The Porsche 944 was 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 1990s, but major revisions planned for a 944 S3 model were eventually rolled into the 968 instead, which replaced the 944. The 944 was a successful model and was available as both a coupe and cabriolet in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms.
Porsche made a new all-alloy 2.5 litre straight-4 engine, a four cylinder engine was chosen for fuel efficiency and size, because it had to be fitted from below on the Neckarsulm production line. To overcome the unbalanced secondary forces that make other four cylinder engines feel harsh, Porsche included two counter rotating balance shafts running at twice engine speed. balance shafts carry eccentric weights which produce inertial forces that balance out the unbalanced secondary forces, making a four cylinder engine feel as smooth as a six cylinder. The engine was factory-rated at 150 hp. in its U.S. configuration. Revised bodywork with wider wheel arches. Porsche introduced the 944 for 1982 to great anticipation. In addition to being slightly faster, the 944 was better equipped and more refined than the 924, it had better handling and stopping power and was more comfortable to drive. 0-60 mph time 8.3 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph The car had nearly even front to rear weight distribution (50.7% front/49.3% rear)
In 1986 Porsche introduced the 944 Turbo, that produced 220 hp at 6000 rpm. The turbo was the world's first car using a ceramic portliner to retain exhaust gas temperature.
The 1987 model year, the 944 was updated to incorporate Anti-lock braking and airbags for increased safety. In early 1989 before the release of the 944S2, Porsche upgraded the 944 from the 2.5 liter engine to a 2.7 liter engine rated 162 hp the new engine featured a siamesed-cylinder block design and a different cylinder head which incorporated larger valves.The 944S featured a normally aspirated, dual overhead cam 16 valves 189 hp version of the 2.5 litre engine. This marked the first use of four valves per cylinder in the 944 series. Performance was quoted as 0 – 60 mph in 7.6 seconds 140 mph top speed. (non-TURBO)
In 1988, Porsche introduced the Turbo S option package. The 944 Turbo S had a more powerful engine with 247 hp 260 lb·ft torque the standard 944 Turbo 217 hp and 243 lb·ft. In June 1988, Car and Driver tested the 944 Turbo S a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds and a quarter mile time of 13.9 seconds at 101 mph Top speed was factory rated at 162 mph. In 1989 the 'S' designation was dropped from the 944 Turbo S, and all 944 Turbos featured the 'S' package as standard.
1989 944S2 was introduced, and powered by a 208 hp 3.0 L engine, the largest production 4 cylinder engine of its time. The 944S2 had the same rounded nose and a rear valance found on the Turbo model. This was the first example of the use of an integrated front bumper, where the fender & hood profiles would merge smoothly with the bumper...a design feature that has only now seen widespread adoption on nearly all cars. The S2 was also available as a cabriolet, a first for the 944 line. Performance was quoted as 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds with a top speed 150 mph.
1990, Porsche engineers began working on what they had intended to be the third evolution of the 944, the S3. As they progressed with 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.
1991 Porsche released the 944 Turbo Cabriolet, which combined the Turbo's 250 hp engine with the cabriolet body. 625 were built 100 were right hand drive. None were imported to the U.S.
Collectibillity :The number of surviving 944s is falling due to the high maintenance costs.The post-1985 cars, Turbos, and S variants are considered more desirable than the earlier cars; having improved interiors, suspensions, and engines. The pre-1985 cars are valued due to their lighter curb weight and "no-nonsense" interior layout.
The Porsche 944 has proven to be successful and increasingly popular in amateur road course racing.The 944-Spec class caters to the 1983 to 1988 8-valve 944, and the 944 Cup series has classes for all 924/944/968 and 944 Turbo models. Competitive racing events are held by the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) and other organizations, as well as compatible rules that allow the same cars to race with theSports Car Club of America (SCCA) and Porsche Owner's Club. In total 163,192 cars in the 944 family were produced between 1982 and 1991. A total of 25,245 944 Turbos were made, with 13,982 being exported to the United States.
