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Photo of a Porsche 944

Porsche 944

Front engine, rear transaxle: America's best-handling car in 1984.1

Researched October 30, 2026 from 41 sources

Also called

  • Silver RoseName associated with Turbo S cars wearing the burgundy plaid interior; other factory color combinations also existed.2
  • 944 StudioAlternative name for the Celebration edition, which used gray or maroon Studio cloth with black leatherette.3
  • 944 (Silver) AnniversaryAnother alias for the special edition, whose plaque could be personalized with an owner's name.3

At a glance

0150300
143–247 hpPower
0150300
196–261 km/hTop speed
0200400
186–350 N·mTorque
07501,500
1,180–1,456 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.121314

Engine
2.5/2.7 L base fours; 2.5 L S/Turbo; 3.0 L S2212
Layout
Front engine, rear-wheel drive; rear transaxle2
Gearbox
5-speed manual; base 944 also offered a 3-speed automatic12
Built at
Audi's ex-NSU plant, Neckarsulm, Germany; ASC, Heilbronn (S2 Cabriolet)51213
Units built
163,302 across the 1982–91 production run5

The story

Developed from the 924 to face tougher competition, the original 944 paired a 928-derived four and twin balance shafts with a rear transaxle, achieving 50.7% front/49.3% rear balance.124

1981: Frankfurt debut under Anatole Lapine19811985: Turbo launches with 217 hp · An oval dashboard for the 1985.5 update19851987: 16-valve S and standard Turbo airbags19871988: Turbo S: a 13.9-second quarter-mile19881989: Turbo S power becomes standard19891991: Turbo Cabriolet finale; 968 follows1991 Porsche 912: 1965–1969Porsche 914: 1969–1976Porsche 912E (923): 1975–1976Porsche 924: 1976–1988Porsche 924Porsche 944: 1982–1991Porsche 944Porsche 968: 1992–1995 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones24512232425
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1965–1969Porsche 912
1969–1976Porsche 914
1975–1976Porsche 912E (923)
1976–1988Porsche 924
1982–1991Porsche 944
1992–1995Porsche 968
1981Frankfurt debut under Anatole Lapine
1985Turbo launches with 217 hp
1985An oval dashboard for the 1985.5 update
198716-valve S and standard Turbo airbags
1988Turbo S: a 13.9-second quarter-mile
1989Turbo S power becomes standard
1991Turbo Cabriolet finale; 968 follows
  1. 1981

    Frankfurt debut under Anatole Lapine

    Lapine oversaw the 944's shape, rooted in Harm Lagaay's 924 and influenced by the wide-bodied 924 Carrera GT prototype.56

  2. 1985

    Turbo launches with 217 hp

    Benjamin Dimson's Turbo launched in January. The 217-hp 1986 model recorded 6.0 seconds to 60 mph, a 14.5-second quarter, 253 km/h and 0.80 g.2789

  3. 1985

    An oval dashboard for the 1985.5 update

    The midyear revision brought an oval dash, integrated console, aluminum suspension links and a flush windshield with an integrated antenna.10

  4. 1987

    16-valve S and standard Turbo airbags

    The S added a 187-hp, 16-valve 2.5-liter four. US Turbos gained standard driver and passenger airbags, plus ABS.2

  5. 1988

    Turbo S: a 13.9-second quarter-mile

    The 247-hp S added M030 suspension. Tests with 3.89:1 gearing recorded 5.5 seconds to 60 mph, a 13.9-second quarter and a 51.5 m stop from 113 km/h.211

  6. 1989

    Turbo S power becomes standard

    The regular Turbo inherited the Turbo S engine for 247 hp; M030 suspension and Club Sport wheels remained outside the standard package.27

  7. 1991

    Turbo Cabriolet finale; 968 follows

    The Turbo Cabriolet arrived in the last model year. The 944 retired after 163,302 cars; extensive changes produced the 968 for 1992.257

Every generation

  • Porsche 912
    Porsche 9121965–1969
  • Porsche 914
    Porsche 9141969–1976
  • Porsche 912E
    9231975–1976
  • Porsche 924
    Porsche 9241976–1988
  • Porsche 944
    Porsche 9441982–1991
  • Porsche 968
    Porsche 9681992–1995

Power over the years

From 161 hp to 247 hp in 6 years.

0100200300 19821984198619881990 hp 1982 · 161 hp · 944 2.51983 · 143 hp · US 944 2.51985 · 147 hp · US 944 2.5 update1985 · 217 hp · 944 Turbo 2.5 launch1986 · 148 hp · 944 2.5, catalytic converter1987 · 187 hp · 944 S, 2.5 L 16-valve1988 · 158 hp · 944 2.5, premium-fuel catalyst1988 · 247 hp · 944 Turbo S, larger turbo1989 · 163 hp · 944 2.71989 · 247 hp · 944 Turbo, Turbo S engine 247 hp 944 Turbo S, larger turbo 161 hp 944 2.5
12712
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1982161944 2.5
1983143US 944 2.5
1985147US 944 2.5 update
1985217944 Turbo 2.5 launch
1986148944 2.5, catalytic converter
1987187944 S, 2.5 L 16-valve
1988158944 2.5, premium-fuel catalyst
1988247944 Turbo S, larger turbo
1989163944 2.7
1989247944 Turbo, Turbo S engine

