Porsche Model Names, Type Numbers, Chassis Codes, and Common Aliases

Porsche owners, technicians, parts catalogs, and enthusiasts frequently identify the same vehicle in different ways. A customer may call a 944 Turbo a “951,” a 1996 911 a “993,” or a first-generation Boxster a “986.” These numbers can be useful, but they do not all represent the same kind of identifier.

This guide translates commonly used Porsche model names, internal type numbers, generation codes, body designations, and enthusiast shorthand. It is designed both as a human reference and as a terminology map for customer-service and knowledge-base search systems.

Essential examples: 951 = 944 Turbo, while 930 = 911 Turbo. A 935 is not another name for a production 911 Turbo; it is a competition car developed from the turbocharged 911 platform. Likewise, a 991 is a generation of 911, not a separate model family.

How to Interpret Porsche Terminology

Identifier type	Example	What it tells you	What it does not necessarily tell you
Public model name	911 Carrera, 944 Turbo, Cayenne	The model sold to the customer.	The precise generation, engine, market, or build specification.
Internal type or project number	930, 951, 986, 980	A Porsche development, vehicle, or model-series designation.	Whether every part is interchangeable across all years and variants using that code.
Generation code	964, 993, 996, 997, 991, 992	Which major 911 generation is being discussed.	Carrera versus Turbo/GT, model-year update, drivetrain, body, or engine type.
Enthusiast subdivision	997.1, 997.2, 991.1, 991.2	Usually pre-facelift versus facelift or first versus second technical phase.	It is not normally the complete factory type designation or a VIN substitute.
Body/platform code	9PA, 92A, 95B, Y1A	A vehicle family or body used in service, parts, regulatory, or production systems.	The exact trim or powertrain.
Engine/transmission code	M96.01, M97.21, 9A1, G50	The engine or transmission family/variant.	It must not automatically be treated as the vehicle model.
Competition type	934, 935, 956, 962, 963	A racing-car program or competition model.	It is not automatically an alias for the related production road car.

Identification rule: A nickname or three-digit type number is useful for routing a question, but it is not sufficient for ordering parts or determining service procedures. Confirm the VIN, model year, market, engine type and serial number, transmission type, body style, and relevant option codes whenever fitment or technical applicability matters.

356 Family

Customer wording or alias	Correct interpretation	Important distinctions
356	Porsche's first series-production road-car family.	Includes early Gmünd and Stuttgart-built cars, the retrospectively named Pre-A, and 356 A, B, and C generations.
Pre-A	Common retrospective term for 356 cars built before the 356 A.	Not a badge originally applied as a formal model name. Early construction, body, windshield, engine, and brake details vary.
356 A / T1 / T2	356 A generation and its principal factory body-development programs.	T1 and T2 are not engine sizes or trim levels.
356 B / T5 / T6	356 B generation and its major body-development programs.	T6 body features continued into the 356 C; “T6” does not automatically mean 356 C.
356 C / 356 SC	Final 356 generation; SC is the higher-output version.	The regular C and SC are not four-cam Carrera models.
Speedster, Convertible D, Roadster, Cabriolet	Different open 356 body configurations.	These terms are not interchangeable. Windshield, top, doors, trim, coachbuilder, and model-year applicability differ.
356 Carrera	A special 356 fitted with Porsche's four-cam Carrera engine in the applicable specification.	“Carrera” is not merely a cosmetic package and should be authenticated through chassis, engine, and factory records.

