The short-lived 3.6-litre iteration was arguably the car that Porsche always intended the 964 generation 911 Turbo to be. The entire model range marked a major departure from its G-series predecessor, with the Stuttgart factory estimating that some 85 per cent of components were new. But the forced-induction 3.3-litre flat-six motor from the 930 incarnation of the 911 Turbo had to be carried over initially, since there was insufficient time to develop the larger-capacity engine for the launch. With the type-993 successor then coming so soon after, when the 3.6-litre version did arrive, it ultimately sold for just two model years. During that short run, fewer than 1,500 units rolled off the production line. Of those, just 159 were built in right-hand drive.

Nestling beneath the rubber-edged “tea-tray” rear wing was a single KKK turbocharger that fed the Type M64 engine, which was mated to the famed Getrag “G50” five-speed manual gearbox. A limited-slip differential, larger brakes, plus a 20-millimetre drop to the ride height helped keep the power in check on more challenging roads.

The red brake callipers that distinguish the larger-engine cars complement this example, which wears its factory-correct colour combination of Guards Red over a Black leather interior. According to the accompanying Certificate of Authenticity, production of this car was completed on 19 January 1994 before being registered in New Zealand in March. The first owner ticked the optional extras boxes for a power sunroof, a tinted top windscreen, more supple leather for the power-adjustable seats, and a set of 18-inch polished wheel rims. Porsche confirms that this example was subsequently fitted with the highly desirable “X88” upgrade, which most notably benefitted from modified camshafts and a new turbocharger to boost the engine to a mighty 385 brake horsepower.

This example was later taken to the UK and first registered in the country in August 2016 before the consigning owner acquired the car in June 2018. Serviced thereafter by marque specialists Paragon, it had new springs and anti-roll bars fitted in 2019. Paragon also replaced the speedometer in December 2013; it is thought that the new unit was wound on to match the car’s existing reading. The odometer reads 86,932 kilometres at the time of cataloguing, and this car comes with a history file, jack, owner’s manuals, space-saver spare wheel, and tool roll. It heads to auction having passed its MoT in March earlier this year,

For the Porsche enthusiast seeking a rare and very powerful road car, bidders need look no further than this example from an increasingly sought after generation of 911.