Get Hotcars Premium. Start your free trial today

This was the top of the range model of the 944 model line when it was launched in the mid 1980s.

Porsche are, without a doubt, one of the greatest car manufacturers of all time. And their greatest product is surely the Porsche 911. The iconic sports car has been manufactured by the German company for decades, and has spawned various versions such as racing models and turbo 911s. Porsche though have not just built the 911, however. Right now, they make electric cars in the form of the Taycan, and other luxury machines such as the Cayenne and the Macan. Then we take a look at Porsche’s past.

Classic cars such as the Porsche 928 spring to mind. But one of the very best is the 944 Turbo. This was the top of the range model of the 944 model line when it was launched in the mid 1980s, and to this day it remains one of the most popular classic models of Porsche. Pop up headlights, a rounded 1980s shape and a wonderful turbocharged soundtrack, the 944 is an absolute classic. And you should certainly get your hands on one if you can. Because there are very few Porsche's that come close to the magic and desirability of the 944 Turbo.

The 944 Turbo was first launched in January 1985, with the 944 itself having been launched back in 1982. The turbo was introduced for the 1986 model year and internally within Porsche, the car was known as the 951. Porsche had gone to great lengths to ensure the 944 Turbo was quite aerodynamically efficient, with an enhanced front apron as well as integrated fog lights and high-beam headlights. The 944 Turbo had some novel mechanical features too. For example, it was the first Porsche production car to utilize a ceramic port liner to retain exhaust gas temperature.

Under the hood of the 944 Turbo was a of course, a turbocharged engine. Specifically, it was the M44/51 inline-four engine. The same engine that the standard 944 had, although of course it was now turbocharged. The car generated 217 hp in the United States, and when Car and Driver tested the Turbo out in 1987 they found it had a 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds. That sort of time is very much still quick, even in 2022. To further help differentiate the 944 Turbo from the regular 944, Porsche had the black rubber buffers omitted, and a rear diffuser was underneath the rear bumper, painted in the exterior color.

RELATED: Auction Dilemma: BMW 850i Vs Porsche 928

Porsche didn’t just stop with the 944 Turbo, though. In 1988, Porsche brought out the 944 Turbo S, an even more advanced version of the original 944 Turbo. The Turbo S featured a more powerful engine, with a maximum power output of 247 hp, compared to the maximum 220 hp that the 944 Turbo could produce. This output was achieved as Porsche used a larger KKK K26-8 Turbocharger housing on the engine, and also remapped the engine that also allowed a maximum boost level to be maintained until the engine hit 5,800 rpm.

The extra power also saw extra performance from the new version of the Turbo. The Turbo S had a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds, and it was able to complete the 1/4 mile in a very impressive 13.9 seconds. The top speed of the Turbo S was 162 mph. The success of the Turbo S saw Porsche fit the bigger engine into the standard 944 Turbo from the 1989 model year onwards. On top of that, the Porsche 944 Turbo also gained a bow-shaped black rear wing for the 1990 model year.

The final model year of the 944 Turbo was 1991. To mark this occasion, Porsche unveiled the 944 Turbo Cabriolet. This again had the same Turbo S engine that produced 250 hp, and Porsche would only go on to make 625 examples of this car. They are incredibly rare all around the world, and it was a fantastic final swansong for one of Porsche’s very best cars. Porsche would go on to build the 928 as the 944s replacement, which in turn would also go on to become one of the best cars Porsche would ever build.

RELATED: 10 Porsches Only The Super Rich Can Afford

The turbo engine under the hood of the 944 Turbo was second to none, and couple that with the timeless looks of the car, then it more than warrants your attention. Something else that helps to set the 944 Turbo apart is just how different it looks compared to the 911s of today and the past, with its pop-up headlight and iconic, sleek, 1980s shape. The 944 Turbo was an incredibly comfortable car to drive and quite responsive too, with plenty of power on offer if you wanted to put your foot down and go a little faster. We wish Porsche would think about making more cars like the 944 again. It would just be something a bit different. Today, a used 944 in good condition could be found for around $25,000. So, if you want a superb Porsche classic, this could be a good buy.

Sources: Elferspot, Porsche, Historics, Porsche Finder

Covering anything from JDM cars to classic jets. Contributed to HotCars since the Autumn of 2018. Writes features, news and list articles.