The Iconic 1993 Porsche 968 – A Legend in Its Own Time

by Thad Rippin
1993 porsche 968 turbo s

The 1993 Porsche 968 is a mid-size sports car with excellent performance and practicality. Despite the limited production, 968s have proven to be incredibly reliable. The only reoccurring issue has been bearing failure in the crown wheel and pinion transaxle. As such, prospective buyers should check a car’s service history to ensure it is in good condition. Moreover, a potential owner should confirm that the Cabriolet’s power top is functioning properly.

Overview

The 1993 Porsche 968 is a restyled evolution of the popular 944. Designed by Harm Lagaay, the 968 retained the classic looks of the 944 but with a new design language that was more in line with the company’s other models. It featured round pop-up headlights and soap-bar taillights. The interior was virtually identical to the 944 S2, but the engine was drastically revised. It now produced 237 horsepower, lighter internals, and more sophisticated electronics, including Porsche VarioCam variable valve timing.

The 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport was a lightweight version of the 968. Its black interior matched the black exterior, and its seats had removable decals. It weighed less than the standard 968 and could be ordered with a sunroof or a rear wiper.

The 968 production life was relatively short and did not sell well. Porsche had another front-engine car in the form of the Cayenne, but it wasn’t as popular as the 968. Porsche had no immediate front-engine successor until the Porsche Cayenne was introduced in 2003. It would take another decade before Porsche would build another four-cylinder car.

The 968 is available in two main body types – coupe and Cabriolet. The latter is the more popular option, offering 2-pedal driving and lighter weight. However, it lacks power and is a better choice for track days. It also sells for approximately 17% less than the full 968.

1993 porsche 968

Specifications

The Porsche 968 specifications are a guide to the car’s features. The car’s engine is a 3.0-liter DOHC inline-four, and the same engine powers the front and rear wheels. 

The transmission is a six-speed manual with an optional Tiptronic automatic transmission. The weight distribution was 50/50, and Brembo brakes were standard.

The Porsche 968 was introduced in 1992. It was one of the company’s first front-engined cars. 

It incorporated many design cues from the Porsche 911 and 924 models. It was powered by a normally aspirated engine and was not equipped with a turbocharger.

The 968 was originally planned to replace the 944 S2 and had new 1990s styling. It featured soap-bar tail lights and round pop-up headlights. However, the interior was unchanged from the previous 944 S2. The engine was heavily updated to produce 237bhp, with lighter internals and new electronics. The 968 also featured Porsche VarioCam variable valve timing.

1993 porsche 968 review

Interior, comfort & cargo

Those looking for a 1993 Porsche 968 with a high comfort level and cargo capacity can find that in this mid-size luxury car. This model is available in all trim levels and with various interior comfort and cargo-carrying options. In addition to the standard equipment, the Turbo S and Turbo RS both come with turbocharged engines capable of 0-60 mph in less than four seconds.

The 1993 Porsche 968’s interior is similar to that of the 944S2, except for a few notable differences. The 968 also featured a roof-mounted antenna and 16-inch alloy wheels in a “Cup” style. The 968’s body also shared many parts with the 944 Turbo, including the chassis. The 968 was equipped with an aluminum front A-arm and a MacPherson strut arrangement, similar to the 944 Turbo. The 968 also featured a galvanized steel Unibody structure.

A new engine powered the 1993 Porsche 968. The car had a 3.0-liter straight-four engine with eight-valve SOHC cylinder heads. 

It produced two hundred and sixty horsepower at five thousand and eighty pounds of torque at three thousand rpm. The new engine also had an exhaust system that featured a rare-metals catalytic converter. A six-speed manual transmission was available as an option.

The Porsche 968 is a great car to drive. It’s fast, reliable, comfortable and reasonably economical. The cornering performance of the 968 is exceptional. It’s almost like driving a surgeon’s scalpel. The 968 is a rarity among Porsches, so people enjoy identifying it when they see one.

1993 porsche 968 interior

Engine & transmission

Considering a 1993 Porsche 968, you will likely want to know all about the engine and transmission. The 968 was a restyled version of the previous Porsche 944. It shared many styling cues with the 928 and 911, such as exposed pop-up headlamps and an integrated front bumper. 

The 968 engine is a rear-mounted mid-engine unit. The crankshaft drives both the inlet and exhaust cams through a chain. 

The inlet cam has a tensioner that adjusts valve timing. This system maximizes horsepower and torque while minimizing emissions. The 968 engine is also equipped with belt-driven balance shafts. The rear suspension is similar to the 944 Turbo.

The suspension consists of aluminum A-arms and semi-trailing arms.

The engine in the 1993 Porsche 968 is a three-liter four-cylinder unit that produces 235 horsepower SAE. Variable valve timing and two counter-rotating balance shafts made for a strong engine. The Porsche 968 engine was a production car’s second largest four-cylinder engine. Porsche, ZF, and Bosch developed the transmission. While the engine is the heart of the car, the transmission is another major component.

The nine68 was introduced in March 1993. It was a three-door, liftback model with two plus two seating

Its engine was a 3.0-liter four-cylinder petrol unit. It was available with a manual or four-speed automatic transmission. It also featured a sequential shift function. The new model was equipped with a driver’s airbag.

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Pricing

What is the value of a 1993 Porsche 968? Depending on vehicle condition, usage, and extras, the value of a used 1993 Porsche 968 ranges from $1,841 to $7,413.

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