evolution of 4wd tech

1983 rallying success

Porsche tries out a mechanically operated four-wheel drive 911 (953) rally car in the Parisdakar after initial success with prototype cars in testing. It won, underlining there might be some value in pushing drive forwards…

1986 Genesis: the 959 hammers 4x4 superiority

Porsche applied Group B rules and its best thinking to produce the most sophisticated 4x4 system ever. So advanced it remains a sensation today.

1988 Porsche’s production Carrera 4 arrives

With lessons learned from the 959 project, the 964 series 911 is introduced with four-wheel drive, Porsche introducing it prior to its Carrera 2 relation by a whole production year.

1994 Lighter, simpler, better with the 993 C4

Realising that the 964 C4’s four-wheel drive was needlessly complex, Porsche stripped weight and complexity, adding balance, poise and a more natural feel in the process.

1994 Viscous coupling and ABD

Quick-reacting viscous drive allowed greater immediacy, while ABD allowed even more precise control, this forming the basis for the 911 and 911 Turbo’s 4x4 systems to this day.

2002 Porsche traction Management (PTM)

Porsche introduced its Cayenne SUV with PTM, a version of which would see use in the 2006 997 Turbo. It Uses an electromagnetically actuated multiplate clutch to apportion drive.

2006 oil-cooled viscous 996

Changes with the 996 Carrera 4 added oil-bathed viscous coupling which improved cooling, even under high stress loads.

2012 New torque distribution display

Digital screen within dash of

991 shows real-time torque split of power between front and rear axles.

2013 Bye electro-mechanical, hello electro-hydraulic

PTM four-wheel drive now features quicker reacting electro-hydraulic control of the multiplate clutch for even greater control of propulsion forces.