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • 944 2.5

    Standard

    944 2.5

    1982–1988

    161 hp
  • 944 S

    Performance

    944 S

    1987–1988

    187 hp
  • 944 S2

    Performance

    944 S2

    1989–1991

    208 hp
  • 944 Turbo

    Performance

    944 Turbo

    1985–1988

    217 hp
  • 944 Turbo (247 hp)

    Performance

    944 Turbo (247 hp)

    1989–1991

    247 hp
  • 944 S2 Cabriolet

    Standard

    944 S2 Cabriolet

    1989–1991

    208 hp
  • 944 Turbo S / Silver Rose

    Performance

    944 Turbo S / Silver Rose

    1988

    247 hp

    1,635 built

  • Limited

    944 Celebration Edition (M757)

    1988

    930 built

  • 944 Turbo Cabriolet

    Special

    944 Turbo Cabriolet

    1991

    247 hp

  • Limited

    944 French Special (Sonauto Rothmans)

    1984

    100 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Long nose with pop-up headlights.5
  • Broad, slightly angular fenders distinguish it from the slimmer 924.12
  • Glass rear hatch on coupe models.712
  • Separate bumper and valance on base/S; a one-piece nose on Turbo/S2.15
  • Turbo and S2 carry an extra diffuser beneath the rear bumper.712

Year by year

  1. 1985½

    An oval dashboard and integrated center console replace the earlier three-gauge layout.10

  2. 1985½

    The windshield becomes flush-mounted, with the radio antenna integrated into the glass.10

  3. 1985½

    Cookie-cutter wheels give way to phone-dial alloys; Fuchs wheels remain optional.2

  4. 1987

    Wheels switch to a shallower offset of 52 mm; optional Fuchs wheels are dropped.215

  5. 1989

    Design 90 wheels become standard on the Turbo and are the usual S2 fitment.15

  6. 1990 Turbo; 1991 S2

    A black bow-shaped rear wing replaces the earlier rubber spoiler.712

Don’t confuse it with

  • Porsche 924

    Look for the 944's substantially wider, more angular fenders; the ordinary 924 has a slimmer body.412

  • Photo of a Porsche 944
    944
    Photo of a 924 Carrera GT
    924 Carrera GT

    924 Carrera GT

    Its broad fenders can confuse matters; look for the top-mounted intercooler scoop and air intakes in the badge panel.4

Against its rivals

  • Nissan 300ZX (1990)

    944 vs Nissan 300ZX (1990)

