The Porsche 924 is a unique model in the history of the German automaker Porsche AG, known for marking several firsts in the company’s journey.
The development of the 924 began in the early 1970s when Volkswagen contracted Porsche to design a sports car – codenamed EA-425, a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle. However, due to a change in management and financial issues, Volkswagen decided to cancel the project. Instead of letting the design go to waste, Porsche decided to bring the EA-425 into production under its name, calling it the 924.
The sports car made its public debut at the 1975 Frankfurt Motor Show and went to market in 1976. The 924 was a significant departure from Porsche’s familiar rear-engine layout. It was the first Porsche model to be powered by a water-cooled, front-mounted engine.
Initially, the Porsche 924 was powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine derived from the VW LT commercial vehicle but significantly reworked by Porsche. It had a four-speed manual transmission, later replaced by a five-speed one. Although not as powerful as previous Porsche models, the 924 was lauded for its handling and build quality.
In terms of design, the 924 had a two-door, 2+2 coupe body style with a liftback design, which offered practicality along with sporting capabilities. It was equipped with pop-up headlamps, a feature that gained significant popularity in sports cars of the time.
The most powerful version of the 924, known as the 924 Turbo (or 931), was introduced in 1978. This model had a more potent turbocharged engine, improved suspension, and revised aesthetics, including a distinctive front bumper with integrated fog lamps.
The later ultimate evolution of the 924 was the 924 Carrera GT/GTS, a limited-edition homologation model made to qualify for Le Mans, featuring flared fiberglass wheel arches and a large air intake on the bonnet.
The production of the 924 ended in 1988, succeeded by the Porsche 944 (which was developed from the 924) and later the 968. In total, over 150,000 units of the Porsche 924 were produced during its lifecycle. Despite initial criticism from Porsche enthusiasts for its deviation from traditional Porsche principles and its link to Volkswagen, the 924 ultimately earned respect for its performance, design, and the crucial role it played in Porsche’s financial survival in the 1970s and 1980s.
Top questions about Porsche 924 (FAQ):
- When was the Porsche 924 first introduced?
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- What is the 0-60 mph acceleration time for the Porsche 924?
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- Is the Porsche 924 a front-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive vehicle?
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