1983 - 1987 944 2.5L 150 hp (0-60 8.3 secs Top Speed 130mph)
1988 - 1988 944 2.5L 158 hp
1987 - 1988 944S 2.5L 189 hp (0-60 7.6 secs Top Speed 140mph)
1989 944 2.7 L 162 hp
1989 - 1991 944S2 3.0L 208 hp (0-60 6.6 secs Top Speed 150mph)
1986 - 1988 944 Turbo 220 hp
1988 - 1991 944 Turbo S 247 hp (0-60 5.5 secs Top Speed 162mph)
Porsche made a new all-alloy 2.5 litre straight-4 engine, a four cylinder engine was chosen for fuel efficiency and size, because it had to be fitted from below on the Neckarsulm production line. To overcome the unbalanced secondary forces that make other four cylinder engines feel harsh, Porsche included two counter rotating balance shafts running at twice engine speed. balance shafts carry eccentric weights which produce inertial forces that balance out the unbalanced secondary forces, making a four cylinder engine feel as smooth as a six cylinder. The engine was factory-rated at 150 hp. in its U.S. configuration. Revised bodywork with wider wheel arches. Porsche introduced the 944 for 1982 to great anticipation. In addition to being slightly faster, the 944 was better equipped and more refined than the 924, it had better handling and stopping power and was more comfortable to drive. 0-60 mph time 8.3 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph The car had nearly even front to rear weight distribution (50.7% front/49.3% rear)
In 1986 Porsche introduced the 944 Turbo, that produced 220 hp at 6000 rpm. The turbo was the world's first car using a ceramic portliner to retain exhaust gas temperature.
The 1987 model year, the 944 was updated to incorporate Anti-lock braking and airbags for increased safety. In early 1989 before the release of the 944S2, Porsche upgraded the 944 from the 2.5 liter engine to a 2.7 liter engine rated 162 hp the new engine featured a siamesed-cylinder block design and a different cylinder head which incorporated larger valves.The 944S featured a normally aspirated, dual overhead cam 16 valves 189 hp version of the 2.5 litre engine. This marked the first use of four valves per cylinder in the 944 series. Performance was quoted as 0 – 60 mph in 7.6 seconds 140 mph top speed. (non-TURBO)
In 1988, Porsche introduced the Turbo S option package. The 944 Turbo S had a more powerful engine with 247 hp 260 lb·ft torque the standard 944 Turbo 217 hp and 243 lb·ft. In June 1988, Car and Driver tested the 944 Turbo S a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds and a quarter mile time of 13.9 seconds at 101 mph Top speed was factory rated at 162 mph. In 1989 the 'S' designation was dropped from the 944 Turbo S, and all 944 Turbos featured the 'S' package as standard.
1989 944S2 was introduced, and powered by a 208 hp 3.0 L engine, the largest production 4 cylinder engine of its time. The 944S2 had the same rounded nose and a rear valance found on the Turbo model. This was the first example of the use of an integrated front bumper, where the fender & hood profiles would merge smoothly with the bumper...a design feature that has only now seen widespread adoption on nearly all cars. The S2 was also available as a cabriolet, a first for the 944 line. Performance was quoted as 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds with a top speed 150 mph.
1990, Porsche engineers began working on what they had intended to be the third evolution of the 944, the S3. As they progressed with 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.
1991 Porsche released the 944 Turbo Cabriolet, which combined the Turbo's 250 hp engine with the cabriolet body. 625 were built 100 were right hand drive. None were imported to the U.S.
Collectibillity :The number of surviving 944s is falling due to the high maintenance costs.The post-1985 cars, Turbos, and S variants are considered more desirable than the earlier cars; having improved interiors, suspensions, and engines. The pre-1985 cars are valued due to their lighter curb weight and "no-nonsense" interior layout.
The Porsche 944 has proven to be successful and increasingly popular in amateur road course racing.The 944-Spec class caters to the 1983 to 1988 8-valve 944, and the 944 Cup series has classes for all 924/944/968 and 944 Turbo models. Competitive racing events are held by the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) and other organizations, as well as compatible rules that allow the same cars to race with theSports Car Club of America (SCCA) and Porsche Owner's Club. In total 163,192 cars in the 944 family were produced between 1982 and 1991. A total of 25,245 944 Turbos were made, with 13,982 being exported to the United States.
1983 - 1987 944 2.5L 150 hp (0-60 8.3 secs Top Speed 130mph)
1988 - 1988 944 2.5L 158 hp
1987 - 1988 944S 2.5L 189 hp (0-60 7.6 secs Top Speed 140mph)
1989 944 2.7 L 162 hp
1989 - 1991 944S2 3.0L 208 hp (0-60 6.6 secs Top Speed 150mph)
1986 - 1988 944 Turbo 220 hp
1988 - 1991 944 Turbo S 247 hp (0-60 5.5 secs Top Speed 162mph)
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