WHEN the Porsche 911 Turbo was launched back in 1974 it set new sports car standards.

Fitted with a new, turbocharged 260bhp 3.0-litre version of the company's air-cooled flat-six engine, the original 911 Turbo had a top speed of 155mph and was for a long time Germany's fastest road-going sports car.

Throughout the subsequent three decades, the 911 Turbo has been subject to an ongoing process of development.

To this day, the combination of acceleration, dynamic performance and braking power offered by the current 911 Turbo continues to set the model apart from its peers.

Now featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre, water-cooled version of the classic flat-six engine, the maximum output of the latest 911 Turbo S is 450bhp and the top speed is 190mph.

Of course, since the 1994 model year, the 911 Turbo has also featured all-wheel drive in the interests of optimised cornering grip and enhanced stability.

Porsche has proved the durability of its turbo technology in motor sport.

The lineage can be traced back to the phenomenal turbocharged, 12-cylinder 1100bhp 917/30 Can-Am racers of 1973.

However, the record of achievement behind the flat-six engine is equally impressive. Victories in the Le Mans 24 Hour race in France have been achieved by charismatic models such as the 935 and the dominant 956/962 Group C racers, and most recently by the 911 GT1 in 1998.

Right up to the present day, Porsche continues to play an active role in international motor sport with the turbocharged 911 GT2 model.

The latest Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S, in combination with the new 997 generation 911, represent the strongest 911 line-up yet. And the outstanding performance, acceleration and luxury that distinguish all Porsches - and the 911 range in particular - seem set to ensure the 911 Turbo will continue to lead the field for many more years.

Updated: 11:21 Friday, September 03, 2004