928 S4
At its debut, the 928 was an anomaly among Porsche’s lineup. As the first mid-engined Porsche since the 911 to serve as an actual grand tourer – competing against Mercedes-Benz and BMW models but offering greater performance due to Porsche’s legendary sports-car legacy – its success was met with criticism for being too comfortable and lacking performance.
Even under proper maintenance, 928 S4s are notorious for being oil-guzzlers; monitor your consumption closely. Cambelt replacement will likely need to be performed around 150,000 miles; check maintenance logs regularly to make sure belt replacement occurs at proper intervals. In addition, complex electronics in these cars may become compromised over time or due to neglect; inspect all electrical systems regularly for signs of wear.
On the road, driving the 928 is a treat. Its massive front wishbones have conventional double-setup with spring/damper for keeping its wheels aligned, while its Weissach axle – designed by Porsche to counteract lateral forces and improve handling – allows its rear end to move both forward and backward simultaneously in response to lateral forces and improve handling; creating an automobile capable of easily floating over bumps while remaining stable when cornering.
Though not as capable or playful as a 911 on twisty roads, the 928S4 remains one of the most capable and civilized GT cars ever created. You can drive it with an effortless ease that lets you enjoy its smooth luxury ride at an easy pace; or push hard on a racetrack where it will reward drivers with unparalleled control.
The 928 was intended to serve a different role: grand touring. A technical masterpiece when first released, this front-engined beauty won the European Car of The Year award in 1978 and set a trend among luxury sports cars of its time with four comfortable seats and an enormous thirsty V8 engine under its bonnet; even today it remains an unparalleled driving experience.
As Porsche improved and refined the 928 over time, they added the S suffix and equipped it with a more powerful 234hp front-mounted 4.5-liter V8 that powered its performance significantly above that of its predecessor model – allowing it to become known for Autobahn cruiser performance with “laser-sharp” handling that surprised many who weren’t used to rear engined Porsches.
Redesign of the exterior brought with it wider body dimensions, smoother nose and tail surfaces and new lights, more refined interior furnishings and improved rear seat comfort. A lot of money was spent developing suspension; initially based on Porsche 911 multi-link system that later would be applied to other 911 models but with larger rear axle and more sophisticated dampers.
By 1985, the 928 was ready for an overhaul. The S4 model retained its large V8, smooth ride and relaxed nature while offering lighter body construction, more luxurious features and an upgraded sound system – it proved so successful it remained in production until 1991 with only minor adjustments between each generation.