The Porsche 964 is a model of the Porsche 911 sports car manufactured and sold between 1989 and 1994. Designed by Benjamin Dimson through January 1986, it featured significant styling revisions over previous 911 models, most prominently the more integrated bumpers. It was the first car to be offered with Porsche's Tiptronic automatic transmission and all-wheel drive as options.

Name Type 964 ("nine-sixty-four", or "nine-six-four") is Porsche's internal code name for the 911 Carrera 2 and 911 Carrera 4 models, which were badged simply as "Carrera 2" and "Carrera 4". "964" is used by automotive publications and enthusiasts to distinguish them from other generations of the Carrera.

Carrera 2 and 4

The 964 was considered to be 85% new as compared to its predecessor, the Carrera 3.2. The first 964s available in 1989 were all wheel drive equipped "Carrera 4" models; Porsche added the rear-wheel drive Carrera 2 variant to the range in 1990. Both variants were available as a coupé, targa or cabriolet. The 964 Carrera was the last generation sold with the traditional removable Targa roof until the 2011 991 (993, 996, and 997 versions used instead a complex glass-roof "greenhouse" system). The exterior bumpers and fog lamps became flush with the car for better aerodynamics. A new electric rear spoiler raised at speeds above and lowered down flush with the rear engine lid at lower speeds.

A new naturally aspirated engine called the M64 was used for 964 models, with a flat-6 displacement of 3.6 litres. Porsche substantially revised the suspension, replacing torsion bars with coil springs and shock absorbers. Power steering and ABS brakes were added to the 911 for the first time; both were standard.

A revised interior featured standard dual airbags beginning in late 1989 for all North American production 1990 MY cars. A new automatic climate control system provided improved heating and cooling. Revised instrumentation housed a large set of warning lights that were tied into the car's central warning system, alerting the driver to a possible problem or malfunction.

Engine Engine design: Air/oil-cooled, horizontally-opposed, dry-sump lubricated, rear-mounted Engine displacement: 3,600 cc (220 cu in) Cylinders: Six Bore and stroke: 100 × 76.4 mm (3.94 × 3.01 in) Compression ratio: 11.3 : 1 Fuel/ignition: Electronic fuel injection, DME controller, with twin-spark with knock regulation Crankshaft: Forged, seven main bearings Block and heads: aluminum alloy Valve Train: Single Overhead cam (SOHC) – one per bank, double chain drive Power: at 6,100 rpm Torque: at 4,800 rpm Engine speed limitation: 6,700 rpm

Chassis The suspension was redesigned using coil springs instead of torsion bars, the first major engineering changes since the original 911. The front suspension used MacPherson struts, a system that has continued for all subsequent versions, but the rear suspension retained semi-trailing arms.

Performance Top speed: , (Tiptronic) 0–60 mph: 5.5 s (manual transmission), 6.2 s (Tiptronic) 1/4 mile: 13.6 s (C2), 14.0 s (Tiptronic), 14.1 s (C4) Coefficient of drag: 0.32 Fuel consumption approx 24 mpg

Selected dimensions/capacities Curb weight (to DIN 70020): 3,031 lb/1,375 kg (C2); 3,100 lb/1,406 kg (Tiptronic), 3,252 lb (1,475 kg) (C4) Wheelbase: Overall Length: Width Height: Front Track: Rear Track: Ground Clearance: 4.7 in (US) Fuel Tank: 20.3 gal (US) Engine Oil: 11.5 L (12.1 qt US), oil change volume: 9 L (9.5 qt US) Transmission Fluid: 3.6 L (3.8 qt US) (C2), 9 L (9.5 qt US (Tiptronic), 3.8 L (4.0 qt US) (C4)

Carrera RS variants

In 1992, Porsche produced a super-lightweight, rear-wheel-drive only version of the 964 dubbed Carrera RS for the European market. It was based on Porsche's 911 "Carrera Cup" race car and harked back to the 2.7 and 3.0 RS and RSR models. It featured a revised version of the standard engine, titled M64/03 internally, with a marginally increased power output of and a lightweight flywheel coupled to the G50/10 transmission with closer ratios, asymmetrical limited-slip differential, and steel synchromesh. A track-oriented suspension system with lower ride height, stiffer springs, shocks and adjustable stabilizer bars without power steering (RHD UK cars did have power steering).

Two versions were available; the standard RS and Clubsport.

The standard RS or heavier "Touring" variant included more creature comforts when compared with the Clubsport (thin carpets, some sound deadening, leather lined bucket seats, undercarriage protection with options such as a radio, power windows, and air conditioning).

The Clubsport package (option code M003) included a fully stripped-out interior devoid of power windows, seats, rear seats, air conditioning, cruise control, stereo system, sound deadening and carpeting. It was equipped with a roll cage and full racing-bucket front seats. The bonnet was aluminum and the chassis was seam welded. Wheels were magnesium and the glass was thinner in the doors and rear window. At , the Carrera RS is approximately lighter than the US-market RS America. Porsche made 290 cars with the M003 option code.

Towards the end of the production run a limited production version was available in Europe; called the Carrera 3.8 RS. It featured the wider Turbo body and a 3.8-litre version of the M64 motor. This engine was bored out by 2 mm for a total of 3,746 cc, and was also available in a more powerful competition version called the 3.8 RSR. Only 11 3.8 spec cars were equipped with the Clubsport package.

