Porsche 944

The 944 is a sports car built by Porsche from 1982 to 1991. It was built on the same platform as the 924, although 924 production continued through 1988. The 944 was intended to last into the 90s, but major revisions planned for a 944 S3 model were eventually rolled into the 968 instead. The 944 was a successful model and was available as both a coupe and cabriolet in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms.

For the 1986 model year Porsche introduced the 944 Turbo, known internally as the 951. This had a turbocharged and intercooled version of the standard car's engine that produced 220 hp at 6000 rpm. The turbo was the first car using a ceramic portliner to retain exhaust gas temperature. The Turbo also featured other changes, better aerodynamics, a strengthened gearbox with a different final drive ratio, standard external oil coolers for both the engine and transmission, standard 16 inch wheels, and a slightly stiffer suspension.

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

In 1984, Car and Driver named the 944 the Best Handling Production Car in America.

Bookmarks