1 Oct 1989
Porsche unveiled the 85 per cent new 964 series 911 initially as the four-wheel drive Carrera 4 Coupe only.
But Australians saw both rear and 4WD versions in October 1989, powered by a184kW/310Nm 3.6-litre air-cooled flat six-cylinder engine paired to a five-speed manual gearbox.
Porsche almost completely redesigned the 26-year old 911, with an all-new platform and engine underneath the familiar body.
The Carrera 4 used a similar four-wheel drive system to the astounding 959 supercar of 1985.
It was an electronically controlled all-wheel drive set-up that sensed individual wheel speed differences and compensated for them accordingly, for improved traction and cornering ability.
For the first time it also included power steering, coil spring suspension and anti-lock brakes.
Three body styles were offered – coupe, convertible and Targa. All were based on the original 1963 901/911 design, with the ‘Turbo look’ wide body coming in from early ’92 as an option.
In January ’93 a 911 Carrera RS Coupe was introduced, powered by a 191kW/325Nm version of the 3.0 flat six, with a five-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels.
Turbo power came in the form of the 236kW/450Nm 3.3-litre flat-six 964 911 Turbo Coupe in March ’91.