Code or wording	Equivalent model/family	Approximate era	Do not confuse with
901	Original development/name for the six-cylinder successor to the 356; renamed 911.	1963-1964 transition	Not every 1965-1973 911 should be treated as a “901” for parts or service.
911 / early 911 / long hood / F-model	Original air-cooled 911 generation.	1964-1973	“F-model” is broad enthusiast shorthand; Porsche's actual annual letter series progressed beyond F.
902 / original 912	Four-cylinder 912 based on the early 911 body and using a 356-derived Type 616 engine.	1965-1969	Not the 1976 912E and not a six-cylinder 911.
G-series / impact-bumper 911	Air-cooled 911 generation with impact bumpers.	1974-1989	The entire G-series is not “930.”
930	911 Turbo, principally the original 3.0- and 3.3-liter production Turbo series.	1975-1989 model range	935 competition car; normally aspirated 911, 911 SC, or Carrera 3.2.
923 / 912E	1976 U.S.-market 912E, a G-series-bodied four-cylinder model.	1976 only	Original Type 902/912. The 912E uses a two-liter Type 4-based engine with L-Jetronic, not the earlier Type 616.
964	Third major 911 generation; Carrera 2, Carrera 4, Turbo, RS, and related derivatives.	1989-1994	A model-year 1964 car or a 964 engine code.
993	Final air-cooled 911 generation.	1994-1998	All 993s being mechanically identical; Carrera, Turbo, GT2, RS, and market variants differ.
996	First water-cooled 911 generation.	Introduced 1997; U.S. MY 1999-2005	986 Boxster. Regular Carreras and Turbo/GT cars use materially different engine architectures.
996.1 / 996.2	Common shorthand for early and facelift 996 phases.	Broadly pre-2002 / 2002 onward	A complete factory model or engine identifier.
997	Successor to the 996 and sixth major 911 generation.	2005-2012	997.1 and 997.2 Carreras have different engine families; Turbo and GT applications require separate identification.
997.1 / 997.2	First and second technical phases of the 997.	Broadly 2005-2008 / 2009-2012	The update was more than cosmetic: regular Carrera engines and automatic transmissions changed fundamentally.
991	Seventh major 911 generation.	2012-2019	The public model remains 911; 991.1 and 991.2 distinguish major phases.
991.1 / 991.2	Early and updated 991.	Broadly 2012-2016 / 2017-2019	Regular 991.1 Carreras are naturally aspirated; regular 991.2 Carreras use twin-turbo 3.0-liter engines. GT models are separate cases.
992	Eighth major 911 generation.	2019-present	992.1 and 992.2, or Carrera, Turbo, GT, and hybrid derivatives.
992.1 / 992.2	Initial and updated 992 phases.	992.2 introduced for 2025 model range	Not every 992.2 is a hybrid. The Carrera GTS T-Hybrid was the first production road-going hybrid 911.

911 Names That Do Not Identify a Generation by Themselves

Carrera: Used in several different ways over Porsche history. On modern cars it commonly identifies a regular 911 model line, but historically it also identified specialized high-performance 356, 911, and 924 variants.
SC: Appears on the 356 C 1600 SC and the 1978-1983 911 SC. These are unrelated vehicle generations.
Turbo: A model designation as well as a description of forced induction. A modern Carrera may have turbochargers without being a 911 Turbo model.
Turbo Look, M491, or wide body: A normally aspirated 911 with Turbo-style body/chassis equipment is not automatically a 930 Turbo.
Targa, Cabriolet, Speedster: Body styles offered across multiple generations; none identifies a generation alone.
GT2, GT3, RS, R, S/T, Sport Classic, and Dakar: Specialized variants. Always pair the name with the generation and model year.

914 and Mid-Engine VW-Porsche Family

Code or name	Correct interpretation	Important distinction
914 / 914-4	Four-cylinder mid-engine 914.	Uses Volkswagen Type 4-derived engines in several displacements. “914-4” is common clarifying shorthand even though many cars were badged simply 914.
914/6	Factory six-cylinder 914.	Not merely a four-cylinder car converted to six-cylinder power; verify chassis and factory documentation.
914/8	Extremely limited factory experimental/prototype V8 cars.	Not a regular production 914 variant.
916	Factory-developed, fixed-roof high-performance 914 derivative built in very small numbers.	Not an alternate name for every 914/6 or a normal production 914.

Front-Engine Transaxle Models

These water-cooled Porsche models predate the Boxster and water-cooled 911. Their engines are mounted in front and their transmissions are mounted at the rear as part of a transaxle layout.

