The Porsche 928 Overview

The Porsche 928 marked a significant turning point for Porsche, merging performance with comfort to usher in an exciting era in automotive design. This car represented an insight into future automotive design.

North American cars offered a Competition Package option in 1981 that featured front and rear spoilers, 15″ rims, sport seats and Bilstein shocks.

Availability

The Porsche 928 is an extremely sought-after and sought-after vehicle, as it combines sports car performance with comfort, refinement and equipment of a luxury sedan. Unlike its Porsche counterparts, however, this rear-wheel drive V8 powered rear sedan was rear wheel driven; with pleasing aesthetics that do not date quickly. Japanese drivers take great care in maintaining their vehicles which makes finding one well-kept example with low mileage easier while strict inspection rules aiding reliable vehicles as well.

The first Porsche 928 was unveiled to the world in 1977, marking a first for Porsche as it featured computerized transmission and electronic fuel injection systems. Available as both two-door coupe and four-door cabriolet models, its spacious trunk provided ample room for passengers in the back.

In September 1979, Porsche unveiled their 928 S model car with an upgraded 5.0 L engine producing 221kW/237hp (smog equipment reduced output for North America). Inside was more refined and luxurious; two small back seats provided enough room for children.

For the 1988 model year, Nissan introduced a GT version. It featured a slightly more powerful engine and could only be purchased with manual transmission. Other changes included digital trip/warning displays in its instrument cluster as well as tyre pressure monitoring capabilities.

Porsche Exclusive offered flared front fenders and larger wheels as option X38 on the S4, not including those featuring wide add-ons found on some Japanese market cars.

In 1991, Porsche changed the 928 to become the 928 GTS. As its last iteration before discontinuing it in 1995, this version featured larger brakes, 17″ wheels with wider rear tyres, aerodynamic mirrors and a rear panel bearing PORSCHE lettering; all while offering only manual transmission.

Reliability

The Porsche 928 combines the power, poise, and handling of a sports car with the comfort, amenities, and equipment of a luxury sedan. Its high degree of reliability and dependability has made it a favorite daily driver; indeed its longevity has become sought-after classic status; but regular maintenance will be needed to keep its condition up.

The electrical system of a 928 is vulnerable to glitches, but you can reduce their severity with proper preventive maintenance. Begin by regularly inspecting all ground points, ground straps, sensor connectors, wiring for any exposed or chafed spots as well as checking wiring connections for any signs of corrosion or exposed wiring chafed by grounding straps or sensor connectors; check wiring connections for any chafed spots as faulty ground points can lead to hard starts, rough idle, poor gauge readings. Apply moisture-barrier grease or spray on terminal ends and connectors if applicable – moisture barrier grease will protect them from corrosion while protecting from ground point failure!

One of the more frequent issues encountered with the 928 is a failing water pump or timing belt, which should be replaced every 50,000 miles for optimal engine health and vehicle performance. Regular checks to check and retension belt tension as necessary is also crucial to ensure successful vehicle ownership.

Porsche introduced a special edition 928 called the S for Europe and North America markets during 1982 and 1983 respectively, which differed from regular 928s by having more horsepower than their counterparts.

One of the Porsche 928’s crowning achievements was its participation in 1983 Le Mans 24 hour race, under privateer Raymond Boutinaud and driven by Patrick Gonin and Alain Le Page. Although they completed 234 laps without being classified, one notable accomplishment stood out – their participation helped establish Porsche as an authority.

The Porsche 928 remains one of Germany’s most iconic vehicles, thanks to its timeless styling and impressive performance. Due to this large and dedicated following, its timeless style remains highly desired today as a timeless classic.

Maintenance

Porsches can be costly to keep up, but not nearly as much as Ferrari, Aston Martin or Lamborghinis. Even when properly maintained a 928 can still be more cost effective than any of these exotic sports cars and is far more budget friendly than GT Porsche, 911 Turbo or NSX models.

