 |  |
1986 Porsche Rothmans Cup 944 news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
In 1981 at the Frankfurt auto show, the Porsche 944 was announced to the world. The Porsche 944 was introduced in 1983 as a replacement for the 92 and served as an entry level sports car until it was replaced by the Porsche 968 in 1991. It was based on the 924 and had the same interior instrumentation but had wider wheel arches. During its lifespan the 944 had mechanical and a few aesthetic upgrades, as well as name changes including the 944S, 944 Turbo, and the 944S2.
Powered by 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine built at Porsches Zuffenhausen factory, it was capable of producing 174 horsepower. The engine was placed in the front and powered the rear transaxle. In-line 4-cylidner engines were often plagued with vibrations so Porsche negotiated a deal with Mitsubishi for the use of their 2-balance shafts. A 5-speed manual gearbox was mated to the engine and an optional automatic was available. In 1986, Porsche introduced a turbo version of the 944 and improved the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Internally to Porsche, it was known as the Type 951. By turbo charging the engine, the horsepower was increased to 220 horsepower. To add to the performance of the vehicle, the suspension and gearbox were modified, and wider wheels were used.
The 944 was such an amazing package that for 1983 through 1985, Car and Driver rated it in their Ten Best List. The Turbo version was mentioned in the 1986 list.
In 1985, the interior received upgrades including the instrumentation, electrical system, and drivers power seat. The rear suspension was redesigned and new control arms were added.
In 1986 the warranty on the 944 was increased to 10-year no-rust protection and a 5-year or 50,000 mile drivetrain warranty. A sport suspension was optional as was leather interior. A mandatory third brake light was mounted near the top of the rear glass hatch.
In 1987, the 944S was introduced. The 'S' stood for 'Sport' or 'Super' but it was the safety aspects of the vehicle rather than 'sport' aspects that saw improvements. The braking system was improved with the addition of an ABS (Anti-lock brakes) and the interior was given driver and passenger air bags. A sixteen valve engine was now under the hood and the overall horsepower rating increased slightly to around 188.
In 1988 the 944 Turbo S was introduced. This featured a limited slip differential and a turbocharged engine. The horsepower rating was now at 250.
In 1989 the base 944 engine displacement was increased to 2.7 liters. This increase was short lived because of the introduction of the 944S2 which featured a 3.0 liter displacement.
A 944 S3 was planned but after analysis and design, the conclusion was made that a replacement for the 944 was needed. In 1992, the 968 was introduced and sold in parallel with the 928 until the 1995 model year when production of both vehicles ceased.
The Type 945 represents the 944 model but with right-hand drive. The Type 951 designates the 1985-1991 Turbo version and the Type 952 represents the 1988 944 Turbo S right-hand drive.
During a production run that lasted from 1982 through 1989, 113,070 Porsche 944's were produced. 25,107 were Turbos, 12,936 were 944S and 6,439 were S2.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2005
Powered by 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine built at Porsches Zuffenhausen factory, it was capable of producing 174 horsepower. The engine was placed in the front and powered the rear transaxle. In-line 4-cylidner engines were often plagued with vibrations so Porsche negotiated a deal with Mitsubishi for the use of their 2-balance shafts. A 5-speed manual gearbox was mated to the engine and an optional automatic was available. In 1986, Porsche introduced a turbo version of the 944 and improved the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Internally to Porsche, it was known as the Type 951. By turbo charging the engine, the horsepower was increased to 220 horsepower. To add to the performance of the vehicle, the suspension and gearbox were modified, and wider wheels were used.
The 944 was such an amazing package that for 1983 through 1985, Car and Driver rated it in their Ten Best List. The Turbo version was mentioned in the 1986 list.
In 1985, the interior received upgrades including the instrumentation, electrical system, and drivers power seat. The rear suspension was redesigned and new control arms were added.
In 1986 the warranty on the 944 was increased to 10-year no-rust protection and a 5-year or 50,000 mile drivetrain warranty. A sport suspension was optional as was leather interior. A mandatory third brake light was mounted near the top of the rear glass hatch.