Code or owner wording	Equivalent model	Important distinctions	Do not confuse with
924	Base/front-engine Porsche 924 family.	Includes early Audi-engined 2.0-liter cars and the later 924S with Porsche 2.5-liter power. The 924S is not a 944 despite extensive mechanical relationship.	924 Turbo, Carrera GT, or 944.
931	924 Turbo, commonly the left-hand-drive internal designation.	Turbocharged 2.0-liter 924; Series 1 and Series 2 specifications differ.	951/944 Turbo.
932	Common type designation for right-hand-drive 924 Turbo applications.	Use VIN and market specification; this code is less commonly used in general conversation than 931.	A distinct 932-badged public model.
937	924 Carrera GT.	Homologation-oriented turbocharged model with widened bodywork; Carrera GTS/GTR competition derivatives require exact identification.	Regular 924 Turbo or later 944.
928	Front-engine, water-cooled V8 grand-touring family.	Includes 928, S, S2 in applicable markets, S4, GT, and GTS. These remain members of the 928 family rather than receiving 911-style generation numbers.	944/968 four-cylinder family.
944	Normally aspirated 944 family, including base, S, and S2 when stated.	Eight-valve base, sixteen-valve S/S2, early/late offset, body, engine, and transmission differences matter.	951 Turbo.
951	944 Turbo, commonly the left-hand-drive model/type designation.	Includes regular Turbo and Turbo S specifications; model year and market still matter.	930/911 Turbo, 931/924 Turbo, or normally aspirated 944.
952	Common type designation for right-hand-drive 944 Turbo applications.	Usually encountered in U.K., Australian, and other RHD-market discussion and parts information.	A different public model from the 944 Turbo.
944 S	Naturally aspirated 2.5-liter sixteen-valve 944 derivative.	Not a Turbo and not the later 3.0-liter S2.	944 Turbo S.
944 S2	Naturally aspirated 3.0-liter sixteen-valve 944 derivative.	Uses Turbo-style body cues but is not a 951/944 Turbo.	Turbo S or 968.
968	Final series-production front-engine four-cylinder transaxle model.	Includes Coupe, Cabriolet, Club Sport/CS, and very rare Turbo S/RS derivatives.	Merely a facelifted 944 for fitment purposes; many systems changed.

959 and Porsche Supercars

Code/name	Equivalent model	Clarification
959	Porsche 959 all-wheel-drive twin-turbo supercar.	Related visually and historically to the 911, but it is not a 930, 964, or ordinary 911 variant.
980	Carrera GT.	Mid-engine V10 supercar. “Carrera GT” here does not mean the 924 Carrera GT or a regular 911 Carrera.
918	918 Spyder.	Plug-in-hybrid mid-engine V8 supercar; not the historic 718 race car and not a Boxster Spyder.

Boxster, Cayman, and 718

Code	Equivalent model family	Approximate era	Important distinctions
986	First-generation Boxster.	MY 1997-2004/2005 depending on market	Roadster only; shares development and some components with the 996 but is not a 996.
987	Second-generation Boxster and first-generation Cayman.	Broadly MY 2005-2012	987.1 and 987.2 identify major technical phases. “987C” is sometimes used informally for Cayman, but verify the actual model.
981	Third-generation Boxster and second-generation Cayman.	Broadly MY 2013-2016	Naturally aspirated flat-six regular model range; Boxster and Cayman are different body styles.
982	718 Boxster and 718 Cayman.	Introduced for MY 2017	Regular/S models introduced turbocharged flat-fours, while several GTS 4.0, GT4, Spyder, and GT4 RS derivatives use flat-six engines.
718 (modern)	Marketing model-family name for the 982-generation Boxster and Cayman.	2016 onward	Do not assume “718” means four-cylinder; do not confuse with the historic Type 718 racing cars.
Cayman	Fixed-roof mid-engine sports car.	987, 981, and 982/718 generations	Not a trim level of the 911. Pair Cayman with 987, 981, or 982 for accurate identification.
Boxster	Open-top mid-engine sports car.	986, 987, 981, and 982/718 generations	“Spyder” is a specialized Boxster derivative in modern usage, not a generic name for every Boxster.

Cayenne

Common code/name	Equivalent generation	Clarification
955 / 9PA / E1	First-generation Cayenne, original phase.	“955” is the most common enthusiast/parts shorthand for the early first generation.
957 / 9PA1 / E1 facelift	Facelifted first-generation Cayenne.	Often called the 957 even though it remains within the first-generation 9PA family.
958 / 92A / E2	Second-generation Cayenne.	Enthusiasts commonly use 958.1 and 958.2 for pre-facelift and facelift vehicles.
9Y0 / 9YA / E3	Third-generation Cayenne SUV family.	9YA is commonly encountered for the standard SUV body; exact catalog terminology varies by system.
9YB / Cayenne Coupe	Coupe-roof version within the third-generation Cayenne family.	Despite the name, it is a four-door SUV body, not a two-door sports coupe.
E3 II	Substantially updated third-generation Cayenne.	A development phase within the E3 family, not the same thing as “Cayenne II,” which often means the second generation.
Cayenne Electric	Battery-electric Cayenne model line introduced alongside, rather than as an alias for, combustion and E-Hybrid Cayennes.	Confirm powertrain first; the name Cayenne alone no longer guarantees a combustion engine.

