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Porsche 944

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Porsche 944
944S in Bronze Red
Overview
ManufacturerPorsche
Production1982–1991
DesignerPorsche
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
Body style2-door coupe
2-door convertible
LayoutFR layout
Powertrain
Engine2.5 L I4
2.7 L I4
3.0 L I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase2400 mm (94 in)
Length4290 mm (169 in)
Curb weight1330 kg (2932 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorPorsche 924
SuccessorPorsche 968

The 944 is a sports car built by Porsche from 1982 to 1991. It replaced the 924 as Porsche's entry level model, although 924 production continued through 1988. The 944 was intended to last into the 1990s, but major revisions planned for a 944S3 model were eventually rolled into the 968 instead, which replaced the 944. The 944 was a huge success and was available as both a coupe and cabriolet in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms.

History and model overview

1984 Porsche 944

Porsche's earlier 924 had originally been an Audi project, designed under contract for them by Porsche. When Audi abandoned ship in favor of their all-wheel-drive Quattro Coupe, Porsche purchased the design as the replacement for the 912E and 914. The vehicle drove and handled well and garnered good press, but was hampered by its weak VW-sourced engine; Porsche introduced a Turbocharged 924 to help performance, but there were engine-cooling issues and the price was considered high for the time, which hampered sales. Rather than scrap the design entirely and engineer a fresh replacement, Porsche's executives decided to take an evolutionary standpoint on development of the 924, much as they had with generations of the 911; although model numbers would change, the 924 would provide the core basis for its replacement, the new model would be an evolution of the old.

Using the 924 as a starting point, Porsche thoroughly re-worked the platform and scrapped the Volkswagen engine, installing in its place a new 2.5 litre straight-4 engine based on the 928's 5.0 litre V8, although very few parts were actually interchangeable. The engine was factory-rated at 144 bhp in its U.S. configuration. Revised bodywork, similar to that of the 924 Turbo and 924 Carrera GT, a fresh interior and upgrades to the braking and suspension systems rounded out the major changes. Porsche introduced the 944 for the 1982 model year to great anticipation. In addition to being faster, the 944 was more luxurious and more refined than the 924, it had better handling and stopping power and was more comfortable to drive. The factory-claimed 0-60 mph time of over 9 seconds was actually rather modest, and seems to presume full clutch engagement at low rpm (i.e. minimal clutch slipping and no wheelspin). In fact a more dramatic acceleration would result from a high-rpm clutch-drop, and the car is more than capable of "burning rubber." The factory-claimed top speed of 130 mph, on the other hand, seems a bit optimistic based on most driver experiences.[citation needed]

In mid-1985 the 944 underwent its first significant changes. A new dash and new door panels, an embedded radio antenna, an upgraded alternator (from a 90 amp to a 115 amp), increased oil sump capacity, new front and rear cast aluminum control arms and semi-trailing arms, a larger fuel tank, optional heated and powered seats, a Porsche HiFi sound system, and revisions in the mounting of the transaxle to reduce noise and vibration all debuted. The "cookie cutter" style wheels used in the early 944s were upgraded to new "phone dial" style wheels. 1985 model year cars incorporating these changes are sometimes referred to as "1985B" or "1985 1/2" cars.

944 Turbo (951)

In 1985 Porsche introduced the 944 Turbo, a higher-performance variant, known internally as the 951 (952 for right-hand drive models). This had a turbocharged and intercooled version of the standard car's engine that produced 220 hp (217 in the US) at 6000 rpm. The turbo was the world's first car using a ceramic portliner to lower temperatures inside the engine. 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 thirty in all, were made to the 951 to compensate for increased internal loads and heat.

1987 Porsche 944 Turbo

In 1987, the naturally-aspirated 944S ("Super") variant was introduced. The 944S had a more powerful engine (190 bhp), which marked the first use of four valve per cylinder heads in the 944 series. Also in 1987, dual air-bags and an anti-lock brake system were introduced as options on the base model. Wheel offset was increased from Template:Auto mm to 52 mm to provide clearance for the optional ABS brakes.