Maintaining your Porsche 928 over its 18-year production run requires regular and consistent care and attention, including proper servicing of both its electrics and sensors. Both can become vulnerable due to age and heat exposure; so it is wise to test everything is working before buying. Also be wary of signs of water intrusion into its engine bay as this could pose potential health hazards to an old vehicle.

As a racecar, the 928 is lightning quick; it was the first sports car to offer rear wheel steering (also known as Weissach axle) as standard equipment. At its launch in 1983 and 1984, Raymond Boutinaud’s S 4 version was the fastest model; finishing 15th overall at both 24 Hours of Le Mans events (1983 and 1984 respectively). Furthermore, 1000k races at Brands Hatch and Silverstone proved its mettle; though less spectacularly than its bigger competitors.

The 4.5-litre carburetted 240hp engine of this GT was quick enough for high speeds while remaining economical to drive due to its low fuel consumption figures and long driving range between fill ups. Front seats were powered for height, tilt and recline while providing two-plane lumbar support for drivers; rear seating could accommodate adults without headroom restrictions comfortably on longer journeys.

In its last years of production, the Porsche 928 received an updated 5.0-litre, four-cam 32-valve engine for US and Japanese markets. Fans refer to these cars as S3s; today they remain highly desirable investments. While this new engine brought better economy, quicker acceleration, and additional power, its later models can still suffer from old car ailments like worn bores or leaky valve guides leading to high oil consumption; oily smoke when starting up your 928 is often an indicator that it needs an overhaul.

Culture

Porsche 928 Grand Tourer had an 18 year production run that made it one of the world’s most powerful and desirable grand tourers. This unique model managed to combine power, poise, comfort, standard equipment and standard options into an impressive package that could exceed US$100,000. By 1995 it had been discontinued production.

Due to its relatively high price tag, the 928 sold in relatively limited numbers – about sixty thousand over 18 years. This was likely due to its expensiveness compared with other sports/grand tourers of its day; as a result it remains rare and collectable today with a passionate following that appreciates quickly in value.

In the late 1970s, Porsche began developing the 928 as a successor to their iconic 911 sports car. While several concepts were explored, its basic design consisted of a front engine/rear wheel drive layout which had to be modified to meet European and American emission standards. Although initially not as comfortable for long journeys than its predecessors, its folding seats and spacious trunk provided some compensation.

Throughout its production run, the car received several updates and modifications that improved performance, fuel economy and interior refinement. One special version produced for Ferry Porsche to mark his company’s 50th anniversary featured meteor metallic paint, flat disc wheels and wine red leather seat centers with his signature embossed on them.

The S4 was an innovative update introduced late 1986 that included advanced single-disc clutches for manual cars and larger torque converters in automatic versions, as well as higher compression ratio (10.0:1) on its 4.5 L engine (excluding North America ) with piston oil squirters to help prevent dry sump failure and an instrument panel which displayed speed in kilometers instead of miles as well as an added digital trip computer/warning system on the dashboard.

The Porsche 928 Koenig

The original Porsche 928, introduced in 1978, is widely considered one of the most beautiful production sports cars ever created. With its timeless lines and distinctive appearance, its clean lines stood out both on showroom floors as well as racing circuits worldwide. Over its 18 year lifespan, various modifications were made to both engine and styling; but its fundamental design remained largely unaltered.

Early model years in North America saw the 928 available with an optional Competition Group package which featured front and rear spoilers, 16″ flat disc wheels, sport seats, Bilstein shock absorbers, and a sport hood. Unfortunately only a handful were built before its availability was discontinued when more powerful S model became available in 1983.

For the 1985 model year, Porsche updated their 928 to feature a four-valve 32v 4.7 L engine which produced 215kW (292PS/288) of power in Europe and featured Bosch EZF ignition with dual distributors for higher 10.4:1 compression to increase torque production. Furthermore, North American cars were fitted with computer controlled 0-100% PSD locking differentials as standard equipment as well as double airbags (which were not standard elsewhere).

