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Porsche 928: Difference between revisions
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==European Car of the Year== | ==European Car of the Year== | ||
The V8- | Porsche was still a young company when the 928 coupe was released - barely 28 years old. The 928 marked a radical departure for the company - from the slowly developing 911 model, with quirky dynamics - to a visually arresting V8 powered front engined coupe, with flawless 50/50 weight distribution and exotic use of materials such as aluminium and polyurethane - both still in their infancy, as far as car manufacturing was concerned. The 928 was to be a technical masterpiece for the young company, and would certainly put the small Stuttgart concern on the supercar map. | ||
The looks, in the launch year of 1978, were like nothing before seen on a car - even in science fiction films. The long, sleek bonnet, and cab-backward stance screamed performance and sophistication, with the smooth front and rear bumper sections showing very few signs of US-obligatory crash protection - the market for which the 928 had undoubtedly been built for. Despite the American influence to the design, the car won the 'European Car of the Year' gong in 1978, and remains to this day the only supercar ever to win the award - testament to the universal appeal of Porsche's new model. | |||
===911 Replacement?=== | |||
When the 928 was released, it was unquestionably the daddy of the Porsche range. It cost more than the 911 (by a considerable sum), and featured so many enticing features that meant it could play no other part in the range. Features that included the captivating, and crowd-splitting, styling, the slightly odd standard-fit Pirelli P7 tyres, the luxurious interior, comprising of super-ergonomic seats, sweeping dashboard and high levels of equipment. The whole vehicle looked like a prop from Blake's 7. | |||
However, the vehicle was intended to replace the 911. Porsche board members felt that the 911 was just too quirky and outdated to continue attracting buyers, and demanded a replacement model - with a conventional front-engine chassis. This caused argument with the Porsche family, who believed that the 911, given successful tweaking, could continue well into the future. Despite such fracas, the project was greenlighted in the early 1970s, and the development went ahead in earnest. | |||
The vehicle hit its first obstacle mere months into its development - it was caused by its little brother, the [[Porsche 924]]. The decision was made to focus all company efforts on this model, to get it on the market as quick as possible. The 928 project was hidden under a dust-sheet until the 924 was finished. Just think how futuristic it would've looked had it been released on time. | |||
===The 928 Coupe=== | |||
After its launch to the press in late 1977, the 928 was the subject of many a debate. The styling proved too trendsetting for some - others loved it. Opinion was further divided by engine choice - a relatively basic 90-degree V8, with the capacity of 4.5 litres. Why was such a car saddled with a positively archaic engine? The misconception of being a Mercedes-Benz, built on the other side of Stuttgart, was fostered by the announcement that the three-speed automatic gearbox would be from Mercedes - ironically, this proved to be the weak point of the car, as it was laggy, sluggish and power-sapping. Even more ironically, 85% of 928s going to the USA were specified with the automatic gearbox. . . | |||
The opinion over the car was united after the driving, though - Road and Track declared that 'to drive the 928 is to love it - the standard by which all GT automobiles will be judged'. The sales were strong throughout the first few years of the car's life, until the competition caught up. The relatively low power output of 240BHP was easily trumped by other manufacturers, and Porsche, forever wanting to be seen the leader, consequently updated the 928 in 1980. | |||
===The 928 S Coupe=== | |||
The 928 S was released to European markets in 1980 (it was released as the 'Competition Pack' in the US in 1981, before becoming a separate model in 1985), and was essentially a minor tweaking of the car to keep interest and strong sales in the car. Visually, new 'Flat Front' forged alloy wheels were added, along with front and rear black rubber valances. Inside, more gadgets were added, such as power-operation for almost everything and leather options for the seats. Colour charts were 'modernised', and power was boosted slightly. | |||
The car kept on finding fans with the press and customers, and its reputation grew as both a driver's car and a continent-crushing GT. Features, such as the revolutionary Weissach Axle, which had been on the car since the start, continued to amaze. The system actively controlled toe-in of the rear wheels to prevent oversteer, something that had never been attempted before by any manufacturer. | |||
===The 928 S2 Coupe=== | |||
The S2 is regarded as the first true upgrade to the 928. It arrived in 1983 (to Europe) and the upgrade saw power boosted to 310BHP (90BHP greater than the first model), cementing the 928's reputation as a supercar. The 0-62kmh time dropped to 6.5 seconds. No visual differences over the 928 S were present, apart from the 'Wide Track' option - this allowed buyers to specify wider rear alloy wheels, and improved power delivery and corner handling. The interior equipment levels soared to include air conditioning, cruise control, leather seats with power adjustment, AM/FM/Cassette stereo, metallic paint, electric windows and electric mirrors as standard-fit equipment. | |||
Period press gushed: 'Nearly a five years on, the 928 continues to entrance.' | |||
===Moving Forward - the 928 S4=== | |||
{{Porsche}} | {{Porsche}} | ||
Revision as of 15:04, 18 January 2007
European Car of the Year
Porsche was still a young company when the 928 coupe was released - barely 28 years old. The 928 marked a radical departure for the company - from the slowly developing 911 model, with quirky dynamics - to a visually arresting V8 powered front engined coupe, with flawless 50/50 weight distribution and exotic use of materials such as aluminium and polyurethane - both still in their infancy, as far as car manufacturing was concerned. The 928 was to be a technical masterpiece for the young company, and would certainly put the small Stuttgart concern on the supercar map.
