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The Porsche 964, spoken simply as "nine-six-four" or "nine-sixty-four," is the company's internal name for the version of the Porsche 911 model sold between 1989 and 1993. It featured significant styling revisions over previous versions of the 911, most prominently the more integrated bumpers (fenders), although it was still obviously a 911. It was the first generation of Carrera to be offered with Porsche's Tiptronic automatic transmission (as an option) as well as the first generation to be offered with all wheel drive.
Variants
Carrera 4 and 2
The first 964s available in 1989 were AWD equipped "Carrera 4" models, Porsche added the rear wheel drive Carrera 2 variant to the range in 1990. Both variants were available as a coupe, Targa or Cabriolet. The 964 Carrera was the last generation sold with the traditional "pop top" Targa roof. Later evolutions of the Targa, starting with the 993 generation, replaced that setup with a complex glass-roof "greenhouse" system. A new naturally-aspirated engine called the M64 was used for 964 models, which displaced 3.6 litres and produced 247 bhp (184 kW) @ 6100 rpm.Carrera RS variants
In 1992, Porsche produced a super-lightweight, rear-wheel-drive only version of the 964 dubbed Carrera RS for the European market. It was based on Porsche's 911 "Carrera Cup" race car and harkened back to the 2.8 and 3.0 RS and RSR models. It featured a revised version of the standard engine, titled M64/03 internally, with an increased power output of 260 bhp (191 kW). A track-oriented suspension system with 40 mm lower ride height, a stripped-out interior that devoid of power windows or seats, rear seats, air conditioning, sound deadening or a stereo system and new racing-bucket front seats were part of the package. The trunk hood was made of aluminium. Available were a heavier Touring variant (with sound deadening, undercarriage protection and power windows) and a N/GT racing variant with a stripped, blank metal interior and a roll cage.A later ultra-low production version of the RS featuring the Turbo body and a 300 bhp 3.8 litre version of the M64 motor was sold briefly in Europe (Carrera RS 3.8).
Because of emissions and safety issues, the RS could not be sold in the United States. In order to please devoted American 911 enthusiasts who wanted an RS model, Porsche produced the RS America. The RS America was based on the Carrera 2 and featured the M30 suspension, a partially stripped interior without sound deadening, power steering, power amenities, rear seats or a stereo and had cloth-covered sport seats. The RS America was approx. 160 pounds lighter than a stock Carrera 2 and shipped with the standard 247 hp North American engine.
Speedster
The Speedster, a low-roof convertible version, returned in October 1992. Based on the Carrera 2, the Speedster was available either in standard or in lightweight, Clubsport trim. Unlike its predecessor, the 911 Speedster, the 964 Speedster was not available with the "Turbo-Look" wider rear arches. As a result, the sales of the 964 edition were disappointing: only 925 units were built in two years, vs 2065 for the previous generation, including 1894 "Turbo-Look". Still, 20 very exclusive "Turbo-Look" units were made as special orders.Turbos
Porsche introduced the 964 Turbo model in 1991 as the successor to the 930. Unfortunately, they hadn't had the necessary time to develop a turbocharged version of the 3.6 litre M64 engine, and choose to re-use the 3.3 litre engine from the 930, with several minor revisions that made the engine smoother, less prone to turbo-lag and more powerful, with a total output of 320 bhp (235 kW) @ 5750 rpm. 3,660 964 Turbos were built in total.Porsche released the 964 Turbo 3.6, also sometimes referred to as the 964 Turbo II three years later in 1993, now featuring a turbocharged version of the 3.6 litre M64 engine and producing 360 bhp (265 kW) @ 5500 rpm, the 3.6 litre powered Turbo was produced only for the 1993 model year, with fewer than 2,000 of them produced in total, making it one of the rarest cars Porsche has produced since the 959.
In 1994, the Turbo S was introduced. With a power of 385 hp, it was one of the fastest cars on the road. The Turbo S was available either with the traditional 964 Turbo 3.6 body (except for the asymetrical air scoops in front of the rear wheels), or with the exclusive Flatnose (Flachbau) option. While Japanese Flatnose models actually used the same parts as the previous 930 Flatnose, European and American models used pop-up lights similar to those in the 928 and 968. Only 93 units were built in 1994: 17 Turbo S, 10 Japanese-edition Flatnose models, and 66 European or American new Flatnose models.
Miscellaneous
"Type" 964 (nine-sixty-four) or simply 964 (nine-sixty-four) is in fact the internal code name for the car; it was badged simply as Carrera, the official name for the model, and marketed as both Carrera and "911" (nine-eleven) Carrera. The 964 name is now often used to distinguish this car from other generations of the Carrera, especially among Porsche enthusiasts.
External links
"Porsche 964"