PORSCHE, LOTUS, SHELBY AND ALFA ROMEO

WE CAN THANK the French for the iconic Porsche 911 model name.

You see at the 1963 Frankfurt Motorshow Porsche whipped the covers off its all-new sports car dubbed the 901, but Peugeot kicked up a stink claiming exclusivity to ‘0’ as the middle digit of car model numbers.

So Porsche shrugged its shoulders, renamed it the 911 and started production in 1964.

In a bid to boost flagging sales Porsche introduced the 911 T, ( Touring) in 1968. The T was an entry-level, stripped-out back-to-basics car with a less powerful engine than other 911 models, but it was still good enough to taste victory in the Monte Carlo.

Half a century on the badge has been resurrected.

This time it sits on the latest 911 and is named Carrera T and while the latest version is based on the ‘less is more’ philosophy of the original, the current Carrera T is fully loaded with plenty of kit and caboodle; it has cool retro touches, though, like the nylon door-opening loops inside and for weight saving most of the sound deadening has been flung and lightweight glass used on the side and rear windows.

Also keeping the spirit of the original alive are the bold side stripes in a 60s design and a lower ride height than other 911s. Not in keeping with its great grandad are its wide rear flanks and pop-out and adjustable rear wing.

Powering the $238,400 Carrera T is a twin-turbo, three-litre, flat six-cylinder engine with 272 kilowatts max power from a max torque figure of 449Nm delivered between a very usable 1750 rpm and 5000 rpm. Fitted with the optional

RIGHT Anyone up for another day in this office? LEFT The 911’s looks do not deceive you – it’s as quick as it looks.