, was prone to oversteer and turbo-lag.

Porsche made its first and most significant changes to the 930 for 1978, enlarging the engine to 3.3 litres and adding an air-to-air intercooler. By cooling the pressurized air charge, the intercooler helped increase power to 300 hp (DIN); the rear ‘whale tail’ spoiler was re-profiled and raised slightly to make room for the intercooler. Porsche also upgraded the brakes to units similar to those used on the 917 racecar. While the increase in displacement and addition of an intercooler increased power output and torque, these changes also increased the weight of the vehicle, especially to the engine, which contributed to a substantial change in the handling and character of the car when compared to the earlier 3.0 litre models.