The 1994 Porsche 968 is Porsche's most affordable sports car. The 968 combines traditional Porsche design features, a powerful, responsive engine, agility, and balanced handling in a competitively priced package.

The 1994 Porsche 968 is available as a Coupe as well as a Cabriolet, equipped with a power- operated top. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual or Porsche's unique Tiptronic automatic transmission. The 1994 model 968 is available in new exterior colors. Also new for 1994 are restyled seats and wheels.

3.0 LITER ENGINE

Porsche's primary engineering goals in the development of the 968 powerplant were to design an engine with the highest power output, without increasing the engine displacement, and to produce the highest possible torque at a low engine speed. These goals were met with the 3.0 liter 968 engine

Highest-torque 3-liter

The engine which powers the 968 is unique; no other three-liter non-turbo engine presently in production develops as much torque. Torque, more than horsepower, is whatmakes a car feel responsive in everyday driving conditions as wellas in high-performance situations. The 968 will outperform even the highly regarded 944 Turbo S in acceleration, braking and top speed.

VarioCam^TM variable valve timing

Key among the innovations that help achieve such performance is Porsche's VarioCam^TM variable valve timing system. VarioCam uses a timing piston, controlled by the Bosch Motronic engine management system. The timing piston is located between the tension and slack sides of the timing chain which joins the intake and exhaust cams. When actuated, the piston shifts the intake cam timing by 15 crankshaft degrees (7.5 camshaft degrees). Earlier valve timing results in more valve overlap and earlier intake valve closing, and in turn yields increased engine torque. At high engine speed, the piston is shifted back to its late timing position for high power. The overall effect of the VarioCam system is to give the 968 a broader, flatter torgue curve than it would have with rigidly fixed valve timing. Compared to an engine without VarioCam, torque increases by 7 to 16 percent. In contrast to other variable valve timing systems which require complicated valve train components, Porsche's VarioCam system uses only two moving parts.

VarioCam benefits

VarioCam has benefits beyond power and torque increases, however. It also brings about significant reductions in exhaust emissions. At low engine speeds and at idle, the late intake cam timing results in small valve overlap and thereby a reduction in hydrocarbon (HC) emissions. At moderate engine speeds, early timing and large valve overlap give a form of built-in exhaust gas recirculation, whereby not all the combustion products are flushed out of the cylinder. This significantly reduces nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions. Because the engine exhaustis cleaner even before it reaches the catalytic converter, cold-start emissions are reduced in the critical period before the catalytic converter reaches operating temperature.

Resonance induction

The 968 S also fitted with a resonance induction system. The dual-path intake plenum uses a bypass tube, which gives a supercharging effect for increased power outputin the range between 4000 and 6400 rpm. Complementing the intake system refinements is the 968 exhaust system. To ensure maximum efficiency of the metal monolith three-way catalytic converter, the shape of the exhaust passage was optimized to yield a uniform gas flow distribution into the converter.

Power, torque and fuel economy

The Porsche 968 develops 236 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 225 Ibs.-ft. of torque at 4100 rpm. Despite this high power output, EPA fuel economy is impressive, at 17 mpg city, 26 mpg highway with the standard six-speed manual transmission. Fuel economy with the optional Tiptronic transmission is 16/25 mpg. (1994 EPA estimates. Compare these estimates to the "Estimated MPG" of other cars. Actual mileage will vary with speed, weather and trip length. Highway mileage will probably be less.)

TRANSMISSION

Advantages of 6-speed manual transmission

The Porsche 968 is fitted with a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. Although the broad, flat torque curve of the 968 would be well-suited to a conventional five- speed transmission, Porsche's choice of an extra gear ratio, combined with VarioCam variable valve timing, brings benefits in acceleration as well as fuel economy and exhaust emissions at cruising speeds. The lower gears are spaced like those of a five-speed, for good acceleration and low-speed response. The closely spaced top three gear ratios allow low engine speeds at cruise.

