porsche 944

The Porsche 944 was a high performance sports car produced by German auto manufacturer Porsche. It was introduced in 1982 to replace the Porsche 924 as their entry level model, although the two cars were sold in parallel for a number of years. Production ended in 1991 when it was replaced by the Porsche 968. The 944 was a huge success for Porsche throughout the 1980s, and was available in several forms throughout its evolution: 944, 944S, 944 Turbo, 944S2, and the 944 Turbo S.

History

The 944 was introduced in 1982 with a 2.5 L straight-4 engine whose design was based on one half of the Porsche 928's V8 engine. Compared to the 924, the 944 had updated bodywork and many improved parts such as its engine, brakes etc.

The 944's engine used the patented balance shaft technology developed by Mitsubishi Motors (as used in the 2.6 L Astron engine) to minimise vibration. Porsche had to pay Mitsubishi a fee of $8 for every engine using this system.

In mid-1985 the 944's underwent its first significant changes. The interior's ergonomics and air conditioning system was improved and the radio antenna also moved from a standard vertical position to being embedded in the windshield. The alternator was upgraded from a 90 amp alternator to a 115 amp alternator. Other changes included a change in oil sump capacity, new front and rear cast aluminum control arms and semi-trailing arms, a larger fuel tank, optional heated and powered seats, revised starter, and revisions in the mounting of the transaxle to reduce noise and vibration. The "cookie cutter" style wheels used in the early 944s were upgraded to the new "phone dial" style wheels.

In 1985 Porsche introduced the 944 Turbo, a higher-performance variant, known internally as the 951. This had a turbocharged and intercooled version of the standard car's engine that produced 220 bhp (164 kW) at 6000 rpm. The Turbo also featured several other revisions, such as improved aerodynamics, a strengthened gearbox, wider wheels and uprated suspension. Major engine component revisions, more than 30 in all, were made to the 951 to compensate for increased internal loads and heat.

In 1987 a "Super" version, the 944S (naturally-aspirated), was introduced while dual air-bags and an anti-lock braking system were introduced as options on the base model. The 944S had a little more power thanks in part to the series' first sixteen valve engine, as well as other slight improvements. For the 87 model year, ABS anti-lock brakes became an available option.

In 1988 Porsche introduced the 944 Turbo S. The 944 Turbo S performance numbers were excellent with 247 hp (vs. 217 hp on the standard 944 Turbo) and 250 ft·lbf torque (vs 243 ft·lbf). These higher engine performance numbers were achieved by using a larger turbo housing on the exhaust side, a re-mapped DME/KLR engine computer, and larger sodium cooled exhaust valves. In June of 1988, Car and Driver's road test of the 944 Turbo S demonstrated 0-60 mph times of 5.5 seconds and a quarter mile time of 13.9 seconds at 101 mph.

Other changes for the 944 Turbo S included Koni adjustable shocks front and rear with ride height adjustment threaded collars on the front struts and progressive springs, larger rear torsion bars, harder bushings throughout, and larger sway bars front and rear. The 944 Turbo S wheels were 16" forged and flat-dished, similar to the 928 at the time, and 8 inch wide 225/50 Z-rated tires in the front and 9 inch wide and 245/45 in the rear. The transmission of the 944 Turbo S had 1st and 2nd gears hardened and an external cooler to deal with the extra power and a limited slip differential was standard. The 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S front brakes were borrowed from the Porsche 928 S4, with larger calipers and rotors and ABS was also standard.

In 1989 the 'S' was dropped from the 944 Turbo S, and all 944 Turbos featured the 'S' package as standard. The regular 944 displacement was increased to a 2.7 L engine. This was the only year for the 2.7 L, as this year saw the introduction of the 944S2 with a 3.0 L engine displacement which saw sales through 1991. The 944S2 had the same rounded nose and a rear valance found on the Turbo model. The S2 was also available as a cabriolet, a first for the 944 line.

