The Spanish word used in the name of Porsche’s 911 Carrera variant is Carrera.
In Spanish, “carrera” can mean a race, racing competition, or career, depending on context. Porsche adopted the name after the company’s successes in the Carrera Panamericana, a demanding Mexican road race first held in 1950. Porsche’s lightweight racing cars performed strongly there, and the association became a lasting part of the brand’s vocabulary.
The Carrera name first appeared on a production Porsche with the 356 Carrera, introduced in the 1950s. It later became closely associated with high-performance versions of the 911, including the standard 911 Carrera and Carrera S. The term does not mean turbocharged: Turbo is a separate model designation, while Targa refers to a body style with a removable roof section. Speedster likewise describes an open, sporty configuration rather than the meaning of Carrera.