The 968 is an automobile sold by Porsche AG from 1992 to 1995 and marketed as the replacement for the Porsche 944. When production ceased in the 1995 model year, it represented the end of a line started almost 20 years earlier with the introduction of the Porsche 924.

The 968 represents the culmination of Porsche’s 944 legacy. The 944 S2 was discontinued after the 1991 model year. Before that, Porsche had been working on a new model to replace the outgoing 944 — initially as the 944 S3, to follow the S2 introduced in 1989. As development progressed, they realized the car had too much new content to keep the old name. By late 1991, the 968 was ready. It retained all the good bits of its predecessor while significantly improving appearance, handling, and performance.

Production was moved from the VW-Audi plant in Neckarsulm — where the 924 and 944 had been manufactured under contract to Porsche — to Porsche’s own factory in Zuffenhausen.

Engineering Highlights

The new model 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 power train introduced VarioCam variable valve timing, optimized induction and exhaust systems, a dual-mass flywheel, and updated engine management electronics. The 968’s engine was the second-largest 4-cylinder ever offered in a production car, and the most powerful naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder ever sold in a production automobile up to that time. A new 6-speed manual was offered, alongside a dual-mode Tiptronic automatic.

The 968’s styling resembled the 928 but reads as a blend of the Type 993 911 — which did not appear until the end of the 968’s production — and the 944 S2. Like the 944, it was sold as both coupe and convertible. Much of the chassis carried over from the 944 S2, which itself shared many components with the 944 Turbo (internally numbered 951): Brembo 4-piston brake calipers on all four wheels, aluminum semi-trailing arms, and aluminum front A-arms in a MacPherson strut arrangement. The steel unibody was very similar to previous models. Porsche maintained that “fully 80% of the car is new.”

A street-legal race variant — the Club Sport — appeared with a stripped-out interior, racing seats, revised suspension, and larger wheels and tires, but was offered only in Europe. A UK-only 968 Sport in 1994 and 1995 added back some comfort features. Porsche briefly produced a turbocharged Turbo S — 15 cars in total, Europe only — capable in 1993 of 0–60 mph in 4.7 seconds and approaching 180 mph (290 km/h). A race variant Turbo RS was added; only 4 were produced.

Just 2,008 cabriolets and 2,234 coupes were produced for North America between 1992 and 1995.

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. Porsche has not built another two-door front-engined sports car since.

968 Specifications

Standard production figures — coupe and cabriolet, North American market.