The most prized example of the 944, was the 944 Turbo Cabriolet. Only 200 of these cars were ever produced in RHD form. Extremely rare and very quick it was the ultimate incarnation of the 944 road car. The roof was quiet and reliable and the convertible was capable of 160+ mph. Held by many to be the ultimate incarnation of the 944, it is greatly prized by its lucky owners.

In early 1990, Porsche engineers began working on what they had intended to be the third evolution of the 944, the S3. Once invested into the development process, they realized that so many parts were being changed that their "evolution" had really amassed to an almost entirely new vehicle. Porsche quickly rethought their plans, and shifted development from a 944 S3 to a car that would replace the 944 entirely, dubbed 968. The 968 debuted in 1992 and was sold alongside the 928 through 1995, when both models were discontinued.

Production

944

A total of 113,070 944s were made between 1982 and 1989, with 56,921 being exported to the United States.

A popular colour for this model was Bronze Red.

944 Turbo (951)

A total of 25,107 944 Turbos were made, with 14,235 being exported to the United States.

* - Includes 1000 Turbo S
† - Includes 625 Turbo Cabriolet. A different source, Jerry Sloniger's article in the October 1991 issue of Excellence indicates that the factory built 525, of which 255 were exported to markets outside Germany.

"SP" designates a sport package option.

944S

A total of 12,936 944S were made between 1987-1988, with 8,688 being exported to the United States. Torque was a problem at low RPM, power curve started at 5,000 rpm to 6,800 rpm.

944S2

A total of at least 6,439 944S2 were made between 1989-1991, with 1,929 being exported to the United States. An additional 5640 944S2 cabriolets were produced in these years, with 2,402 being exported to the United States. During its time, the 944 S2 had the largest 4-cylinder petrol engine in the world (3.0L). The 944 S2 is arguably the best choice among the 944's for daily driving because its gas mileage is marginally better than the Turbo's and it has more low-end torque than the 944 Turbo. The 944S2 has considerable horsepower for a normally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine with 208 hp for the US model. The Turbo remains faster in stock form, however, and simple modifications to the Turbo will make it substantially faster than any naturally-aspirated offering in the 944 or 968 series.

944S2 Cabriolet

944 Special Edition

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Awards

The 944 was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list from 1983 through 1985, and the Turbo made the list for 1986.

References

• Wood, J (1997). Porsche: The Legend. Parragon. ISBN 0-75252-072-5.
• The 924/944/968 FAQ
  

Version 1.8.2
17 January 2006
The current FAQ maintainer is Kevin Gross, who can be reached at kgross@connact.com . Dennis Mitsch, Jim Pasha, Michael Bremer, Clint Cummings, H. Shrikumar, Michael Kehr, Bob Joyce, George Beuselinck, Albert Broadfoot, Leonard Zech, Walter Spector, Pete Dillon, Marc Belanger, Ryoji Sumida, and many others have contributed to the care and feeding of the FAQ and to the authorship of the information contained within it.

External links

• 1982 Porsche 944 at official Porsche website
• 1983 Porsche 944 at official Porsche website
• 1984 Porsche 944 at official Porsche website
• 1985 Porsche 944 and 944 Turbo at official Porsche website
• 1986 Porsche 944 and 944 Turbo at official Porsche website
• 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo Cup at official Porsche website
• 1987 Porsche 944, 994 S, and 944 Turbo at official Porsche website
• 1988 Porsche 944, 994 S, 944 Turbo, and 944 Turbo S at official Porsche website
• 1989 Porsche 944, 944 S2 Coupé and Cabrio, and 944 Turbo at official Porsche website
• 1990 Porsche 944, 944 S2 Coupé and Cabrio, and 944 Turbo at official Porsche website
• http://content3.us.porsche.com/prod/pag/classic.nsf/usaenglish/porschecars_944_1991_story?OpenDocument&popup

1991 Porsche 944 S2 Coupé and Cabrio and 944 Turbo Coupé and Cabrio at official Porsche website]

• The 944 FAQ
• Clark's Garage
• Porsche 944 photo gallery