Goodyear has renewed its sponsorship of the 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo from the Museu do Caramulo collection, notable for being the Stuttgart brand’s first turbocharged model.
The sponsorship was carried out through the supply of a set of four Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 tyres, which incorporate three new technologies – Mileage Plus, Wet Braking Pro and Dry Stability Plus. These provide up to 50 per cent more mileage and shorten braking distances on both dry and wet surfaces. The high elasticity and flexibility of the tread also reduce fractures caused by adverse road conditions, while a greater number of longer gripping edges help evacuate water more efficiently, enhancing the driving sensations offered by the Porsche 911 Turbo of the Museu do Caramulo.
Unveiled at the Paris International Motor Show in 1974, the 911 Turbo, codenamed 930, was intended to sit at the top of the German marque’s range at a time when its domestic automotive industry was in the midst of an economic recession.
The model was developed from the three-litre engine of the Carrera 3.0, a unit that had reached the limit of its natural development but, once equipped with a turbocharger, revealed further potential.
In order to keep the new model’s power under control, Porsche engineers implemented a series of modifications to the transmission, bodywork and suspension. Interestingly, the new gearbox (Type 930 version) – with just four ratios and stronger gears designed to transmit all the power to the rear wheels – was the reason behind the christening of this new road model from Zuffenhausen.
The mechanical changes introduced to the 911 Turbo enabled it to reach a top speed of 250 km/h and accelerate to 200 km/h in under 20 seconds, making it the fastest road car in the world in 1974.
Launched in 2012, the Museu do Caramulo Sponsorship Programme seeks to create a more direct association between companies or individuals and the vehicles in the museum’s permanent collection, providing dedicated support for their conservation and maintenance over the course of one year.
About Goodyear
Founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling, Goodyear was named after Charles Goodyear (1800–1860), the American inventor of vulcanised rubber – an innovation that would prove revolutionary for the tyre industry. From the outset, the brand’s tyres stood out for their low maintenance requirements, qualities that quickly made them popular in a rapidly expanding automotive market.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Goodyear also ventured into the construction of airships and balloons, launching its first promotional airship in 1925. Since then, the Goodyear Blimp has become one of the most recognisable advertising icons in the United States.
Today, with more than 125 years of experience, Goodyear continues to innovate in tyre development, standing out for advanced technology that combines high performance with reliability and safety.
