| If you are already a Porsche buff I don't | | | | referred to as the 951 but the world knew it |
| have to tell you how popular the Porsche 944 | | | | simply as the 944 Turbo. It had the same |
| was and still remains today. If you are knew | | | | basic engine but it was the intercooled |
| to Porsche's your about to meet with some | | | | version and of course it was turbo charged so |
| fascinating reading. So what was the 944 all | | | | you got a whopping 220 BHP at 6000 RPM. |
| about? | | | | |
| | | | 1987 saw the introduction of the 944S - S |
| Porsche has been building great cars for | | | | standing for Super. This model had dual air |
| years but in 1982 it came up with what was | | | | bags and anti lock brakes as standard |
| going to be a real winner. This was the year | | | | equipment. It also had the first 16 valve |
| the first Porsche 944 hit the market. It was | | | | engine with 250 BHP. |
| originally introduced as a replacement for | | | | |
| the Porsche 924. | | | | 1989 The S was no more to be with the |
| | | | equipment from the S model becoming standard |
| This eventually did occur but for a few years | | | | on the 944 model. The engine was replaced to |
| both cars were actually on the market side by | | | | a 4 cylinder 2.7 liter engine. |
| side. From the get go the 944 was | | | | |
| immediately a very popular car available as | | | | In 1990 Porsche released the 944 Series 2 |
| either a 2 door coupe or a 2 door | | | | known as the S2. It was a revision of the |
| convertible. | | | | 944S which had the aerodynamics of the 951. |
| | | | It was also the year the 16 valve 3.0 liter |
| So what was it that made the 944 such a hit? | | | | engine was introduced becoming the most |
| Well there were a few things but mostly it | | | | popular engine ever in the 944. This 16 |
| was the high performance and look of this | | | | valve engine |
| sports car. It was a success right from the | | | | |
| beginning but over the years several models | | | | From 1982 to 1989 113,070 were produced and |
| become available including the 944S, 944S2, | | | | 25,107 Turbo engines were produced. The 944S |
| and the 944 Turbo. | | | | saw a total of 12,936 cars produced and the |
| | | | 944S2 had only 6,439 produced. In the big |
| When first produced it had only the 2.5 liter | | | | picture that's not a lot of cars which is |
| engine but over time there were options which | | | | probably one of the reasons demand remains |
| also included a 2.7 liter and 3.0 liter | | | | strong. |
| engine. Both the 94 inch wheelbase and the | | | | |
| 2932 curb weight also made this car very | | | | Late n 1991 the 944 Series 3 was released but |
| appealing to the sports car enthusiast. | | | | the model number was changed to the 968. It |
| | | | was originally called the 944 S3 but then |
| When the 944 first hit the streets it had a | | | | marketing opted for a name change in the hope |
| straight 4 cyclinder 2.5 liter engine an it | | | | of increasing sales. Technically the 968 was |
| had Mitsubishi's patented balance shaft | | | | the refined version of the 944 offering the |
| technology. And of course it had the look of | | | | best of the best. It also offered a new nose |
| a sports car too. | | | | and rear end as well as circular headlamps. |
| | | | The 3 liter engine had a horsepower increase |
| It wasn't until 1985 that it had any major | | | | of 240 HP and performance was optimized using |
| changes done to it. Those changes included | | | | the Variocam. The 968 was built up until |
| some ergonomic changes to the interior, the | | | | 1995. |
| movement of the antenna, and some | | | | |
| improvements to the air conditioning. | | | | Even though the 944 designation was retired |
| Optional heated seat were also added, as were | | | | in 1991it didn't mean this was a car of the |
| powered seats, a larger fuel tank, and some | | | | past and it certainly didn't result in the |
| technology to reduce noise. | | | | sales dwindling. Instead it remains more |
| | | | popular than ever. In fact today it remains |
| They also introduced the Turbo model in 1985. | | | | a "must have" car in the Porsche world. |
| Within the Porsche Corporation it was | | | | |