PORSCHE 944
Long before the Boxster took the crown, the front-engined ‘transaxle’ cars were the affordable Porsche champions and offer a great ’80s flavour for someone wanting a more classic experience.
The choice of models is split into two very different cars: the original 924 launched in 1975 with its Audi-sourced 2.0-litre engine and the wide-arched 944 produced from 1982 onwards with Porsche’s own 2.5-litre unit which took performance up to a very different level. Oh, and to confuse things further, there was briefly a 924S which combined the narrow-body 924 style with the bigger engine.
OVERVIEW
The move to a Porsche powerplant for the 944 was dictated by VW/Audi ending production of the old EA831 unit and the new engine was effectively one half of the Porsche 928’s V8. At 2.5 litres it was large for a four-pot which explains the contra-rotating balance shafts licensed from Mitsubishi but,
