Porsche · 1989–1993

Porsche 964

The Porsche 964 is a model of the Porsche 911 sports car manufactured and sold between 1989 and 1994. Designed by Benjamin Dimson through January 1986, it featured significant styling revisions over previous 911 models, most prominently the more integrated bumpers. It was the first car to be offered with Porsche's Tiptronic automatic transmission and all-wheel drive as options.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: 1963-1989 Porsche 911 · Successor: Porsche 993|Porsche 911 GT2

All Porsche 964 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Name

Type 964 ("nine-sixty-four", or "nine-six-four") is Porsche's internal code name for the 911 Carrera 2 and 911 Carrera 4 models, which were badged simply as "Carrera 2" and "Carrera 4". "964" is used by automotive publications and enthusiasts to distinguish them from other generations of the Carrera.

Carrera 2 and 4

The 964 was considered to be 85% new as compared to its predecessor, the Carrera 3.2. The first 964s available in 1989 were all wheel drive equipped "Carrera 4" models; Porsche added the rear-wheel drive Carrera 2 variant to the range in 1990. Both variants were available as a coupé, targa or cabriolet. The 964 Carrera was the last generation sold with the traditional removable Targa roof until the 2011 991 (993, 996, and 997 versions used instead a complex glass-roof "greenhouse" system). The exterior bumpers and fog lamps became flush with the car for better aerodynamics. A new electric rear spoiler raised at speeds above 80 km/h (50 mph) and lowered down flush with the rear engine lid at lower speeds. A new naturally aspirated engine called the M64 was used for 964 models, with a flat-6 displacement of 3.6 litres. Porsche substantially revised the suspension, replacing torsion bars with coil springs and shock absorbers. Power steering and ABS brakes were added to the 911 for the first time; both were standard. A revised interior featured standard dual airbags beginning in late 1989 for all North American production 1990 MY cars. A new automatic climate control system provided improved heating and cooling. Revised instrumentation housed a large set of warning lights that were tied into the car's central warning system, alerting the driver to a possible problem or malfunction. Engine. Engine design: Air/oil-cooled, horizontally-opposed, dry-sump lubricated, rear-mounted Engine displacement: 3,600 cc (220 cu in) Cylinders: Six Bore and stroke: 100 × 76.4 mm (3.94 × 3.01 in) Compression ratio: 11.3 : 1 Fuel/ignition: Electronic fuel injection, DME controller, with twin-spark with knock regulation Crankshaft: Forged, seven main bearings Block and heads: aluminum a

Carrera RS variants

In 1992, Porsche produced a super-lightweight, rear-wheel-drive only version of the 964 dubbed Carrera RS for the European market. It was based on Porsche's 911 "Carrera Cup" race car and harked back to the 2.7 and 3.0 RS and RSR models. It featured a revised version of the standard engine, titled M64/03 internally, with a marginally increased power output of 260 PS (191 kW; 256 bhp) and a lightweight flywheel coupled to the G50/10 transmission with closer ratios, asymmetrical limited-slip differential, and steel synchromesh. A track-oriented suspension system with 40 mm (1.6 in) lower ride height, stiffer springs, shocks and adjustable stabilizer bars without power steering (RHD UK cars did have power steering). Two versions were available; the standard RS and Clubsport. The standard RS or heavier "Touring" variant included more creature comforts when compared with the Clubsport (thin carpets, some sound deadening, leather lined bucket seats, undercarriage protection with options such as a radio, power windows, and air conditioning). The Clubsport package (option code M003) included a fully stripped-out interior devoid of power windows, seats, rear seats, air conditioning, cruise control, stereo system, sound deadening and carpeting. It was equipped with a roll cage and full racing-bucket front seats. The bonnet was aluminum and the chassis was seam welded. Wheels were magnesium and the glass was thinner in the doors and rear window. At 1,217 kg (2,683 lb), the Carrera RS is approximately 123 kg (271 lb) lighter than the US-market RS America. Porsche made 290 cars with the M003 option code. Towards the end of the production run a limited production version was available in Europe; called the Carrera 3.8 RS. It featured the wider Turbo body and a 300 PS (221 kW; 296 bhp

