1986 Porsche 944 Turbo Coupe

Description

Launched in 1982, Porsche’s 944 was everything the 924 should have been, with more muscular styling and an engine developed in-house by Zuffenhausen’s engineers.  The 944’s heart was a sophisticated 2.5-litre all-alloy four that was essentially half the 928’s V8, fitted with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection and Digital Motor Electronics (DME) to control the ignition timing.  With two valves per cylinder and a 10.6:1 compression ratio, the 2479cc four developed 163 bhp at 5800 rpm and a maximum torque figure of 151 lbs/ft at 3000 rpm.  Aggressively flared guards recalled the 924 Carrera GT, hiding revised suspension and ventilated disc brakes, along with Fuchs alloy wheels and 205/55 VR16 tyres.  With near perfect weight distribution thanks to the rear transaxle, the 944 enjoyed superb handling, while the 944’s relatively light (1180 kg) weight allowed for an impressive top speed of 220 km/h.  Known internally as the 951, the Turbo variant was added in 1985, the KKK turbocharger boosting power to 220 bhp at 5800rpm, along with firmer suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, uprated Brembo brakes lifted from the 911 and revised frontal styling.  To handle the extra heat generated by the turbo, Porsche added an oil cooler and an additional one for the transmission, itself strengthened and given a different final drive ratio.  Capable of hitting 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 245 km/h, the 944 Turbo was a seriously quick motor car.  Voted as one of the ten best cars in America for four years running by Car & Driver magazine, the 944 has undergone something of a renaissance in recent years, with values steadily rising as collectors and enthusiasts begin to appreciate the model’s many virtues.