The looks, in the launch year of 1978, were like nothing before seen on a car - even in science fiction films. The long, sleek bonnet, and cab-backward stance screamed performance and sophistication, with the smooth front and rear bumper sections showing very few signs of US-obligatory crash protection - the market for which the 928 had undoubtedly been built for. Despite the American influence to the design, the car won the 'European Car of the Year' gong in 1978, and remains to this day the only supercar ever to win the award - testament to the universal appeal of Porsche's new model.
911 Replacement?
When the 928 was released, it was unquestionably the daddy of the Porsche range. It cost more than the 911 (by a considerable sum), and featured so many enticing features that meant it could play no other part in the range. Features that included the captivating, and crowd-splitting, styling, the slightly odd standard-fit Pirelli P7 tyres, the luxurious interior, comprising of super-ergonomic seats, sweeping dashboard and high levels of equipment. The whole vehicle looked like a prop from Blake's 7.
However, the vehicle was intended to replace the 911. Porsche board members felt that the 911 was just too quirky and outdated to continue attracting buyers, and demanded a replacement model - with a conventional front-engine chassis. This caused argument with the Porsche family, who believed that the 911, given successful tweaking, could continue well into the future. Despite such fracas, the project was greenlighted in the early 1970s, and the development went ahead in earnest.
The vehicle hit its first obstacle mere months into its development - it was caused by its little brother, the Porsche 924. The decision was made to focus all company efforts on this model, to get it on the market as quick as possible. The 928 project was hidden under a dust-sheet until the 924 was finished. Just think how futuristic it would've looked had it been released on time.
The 928 Coupe
After its launch to the press in late 1977, the 928 was the subject of many a debate. The styling proved too trendsetting for some - others loved it. Opinion was further divided by engine choice - a relatively basic 90-degree V8, with the capacity of 4.5 litres. Why was such a car saddled with a positively archaic engine? The misconception of being a Mercedes-Benz, built on the other side of Stuttgart, was fostered by the announcement that the three-speed automatic gearbox would be from Mercedes - ironically, this proved to be the weak point of the car, as it was laggy, sluggish and power-sapping. Even more ironically, 85% of 928s going to the USA were specified with the automatic gearbox. . .
The opinion over the car was united after the driving, though - Road and Track declared that 'to drive the 928 is to love it - the standard by which all GT automobiles will be judged'. The sales were strong throughout the first few years of the car's life, until the competition caught up. The relatively low power output of 240BHP was easily trumped by other manufacturers, and Porsche, forever wanting to be seen the leader, consequently updated the 928 in 1980.
The 928 S Coupe
The 928 S was released to European markets in 1980 (it was released as the 'Competition Pack' in the US in 1981, before becoming a separate model in 1985), and was essentially a minor tweaking of the car to keep interest and strong sales in the car. Visually, new 'Flat Front' forged alloy wheels were added, along with front and rear black rubber valances. Inside, more gadgets were added, such as power-operation for almost everything and leather options for the seats. Colour charts were 'modernised', and power was boosted slightly.
The car kept on finding fans with the press and customers, and its reputation grew as both a driver's car and a continent-crushing GT. Features, such as the revolutionary Weissach Axle, which had been on the car since the start, continued to amaze. The system actively controlled toe-in of the rear wheels to prevent oversteer, something that had never been attempted before by any manufacturer.
The 928 S2 Coupe
The S2 is regarded as the first true upgrade to the 928. It arrived in 1983 (to Europe) and the upgrade saw power boosted to 310BHP (90BHP greater than the first model), cementing the 928's reputation as a supercar. The 0-62kmh time dropped to 6.5 seconds. No visual differences over the 928 S were present, apart from the 'Wide Track' option - this allowed buyers to specify wider rear alloy wheels, and improved power delivery and corner handling. The interior equipment levels soared to include air conditioning, cruise control, leather seats with power adjustment, AM/FM/Cassette stereo, metallic paint, electric windows and electric mirrors as standard-fit equipment.
Period press gushed: 'Nearly a five years on, the 928 continues to entrance.'
Moving Forward - the 928 S4
