As you’ll no doubt be aware, 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911 Turbo - a car that not only rewrote the supercar rulebook, but transformed it entirely. Five decades ago, the 930 introduced Porsche Motorsport technology into a practical road car, giving the supercar segment something it had never seen before: luggage space, 360° sightlines, and a machine that was exploitable rather than intimidating to drive. The Turbo made the supercar usable without sacrificing its thrill.

Sure, there had been turbocharged sports cars before the 930, such as the BMW 2002 and Oldsmobile Jetfire, but nothing did more to cement the word turbo as a force to be reckoned with in popular culture. Fast forward to today, and the 911 Turbo has evolved from a 260 bhp, four-speed, rear-wheel-drive “Widowmaker” into a 650 bhp, eight-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel-drive missile. Capable of over 200 mph and reaching 60 mph in under three seconds, it remains the ultimate everyday supercar.

Porsche has every right to celebrate the Turbo's 50-year legacy, and now we have the commemorative edition: the Porsche 911 Turbo 50 Years. Just 1,974 of them will be built, priced from £200,600. And yet, for a car with such heritage, my reaction is one of profound disappointment. And I’m not alone. The consensus online is the same: the 50 Years contains more marketing than meaning. It’s a vessel to clear the last of the production of a car reaching the end of its life cycle, not a genuine celebration of half a century of Turbo brilliance.

The most glaring issue with the 50 Years is its utter lack of distinction. Visually, it’s too subtle - a trait that may align with the Turbo’s reputation as a discreet supercar, but here it feels like a missed opportunity. In a game of spot the difference, only die-hard Porsche aficionados would notice the changes from the Turbo S. Even the alloy wheels are the same ‘Turbo S Exclusive Design’ from the options list. Where are the special aero touches? Where is the power bump to justify that price tag?

So, for a £20,000 premium over the now-discontinued Turbo S, what do you actually get? There are vinyl graphics on the rear wings, meant to evoke the RSR Turbo concept that predated the 930 production model, unique ‘Turbo 50’ badges, and - drum roll please - for the first time ever, the option of a Turbonite finish on the wheels. There are no mechanical updates to speak of - not that the Turbo is particularly lacking in performance, but a commemorative edition should offer something extra.

At least the interior lives up to the billing, with retina-searing McKenzie tartan upholstery throughout, a tasteful nod to the 930. Other details include Turbonite-hued seat belts, controls, stitching, and the Porsche crest on the GT sports steering wheel. The sill plates are now finished in black brushed aluminium, and are illuminated with the Turbo 50 logo. The logo is also embroidered into the headrests, and there’s a single Turbo 50 logo on the back of the left rear seat. Above the glove compartment is an anniversary plaque which bears - of course - the Turbo 50 logo and the individual production number. Last but not least, the clock atop the dashboard also gets the Turbo 50 treatment. I’m reminded of the Friends episode where Joey is dressed head to toe in Stuttgart’s finest.

Heartbreakingly, the 50 Years comes across as yet another exercise by Porsche in extracting more money from their wealthiest clients. And if you needed more evidence of that, Porsche Design will happily sell you a matching chronograph watch inscribed with the build number of your car. Sure, there’s a market for exclusivity, but is this really the best Porsche could offer for such a monumental anniversary?

Those willing to fork out an additional £11,790 can specify the ‘50 Years of Turbo Heritage Design Package’. With this, you get Fuchs-inspired five-spoke alloys finished in hyper silver and white - first seen on the Sport Classic - and the option to unlock Aventurine Green Metallic paint. Inside, the tartan is extended while the dials are given a green finish, and all over the car gold highlights adorn the badging, logos, and embossing. It’s more visual garnish than meaningful. For a car that redefined the supercar, this commemorative edition is a painfully missed opportunity.

What Porsche should have done was go all out. Imagine a Turbo RS50 - lighter by 50 kg, offering GT2-level power, while retaining the security of the all-wheel-drive system. It could feature 918 Spyder bucket seats with optional Pasha cloth. It could even revive the iconic Slantnose, as suggested by Glen Cordle’s brilliant 992 concept. Yes, I accept that legislation would prohibit the idea, but if anyone could find a solution, it would be Porsche.

A concept render by designer Glen Cordle shows just how radical a revival of the Slantnose could have been.

Such a machine would’ve done proper justice to the storied legacy of the 911 Turbo. It would’ve elevated the everyday supercar to a whole new level - not just in price, but in performance and soul. Those wealthy enough to afford such an RS50, and be a member of the Dealer Principal’s Saturday morning four-ball, would gladly pay a significant premium for such a car. And when the marketing men want their additional margins, task the Exclusive Manufaktur division to create a range of bespoke options that pay tribute to the entire Turbo back catalogue, rather than just the 930.

Porsche, you’re better than this. This is a brand that has given us true legends - cars that set benchmarks in performance, design, and innovation. If this is all Zuffenhausen has planned for the 911 Turbo’s 50th anniversary, it feels like a cop-out. But I remain hopeful. Perhaps the GT department still has something special up its sleeve - something cut from a different (tartan) cloth.