With the 1987 model year S4 release, its instrument cluster gained a digital trip computer, single disc clutch in manual transmission models and larger torque converters in automatic. Also added was a rear spoiler, seat belt reminder for drivers and digital check engine light.

For 1989, Porsche added the GT to their line-up as a more practical version of their popular 928 Club Sport and SE models. Equipped with more equipment than either of those models but less than an S4, to reduce weight while only offering manual transmission as standard equipment; additionally it featured ZF’s newly introduced ZF 40% limited slip differential as standard equipment.

Rear Spoiler

Over its 18 year production run, the Porsche 928 underwent numerous modifications in both design and engineering. Yet its fundamentals remained constant – giving rise to an evolutionary model.

Hatchback bodywork was an integral element in its design. Development focused on weight-saving through aluminum door panels, bonnet and front wings as well as behind plastic bumpers that could withstand minor collisions – these objectives were met through aluminium fabrication for door panels, bonnet and wings as well as plastic bumpers integrated into its bodywork – to meet these goals.

This car featured an innovative double wishbone suspension system which not only made the ride very responsive but also provided excellent road holding compared with some of its rivals at that time who used more conventional suspension setups.

In addition to its custom suspension system, the 928 was also fitted with an impressive V8 engine – Porsche’s first front-mounted power unit rated at 240bhp in Europe and US markets; some Australian cars received slightly different figures due to a unique ignition map.

Koenig-equipped Porsche 928s were powerful sportscars, yet even greater feats could be accomplished with them. Acceleration from zero to sixty was only 4.4 seconds while top speed reached an estimated 190mph.

Koenig Specials offered an array of cosmetic and mechanical enhancements for the Porsche 928. This particular example included the full-fat mechanical specification which featured an upgraded KKK turbo, remapped engine management software, and an uprated intercooler.

Koenig offered many customisation options to their Road Runner, such as sporty seats and an Audi 200 Turbo rear end reworked rear end featuring Audi 200 Turbo tail lights for better aerodynamics, and large spoilers – among which this particular Road Runner stands out due to being extremely rare and desirable – including full service history documentation and immaculate condition throughout.

Rear View Mirror

The Porsche 928 made waves when it debuted in 1977 with its futuristic styling, luxurious 2+2 cabin and outstanding performance. Although popular among consumers at first, it never achieved legendary status like its predecessor – the 911. Yet many fans continue to love this icon today and Brazilian designer Guilherme Knob and CGI expert Joao Schendel joined forces to craft an updated version of this grand tourer icon.

The designers remained faithful to the original’s proportions and boxy fenders while providing it with a much wider footprint, which allowed for larger wheels with impressive diameter. At the front end, designers repositioned headlights so as to highlight wide fender arches; rear lights received full LED graphics reflecting this trendiness of the Taycan.

Interior designs were not changed from their original counterparts; instead, luxury features were added. A high-tech infotainment system displayed engine speeds, fuel consumption and oil and water temperatures on a central console display screen; or alternatively a digital information system displayed time, date and chronometer readings on a small display within an instrument cluster display screen.

Luxurious upgrades available included a leather dashboard, power seats with memory functions and climate control system. Buyers looking for added security could purchase concealed pistol storage compartments and alarm systems with remote controls as upgrades.

Though some upgrades seem cool, one stands out as particularly bizarre: The Mirage. Based on a 3.2-litre Turbo Targa chassis, this bizarre vehicle featured a massive spoiler reminiscent of Newcastle’s Millennium Bridge and fatter rear arches, all powered by 500bhp RUF-fettled flat six engine. Unfortunately only one person was mad enough to buy it!

The 928 Koenig is an impressive collectible that will surely impress any car enthusiast. Produced by GT Spirit and available in an eye-catching blue hue, it makes an eye-catching addition to any Porsche collection and is sure to become a valuable collector’s item.

Front Apron

At its release in 1978, the Porsche 928 represented an entirely new breed of luxury sports car. Equipped with a high-tech V8 engine that provided superior performance and comfort for discerning buyers, its distinctive appearance combined with custom options made it a huge hit in the market; one such modification being Strosek widebody kit which included front bumper, side skirts and rear wing modifications – these limited production cars quickly become collector items!