In 1988 Porsche introduced the 944 Turbo S. The 944 Turbo S had a more powerful engine (designation number M44/52) with 247 hp (compared to the standard 944 Turbo's 220 or 217 hp) and Template:Auto ft.lbf torque (versus 243 ft·lbf). This higher output was achieved by using a larger turbo housing on the exhaust side, and a remapped engine computer. In June of 1988, Car and Driver tested the 944 Turbo S and achieved a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds and a quarter mile time of 13.9 seconds at 101 mph (163 km/h). The intake manifold features an additional vacuum port for two total vacuum ports.

The 944 Turbo S's suspension was significantly upgraded with Koni adjustable shocks front and rear, ride height adjustment threaded collars on the front struts, progressive springs, larger rear torsion bars, harder bushings throughout, larger 26.8mm sway bars in the front, and chassis stiffening brackets in the front for the struts. The air conditioning dryer lines are routed differently to clear the front frame brace on the drivers side. The 944 Turbo S wheels, known as the Club Sport design, were 16" forged and flat-dished, similar to the contemporary 928. Wheel widths were 7.5 inches (191 mm) in the front, and 9 inches (229 mm) in the rear; sizes of the Z-rated tires were 225/50 in the front and 245/45 in the rear. The rear fender edges were rolled to accommodate the larger wheels. The transmission (case code designation: AOR) of the 944 Turbo S had hardened first and second gears including synchros, an external cooler to deal with the extra power, and a standard limited slip differential with a 40% lockup. The Turbo S front brakes were borrowed from the Porsche 928 S4, with larger calipers and rotors; ABS was also standard.

The 944 Turbo S interior featured full power seats for both driver and passenger as well as a 10 speaker sound system and equalizer+amp as standard features.

In 1989 the 'S' designation was dropped from the 944 Turbo S, and all 944 Turbos featured the 'S' package as standard. The regular 944's displacement was increased to 2.7 L.

944 S2

In 1989 944S2 was introduced, and powered by a Template:Auto hp 3.0 L engine. 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.

944 cabriolet

In February 1991 Porsche released the 944 Turbo Cabriolet, which combined the Turbo S's Template:Auto hp engine with the cabriolet body. Porsche initially announced that 500 would be made; ultimately 625 were built, 100 of which were right-hand drive for the United Kingdom market. None were imported to the US.

End of the line

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 they had produced an almost entirely new vehicle. Porsche consequently shifted development from the 944 S3 to the car that would replace the 944 entirely, the 968. The 944's final year of production was 1991; in 1992 the 968 debuted. The 968 was sold alongside the 928 through 1995, when both models were discontinued.

Awards

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."

Production

In total 163,192 944s were produced between 1982 and 1991.

944

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

Model Year Production Rest of World US Notes
1982 3921 3921    
1983 14633 9127 5506  
1984 26539 9921 16618  
1985 23720 17553 6167  
1986 17010 6109 10901  
1987 10689 2343 8346  
1988 5965 2226 3731 8 to Aus.
1989 10593 4941 5652  
Totals 113070 56141 56921  

944 Turbo (951)

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

Model Year Production Rest of World US Notes
1985 178 178    
1986 10273 2760 7513  
1987 4955 1546 + 188 SP 3210 + 11 SP  
1988 4097 * 1875 + 94 SP 1874 + 98 SP in addition, 126 SP Can., 30 SP Aus.
1989 4103 1333 1385 1385 Can
1990 1251 1107 144  
1991 875 † 875    
Totals 25107 9331 14235 30 Aus, 1511 Can

* - 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's were made in 1987 and 1988, with 8,688 being exported to the United States.

Model Year Production Rest of World US Notes
1987 5862 2635 3127 100 SP
1988 7074 1305 5562 20 Aus, 188 SP Can
Totals 12936 4040 8688 20 Aus, 188 Can

944S2

A total of at least 6,439 944S2s 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.

Model Year Production Rest of World US Notes
1989 ? ? 970  
1990 3321 2872 449  
1991 3118 2608 510  
Totals     1929  

944S2 Cabriolet

Model Year Production Rest of World US Notes
1989 ? ? 16  
1990 3938 2114 1824  
1991 1702 1140 562  
Totals     2402  

944 Special Editions

Model Year Type Production Notes
1981 944 GTP/R Le Mans 1  
1986-1989 944 Turbo Cup 150 or more

References

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