Porsche produced a high performance sports car, the 944 from 1982 until 1991. The Porsche 944 was introduced to replace the
Porsche 924 as the entry-level model. The 944 was very successful during the 1980s in all variations such as the 944, the 944S, the 944 Turbo, and the 944S2. The Porsche 944 would eventually be replaced by the
Porsche 968.
The 944 was released for sale in 1982 with a 2.5 liter straight four engine. The 944 had a very updated body and Porsche had worked to improve its brakes, engines, and other mechanical parts. The 944 also used the balance shaft technology borrowed from Mitsubishi that would cut down on the vibration. In 1985 the 944 was updated with interior ergonomics, an improved air-conditioning system, and a change in the location of the radio antenna. The alternator of the 944 was also upgraded from a 90 amp to a 115 amp. Porsche also gave the 944 a larger fuel tank, heated and powered seats, an upgraded starter, and new phone dial style wheels.
The 944 Turbo was introduced in 1985 and was a high performance version of the 944. This variant had a turbocharged and intercooled version of the same engine that produced 220 horsepower. The turbo variant also had a stronger gearbox, wider wheels, upgraded suspension system, and improved aerodynamics.
Just two years later in 1987 another variant of the 944, the 944S was introduced. This variant of the 944 had a bit more power due to a sixteen-valve engine. Anti lock brakes were also offered as well as dual airbags the next year. The regular 944 engine was upgraded to a 2.7 engine while Porsche introduced the 944S2 that was powered by a 3.0-liter engine and was available in a convertible body style as well. Plans for a 944S3 were well under way when Porsche decided it was becoming an entirely different vehicle and simply named it the Porsche 968. The Porsche 944 would sell well, with more than 113,000 units being sold from 1982 until 1989 with almost 60,000 of those being exported to the United States and that was just the standard 944!
