The Porsche 911 was in production since late 1965, the earliest . Its latest incarnation may have been the best yet, at least from the point of view of objective performance. The 1995 911 still had the air-cooled flat Six aft of the rear wheels, but that engine now had doubled the power of the original.
It really had no competitors. The closest would be the Acura NSX, but the typical Porsche buyer simply wanted to buy a Porsche. No matter how attractive the Supra Turbo or RX-7 got, they were just not Porsches.
Year-to-year changes
1992
The America Roadster debuts with a widebody Turbo look for the Cabriolet.
1993
A lightweight RS America trim level was unveiled at the 1992 North American International Auto Show on January 9, 1992.
1994
The RS America coupe, America Roadster, and Speedster were discontinued in Fall 1994, while the 3.6-liter Turbo was removed for one model year.
1995
Porsche unveiled information about the base coupe and convertible of the revised 911 on the January 1994 issue of Popular Mechanics magazine. The car itself was released in March 1994 as early 1995 models. It had hydraulic valve lifters, no more valve adjustment, about 10% more horsepower and 5% more torque than its predecessor, but with the same gas mileage.
Ride and handling were both greatly improved, cockpit noise was subdued, brakes were even bigger than before and both front and rear rotors are cross-drilled for better cooling. Crash safety, airbags and cockpit reinforcement, were further improved. The cabriolet had a new dealer-installed automatic wind blocker. The electric top would open or close in only 13 seconds.
A limited-slip differential with ABD, Porsche's version of traction control, which was effective up to 44 mph, was optional. ABD was available on Tiptronic cars without the limited slip. Tiptronic was Porsche's have-it-both-ways automatic that allowed automatic or progressive manual shifting.
A sport suspension, lower and harder, was available, as were a wide range of high performance and cosmetic items, any color, any interior trim could be ordered.
1996
Modifications for '96 were few but pertinent: the normally aspirated engine gained 12 horsepower and the stereo systems were new. All models were equipped with an immobilizer system to stymie unlawful entry and thwart theft. Two new models joined the ranks to round out the Porsche schedule. A widebody all-wheel-drive version called the C4S featured large air intakes and wide rear fenders to distinguish it from the standard C4. The Targa also appeared, complete with removable glass-panel roof.
Early in Spring 1995, Porsche revealed the ultimate 911 Turbo, an amalgam of the current chassis including the C-4's all-wheel- drive system, revised appearance (flared rear fenders, intercooler-encasing wing, 18-in. wheels) and twin turbochargers for the 3.6-liter engine. Two intercoolers reduced charge air temperature and the engine was designed to work off an 8.0:1 compression ratio (versus 11.3:1 for the normal engine). The Bosch Motronic M5.2 system both ensured and protected 111 horsepower and foot-pounds of torque per liter! Roughly 83% of maximum torque was produced at 2500 rpm and remained flat right up to the 6720-rpm redline. In a 3300-pound car with immense traction, this output literally translated to sub-4-second 0-60-mph times.
Automatic climate control, leather interior and a 150-watt stereo system were standard. A CD changer, heated power-operated seats with electric lumbar support and gathered leather were optional.
Retail prices
As of August 26, 1993:
- $54,800 (1994 Porsche 911 RS America Coupe)
- $64,990 (1994 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe)
- $66,400 (1994 Porsche 911 Speedster)
- $66,600 (1994 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa)
- $74,190 (1994 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet)
- $78,450 (1994 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe)
- $92,000 (1994 Porsche 911 America Roadster)
- $99,000 (1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 Coupe)
As of August 30, 1994:
- $59,900 (1995 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe)
- $68,200 (1995 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet)
- $65,900 (1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe)
- $74,200 (1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet)
As of February 1, 1995:
- $61,100 (1995 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe)
- $67,200 (1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe)
- $69,600 (1995 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet)
- $75,700 (1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet)
As of April 17, 1995:
- $99,000 (1996 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe)
As of October 2, 1995:
- $63,750 (1996 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe)
- $69,100 (1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe)
- $70,750 (1996 Porsche 911 Targa)
- $73,000 (1996 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet)
- $78,350 (1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet)
- $105,000 (1996 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe)
Gallery
