Porsche 944 Specs by Generation
Updated 2026-11-03 · CarWhere Research
Quick answer
The Porsche 944 is covered here across 1 US-market generation, from the 944 (1983–1991), 9 trims in all. In the 944, output runs from 143 hp (944) to 247 hp (944 Turbo S), and the quickest Porsche-claimed 0–60 mph time is 5.5 seconds (944 Turbo S).
944 944 specs (1983–1991)
What changed in the 944
Shown in September 1981, the 944 combined a widened 924 body with Porsche's own 2.5-liter inline-four, an engine that was partly derived from one bank of the 928 V8 and used twin balance shafts. It slotted between the 924 and 911 and became Porsche's fastest-selling model to that point. US cars arrived for the 1983 model year rated at 143 hp. A mid-1985 update brought a new dashboard and door panels, a flush windshield and revised transaxle mounting. The line then branched out: the intercooled 944 Turbo (Type 951) for 1986, the 16-valve 944 S for 1987, the limited 944 Turbo S for 1988, and for 1989 the 3.0-liter 944 S2 plus a 2.7-liter base car. The S2 Cabriolet was the first open 944; the 1991 Turbo Cabriolet was not imported to the US. Porsche built 163,302 944s before the 968 replaced it.
| Trim | Model years | Body | Engine | Power (hp) | Torque (lb-ft) | Drive | Transmission | 0–60 mph (s) | Top speed (mph) | Curb weight (lb) | Base MSRP (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 944Early (pre-1985.5) interior with the 924-style dash. A secondary source puts the 1983 US launch price just under $19,000; exact MSRP not confirmed. | 1983–1985 | Coupe | 2.5L inline-4 | 143 | — | RWD | 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic | — | — | — | — |
| 944Starts at the 1985.5 update; US rating 147 hp. For 1988 Porsche quotes 160 PS (a higher-compression engine), so 1988 US output was slightly higher. | 1985–1988 | Coupe | 2.5L inline-4 | 147 | — | RWD | 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic | — | — | — | — |
| 944 (2.7)One-year 2.7-liter base engine. Porsche quotes 165 PS and Hagerty cites 165 hp; US-spec SAE rating not confirmed, so left null. | 1989 | Coupe | 2.7L inline-4 | — | — | RWD | 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic | — | — | — | — |
| 944 SFour-valve twin-cam head; Porsche quotes up to 190 PS. | 1987–1988 | Coupe | 2.5L DOHC 16-valve inline-4 | 188 | — | RWD | 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic | — | — | — | — |
| 944 TurboType 951. US rating commonly given as 217 hp; Hagerty and Porsche cite 220 hp. 243 lb-ft per Hagerty. | 1986–1988 | Coupe | 2.5L turbocharged inline-4 | 217 | 243 | RWD | 5-speed manual | 5.9 manual | — | — | — |
| 944 Turbo SLimited 1988 model with 250 PS (247 hp), bigger turbo and uprated brakes and suspension; 1,635 built worldwide per Wikipedia. Torque from Wikipedia. | 1988 | Coupe | 2.5L turbocharged inline-4 | 247 | 258 | RWD | 5-speed manual | 5.5 manual | 162 | — | — |
| 944 TurboFrom 1989 the regular Turbo got the Turbo S engine output. US imports dwindled after 1989 (144 US cars for 1990 per Wikipedia); 1991 US availability not confirmed. | 1989–1991 | Coupe | 2.5L turbocharged inline-4 | 247 | — | RWD | 5-speed manual | — | — | — | — |
| 944 S2Porsche quotes 211 PS (208 hp). Adopted Turbo-style nose and rear valance. | 1989–1991 | Coupe | 3.0L DOHC 16-valve inline-4 | 208 | — | RWD | 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic | — | — | — | — |
| 944 S2 CabrioletFirst open 944. Wikipedia lists 16 US cabriolets for MY1989, with volume from MY1990. The 1991 944 Turbo Cabriolet (625 built) was not sold in the US. | 1990–1991 | Cabriolet | 3.0L DOHC 16-valve inline-4 | 208 | — | RWD | 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic | — | — | — | — |
Sources for 944: Porsche Newsroom: Porsche 944 (Forever Young. Celebrating Transaxle press kit) · Porsche Classic: Model 944 · Porsche: The transaxle era – 924, 928, 944 and 968 · Hagerty: Your Handy 1982–91 Porsche 944 Buyer's Guide · Hagerty: The 944 Turbo Offers Porsche Soul without the Price · ConceptCarz: Porsche 944 · Wikipedia: Porsche 944 (cross-check)
0–60 mph figures are Porsche-claimed unless marked † (instrumented magazine test). "—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source. MSRP is US base price at launch, excluding destination.
See exactly how a specific Porsche was optioned from the factory — check its VIN.
The CarWhere build sheet decodes any Porsche VIN into its full factory record — every option code, the original paint, trim and equipment, as built. $9.99, instant.
Related Porsche 944 pages
Specs for other Porsche models
Frequently asked questions
How much horsepower does a 944 have?
The 944 makes 143 hp from its 2.5L inline-4.
What is the most powerful and quickest Porsche 944?
The most powerful 944 listed here is the 944 Turbo S Coupe at 247 hp. The quickest 0–60 mph figure is 5.5 seconds for the 944 Turbo S Coupe (Porsche-claimed, manual).
What changed in the 944?
Shown in September 1981, the 944 combined a widened 924 body with Porsche's own 2.5-liter inline-four, an engine that was partly derived from one bank of the 928 V8 and used twin balance shafts. It slotted between the 924 and 911 and became Porsche's fastest-selling model to that point. US cars arrived for the 1983 model year rated at 143 hp. A mid-1985 update brought a new dashboard and door panels, a flush windshield and revised transaxle mounting. The line then branched out: the intercooled 944 Turbo (Type 951) for 1986, the 16-valve 944 S for 1987, the limited 944 Turbo S for 1988, and for 1989 the 3.0-liter 944 S2 plus a 2.7-liter base car. The S2 Cabriolet was the first open 944; the 1991 Turbo Cabriolet was not imported to the US. Porsche built 163,302 944s before the 968 replaced it.
How can I see how a specific Porsche 944 was optioned from the factory?
Spec tables show what each trim offered; the options on an individual car are recorded against its VIN. A Porsche build sheet decoded from the VIN lists the factory option codes, original paint and interior, as the car was built.
Sources
Figures were compiled by CarWhere from Porsche press material and model pages first, then instrumented tests from the car press where Porsche did not publish a US figure.
- Porsche Newsroom: Porsche 944 (Forever Young. Celebrating Transaxle press kit)
- Porsche Classic: Model 944
- Porsche: The transaxle era – 924, 928, 944 and 968
- Hagerty: Your Handy 1982–91 Porsche 944 Buyer's Guide
- Hagerty: The 944 Turbo Offers Porsche Soul without the Price
- ConceptCarz: Porsche 944
- Wikipedia: Porsche 944 (cross-check)
More Porsche reference
- Porsche specs by model
- Compare two Porsche trims
- Porsche coupe vs cabriolet
- Porsche option codes
- Porsche paint codes
- Porsche VIN decoder
- Porsche build sheet by VIN
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with Porsche AG or Porsche Cars North America.