In 1987, the 944S was introduced. The 'S' stood for 'Sport' or 'Super' but it was the safety aspects of the vehicle rather than 'sport' aspects that saw improvements. The braking system was improved with the addition of an ABS (Anti-lock brakes) and the interior was given driver and passenger air bags. A sixteen valve engine was now under the hood and the overall horsepower rating increased slightly to around 188.
In 1988 the 944 Turbo S was introduced. This featured a limited slip differential and a turbocharged engine. The horsepower rating was now at 250.
In 1989 the base 944 engine displacement was increased to 2.7 liters. This increase was short lived because of the introduction of the 944S2 which featured a 3.0 liter displacement.
A 944 S3 was planned but after analysis and design, the conclusion was made that a replacement for the 944 was needed. In 1992, the 968 was introduced and sold in parallel with the 928 until the 1995 model year when production of both vehicles ceased.
The Type 945 represents the 944 model but with right-hand drive. The Type 951 designates the 1985-1991 Turbo version and the Type 952 represents the 1988 944 Turbo S right-hand drive.
During a production run that lasted from 1982 through 1989, 113,070 Porsche 944's were produced. 25,107 were Turbos, 12,936 were 944S and 6,439 were S2.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2005
| Land Rover Celebrates 65 Years | |
 | - April 30th 2013 marks the 65th anniversary of Land Rover - Celebratory event showcases 65 years of Land Rover innovation - Around 150 heritage vehicles attend celebratory event at Packington Estate in the United Kingdom, the original testing ground for Land Rover (MAHWAH, N.J.) April 29, 2013-Land Rover will mark 65years of technology and innovation with a celebratory event at Packington Estate near its Solihull hometown in the United Kingdom. The desire to create a vehicle that...[Read more...] |
| CADILLAC ELR UNDERGOES WINTER CHASSIS TESTING | |
 | Fresh off its award-winning world debut at the North American International Auto Show, the Cadillac ELR is undergoing the real-world extreme testing required to take the extended-range electric luxury coupe from auto show stage to Cadillac showrooms in early 2014. Engineers last week completed winter weather chassis testing on pre-production ELR models in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, evaluating the car's handling in winter weather conditions. More than four inches of fresh snowfall during...[Read more...] |
| 1990 Hungarian Grand Prix: The Third Time's the Charm | |
 | On March 1st, 1992 Williams would debut its new FW14B. On the outside, it would appear no different than the previous year's car. But underneath Newey's design would be an array of technology that would start a revolution in Formula One. Complete with a semi-automatic gearbox, active suspension, anti-lock brakes and traction control, the FW14B was well ahead of its time and it would usher in technology that would be in use more than a decade later. It would dominate the 1992 season and give Nige...[Read more...] |
 1986
Porsche
models |
| Porsche 911 |
| Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo |
| Porsche 928 S |
| Porsche 944 |
| Porsche 944S |
| Porsche 959 |
| Porsche Rothmans Cup Turbo 944 | 1986 Porsche Concepts |
| Porsche 962 |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Aston Martin | Bentley |
| Bugatti | Devon |
| Ferrari | GTA |
| Koenigsegg | Lamborghini |
| Lotus | Maserati |
| Maybach | McLaren |
| Rolls-Royce | Spyker |
| Tesla | |
| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 1986 |
| Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate |
| Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio |
| BMW 635CSi |
| BMW Z1 |
| Chrysler LeBaron |
| Ferrari 308 GTS |
| Ferrari 328 GTS |
| Ford Mustang |
| Maserati BiTurbo |
| Mazda RX-7 |
| Porsche: 1981-1990 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Porsche History |
| Other models by Porsche |
| Manufacturer Website |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| 2005 50TH Annual Porsche Parade. Hershey Pennsylvania |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 356 550/718 Sports Racing Cars 597 904 | 906 907 908 911 | 912 914 917 924 | 928 934/935 944 956 and 962 | 968 Boxster Carrera GT Cayenne | Cayman GT3 Panamera Type 959 |
© 1998-2012. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
