Porsche 928 GTS Review

An ergonomic steering wheel helps guide drivers around undulating B-roads with ease, making the 928 an easy car to place precisely into corners. Furthermore, its 17″ five-spoke wheels boasting huge 40 series Bridgestone tires help set it apart.

At first glance, this car may appear unassuming; but upon closer examination it proves itself captivatingly distinct.

The Porsche 928 was one of the most advanced sports cars ever created when it debuted in 1977, and its basic design remained virtually unchanged throughout its 17-year production run. Though additional spoilers and equipment were introduced as time passed and upgrades made on both engine and transmission levels, MotorWeek highlights that its GTS version always proved itself as being among the most powerful versions – reaching 60mph in under five seconds and covering 13.8 seconds over its quarter mile distance.

That is impressive for a car that weighs in excess of two tons when equipped with all-wheel drive. When looking for a GTS, make sure it has been properly maintained with regular fluid changes and tune-ups; cam belts must also be up-to-date and free from leaks or corrosion; transmission must shift smoothly under power without grinding or bucking; cam belts may require regular adjustment as well.

Search for a GTS with modest options. Since it wasn’t selling particularly well when new, most were supplied with less equipment compared to other models in order to reduce costs and cut expenses. You should still find some with a sunroof and leather seats – however you will have to be vigilant about finding any additional add-ons or features.

By and large, it’s best to avoid cars with discolored and unsightly interiors. Be sure that leather doesn’t crack and that its steering wheel doesn’t show excessive wear if this vehicle will become your daily driver. If the dealer offers any warranties with it, speak to them and make sure you understand what coverage there is and isn’t before making your final decision.

Performance

The 928 may not have had the prestige or aura of its predecessor, the 911, but it was nonetheless an outstandingly capable car in its own right. Produced over an extended production run, it proved both quick and comfortable to drive – no race car here but more of a grand tourer with Porsche’s signature ability to mix a relaxing ride with responsive engine power.

GTS models of the 928 stood apart from its standard and S4 variants by providing an enhanced driving experience. They featured unique rear wheel arch flares, body color-matching door mirrors and an eye-catching wraparound red light panel as well as 17″ Cup rims; their 5.4-litre V8 produced up to 350hp!

MotorWeek suggests the GTS is more capable than you may realize, thanks to its sizable power output allowing it to glide down the road with purpose and still manage a passable ride even under hard acceleration. MotorWeek notes this performance makes the GTS an effective weapon that should easily keep pace with modern whippersnappers straight down its length, and shouldn’t fall far short in corners thanks to its fat 225 front and 255 rear rubber wrapped around 17in alloys.

Check that all gears engage smoothly and that the clutch bites hard with little slip. Check for interiors that are in great shape; used examples should not have suffered from overly-frequent use. Look for low, wide steering wheels that feel natural to hold. Also ensure automatic cars have smooth transmission shifts. It is worth ensuring the stereo works, as well as having radio streaming music via Bluetooth; additionally it should have air conditioning capable of cooling the cabin on hot days.

Comfort

The 2-seat coupe may be longer, fatter and faster than Porsche 911s from its era, yet still rides smoothly with an elegance more befitting of modern living. Equipped with force-sensitive variable assist steering that’s fluid and free from dead spots; carving corners becomes a pleasure! And the car boasts incredible grip – clawing through bends at 0.87g lateral grip while charging forward along straights without ever faltering in pace or stability.

The GTS distinguishes itself from other late 928s by featuring flared rear wheel arches that allow it to accommodate 17-inch wheels in five-spoke “Cup” design, as well as flared front spoiler, sportier front spoiler, twin exhaust exits and signature red light bar across the rear of car. Furthermore, its engine remains identical to that found in regular 928, producing 340bhp that propels it swiftly down the road compared to modern flat plane crank units used more commonly today and as it progresses toward 7200rpm its dimensions reduce in comparison.

This car can be supercharged or turbocharged without issue as its stock engine provides enough grunt without issue – the owners’ club maintains an approved list of suppliers for these modifications. Because of these impressive capabilities, some use the GTS as a track day car; it can also make for comfortable motorway commuting at 20mpg; though those hoping to accumulate miles may find their fuel bills surprising! Plush leather seats and CD player make this vehicle ideal for long distance cruising!

Style

The 928 has long been associated with being an aggressive cruiser that could tear across continents with ease, but this GTS model is much more subtly and agile. It encourages you to open up the throttle more than an XJ-S or BMW 850i would yet remains stable at high speeds.

Without its spoilers and rear wing, this GTS looks delicate and narrow. What sets it apart visually from other late model 928s is its flared rear wheel arches to accommodate larger wheels, wider track width, 17in five-spoke “Cup” alloys in body color matching design, front/rear color-matching spoilers/twin pipe exhaust exit exit as well as signature full wraparound red light bar.

