'Since a particular road test in 1987, I've had a ready answer for the 
question "What's the best car in the world?" The Porsche 959.'
			-Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, July 1997

	The 959 was conceived in 1983 when Manfred Bantle was appointed 
head of the Porsche Group B project.  The original goal of this project 
was to create a race car (and 200 production vehicles) patterned for 
the Group B series of racing.  After some time, the project turned  
into a technological test-bed to see just how advanced future 
production models could become by the turn of the century.  With this 
in mind, Porsche pushed technology to THE limit, resulting in a car 
that absolutely astonished the automobile world.  In 1986 the 959 
finally went into production, and immediately became the fastest 
production car in the world - by far.  It's complex engine, derived 
from the 962 race car, is a 2.85 liter twin turbo flat-six that 
delivers 450 hp.  This powerhouse can deliver the 959 from 0 to 60 mph 
in an amazing 3.6 seconds (3.5 for the U.S. version) and enables this 
vehicle to reach a top speed of 205 mph.  
	Getting so much performance from such a small engine is only 
the beginning of the many great technological advancements this 
supercar achieved.  The 959 also has the most advanced four-wheel-drive 
system ever created.  The driver can choose between four different 
driving modes which varies the amount of power transferred to the front 
and rear wheels.  The driver has the choice of dry, snow, rain, or 
rough terrain mode, to maximize the handling and performance of the 
car with varying road conditions.  If one so wishes, this remarkable 
vehicle can even be driven off-road, as a "cross country" gear was 
specifically designed with this type of driving in mind.  The 
suspension, also derived from racing technology, is electronically 
controlled by computer to adjust the height at which the car rides, as 
well as vary the damping.  Special attention was even placed on the 
development of the wheels, which include a monitoring system that 
constantly keeps track of the tire pressure, and alerts the driver if 
that pressure falls below a specified level.  Considering these, and 
the many other technological breakthroughs of this car, the Porsche 959 
still remains to this date the most advanced production automobile ever 
created.  It is no wonder this remarkable vehicle has been nicknamed 
"the rolling laboratory".  
	The 959 also has exotic looks to match its high-end technology 
and performance.  At first glance, one can tell this is no ordinary 
Porsche. The front end still retains the basic early '80's 911 shape, 
but with a more rounded off, futuristic look.  It wasn't until 12 years 
after the 959 was designed, that Porsche came full circle and applied 
this styling to the 1995 911 model.  Another departure from traditional 
rear-engine Porsche styling came with a back end that does not simply 
follow the contour of the rear windshield, but rather extends out to 
form a horizontal deck-lid complete with a contoured spoiler.  These 
smooth aerodynamics of the 959 were designed to keep drag and lift to 
a minimum, while increasing performance of the car at high speeds.  
As a result of the extensive aerodynamic research, the 959 has hardly 
any lift at all at high speeds enabling the car to literally "hug" the 
road and become unbelievably stable.  Every vent and intake serves a 
practical purpose as well as adding to the beauty of the car.  
	Although the 959 never saw Group B racing (this particular 
class of racing was gone by the time the 959 reached its production 
run), it did serve its purpose of being a means for which Porsche could 
explore its technological potential and provide a glimpse into the 
future.  Porsche has used and is continuing to use the technology and 
styling developed for the 959 and applying it to the 911 model.  
However, the 959 still remains Porsche's highest achievement in its 
rich past of creating fine roadgoing sportscars.  As a result of its 
beautiful styling, advanced technological innovation, and very high 
performance abilities, the 959 has gone down a legend in automobile 
history.  It is no wonder why the Porsche 959 is considered by many to 
be- the best car in the world.

	