Strosek Design of Germany produced the Strosek kit, designed specifically for Porsche 911s and 928s. They offered both coupe and cabriolet body styles of this cosmetic modification that didn’t affect vehicle performance; instead it increased bumper size giving an aggressive appearance; also featured was lowered suspension and special alloy wheels for optimal driving pleasure.

Like its rivals, Gemballa, Koenig Specials quickly developed into an international operation, drawing customers from Europe, the Middle East and Japan alike for conversion services. By the mid to late 1980s, its Munich operation had expanded into a luxurious multi-story city centre complex equipped with showroom, workshop, engineering department and offices – much like that offered by rival tuners Gemballa.

At this point, Koenig began specializing in Porsches by converting cars using their dedicated engineering team. Ernst Fuhrmann believed that grand tourers with conventional engines represented Porsche’s long-term future rather than unconventional sports cars.

Koenig Specials offered an alternative to Gemballa-style widebody conversions, which mostly focused on cosmetic modifications, Koenig Specials featured a full range of mechanical equipment to upgrade Road Runner. Unfortunately this meant an expensive cost, yet their owners realized 0-62mph times could drop to around 4.4 seconds and top speeds could reach up to 190mph with this model.

Koenig Specials upgraded the standard Porsche MacPherson strut rear axle with longer, lower wishbones and longitudinal torsion bars; upgraded Bilstein dampers; larger front anti-roll bar; and front strut brace to increase stability and handling capabilities. Furthermore, Koenig Specials reduced ride height by 25mm while widening standard brakes to include cross-drilled, ventilated discs measuring 309mm at both ends for improved handling performance.

 

Porsche 928 around the world.

The market for Porsche 928s appears to be increasing exponentially; an in excellent condition manual transmission GTS in appropriate colors could easily fetch six-figure prices.

Porsche unveiled their iconic model back in 1977 with a 4.5-liter V-8 producing 240 horsepower, but over its 18 year production run they made several updates to both engine and other key areas.

Europe

Porsche introduced the 928 in 1977 as an unparalleled front-engined sports car. Departing from their air-cooled tradition and offering a powerful V-8 engine, its design also highlighted driver involvement through features such as a tall center console that divided driver and passenger compartments; plus stylish leather seats and an expansive instrument cluster.

The original 16V engine featured a high compression ratio and Bosch LH-Jetronic fuel injection system, with large bore and stroke dimensions to increase RPM while creating an adjustable torque curve.

Early on in production, about 80 per cent of cars sold featured an automatic transmission, adding to its relaxing yet luxurious feel. Buyers could also opt for the more sporty Competition Group option which included front and rear spoilers, telephone dial alloy wheels, sport interior trim options and an aggressive look with larger tailgate.

North America

The original Porsche 928 was one of the most strikingly elegant cars of its era, featuring spacious interior, fold-down rear seats and an enormous tailgate for loading luggage.

This car featured a front-mounted, water-cooled V-8 engine producing 237 horsepower (with U.S. emissions regulations reducing it to 219) driving its rear wheels through either a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic.

Porsche bosses were concerned with 911 sales declining with age, so they sought a new model to compete against Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar offerings. Traditional 911 buyers weren’t interested in switching over to the 928; its sportiness turned them off. Furthermore, its innovative design had been virtually unchanged for 17 years while offering both speed and refinement that was unique on the market.

Australia

As the 928 was being produced, many either loved it or despised it. Many disliked its thirstiness, complexity and cost almost as much as a 911.

Yet this car was an exceptional feat of engineering at its time, made entirely out of aluminium with an electrical engine (called Weissach axle ). It used all-wheel steering (called the ‘Weissach axle’ ) as an early form of all-wheel steering to help offset oversteer in corners, and had an estimated maximum horsepower rating of 240 PS; yet could reach 100km/h in only seven seconds with continuous acceleration.

