Porsche 993
1993 - 1998
New headlights
In 1994 business was going a lot better for Porsche when the new 911 (internally known as 993) went on sale. The new car was the most sweepingly changed 911 ever. Gone were the nearly upright headlights that had accompanied the 911 for over thirty years. They were replaced with 959-like items in favour of better aerodynamics. Together with the new bumper and front wings, they gave the 993 a fresh look, without losing the identity of the 911.
The 993 wore newly designed 16 inch wheels and wider rear fenders. Beneath the front bumper were 'air-relief' vents, to help air escape from the wheel wells.
Chassis revisions were just as extensive. The 3.6-liter engine was modified to give 270 bhp. A new Porsche-designed six-speed gearbox was used , the rear suspension had been redesigned, and more powerfull brakes had been added. The single exhaust pipe was replaced by exhausts both left and right, like the Turbo's have.
The 993 was equiped with rear-wheel drive, now called Carrera instead of Carrera 2. Later the Carrera 4 became available with a further simplified four-wheel drive system. The new system now added only 50 kg's extra weight to the car compared to the Carrera. The Carrera 4 can be recognised by the indicators that are white on the front and red on the back (the Carrera's are orange).
New interior
The 993 also featured a new interior. Luggage space was increased by 20%. There were new seats, a new steering wheel, and some other changes making the 911 intertior more ergonomical. When the 993 was released it was only available as a coupé. The cabriolet followed a couple of months later. The Targa was dropped, because sales had been decreasing ever since the cabriolet had been introduced in 1981. In 1995 a new-style Targa would however be introduced again. Not only did 1995 bring a new Targa. In 1996 the new RS, RS clubsport, Carrera 4S and the new Turbo were introduced.
The 911 RS and RS Clubsport
All of this measures make the RS's about 100 kg's lighter then a stock 911. With their lower suspension, 18 inch wheels and 300 bhp. 3.8-liter engine, both cars are seriously quick. Other differences between the RS and the RS Clubsport are the Clubsport's bigger spoiler, that is optional on the RS, and a slightly different front-wing, giving more downforce.
The Targa
Because the share of the cabriolet had slowly been increasing at the cost of the Targa's, Porsche announced a Targa-version of the 993 wouldn't become availble.
In 1995 however a new Targa was introduced. Instead of the rollbar that had always been so charasteristic for the previous Targa's this model featured a new principle. The roof of the car is composed of a glass panel. This panel can be slided beneath the backlight, creating a true cabriolet-like feeling. There's also a power-operated unshade to keep the cabin cool. And a power-operated wind deflector that reduces interior wind buffeting when the roof is retracted. The Targa is based on the cabriolets bodywork. It can easily be recognised by the different rear side-windows, and the special wheels.
The Carrera 4S and Carrera S
In 1997 when the new 911 (996) was announced Porsche came with the Carrera S. This car also had the Turbo's shell, but was equiped with two-wheel drive. This car was built to stimulate sales of the 'old' 911, before the new model went on sale. Because of the wider tires both Carrera S and 4S have excellent roadholding. The split grill is unique to the Carrera S.
Gallery
Technical specifications for the 1993 - 1998 Porsche 993
| engine | |
|
1993-1996 993 Carrera 4 & 2 |
1996-1999 993 Carrera 4 & 2 |
| weight | |
|
1993-1994 911 Carrerra 1995 911 Carrerra 1995 911 Carrerra 4 1996 911 Carrerra RS 1996-1997 911 Carrerra 1997-1999 911 Carrerra 4S, S |
|
|
I couldn't find any specifations for the Targa and Cabriolet, but I asume they weigh 50 kg's more then the coupés |
|
| wheelbase | |
|
All models |
|
| Track (front / rear) | |
|
Standard models 'S' models |
|
| Length, Width | |
|
All models |
|
