The Porsche 944 is a sports car that was manufactured by the German automobile manufacturer Porsche from 1982 until 1991. It is notable for its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and was developed as a successor to the Porsche 924. The 944 was available in both coupé and cabriolet body styles and came with either naturally aspirated or turbocharged engines. Over its production run, more than 163,000 units were produced, making it one of the most successful sports cars in Porsche’s history until the introduction of the Boxster and the 997 Carrera.
Design and Development
The design of the Porsche 944 was overseen by head designer Anatole Lapine, who drew inspiration from earlier models like the 924 Carrera GT prototype. The car featured distinctive pop-up headlights and an aggressive stance characterized by its wide body and sculpted lines. The prototype of the 944 made its debut at the Le Mans race in 1981 under the name “924 GTP,” showcasing many technologies that would be incorporated into the production model.
Engine Specifications
The standard engine for the Porsche 944 was a 2.5-liter inline-four unit that produced approximately 150 horsepower (112 kW). This engine was derived from a modified version of Porsche’s V8 engine used in the larger 928 model. In addition to this base model, several variants were introduced over time:
- 944 Turbo: Launched in 1985, this version featured a turbocharged engine producing up to 220 PS (162 kW), significantly enhancing performance with a 0-100 km/h time of just under six seconds.
- 944 S: Introduced in 1987, it offered a high-performance naturally aspirated version of the engine with dual overhead camshafts, producing around 190 PS (140 kW)^[2].
- 944 S2: Released in late 1989, this model upgraded to a larger displacement engine of about 3.0 liters, generating up to 211 PS (155 kW).
Performance and Features
The Porsche 944 was well-regarded for its handling dynamics due to its near-perfect weight distribution (approximately 50.7% front / 49.3% rear) achieved through its transaxle setup1. This configuration not only improved balance but also contributed to better driving characteristics compared to many contemporaries.
In terms of safety innovations, by the late ’80s, models like the Turbo were among the first vehicles globally to feature driver and passenger airbags as standard equipment. Additionally, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) became available on all models during this period.
Motorsport Heritage
The Porsche 944 also had a significant presence in motorsport. A dedicated racing series called the “Turbo Cup” was established for modified versions of the Turbo model across several countries including Germany and North America. These race cars underwent extensive modifications that enhanced their performance capabilities beyond those of standard road-going versions.