964 Cup

Based on the Porsche 964 was the 1990 racing version for the new Porsche Carrera Cup. In addition to an increase in output by 11 kW to 265 PS (195 kW; 261 hp), the 964 Cup had a welded roll cage, a modified chassis set-up and the ground clearance was 55 mm (2.2 in) lower than on the standard version. To reduce weight much of the interior comforts including the sound-proofing material was removed. The gear ratios were modified and it had non power-steering. The vehicle did have a catalytic converter and an anti-lock braking system (ABS). In 1992, the 964 Cup had a major revision. The vehicle now had the body from the 964RS and the engine now produced 275 PS (202 kW; 271 hp). Another major change was that the ABS could be switched off in the event of emergency braking or whilst the car was going backwards. The vehicle now had 18-inch magnesium rims, which replaced the aluminium rims. The car was lowered by a further 20 mm. Technical data.

Turbo

=== Turbo 3.3 === Porsche introduced the 964 Turbo model in March, 1990 as the successor to the 930. However, they did not have the time necessary to develop a turbocharged version of the 3.6-litre M64 engine, and chose to re-use the 3.3-litre engine from the 930, with several minor revisions that made the engine smoother, less prone to turbo lag and more powerful, with a total output of 320 PS (235 kW; 316 hp) at 5,750 rpm. A total of 3,660 964 Turbos were built. In 1992, the 3.3-litre Turbo S Leichtbau (light build) was introduced. Some 25–50 units were planned, though this was later increased to 80. The standard Turbo model was modified to produce 381 PS (280 kW; 376 hp) with bigger injectors, more boost, more aggressive camshafts, and a lightweight interior with limited "creature comforts", making the Turbo S one of the fastest cars on the road. With suspensions lowered by 40 mm, a front strut brace and manual steering, the Turbo S was geared towards performance. The Leichtbau requirement was achieved by deleting the under-body protection, soundproofing, air conditioning, power steering and rear seats, while further savings came from thinner glass, aluminium doors, a carbon-fibre luggage compartment and thinner carpets, the result being a reduction of 180 kg over the standard Turbo. Production of the Turbo S Leichtbau began in July 1992 for the 1993 model year. Some sources state that Porsche ended up building six more cars than the 80 planned. Turbo 3.6. Porsche released the 964 Turbo 3.6 in January 1993, now featuring a KK&K K27 turbocharged version of the 3.6-litre M64 engine developing 360 PS (355 bhp; 265 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 520 N⋅m (384 lb⋅ft) at 4,200 rpm of torque, produced only for model year 1993/1994, with fewer than 1,500 of them produced in total, mak

30th Anniversary C4

In 1993 Porsche introduced the 30th Anniversary C4 to commemorate 30 years since the 911 launch in 1963. Its based on the wider turbo body and wheels with 4 wheel drive, but with a normally aspirated engine and standard small lifting wing. 911 units were produced, and the car was only offered in Viola, Polar Silver or Amethyst. This version was the start of a line that continued with the 993 C4S and 996 C4S.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Porsche 964
aka: Porsche 911, Porsche Carrera
Manufacturer: Porsche
Class: Sports car
Layout: RR layout, R4 layout
Production: 1989–December 1993 , 63,762 built
Related: Ruf RCT
Predecessor: Porsche 911 (classic), Porsche 911 (930)
Successor: Porsche 993
Body style: 2-door coupé, 2-door convertible, 2-door targa
Engine: 3.3 L M30/69 turbo F6, 3.6 L M64/01, 02, 03 F6, 3.6 L M64/50 turbo F6, 3.75 L M64/04 F6 (3.8 RS/RSR)
Wheelbase: 2270 mm
Length: 4275 mm
Width: 1650 -
Height: 1310 -
Transmission: 5-speed Getrag G50 manual, 4-speed Tiptronic automatic, 5-speed 4WD Getrag G64 manual
Assembly: Germany: Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart
Designer: Benjamin Dimson (1985, 1986)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1428966CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_911_(964)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1371193888 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_964_front_20080515.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Rudolf Stricker · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.