The Porsche 968 front engine/rear transaxle layout achieves a nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution, a trait shared with the Porsche 928 GTS. This gives the 968 responsive handling and high cornering limits without the harshness often associated with "sport suspensions' The 968 combines the very high cornering grip of a sports car with the supple suspension and comfortable cruising ability of a personal luxury car.

TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSION

World's most advanced automatic transmission

As an alternative to the standard 6-speed manual transmission, the 968 is optionally available with Porsche's unique Tiptronic transmission, the most sophisticated automatic transmission presently available in the automobile industry.

Like so many of Porsche's key engineering features, the Tiptronic owes its existence in part to Porsche's racing experience. In the mid-1980s, Porsche experimented with a unique semiautomatic transmission, the PDK, in several Porsche 962 Group C race cars.

Choice of driving styles

Compared to conventional automatic transmissions, the Tiptronic offers Porsche drivers a wider choice of driving styles: the transmission can be left in "Drive" like a conventional automatic, or the driver can move the lever to a special gate and manualy go up and down through the gears by "tipping" the lever forward or backward.

The Tiptronic features electro-hydraulic control, a lockup torque converter (in the upper three gears) and feedback to the engine control system for smoother shifts. Inputparameters include throttle position, throttle opening or closing speed, engine rpm, vehicle speed, lateral and straight-line acceleration.

Tiptronic: the most intelligent automatic transmission available

Even in its full automatic mode, the Tiptronic displays capabilities unmatched by any other automatic transmission on the market today. It can virtually sense the driver's needs avoiding annoying and unwanted up or downshifts which detract from sporty driving with conventional automatic transmissions. This is made possible by the Tiptronic's five distinct shift programs, ranging from sport to economy (other automatic transmissions offer two or, at best, three driver-selected shift modes), and adaptive logic in its control unit. There is no separate switch to select a shift mode; the control unit senses how a car is being driven and determines which of the five shift maps to use.

Tiptronic manual mode

If the shift lever is moved to the right of its "Drive" position, the transmission goes into its manual mode; the Tiptronic shifts up on driver demand or automatically when engine speed reaches the optimum point on the torque curve, whichever occurs first. Conversely, if the driver requests a downshift that would result in over-revving, the Tiptronic defers the shift until speed has decreased appropriately.

Tiptronic advantages

The Tiptronic gives away only a small performance margin to the Porsche 968 with a six- speed manual transmission, but offers in return greater comfort in congested driving conditions while still enabling the traditional sports car enjoyment of going through the gears. Because it is less dependent on individual drivers' styles with clutch and shift lever, the Tiptronic lends itself to an effective exhaust emissions reduction strategy and allows better control of fuel consumption and noise emissions.

BRAKE SYSTEMS

Large brakes,ABS standard

In keeping with Porsche's tradition of providing braking performance to match the high levels of acceleration possible with its products, the 968 employs front 11.73 inch (298 mm) and rear 11.77 inch (299 mm) ventilated disc brakes, each with a four-piston caliper. As an option, larger front brakes with 11.97 inch (304 mm) ventilated and cross-drilled discs are available. Like every 1994 Porsche, the 968 has anti-lock brakes as standard equipment. In brake systems, as in so many other components, Porsche's racing experience has led directly to major improvements for production cars - improvements customers can feel and use every day. Technology transter from race track to street often results in race-proven systems finding their way directly to the assembly line. For example, the brake system used on the legendary Type 917 race cars in the early 1970s was applied to the 911 Turbo as of 1977.

The key to high-performance braking is heat management. The energy represented by the speed of the car must be converted to heat and transferred to the surrounding air as quickly as possible. Managing this heat transfer requires careful design of the mechanical parts of the brake system, as well as the bodywork and ducting of the car.