Inside, the interior is kept to a minimum – free from accessories that don’t help keep you safe on the road. Flat door panels boast classic RS fabric latch pulls while its three-spoke steering wheel obscures much of the speedo’s arc and perfectly formed hard-shell bucket seats make up its hallmark look.

The 928’s 5.4-liter V8 with 345 horsepower was both an enjoyable racecar and long distance cruiser, offering lightning acceleration from zero to 60mph in just 5.4 seconds and cruise speed of up to 168mph according to Autocar – passive rear-wheel steering helping it remain on course around corners. No wonder so many were sad to see its production end in 1995!

Value

The Porsche 928’s long model run from 1978-1995 and myriad trim levels makes it possible to find a fair price for one of these cars, yet still cost over PS40,000 used GTS models. Therefore, it is imperative that any prospective buyer carefully consider all costs before making their decision to buy this car – for instance obtaining all service histories as well as conducting an extensive pre-purchase inspection will significantly decrease any risk of unexpected mechanical issues down the road.

In its final years of production, the Porsche 928 faced severe competition. Vehicles like BMW’s overstuffed 850 and Mercedes-Benz’s legendary XJR-S were taking a significant toll, forcing near-term survival of this front-engined Porsche to become more cost-efficient while staying focused on its core strengths.

This was where the GTS came in; an upgraded version that offered more without compromising its core mission as an overtly sports grand tourer. For instance, in this iteration the aluminium V8 was stretched to 5.4 litres and given tighter 10.4:1 compression ratios than its previous iterations for an increase in power to 345 horsepower delivered at 5,700rpm.

The GTS engine was modified so as to reach 369 pounds/feet of torque at 4,250rpm – this allowed for an impressive acceleration time of under seven seconds and provided an unrivalled driving experience. The GTS provided the perfect finale to Porsche 928’s 17-year run until 1995; in many ways it defined what a performance car could be like.

Porsche 928 GTS 0-60 In 5.4 Seconds

Used 928 GTS models exude nostalgia and exude mystery like an extinct species found only on Madagascar. Although renowned performance cars of their time, the 5.4-litre and 335bhp beasts may seem outdated now; but can still compete on twisty roads with modern racecars.

Manual GTSs boast a claimed 0-60mph time of just 5.3 seconds, reaching 171mph as their top speed.

With its more powerful engine, a fully restored GTS will set you back over PS100,000. Yet on twisty roads it holds its own against any modern car. Once inside, technology surrounds you while maintaining that Porsche-esque atmosphere in its cockpit.

Front engine layout offers an extraordinarily comfortable ride, and you can effortlessly maneuver 1620kg along Oxfordshire’s damp spring lanes without much difficulty. There is little drama either; cam drives and hydraulic tappets operate silently and the entire unit hums with satisfaction like any well-oiled machine would do.

Ferdinand Porsche held that a sports car should provide superior transportation over sedans, and this is exactly what the 928 delivers. A car to love and cherish for many years. No wonder it took the industry by storm when first released in 1977!

With its impressive 5.4 second 0-60 dash time and top speed of 168mph, the GTS stands up well against any modern car – perhaps more willing than comparable Jag XJ-S or BMW 850i models to step up its pace.

Its ease of driving lies in its rear-wheel drive layout and transaxle construction; with light yet reassuringly feelsome steering directing 1620kg through Oxfordshire’s damp spring lanes with ease, while slight body roll can still be maintained over bumps. Even under tightening emissions regulations the double overhead cam, 32-valve V-8 remains lively, increasing capacity to 5.4 litres while compression increased four points to 10.4:1. 225/255 tires cover 17in Cup alloys to round off this stunning ride.

Porsche updated their front-engine V-8 928 several times during its 17-year production run, but its greatest change occurred in 1986 when Porsche increased displacement from 5.0 to 5.4 litres and installed twin cam four valve heads with improved twin cam technology, increasing horsepower from 219 (240 in Europe / 219 hp in North America) to 305 and increasing torque by four points thanks to a higher 10.0:1 compression ratio engine.

With all its extra power and hardware, one might expect that the 928’s engine bay would emit an overwhelming roar; instead, a closer listen reveals a subdued chorus, with the tap of hydraulic cams and rush of shafts and gears creating a mechanical lullaby that most drivers come to appreciate; as a result, its unique combination of straight-line stability and instant responsiveness delight drivers everywhere – Car and Driver tested one back in 1992, where its 0-60 time was only 5.3 seconds!

The 928S is an elegant V-8 coupe with an emphasis on performance. Its double-overhead cam, 32-valve engine produces similar output as its predecessor but with twelve percent more power and torque; less noticeable noise levels include cam drives whine whine at higher revs while you may hear hydraulic tappets tap with higher revs.

Ferdinand Porsche believed that sports cars should provide superior transportation. This philosophy can be seen throughout the design and execution of the 928.