Panamera

Code/name	Equivalent generation/body	Clarification
970 / G1	First-generation Panamera.	970.1 and 970.2 are often used for original and facelift phases.
971 / G2	Second-generation Panamera.	Includes standard fastback, Executive long-wheelbase, and Sport Turismo body configurations where offered.
976 / G3	Third-generation Panamera.	Do not assume parts interchange with the 971 based on similar styling.
Executive	Long-wheelbase Panamera body variant.	Not a separate engine or performance level.
Sport Turismo	Wagon/shooting-brake-style Panamera body.	Not the same as Turismo/Touring terminology on other Porsche models.

Macan

Code/name	Equivalent model	Clarification
95B / Macan I	First-generation combustion-engine Macan.	Macan I, II, and III are often used for its original, first-facelift, and second-facelift phases; all remain related 95B combustion vehicles.
Macan Electric / electric Macan	Second-generation battery-electric Macan on a different platform.	Not an electric powertrain option installed in a 95B. Confirm “Macan” versus “Macan Electric” before selecting parts or procedures.
Macan S, GTS, Turbo	Performance levels whose powertrains and meaning depend on generation and model year.	“Turbo” is also used as a performance designation on the electric Macan and does not imply an exhaust-driven turbocharger.

Taycan

Code/name	Equivalent body/model	Clarification
Y1A / Taycan	Taycan sports sedan/fastback body.	Battery-electric model; J1 may also be encountered as its platform designation.
Y1B / Taycan Cross Turismo	Raised, wagon-like Taycan Cross Turismo body.	Body configuration, not merely a trim package.
Y1C / Taycan Sport Turismo	Lower wagon/shooting-brake-style Taycan body.	Distinct from Cross Turismo ride-height and body-positioning concept.
Taycan 4S, GTS, Turbo, Turbo S, Turbo GT	Electric performance levels.	“Turbo” is a Porsche performance designation here; the Taycan has no combustion engine or exhaust turbocharger.

Common Porsche Suffixes and Variant Names

Suffix/name	General meaning	Required caution
T	Historically Touring; commonly a lighter, driver-focused or entry-oriented specification depending on era.	A 911 T, modern Carrera T, and Taycan are unrelated uses of the letter/sound.
E	Historically Einspritzung (fuel injection) on the 911 E; in 912E it identifies the later model and emissions-oriented fuel-injected application.	Not a universal Porsche code for electric.
S	Sport or higher-performance specification.	Exact engine, chassis, and equipment changes vary by model and year.
SC	Super C on the 356; Super Carrera on the 911 SC.	Always identify the base model and year.
4 / 4S	All-wheel drive; 4S combines AWD with an S-positioned specification.	Details vary by model family and generation.
Turbo / Turbo S	Top performance derivative in many Porsche ranges.	On Taycan and electric Macan/Cayenne products, Turbo is a performance name and does not describe an engine turbocharger.
GTS	Gran Turismo Sport; a performance-focused position between regular S models and more specialized GT/RS products in many modern ranges.	Not one fixed mechanical specification across all models.
GT	Gran Turismo; used for both road and competition-oriented derivatives.	Carrera GT, 928 GT, 924 Carrera GT, and GT3 are not equivalent.
GT2	Turbocharged, highly specialized 911 GT derivative in road-car usage.	GT2 RS is generation-specific and not equivalent to a regular 911 Turbo.
GT3	Naturally aspirated, motorsport-focused 911 derivative in road-car usage.	GT3, GT3 RS, GT3 Touring, and GT3 Cup are different specifications; Cup is a competition car.
RS	RennSport; a more competition-focused or homologation-oriented derivative.	RS does not always mean the same level of road legality or modification.
RSR	RennSport Rennwagen; normally a dedicated competition model.	Do not treat an RSR as simply an RS trim package.
Cup	Factory-built one-make racing car, such as a 911 GT3 Cup.	Not the same as the corresponding street car.
CS / Club Sport / Clubsport	Reduced-weight or track-focused specification, depending on model.	968 CS, 911 Clubsport, and a modern Clubsport competition car are different applications.
Spyder	Open, lightweight sporting model, often mid-engine.	550 Spyder, 718 Spyder, Boxster Spyder, and 918 Spyder are separate vehicles.
Speedster	Low-windshield, reduced-roof open model.	Used on multiple 356 and 911 generations.
Targa	Open-roof Porsche body concept named for the Targa Florio.	Roof design changed substantially across generations.
Cabriolet	Full convertible body with folding roof.	Not interchangeable with Targa, Roadster, Spyder, or Speedster.
E-Hybrid	Plug-in hybrid combining a combustion engine and electric drive.	Not a battery-electric vehicle and not identical to older “S Hybrid” applications.
T-Hybrid	Porsche performance-hybrid designation introduced on the 992.2 Carrera GTS.	Not the same system as Cayenne or Panamera E-Hybrid.
Executive	Long-wheelbase Panamera version.	Body-length designation, not a powertrain.
Weissach Package	Model-specific lightweight/performance option package.	Does not make the vehicle a separate generation, and package content varies.