Design for optimum cooling

Porsche design parameters for improved brake system performance include the following:

• temperature-resistant engine piston alloys are used for brake caliper pistons
• brake fluid is kept at a lower temperature by the large radiating surface of calipers
• wear-resistant asbestos-free brake pads provide the highest possible resistance to fading
• use of DOT 4-200 brake fluid, with a higher wet boiling point for greater resistance to fading and extended intervals between brake fluid changes

Porsche's brake discs employ spiral-shaped internal cooling ribs, with additional half-ribs to radiate heat away from the rubbing surfaces. It takes more to duct cooling air to the brakes than simply cutting the biggest possible holes in the bodywork. Too much cooling air flow will increase drag and front-end lift Too litle air flow results in overheating and altered brake bias. Porsche has found the best compromise in underbody ducting in the nose, a flexible spoiler attached to the lower suspension arms, and a deflector plate attached to the suspension to direct air through the brake splash shield. Wheel design is also a vital element of the brake cooling system. The openings between the spokes must be designed to extract hot air from under the fenders.

Brake testing in the laboratory and on the road

Porsche conducts extensive laboratory and road tests to optimize brake designs. The final testis how the brake system performs on the road. Porsche tests on famous race tracks such as the Nürburgring and Hockenheimring, and under real-world conditions such as the steep mountain roads on Mont Ventoux in southern France.

The net result of Porsche's quest for the ultimate in braking performance is that every Porsche production car is capable of extended duty on race tracks without any special modifications to the brake system. In view of such rigorous demands, it comes as no surprise that Porsche brakes provide the utmost in stopping ability under everyday driving conditions.

SUSPENSION AND STEERING

16-inch wheels standard, wider 17-inch wheels available

The 968 is fitted with 16-inch wheels as standard equipment; larger wider 17-inch wheels are available as an option. The front suspension consists of MacPherson struts, aluminum alloy lower control arms and a 1.05 inch (26.8 mm) stabilizer bar. Aluminum alloy semi- trailing arms, 0.63 inch (16mm) stabilizer bar and springing via transverse torsion bars make up the rear suspension. The 968 employs force-sensitive hydraulicaly assisted rack and pinion steering

Buyers of the 968 who seek even more capable handling can order the M 030 suspension package. At the front, the package includes variable height spring struts,1.18 inch (30 mm) tubular stabilizer bar, shocks adjustable for rebound damping, larger, thicker cross-drilled brake rotors and larger brake caliper pistons. At the rear, additional barrel-type springs are fitted over the shock absorbers, while the shocks themselves are adjustable for rebound damping, and an 0.75 inch (19 mm) stabilizer bar replaces the stock 16 mm bar. Larger, wider 17-inch wheels and tires are fitted front and rear.

PERFORMANCE

Zero to 60 mph and top speed

The 968 delivers Porsche performance at a competitive price. Acceleration to 60 mph takes 6.3 seconds with the manual transmission, 7.7 seconds with the Tiptronic. Top track speed is 156 mph with the six-speed, 153 mph with the Tiptronic. (Performance data is provided for comparison purposes only. Porsche recommends obeying all speed laws.)

SAFETY

At Porsche, safety begins with a car's driving characteristics. The dynamic behavior of Porsche sports cars is the result of advanced testing and experimentation, as well as experience on the race track. The results are uncompromising design of suspension, steering, and brakes. Safety considerations are also reflected in the comfort, excellent visibility, and ergonomically correct design of Porsche sports cars.

Highlights of Porsche's safety engineering

Safety is not a new concept at Porsche. As early as 1952, all Porsche cars were fitted with laminated safety glass windshields. In 1956, Porsche offered seat belts as an option on the 356. A 1959 race car, the Type 718, pioneered the articulated steering column which today is used on all Porsche models. In 1961, Porsche offered a shoulder belt as an option, and in the following year made three-point belts available. Racing experience led to the introduction of plastic fuel tanks,first used in the racing-only 911 R of 1967. Plastic tanks are not only impact and fire resistant, but are also impervious to corrosion. Since 1973, every Porsche 911 has been equipped with door reinforcements for increased protection in side impacts. In 1990, Porsche was the first auto manufacturer to equip all of its products with anti-lock brakes. Also in 1990, Porsche was the first manufacturer, domestic or import, to equip every car sold in the United States with driver as well as front passenger airbags as standard equipment.

