Porsche created the sports car that became the Porsche 911, first introduced in 1963 as the Porsche 901. The model was designed as a larger and more powerful successor to the Porsche 356, while retaining Porsche’s rear-engined layout and distinctive identity.
Peugeot objected to Porsche’s three-digit model names with a zero in the middle because it used that pattern for vehicle names. Porsche therefore changed 901 to 911 before series production. The first customer cars reached the market in 1964, and the name has remained in use through numerous generations.
The 911 is notable for retaining a rear-mounted flat-six engine across much of its history, although turbocharging, liquid cooling, all-wheel drive, and electronic systems were introduced over time. Early 911s used air-cooled engines. The 911 should not be confused with Porsche’s mid-engined 718 sports-car line.