Indoor comfort was abundant with air-conditioning, power windows, central locking and driver and passenger airbags available as standard features. Hans Brauns’ revolutionary interior design turned a bulky tunnel needed for automatic gearbox housing into a feature of the dashboard and seats – merging its presence seamlessly with them for maximum aesthetic impact.

New Zealand

As the 1970’s oil crisis unfolded, Porsche executives saw an opportunity to add a fuel efficient car to their lineup. Not wanting the 911 to drain away profits too quickly, Porsche developed the 928 as an elegant grand touring car featuring transaxle setup to reduce turning circles as well as simple instrument cluster that moved in tandem with steering wheel rotation.

Over its 18 year production run, this car underwent several improvements including increased engine efficiency, new models and changes to design and interior. While critics may claim it to be overly complex and thirsty, its owners have reported getting 20mpg or higher depending on driving style; some even competed in Le Mans 24 Hour Race without great success.

Refurbishing the Porsche 928 in 2023

Though initially derided as a cumbersome successor to the 911, the 928 quickly earned itself a stellar reputation among drivers as an amazing performer – even setting an unprecedented class record at 234 mph!

Designer Tony Lapine purposely deviated from Porsche convention and the creased styling popularized by ItalDesign’s Giugiaro; today, 30 years later, this approach looks absolutely brilliant.

Design

Custom touches can transform a Porsche 928 into an eye-catching showpiece – take this example from Thierry Nardone for example:

Starting with a donor car, they add carbon fiber bodywork, six-speed manual gearbox, active suspension system and 18″ wheels – the total package is expected to produce 400 horsepower and is intended to beat Porsche 911 models on the road. Unfortunately this won’t come cheap; pricing estimates place its sale between $125,000-130,000 once released onto the market later this year.

This 928 is more than a cosmetic exercise; its overhaul includes an engine management system upgrade and major chassis modifications from AMG Tuning. These changes should enable it to reach 60mph in under four seconds and top 155mph – impressive figures for an almost 30-year-old car! Additionally, its electronic systems should make driving and maintaining easier thanks to state-of-the-art alarms that cancel flashed warning lights in case of faults.

At first glance, the most noticeable change will likely be seen at the front end, where pop-up headlights have been replaced with much simpler units that echo their original designs more closely than ever. Furthermore, these are smaller and more powerful than their predecessors while having circular shapes with LED daytime running lights to match.

Other changes are more subtle. The front grille has been altered slightly while its rear end received a diffuser, as has its cabin which now features modern Porsche technology such as leather and Alcantara seats and an infotainment system specifically tailored for older cars called Porsche Classic Communication Management (PCCM).

There’s also an impressive full-width LED light bar at the tail, adding an eye-catching twist that makes this classic car appear almost futuristic. Anyone interested can experience what this car looks like firsthand at Goodwood this June.

Performance

The Porsche 928 wasn’t meant as a replacement for the 911; rather it was designed to take their brand in an entirely different direction. This front-engined V8 coupe offered far more space than the traditional 911 and was launched into production in 1978, stunning everyone. To this day it remains highly desirable and sought-after among classic car collectors eager to own one for its luxurious feel and agile handling.

The body was a visual treat, featuring smooth curves, slanted rear windows, chrome-lined tail lights and plastic bumpers integrated into its wings to offer maximum protection to occupants. Featuring sweeping curves, slanted rear windows and chrome-lined tail lights. It was also equipped with air circulation slots on its hood for ventilation while lightweight aluminium door and front wings were utilized so as to not add too much mass. Plastic bumpers provided excellent occupant safety.

An all aluminium V8 engine produced 320 horsepower and, combined with an auto’box that made optimal use of its ample torque, gave the 928 its outstanding performance.

The Porsche 928 may not have been as adept at corner-carving, but it certainly held its own on twisty roads. Weighing approximately one ton less than its counterpart, its impressive agility earned a five second acceleration time for zero to sixty acceleration.