Structural safety

Airbags and safety belts represent just one level of protection for the occupants, however. The car's structure is also designed for safety, with a rigid cage to surround the occupants and deformable crush zones to absorb impacts. Porsche was the first manufacturer to build car bodies using sheet steel galvanized on both sides. This not only preserves the appearance of the car and the owner's investment, but also maintains the built-in crash- worthiness of the car. Porsche is one of only two manufacturers who feels so strongly about its corrosion protection measures that it provides a full ten-year limited warranty against rust perforation. Even the paint carries a three-year limited warranty.

PORSCHE, SPORTS CARS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Environmental responsibility

Porsche is not only pioneer in high technology and high performance, but an industry leader in environmental responsibility. This begins with building cars to last. Of all the Porsches built since 1948, it is estimated that 80 percent are still in service. Part of that longevity comes from the fully galvanized bodywork of the Porsche 911. Its durability has been a factor in maintaining Porsche's traditionally high resale values and unparalleled owner loyalty.

Efficient recycling

During development of the 1995 91 1 Carrera, the goal of recyclability of a high proportion of materials used in producing the car was given priority - and achieved. If and when a Porsche reaches the end of its useful life, labeling of various plastic components willmake it easier to reprocess parts, and will help to put plastics back into consumer products, not in landiflls. Lightweight metals, such as aluminum and magnesium, as well as steel, are easily recycled.

Performance WITH LESS pollution

Despite their high performance, Porsche cars are among the cleanest on the road. Highly effective three-way catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, and engine management systems have long been partof the Porsche pedigree. Al Porsche models are equipped with systems that fulfill the most stringent exhaust standards worldwide.

Ozone-friendly HFC-134a refrigerant

Growing concern about the possible effects of chlorofluorocarbons, including the CFC-12 refrigerants used in automotive air conditioning systems, on the earth's ozone layer led Porsche to introduce a CFC-free refrigerant, HFC-134a, beginning with its 1993 models. The higher cost of HFC-134a, and its higher salvage value, also provide a monetary recycling incentive for repair shops.

SPECIAL OPTIONS AND EUROPEAN DELIVERY

Special-order options available for all Porsches

Porsche owners who would like to further personalize their cars can take advantage of Porsche's special options program. Porsche offers a wide range of special order items to make each car uniquely individual. These include paint to match any sample color and leather to dupli licate any sample shade. Virtually every interior item may be ordered with factory-applied leather trim.

Porsches European delivery

Every Porsche may be ordered through participating U.S.dealers for European delivery This program offers an unforgettable driving experience, enabling the buyer to sample the high-speed motorways and scenic, winding secondary roads which gave birth to the Porsche legend.

WARRANTY

Broad warranty coverage

Thanks to decades of experience building solid, urable high-performance cars, Porsche's warranty coverage is among the broadest of any sports car manufacturer. Each Porsche is covered by a two-year new vehicle limited warranty with unlimited mileage, which includes the Porsche roadside assistance program. The fully galvanized body and 26-step paint and anti-corrosion process enable Porsche to warrant each car for ten years and unlimited mileage against rust perforation, protection unmatched by any other sports car manufacturer. In addition, the paintwork carries a three-year limited warranty.

Two-year parts warranty

In addition to the extensive warranty coverage of Porsche cars, Porsche also warrants parts and accessories for two years and unlimited mileage. For parts and accessories installed by authorized Porsche dealers, labor costs are also covered.

LEASING AND FINANCING

Porsche Credit Corporation offers attractive leasing, financing and balloon payment plans for new and used Porsche sports cars. The "Porsche Preferred Lease" program is available for new Porsche sports cars and for 1991-1994 pre-owned cars. The lease term can be as long as 60 months. Finance terms of up to 84 months are available. The "Porsche Options" program combines the economies of leasing with the benefits of ownership for new Porsches as well as 1990-1994 pre-owned Porsches. (Certain programs may not be available in all 50 states.)

Attractive leasing terms for new and pre-owned Porsches

These financial options allow more American drivers to enjoy the thrill of the Porsche experience, an experience which draws on Porsche's legendary heritage as the maker of both the world's finest performance automobiles and some of the most innovative and successful cars in the history of automobile racing.