Porsche 924. This was the first front-engined, rear-drive model to carry the Porsche badge (it might
The last 914 was built late in 1975, just before the 924 became available, to be proclaimed by Porsche as "our idea of a good sports car". It departed from the company's previous idea of a good sports car in more than its basic configuration: in its use of stock VW com-ponents in the running gear, for example, and in its water-cooled engine, of Audi parentage. A single-ohc 125bhp four, this was inclined to the right at 40 degrees, with Bosch K-Jetronic con-tinuous injection system fitted as standard, and — unusually for a Porsche — requiring premium fuel (although the US version, with lower compression ratio, smaller valves and emission equipment, was rated at 100bhp and would run on low-grade fuel). Also unusual was a drive train which married a front engine to a rear transaxle. This was connected to the front-mounted clutch by a shaft housed in a rigid tube, which enforced a high 'trans-mission tunnel' in the cockpit. Initially an Audi four-speed gearbox was standard, but a Porsche five-speed unit became optional in 1978 and standard in 1979 (with a three-speed automatic optional throughout). This layout made the weight distribution close to 50/50 regardless of load, which gave excellent cornering to comple-ment a firm but comfortable ride. The 2 +2 body may not have pleased Porsche purists, although 1977 model it was one of the better examples of front-engined cars in this class, and had a better drag coefficient than the seemingly more aerodynamic 911, giving correspondingly good fuel consumption; maximum speed was acceptable for a 2-litre car at 200kph (125mph). This Porsche never gave the impression of being built down to a price, and found ready acceptance in the sports car market, sales passing the 100 000 mark early in 1981. The basic engine was substantially modified for the 924 Turbo, which was announced in the autumn of 1979, having an entirely new light-alloy cylinder head, maximum power of 170bhp at 5500rpm and a top speed of 225kph (140mph). A competition variant of the Turbo was shown when the road car was announced, and this was the first front-engined car run by the works. For this role it was lighter, had stiffer suspension, extended wheel arches and spoilers, and an engine rated at 320bhp for Le Mans in 1980, where the best placing for the team was sixth. Just before that race, the 924 Carrera GT was announced, with a 210bhp turbocharged engine, as a production 'supercar' with competition potential. This was realised early in 1981, with the GTR (racing) variant having an engine rated at 375bhp and the GTS (rally) project with 280bhp. The production run was limited to 400, sufficient to qualify for Group 4 homologation, and — following its policy of not competing with its customers — Porsche turned out a 400bhp version for the works team to run in the GT Prototype category at Le Mans.
Specification (road cars) Engine: straight-four; 86.5 x 84.4mm, 1984cc; single ohc; Bosch fuel injection; 125bhp at 5800rpm. Turbo — as above, but with single KKK turbocharger; 170bhp at 5500rpm. Carrera GT — as Turbo, but 210bhp at 6000rpm. Gearbox: five-speed manual transaxle, with optional four-speed manual or three-speed automatic. Chassis: monocoque steel; front suspension independent by McPherson struts, coil springs, wishbones, dampers and anti-roll bar; rear suspension independent by semi-trailing arms, torsion bars, dampers and anti-roll bar; disc front/drum rear brakes, but four-wheel discs on Carrera GT. Dimensions: wheelbase 240cm/941in; front track 142cm/56in; rear track 137cm/54in.