    Price lower is better

    944$42,515
    Nissan 300ZX (1990)$27,300
    17

Prices

Value today $13.3K–$59.5K1431

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 1990200020102020 Value today: $13,250–$59,500 1983 · $19,485 · US base, 9441983 · $23,155 · US as tested, 9441986 · $29,500 · US base, Turbo1988 · $39,765 · US base, Turbo before S package1988 · $48,350 · US as tested, Turbo S1990 · $41,900 · US base, S2 coupe1990 · $48,600 · US base, S2 Cabriolet1990 · $52,295 · US as tested, S2 Cabriolet 1983 · $19,485 · US base price, 1983 model year 2017 · $46,200 · 1988 Turbo S, 39,000 miles, Amelia Island2024 · $53,000 · 1988 Turbo S, BaT2024 · $13,500 · 1985 944, 71,361 miles, Bring a Trailer2024 · $22,750 · 1986 Turbo, 68,906 miles, Bring a Trailer2024 · $23,150 · 1990 S2 Cabriolet, 52,211 miles, Bring a Trailer2025 · $17,250 · 1991 944 S2, 154k shown, repaired odometer, BaT2025 · $5,555 · 1989 944 2.7L project, 114k miles shown, TMU, BaT2026 · $13,250 · 1983 944 5-speed, 55k miles shown; pump noise, BaT2026 · $59,500 · 1988 Turbo S, 41k miles shown; total unknown, BaT2026 · $17,500 · 1989 S2, 179k km shown; low compression, BaT2026 · $16,500 · 1986 944 Turbo, 205k shown, repaired odometer, BaT2026 · $16,500 · 1991 944 S2 Cabriolet, 105k miles shown, BaT2026 · $20,000 · 1987 944S, 106k miles shown, TMU, BaT2026 · $11,000 · 1983 944, 70k shown, broken odometer, TMU, BaT2026 · $19,500 · 1988 944 Turbo S, modified, 62k shown, TMU, BaT $59.5K BaT, 2026
191113141930313435363738394041
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1983Launch price$19,485US base price, 1983 model year
1983Price when new$19,485US base, 944
1983Price when new$23,155US as tested, 944
1986Price when new$29,500US base, Turbo
1988Price when new$39,765US base, Turbo before S package
1988Price when new$48,350US as tested, Turbo S
1990Price when new$41,900US base, S2 coupe
1990Price when new$48,600US base, S2 Cabriolet
1990Price when new$52,295US as tested, S2 Cabriolet
2017Auction sale$46,2001988 Turbo S, 39,000 miles, Amelia Island
2024Auction sale$53,0001988 Turbo S, BaT
2024Auction sale$13,5001985 944, 71,361 miles, Bring a Trailer
2024Auction sale$22,7501986 Turbo, 68,906 miles, Bring a Trailer
2024Auction sale$23,1501990 S2 Cabriolet, 52,211 miles, Bring a Trailer
2025Auction sale$17,2501991 944 S2, 154k shown, repaired odometer, BaT
2025Auction sale$5,5551989 944 2.7L project, 114k miles shown, TMU, BaT
2026Auction sale$13,2501983 944 5-speed, 55k miles shown; pump noise, BaT
2026Auction sale$59,5001988 Turbo S, 41k miles shown; total unknown, BaT
2026Auction sale$17,5001989 S2, 179k km shown; low compression, BaT
2026Auction sale$16,5001986 944 Turbo, 205k shown, repaired odometer, BaT
2026Auction sale$16,5001991 944 S2 Cabriolet, 105k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$20,0001987 944S, 106k miles shown, TMU, BaT
2026Auction sale$11,0001983 944, 70k shown, broken odometer, TMU, BaT
2026Auction sale$19,5001988 944 Turbo S, modified, 62k shown, TMU, BaT
2026Value today$13,250–$59,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “America's best-handling car, October 1984”
    • “The fastest four had a gearing caveat”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 41 sources
  1. What to Buy: 1983—1991 Porsche 944 caranddriver.com
  2. Porsche 944 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Porsche 944 Celebration Edition (1988) stuttcars.com
  4. Porsche 924 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Porsche 944: why the transaxle star is a rising classic sportscar porsche.com
  6. Anatole Lapine - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. Model 944 Turbo | Porsche USA porsche.com
  8. ArtCenter Gallery - Porsche 964 Carrera by Benjamin Dimson3UTF-8 artcenter.edu
  9. 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo Specifcations - european car Magazine motortrend.com
  10. So What Changed with the 944 in 1985 1/2? – 924S944.com 924s944.com
  11. 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S Is Worth the Extra Spend caranddriver.com
  12. Model 944 | Porsche Australia porsche.com
  13. Hot Potato: 1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet Driven caranddriver.com
  14. No Reserve: 1983 Porsche 944 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,250 on August 8, 2026 (Lot #256,717) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  15. JMG Porsche - Independent Porsche Specialists - 944 Buyers Guide jmgporsche.co.uk
  16. 1987 Porsche 944S Expands the Lineup caranddriver.com
  17. Paradise on Wheels: 1990 Nissan 300ZX vs. Porsche 944 S2 roadandtrack.com
  18. Porsche 944 Turbo For Sale - BaT Auctions bringatrailer.com
  19. 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S | Amelia Island 2017 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  20. 70 Years Porsche in Australia: 944 Turbo Cup - Porsche Newsroom AUS newsroom.porsche.com
  21. Porsche 944 Turbo Cup – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  22. Porsche 944 French Special (1984) stuttcars.com
  23. Porsche 912 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. Porsche 914 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  25. Porsche 944 buying guide, history and review - Octane Magazine octane-magazine.com
  26. Porsche Moment #3 - Porsche Newsroom newsroom.porsche.com
  27. Chris Pfaff - Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame cmhf.ca
  28. Remembering the 1980s in Sixteen Candles - New Orleans Museum of Art noma.org
  29. Forza Horizon 5 Confirmed Car List | Forza forza.net
  30. Long-Term Wrap: Life with Our 1983 Porsche 944 caranddriver.com
  31. 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $59,500 on September 13, 2026 (Lot #262,954) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 1984 Porsche 944 | The Porsche 70th Anniversary Auction | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  33. Porsche 944 turbo buying guide 944turbo.org.uk
  34. RoW 1989 Porsche 944 S2 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,500 on October 16, 2026 (Lot #268,768) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. No Reserve: 1983 Porsche 944 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $11,000 on August 17, 2026 (Lot #258,172) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. 1987 Porsche 944S 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $20,000 on September 15, 2026 (Lot #263,088) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. No Reserve: 1989 Porsche 944 2.7L 5-Speed Project for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $5,555 on October 3, 2025 (Lot #213,144) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. No Reserve: 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,500 on October 27, 2026 (Lot #270,743) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  39. 1991 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,500 on October 23, 2026 (Lot #270,207) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  40. No Reserve: 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $19,500 on July 10, 2026 (Lot #251,825) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  41. 1991 Porsche 944 S2 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,250 on November 6, 2025 (Lot #218,482) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • stuttcars.com
  • porsche.com
  • artcenter.edu
  • motortrend.com
  • 924s944.com
  • bringatrailer.com
  • jmgporsche.co.uk
  • roadandtrack.com
  • rmsothebys.com
  • newsroom.porsche.com
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • octane-magazine.com

Photo credits

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