Porsche 944 Spotters guide.

1981 brought about the introduction of the third front engined Porsche, the 944, It was constructed with a combination of 924 and 928 elements. The coupe bodywork was derived from the 924 Carrera GT homologation model. It features larger flared wheel arches in steel and a polyurethane front spoiler with larger wheels, giving the car a more muscular appearance. It was powered by a four cylinder 2.5 litre, single overhead camshaft engine which was in effect half of the 928 V8 but with a slightly larger bore. To compensate for the roughness that can occur in high capacity four cylinder engines two balance shafts were incorporated to counterbalance the forces upon the engine. The 944 was laid out in a similar fashion to the other two front engined models, with a torque tube running down the back bone of the car between the engine and Audi transaxle. From 1984 the 944 was supplied with power steering.

Porsche 944 Turbo

1985 saw the release of the 944 Turbo, it closely resembled the standard 944 but with the addition of a rear tray spoiler underneath the rear bumper and a redesigned more aerodynamic from bumper with extra vents to direct air to the front mounted intercooler. The windscreen was also fitted flush with the frame. Electric adjust seats and a new oval dashboard was fitted. The 2.5 engine was fitted with a kkk turbo which necessitated extra strengthening to the cylinder walls and stronger forged pistons were fitted. To balance out the extra power changes were made throughout the cars running gear. The suspension was uprated, the braking was improved and the gearbox and differential was strengthened. The car was now capable of 220bhp 153 mph and a 0-60 time of just 6.1 seconds. In 1988 when the 944 s2 was introduced the turbo was produced in a limited number of a 1000 turbo s models and recieved a bigger turbo, wider wheels and a limited slip differential pushing the power and performance further to a staggering 250bhp. But this specification became the only one available in its final years 1989 and 1990. Production of the 944 turbo ceased in 1991 after a production run in the region of 51,000

 

Porsche 944S

In 1987 a new variation of the 944 was introduced, supposedly to fill the gap between the 160bhp 944 and the 220bhp 944 turbo, It was known as the 944S externally the same a s the standard model but it recieved the 16 valve cylinder head of the 928S, It was also fittied with a new bosch digital engine electronics system and used two knock sensors. The four valve engine not only improved power, but it also gave greater torque, but unfortunately mainly in the mid and upper rev ranges, so the car had to be rev'ed higher to make use of the available power. It was fitted with the turbos gearbox but with adjusted ratios and suspension. The S could reach 142mph and had a 0-60 time of 7.9 seconds.

 

Porsche 944 S2

1989 saw the introduction of the 944 S2 and the first front engined cabriolet. The S2 had now received the Turbos smoother more modern styling. The double overhead cam 16 valve engine was lightened and had its cylinder capacity enlarged to 3 litres. It was now developing 211bhp.The turbo's five speed box was used and ABS was fitted as standard. The S2 could reach 149mph and reach 60 in 6.5 seconds.

Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet

Was the same in specification as the 944 S2 but it featured a slightly lower windscreen and an electrically operated roof. There was some extra weight from the additional floor an members, front and rear door jam braces and floor pan cross members. Rear luggage space was reduced to make space for roof storage. In 1991 before the 944 ceased production a turbo cabriolet was made in very limited numbers it had the 944 turbos higher specification with sports suspension and air conditioning.

The 944 ceased production in 1991 and was replaced with the 968