An average 928 consumed 21mpg, making long distance trips possible with relative ease. An almost 19 gallon fuel tank could provide up to 400 mile trips between refilling.

The interior was luxurious for a car of this class; in particular, the S 4 version, which was the most popular model sold in North America, featured leather seats with powered height, tilt, recline, two plane lumbar support as well as 2 + 2 seating which enabled small children to be accommodated on short journeys.

Many 928s featured a rear spoiler to give their cars an aggressive appearance and increase downforce and enhance handling capabilities around corners. Owners who purchased these cars for its sports handling might opt for manual transmission; however, in general about 80 per cent were sold with automatic transmission as its large, torquey engine made for a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience.

Technology

The Porsche 928 was intended to mark a new era of front-engine, rear-drive Porsches; unfortunately it never quite did that. For those still fond of its grand tourer design from the ’80s however, French startup Nardone Automotive has come up with a modern restomod solution which should make Stuttgart’s V8 coupe feel new again.

A car that appears as though it could star in Ghost in the Shell has been created, complete with carbon-fiber exterior and modern upgrades. Replicated are its iconic pop-up headlights made from composite materials with LED illumination; taillights have also been reconfigured into one piece that sits within its bumper for a much cleaner, modern appearance.

Under the hood, the original 4.7-liter V8 has been bored and stroked to 5.4 liters and fitted with revised four-valve per cylinder heads resulting in 345 horsepower and an estimated 0-60 time of under six seconds.

Nardone also reworked the chassis to improve handling, stability and ride comfort. His suspension was upgraded with fully-floating coil springs and progressive shock absorbers for increased ride comfort; his steering was refined for more precise feedback; while brakes received upgrades with larger calipers and rotors to increase stopping power while offering linear feel.

Interior modifications feature Foglizzo leather and Alcantara microsuede upholstery in a light mocha hue, along with modernized version of Porsche’s classic Pasha seat pattern trim, while the center console now comes equipped with Porsche Classic Communication Management’s system to provide infotainment, Apple CarPlay connectivity and other features.

One final feature that sets this custom 928 apart from factory versions is its unique set of custom forged wheels, featuring the same 9.5-inch wide rims found on a 911 Turbo. This unique detail helps set this car apart in an otherwise conventional Porsche lineup.

Value

As is often the case with Porsche cars, the 928 has had difficulty finding its audience. With futuristic styling and promises of outdoing the 911 in terms of speed, its futuristic appearance made it a desirable technical must-have for many Porsche drivers; however, not everyone took to it. Even so, its appearance in films such as Weird Science, Scarface and Risky Business helped increase its profile significantly.

Over its 18 years of production, minor modifications were introduced that did not substantially impact performance or efficiency. 1979 brought with it a 2mm overbore that brought up engine capacity to 4.7 litres and power output to 295hp; additionally a higher compression ratio was installed on 4.7 S models to increase horsepower output to 300hp.

In 1991, a major shift took place with the launch of the 5.4-litre GTS model, replacing both S4 and GT models with its unique engine, larger brakes, and revised bodywork design. At that time, this car represented the latest iteration of original design; fast yet expensive at the time (costing over $100,000 fully loaded!). It quickly became the fastest and most sought-after model from Nissan’s range.

Today, a well-maintained 928 is still an outstanding value in terms of price to performance ratio. Its engine is truly outstanding, while its manual transmission can be enjoyable to drive. Plus, its rear-wheel drive layout gives it similar balance and agility as the 911 while offering more torque with larger front wheels.

Porsche cars are famously lightweight constructions made of aluminium that contribute to their outstanding handling characteristics and legendary handling characteristics. One popular phrase among enthusiasts states: If a Porsche has extensive rust damage, stay away!

The 928 is also very straightforward to maintain. While its fuel economy may not be all that impressive – expect 12-15mpg around town – and oil consumption can be somewhat costly, overall ownership costs remain affordable and relatively easy. Unfortunately, parts may not always be readily available but with good aftermarket suppliers most things can still be obtained.