Cars - Porsche 968

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	Cars - Porsche 968

The 968 was an automobile made by Porsche AG of Germany between 1992 and 1995. The 968 replaced the Porsche 944.

The 968 actually started development as a 944 "S3", set to replace the "S2" variant that Porsche had introduced in 1989. However, so many of the 944's components were modified or replaced entirely during development stages that Porsche chose to introduce the variant as a new model, hence the 968 nameplate. It was powered by an updated version of the 944's straight-4 engine, now displacing 3.0 L and producing 240 PS (236 hp/177 kW). The 968's engine was the second-largest 4-cylinder ever offered in a production car, the most powerful naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine ever sold in a production automobile and with a specific output of around 80 hp (60 kW) per litre, it had one of the highest power per litre ratings of any street-legal naturally-aspirated automobile ever sold behind only the Acura (Honda) NSX. This high specific output was partly due to Porsche's VarioCam camshaft phasing device, introduced on this model.

The 968's styling somewhat resembled the 928 although it looks considerably more like a blend of the Type 993 911, which did not appear until the end of the 968's production and a 944 S2. Like the 944, the 968 was sold as both a coupe and a convertible. Much of the 968's chassis was carried over from the 944S2, which in itself shared many components with the 944 Turbo (internally numbered 951). Borrowed components include the Brembo-sourced 4-piston brake calipers on all four wheels, aluminum semi-trailing arms and aluminum front A-arms, used in a Macpherson strut arrangement. The steel unibody structure was also very similar to the previous models. Porsche, however, maintained that the 968 was more than 80% new in total, which merited it having a new nameplate rather than being a 944 S3 as had been planned.

A street-legal race variant, dubbed Club Sport, appeared later on with a stripped-out interior including racing seats, revised suspension and larger wheels and tyres, but was offered only in Europe. A UK-only version called 968 Sport, a Club Sport model with some "comfort" features added back in, was produced in 1994 and 1995. Porsche briefly produced a turbocharged version called Turbo S—15 were produced in total, and again the car was only sold in Europe. The 968 Turbo S was capable (in 1993) of 0–60 mph in 4.7 s and top speeds approaching 180 mph (290 km/h). A race variant called 968 Turbo RS was added as well; only 4 were produced.

There were approximately 2000 cabriolets and 2000 coupes imported to USA 1992–1995. Values are steady and appear to have increased in the last 2 years by approx $1000 across the board. Low milage examples are worth around US$30,000 and 100,000 mile units are worth $11,000–$15,000.

The 968 was Porsche's last new front-engined vehicle before the introduction of the Cayenne SUV in 2003. It was sold alongside the 928 GTS through 1995 when both models were dropped. As of 2005, Porsche has not yet built another front-engined sports car.

Production

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Cars - Porsche 968

Production

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