The cockpit is designed for driver control. Everything is easily accessible with minimal hand movement and controls are grouped for maximum visibility – helping the driver maintain focus on road and track ahead. Reassuring brakes provide linear response and front-to-rear balance without disconcerting groans or odors that might distract.

After 17 years, the 928 had lost much of its charm as a sales car. By early 1991, its exorbitant running costs and high repair bills had rendered it an expensive curiosity.

The GTS marked Porsche’s final attempt at producing front-engined icon. For 1987 model year sales in North America it replaced S4 variant and featured more durable manual gearbox, digital trip computer and tire pressure monitoring system features.

The GTS features an exquisite 5.4-litre V8, emitting a delightful song. The vibrations from its shafts, valves and clutches blend harmoniously with its exhaust note to produce an intoxicating melody of happy machinery. Furthermore, its bodywork stands out among all 928 variants with power bulges and welts enhanced with cool Porsche branding that stand out against its competition. And finally it’s fast: C/D reported 170mph as its top speed – only 1mph more than its rival, the 3.8 GT GT

The 928 may never have met its initial aim of replacing the 911, but it enjoyed an outstanding 18-year run. Porsche continually upgraded their car while maintaining its classic aesthetics.

The GTS represented the ultimate evolution of this front-engined curios, offering maximum performance. A double overhead cam, 32-valve V8 extended displacement to 5.4 liters while increasing horsepower by 12 percent to 345 at 6200rpm while torque rose 12 percent up to 369lb*ft of torque at 5700rpm.

This process produced a car better suited for long distance cruising, yet still rewarding its driver with an enjoyable blend of straight-line stability and instant responsiveness. The light yet feelsome steering points it keenly into corners, and suspension does a fantastic job of communicating tire-to-road information and filtering out pavement irregularities – only on extremely smooth B roads does it start cling a little over undulations.

The 928’s light and responsive steering provides sharp cornering. Even with its 1620kg heft, however, it remains agile enough to put itself exactly where you want it on undulating B-roads. Unfortunately, body roll is substantial while its individual systems may experience occasional glitches that cost time and money to fix.

Front-mounted, water-cooled V8 powering the GTS models was powered by a five-speed manual gearbox and produced 325bhp at 6200rpm with an output torque of 430N*m (317lb*ft/43.8 kgm). GTS models could be identified by body-color-matched front and rear spoilers with 17-inch five-spoke “Cup” wheels; North American versions featured larger brakes as well. In 1985 the engine was updated with milder camshafts as well as lower 9.3:1 compression ratio; these factors allowed it to produce 325bhp at 6200rpm while producing torque of 430N*m (317lb*ft/43.8 kgm).

The Porsche 928 GTS, released as its final iteration before Porsche discontinued it in 1992, holds the manual model speed record with its 0-60 time of just 5.2 seconds according to Car and Driver.

This car boasts an engine with a 5.4-liter displacement that boasts extended stroke and compression to 10.4:1. Horsepower reached 345 at 5,700 rpm for optimal results.

On a winding road, Porsches are true marvels. Their extraordinary handling captivates drivers like nothing else; snaking through corners like an agile 962 and powering ahead with unfailing poise on straights. To ensure optimal performance, check the steering is free from dead spots and that gearbox shifts smoothly under hard use – in addition to looking for well-kept cabin and exterior condition.

Pressing the go pedal, the 928GTS accelerates with great fervor as soon as it reaches 4000rpm on its tach needle. Yet even at high speeds, the Porsche remains surprising civilized; hard acceleration barely registers 75dBA cockpit din and its engine winds smoothly to redline without producing unwelcome groans or squeals from under its hood.

Light yet feelsome steering points the GTS sharply into corners while body roll remains under control on undulating B-roads. A well-maintained GTS also impresses with its reassuring brake performance: linear progression and an excellent front-to-rear balance without any disconcerting squeals or groans from its brake pads could need replacement; additionally, check that its transmission engages smoothly without throwing gears when under load; all these factors combine to make driving an unforgettable experience in an GTS!

Under the direction of an adept driver, the GTS is an amazingly agile car. The light yet responsive steering nudges it keenly into corners while remaining grounded thanks to its sturdy chassis and well-judged suspension tuning.

Powering this GTS model is a 5.4-litre double overhead cam V8, stroked two inches for increased displacement and given an increase of twelve percent to produce 345 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. To set itself apart from other late 928s, its flared rear wheel arches and seventeen-inch Bridgestone Expedia tires distinguish it.

The Porsche GTS boasted the fastest 0-60 time of its day – 5.9 seconds – and was known for its blend of straight-line stability and instant responsiveness, characteristic of all Porsche vehicles. This helped it outpace contemporary competitors like overblown BMW 850s and Jaguar XJR-S models; although its value held steady on secondhand markets until maintenance costs began rising substantially.