Porsche 993 Information
The Porsche 993 was manufactured from 1993 through 1998, and was the last of Porsche's 50-year history of producing air-cooled roadsters and sports cars. The 993 is the internal name for the Porsche 911. It was offered as a coupe, cabriolet or Targa, and marked several technological and design advances for the sports car.
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Origins
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The 993 was a continuation of the long line of 911 models that debuted in 1964. The 993 replaced the popular 1989 through 1993 964 versions of the 993. The 993, however, outsold the 964 by nearly 6,000 units.
Improvements
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As with all variations of the 911, Porsche experimented with body styling and mechanical components during the existence of the 993. Most notably, the 993 adopted an alloy multi-arm rear suspension and subframe system that had been intended for a four-door sedan that never was manufactured. This influenced rear body design but more importantly it increased the 993's stability and agility.
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Drive Options
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The vehicle was offered as a two-wheel or all-wheel drive, and with gearboxes with four or five speeds. By 1995, the Tiptronic "S" transmission controls were mounted on the steering wheel that allowed for smoother shifting. It also allowed the engine to maintain its torque above 4500 rpm, the optimum range for the 993.
Carrera
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The basic Carrera coupe and cabriolet were powered by a 3.6-liter flat six-cylinder engine generating 272 horsepower, with the twin turbo version offering 402 horsepower and even higher depending on how the engine was tuned. This was Porsche first turbo with all-wheel drive.
Options
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The 993 came in a dizzying array of options that virtually guaranteed that each 993 would be a one-of-kind model since most customers demanded individualized packages. Buyers picked their own suspension packages depending on their pocketbook; seating for racing, sport or comfort; just about any upholstery option they wanted; and customized paint schemes.
The Targa
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Porsche's Targa 993 model debuted in 1996. It possessed a wide retractable glass roof, and gone was B-pillar that doubled as a roll bar. Although the awkward-to-store hardtop roof was replaced, a greenhouse effect on the car's occupants could be a problem, so a power shade was provided to keep the interior cool.
Production
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Not surprisingly, the popular 993 coupe outsold all other 993 models, with 14,541 units produced during its five years of existence. Porsche sold 5,978 3.6-liter twin turbos. Overall, 68,029 models were sold, outpacing the 964, which numbered 62,172. The 993 coupes and cabriolets ended production in 1997, with the Targa following in 1998.The 1998 through 2005 water-cooled Porsche 996 replaced the 993.
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References
- Photo Credit Porsche
