1989 Porsche 944 Brochure, page 5. Turbo

THE FASTEST 4-CYLINDER AUTOMOBILE EVER MADE

PORSCHE 944 TURBO: A TURBO CUP CAR FOR THE STREET.

For 1989, Porsche proudly presents the 944 Turbo, the fastest 4 cylinder production automobile ever made. To appreciate the technological sophistication represented by the 944 Turbo, a brief review of the model's history may be helpful. Porsche project engineers set a seemingly impossible design goal for the 2.5 liter intercooled and turbocharged engine... a 50% increase in bhp over the then-944's 147 bhp, a 77% increase in torque - all with the smallest possible penalty in fuel economy. The resulting sports car hit the target squarely: 217bhp, 243 ft-lbs torque, top track speed 152 mph *, fuel economy approximately 1 mpg less than the 944.

Putting power and efficiency of this magnatude in the superbly balanced 944 transaxle format created an automobile that drew enthusiastic praise from throughout the motoring world. Automobile was typical: "The inherent balance you detect in the 944 Turbo makes you feel you could do anything with it; the practicality of it makes it easy to enjoy." However impressive such a level of performance may be, last year Porsche introduced an even higher performance version of the 944 Turbo. Produced in a limited series of 1000, this automobile was derived directly from a racing version that competed in the Porsche Turbo Cup series waged throughout Western Europe. For 1989 the new 944 Turbo includes all of the performance characteristics of the 944 Turbo S. It features 30 bhp more power, significantly higher torque, and improved suspension, brakes, wheels and tires. The brake system with ABS is from the 928 S4 system. New wider forged wheels are 7 in. front, 9 in. rear, with 225/50 ZR16 tires at the front and 245/45 ZR at the rear. The sports suspension settings are basically the same as on the successful Turbo Cup models. The result, for the Porsche 944 Turbo owner, is an uncanny level of handling for a street car - with maximum reserves of safety for everyday driving. "It's 65.1 mph sprint through the cones and .89g loop around the 200ft circle makes it one of the fastest cars we've ever tested" found Road and Track. To this road car with very direct competition links Porsche has added the most comprehensive complement of luxury and convenience equipment. Air conditioning, limited slip differential, power tilt sunroof, stereo cassette music system with hi-fi sound package, and an alarm system are a few of the standard equipment features.

*Top speeds are noted to show performance capabilities. Porsche recommends that all speed laws be obeyed

Quoted from the 1989 Porsche 944 sales brochure.

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