1989 Porsche 911 Turbo S 'WLS' Coupe

The Porsche 911 Turbo S ‘WLS’ Coupe is a unicorn in the automotive world,an extraordinary combination of performance, exclusivity, and bespoke craftsmanship. As the swan song for the legendary Type 930, this limited-production variant represents Porsche’s dedication to ultimate performance and personalization. Only 55 units of the Turbo S were produced in 1989, with most reserved for Porsche’s most loyal and connected clientele, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after models ever to leave the Porsche factory.

Porsche’s turbocharged adventure began in 1974 when the first production 911 Turbo, known internally as the Type 930, was unveiled. This bold move introduced a new era of high-performance sports cars, with its 3.0-liter turbocharged flat-six engine and distinctive wide body shape, defined by aggressive wheel arches and the now-famous “whale tail” rear spoiler. The early 911 Turbos earned a reputation for thrilling performance but also for being tricky to handle due to their pronounced turbo lag and rear-engine layout. However, this challenging nature only added to the allure of the 911 Turbo, cementing its place as a motorsport legend.

By 1978, the 930’s engine had grown to 3.3 litres, and its power output increased to 300 PS (296 hp). These enhancements, along with constant fine-tuning, propelled the 911 Turbo to numerous racing victories, including Porsche’s outright win at the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans with a 935 variant, a car that started life as a 911 Turbo. Despite the 930’s road-going thrills, emissions regulations briefly kept it out of markets like the U.S. and Japan in the early 1980s, but Porsche reintroduced it to global buyers in 1986 due to high demand. By 1989, the 911 Turbo was ready to take its final bow in a truly spectacular fashion.

The 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo S ‘WLS’ Coupe is a unique and ultra-exclusive vehicle, created under Porsche’s burgeoning Exclusive Manufaktur program, then known as the Sonderwunsch (Special Wishes) department. This program was designed for Porsche’s wealthiest and most discerning customers, who could request bespoke options and performance enhancements directly from the factory.

Beneath the rear engine lid of the Turbo S beats the heart of a beast,the 3.3-liter flat-six engine that was painstakingly upgraded with Porsche’s Werksleistungssteigerung (WLS), meaning “Factory Performance Increase.” This package included a host of significant modifications such as an enlarged K27 turbocharger, optimised ignition timing and fuel injection, a larger wastegate, and a free-flowing exhaust system with quad tips. To manage the heat generated by this uprated power plant, a massive front-mounted oil cooler was added. These tweaks resulted in an impressive 330 horsepower,30 more than the standard 911 Turbo,and considerably improved the car’s top speed and acceleration.

Crucially, the 911 Turbo S ‘WLS’ did not gain much weight from these upgrades, making it a potent and nimble performer. Its power was delivered through the highly regarded five-speed G50 transaxle, providing smoother and faster gear changes, adding to its prowess on the road.

Visually, the Turbo S retained the classic, aggressive styling of the 930 Turbo, with its wide fenders, iconic “tea-tray” rear spoiler, and muscular stance. However, beneath its unmistakable exterior lay one of the most advanced versions of Porsche’s rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive architecture ever built. The car’s weight distribution, combined with the enormous power boost from the WLS package, provided a driving experience that few other vehicles could match in 1989.

The interior of the Turbo S was just as exclusive as its mechanical components. Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur program allowed customers to personalise nearly every element of the car’s cabin, from hand-stitched leather seats to custom gauges and special interior trims. This level of personalization ensured that no two Turbo S models were exactly alike, adding to the mystique and rarity of this model.

The Porsche 911 Turbo S ‘WLS’ represents not only the final chapter of the 930 generation but also the beginning of Porsche’s commitment to bespoke, high-performance models. It’s a car that sits at the intersection of rarity, performance, and craftsmanship. With only 55 units produced,many of which were sold to Porsche VIPs in Germany,the Turbo S was, and remains, an enigma, coveted by Porsche enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The 911 Turbo S ‘WLS’ is a piece of Porsche history. It is the embodiment of the brand’s philosophy of constant improvement, where the limits of performance and exclusivity are always being pushed. Even today, this limited-edition 911 Turbo continues to be a benchmark for Porsche’s most extreme, limited-run models, such as the modern 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series.

In the pantheon of Porsche, the 911 Turbo S ‘WLS’ Coupe occupies a unique position, forever enshrined as the ultimate iteration of the legendary 930 Turbo,an exquisite blend of performance and exclusivity that few cars can match.