Competition and Homologation Numbers Commonly Confused with Road Cars

Competition type	What it is	Not an alias for
550 / 550A	Purpose-built mid-engine Spyder racing models from the 1950s.	356 Speedster or Boxster.
718 (historic)	Family of mid-engine racing sports cars including RSK, RS 60/61, and related derivatives.	Modern Type 982 718 Boxster/Cayman, although the modern name honors these cars.
904 / Carrera GTS	Mid-engine competition and homologation sports car.	Modern GTS trim or a 911 Carrera.
906 / Carrera 6	Purpose-built competition sports car.	Six-cylinder roadgoing Carrera.
907 / 908 / 910 / 917	Distinct Porsche prototype racing programs.	911 generations or street-car subvariants.
934	Group 4 racing derivative developed from the 911 Turbo/930.	Every modified 930 or production 911 Turbo.
935	Group 5 silhouette racing car developed from the 911 Turbo lineage.	930 production 911 Turbo.
936	Open-cockpit prototype race car.	935 or 930.
956 / 962	Group C prototype race cars.	959 supercar or 964/996 911.
911 GT1	Purpose-built 1990s GT racing/homologation model with limited road versions.	993 or 996 GT3; its appearance and components span a unique development path.
919 Hybrid	Le Mans prototype hybrid race car.	918 Spyder.
963	Modern LMDh endurance prototype.	Type 964 911.

High-Priority Alias Statements for Search and AI Training

951 means Porsche 944 Turbo.
952 generally means a right-hand-drive Porsche 944 Turbo.
931 means Porsche 924 Turbo.
937 means Porsche 924 Carrera GT.
930 means the original production Porsche 911 Turbo series, not every 1974-1989 911.
935 means a Porsche competition car; it does not mean a normal 911 Turbo.
964, 993, 996, 997, 991, and 992 are Porsche 911 generation identifiers.
986 means first-generation Boxster.
987 means second-generation Boxster or first-generation Cayman; the model/body must also be stated.
981 means third-generation Boxster or second-generation Cayman; the model/body must also be stated.
982 means the modern 718 Boxster or 718 Cayman family.
980 means Carrera GT.
918 means 918 Spyder.
955 and 957 refer to early and facelift phases of the first-generation Cayenne.
958 or 92A means second-generation Cayenne.
95B means the combustion-engine first-generation Macan family.
970, 971, and 976 identify the first, second, and third Panamera generations.
Y1A, Y1B, and Y1C identify Taycan, Taycan Cross Turismo, and Taycan Sport Turismo body families.
Historic 718 race cars and modern 718 Boxster/Cayman models are not the same vehicle family.
“Turbo” on a Taycan or electric Macan is a performance designation, not evidence of an exhaust turbocharger.

When a Customer Uses Only a Code

Translate the code to the likely model family, then ask for the minimum information needed to determine the exact application:

VIN and model year;
country or market specification;
Coupe, Cabriolet, Targa, roadster, SUV, or other body style;
base, S, 4, 4S, Turbo, GTS, GT, RS, or other trim;
engine type and serial number when engine parts or service procedures are involved;
transmission type and option codes when drivetrain or chassis parts are involved;
production date for transition-year vehicles.

Example: “I have a 951” should initially be interpreted as “I have a Porsche 944 Turbo.” Before recommending a part, confirm the model year, VIN, market, transmission, and any relevant early/late or Turbo/Turbo S distinctions.

Scope and Limitations

This guide covers Porsche-branded series-production passenger vehicles and the historic competition or homologation models most likely to be confused with road-car codes. It does not attempt to catalog every Porsche engineering-office project number, prototype, one-off Sonderwunsch build, tractor, military project, aircraft-engine project, market-only appearance package, or individual option code.

Porsche terminology evolved over decades, and the same word may have different meanings in different eras. Internal type numbers, homologation types, VIN model identifiers, parts-catalog model codes, platform codes, and enthusiast shorthand may overlap without being identical. Factory documentation and vehicle-specific identifiers take precedence whenever an exact technical determination is required.