Carrera RS engine Engine Design: Air-cooled or oil-cooled, horizontally opposed (flat), dry-sump lubrication, rear-mounted engine Displacement: 3,600 cc (220 cu in) Cylinders: Six Bore and Stroke: 3.94 × 3.01 in (100.0 × 76.4 mm) Compression ratio: 11.3 : 1 Fuel/Ignition: Electronic fuel injection, DME controller, twin-spark with knock regulation Crankshaft: Forged, 8 main bearings Block and heads: aluminum alloy Valve Train: Overhead cam, one per bank, double chain drive Power: at 6,100 rpm Torque: at 4,800 rpm

RS America

The Carrera RS was not sold in the United States because Porsche Cars North America realized the challenges of the RS complying with U.S. federal crash and emission laws. In 1992, 45 US-legal cars that were very similar to the Carrera RS were imported to the US for a proposed "Porsche Carrera Cup" racing series. This Carrera Cup series was to function as a support race for the American CART racing series just as European Carrera Cup has supported Formula One.

These 45 cars were identical to a Carrera RS other than having airbags (with required electric windows), alarm system, American lighting, American bumpers, aluminum wheels, and standard seats. The cars otherwise had the lightweight seam welded chassis, lightweight interior trim, aluminum hood, lightweight door glass, suspension, brakes, G50/10 transmission and M64/03 engine etc. of the Carrera RS. These cars were approximately 200 pounds (90 kg) lighter than a normal US Carrera 2 model.

The plan was for Andial, the then equivalent of what is now Porsche Motorsport US, to convert these cars to full racing specification, however, due to lack of sponsor support, the Carrera Cup series was cancelled before it began. The 45 cars imported to the US for this series were then sold, quietly without any advertising so as not to compete with the new RS America, through normal dealer channels. These cars were supplied with a dash plaque which indicated that they were the "Carrera Cup US Edition".

In order to please devoted American 911 enthusiasts who wanted an RS model, Porsche produced the less uncompromising RS America. The RS America was produced as a model year 1993 and 1994 car based on the US Carrera 2. A total of 701 were produced. The cars were offered in standard colors red, black and white and optional colors midnight blue metallic and polar silver. A total of four color to sample cars were manufactured in Ferrari Yellow. The first was custom manufactured for the New York Auto Show, the other three were custom "color to sample". There was also a very small number of other color to sample cars, but the $2498 cost to order was high for 1993. The RS America featured a distinctive "whale tail" spoiler, a partially stripped interior with flat door panels, with fabric door pulls, (from the European RS) and carpeting along with a luggage shelf with storage underneath (1993 model only) replacing the rear seats. Cloth covered sports seats, 17 inch wheels and M030 Sports Suspension were fitted as standard. Lightweight fabric trunk mats were included. The logo "RS America" was placed on the rear deck lid along with an "RS" logo in front of the rear wheels. Deleted to save weight were power steering, cruise control, powered side mirrors, air conditioning, sunroof and radio, although the air conditioning, sunroof and radio as well as a limited-slip differential could be ordered as options. The RS America was listed by Porsche as weighing , lighter than the weight listed for a stock Carrera 2. The standard US Carrera 2 engine and gearbox were used. These vehicles became popular among racing enthusiasts and were often purpose used in racetrack and auto cross events.

964 Cup

Based on the Porsche 964 was the 1990 racing version for the new Porsche Carrera Cup. In addition to an increase in output by 11 kW to , the 964 Cup had a welded roll cage, a modified chassis set-up and the ground clearance was lower than on the standard version. To reduce weight much of the interior comforts including the sound-proofing material was removed. The gear ratios were modified and it had non power-steering. The vehicle did have a catalytic converter and an anti-lock braking system (ABS).

In 1992, the 964 Cup had a major revision. The vehicle now had the body from the 964RS and the engine now produced . Another major change was that the ABS could be switched off in the event of emergency braking or whilst the car was going backwards. The vehicle now had 18-inch magnesium rims, which replaced the aluminium rims. The car was lowered by a further 20 mm.

Technical data Model Porsche 964 Cup Year 1990–1991 1992–1993 Engine 3,600 cc, six-cylinder, boxer engine Power at 6100 rpm at 6100 rpm Torque at 4800 rpm at 4800 rpm Weight

Turbo

Turbo 3.3

Porsche introduced the 964 Turbo model in March, 1990 as the successor to the 930. However, they did not have the time necessary to develop a turbocharged version of the 3.6-litre M64 engine, and chose to re-use the 3.3-litre engine from the 930, with several minor revisions that made the engine smoother, less prone to turbo lag and more powerful, with a total output of at 5,750 rpm. A total of 3,660 964 Turbos were built.

In 1992, the 3.3-litre Turbo S Leichtbau (light build) was introduced. Some 25–50 units were planned, though this was later increased to 80. The standard Turbo model was modified to produce with bigger injectors, more boost, more aggressive camshafts, and a lightweight interior with limited "creature comforts", making the Turbo S one of the fastest cars on the road. With suspensions lowered by 40 mm, a front strut brace and manual steering, the Turbo S was geared towards performance. The Leichtbau requirement was achieved by deleting the under-body protection, soundproofing, air conditioning, power steering and rear seats, while further savings came from thinner glass, aluminium doors, a carbon-fibre luggage compartment and thinner carpets, the result being a reduction of 180 kg over the standard Turbo. Production of the Turbo S Leichtbau began in July 1992 for the 1993 model year. Some sources state that Porsche ended up building six more cars than the 80 planned.

Turbo 3.6