My Porsche 928 GTS

Porsche 928 - Faster than anything as luxurious, more luxurious than anything as fast.

Quoted from Top Gears Jeremy Clarkson:

This is a "he" man car, its a brute, its the kind of thing that would go out and ... and eat some tractor... for fun.  I wish Porsche still made it today..... instead of that silly Cayenne

- Jeremy Clarkson

By rights, I should hate the 928. It was the first press test car I ever crashed. And I used one to go and see my dad just before he died. The truth is, if I hadn't been driving a car which could sit quite happily at a 170 miles per hour, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to say goodbye to my dad. So far as I'm concerned the 928 is alright.

- Jeremy Clarkson

I disliked the dreadful ride quality in later models. And yet, even today, when one grumbles by, my head does the full Linda Blair. It is, I think, one of the best-looking cars ever made.
- Jeremy Clarkson

The Porsche 928

In 1977, Porsche introduced an automobile that virtually swept the "European Car of the Year" nominations - unheard of for a two-plus-two sports car. From its front-mounted, water-cooled aluminum alloy V-8 to its rear-mounted transaxle and spacious luxury for two, the exquisitely engineered 928 was veritably packed with exciting design and engineering innovations. Representing a distinct departure for Porsche from its traditional smaller air-cooled sports cars, this automobile created a dazzling new standard of excellence in high performance sports cars.

The visually stunning Porsche 928 went on to influence the shape of sports cars in the decade that followed. But despite many emulators, the 928 has remained always, then as now, virtually in a class by itself. It alone offers the ultimate embodiment of performance, luxury, and quality."
-Porsche 1987 928S4 Factory Brochure

Some Porsche 928 background

In may appear strange that Porsche in the 1970's decided to build a new car that would be different from the successful 911 at the time. Helmuth Flegl, who was in charge of the Porsche 928 project at Zuffenhausen (Stuttgart area in south of Germany) designed a new GT type car that had to be a big, heavy opulent to the trim Carrera. It was not meant to race, but to appeal skilled (and rich) drivers who do thousands of miles a week on the motorways from one end of Europe to the other end rather than to race weekend circuits.

This certainly influenced the decision to use an engine with more cylinders to reduce vibrations, liquid-cooled to reduce noise and thermodynamic problems, and placed in front to gain passenger and luggage space.

The 928 project started out with a unique philosophy, because it had to be a magnificent sports car with exceptional qualities. The head designer Anatole Lapine had one eye on the really extraordinary mechanical base they had to clothe, and the other on the car's natural rivals, including the 911 itself. After 15 years of slight modifications in production development the car still looks stunningly the same. The nose is a bit more curvaceous, incorporating the big shield bumpers which have been one of the 928 most distinctive traits. So have the headlights with their wonderful pop-up  system. When not in use they are (for aerodynamic reasons) staring up in the sky.

The tail side has changed somewhat during the last 15 years. An indeed good looking wing was mounted, not enormous but very professional. It styled the already impressive view from behind with the big 245/45 tires to complete the image of a potent car.

The Porsche 928 GTS is a 2+2 coupe, front engined, liquid cooled, rear drive, with a steel monochoque body. The engine is an all-alloy V8, with a 90 degrees included angle between the two banks of cylinders: bore is 103.9 mm, stroke 87.9 mm giving a capacity of 5397 cm3 The compression ratio is 10.4:1, timing is done by two overhead camshafts (2 per bank) with 2 intake and 2 exhaust valves with automatic play control, placed in a 'V' around the central sparkplug. The high compression ratio does not prevent the use of RON95 unleaded fuel despite of its RON98 design, thanks to mapped electronic advance (the EZK computer) and electronic knock control. The fuel system is controlled by a Bosch LH-Jetronic injection (FI computer) with hot probe, fuel cut-off during deceleration, and automatic idling control. The engine delivers a 350 Hp at 5700 Rpm, and a torque of 510 Nm at 4250 Rpm. It uses a Porsche electronically controlled Slip Differential to and a 5 speed manual or 4 speed auto transmission to transfer the power to the 17" wheels.

Driving the beast is really remarkably easy. Excellent road behavior, even at extreme speeds. Great performance, great safety, great pleasure. Driving is comfortable, it's relaxing, very stable, very fast. Luxury and performance combined in a well styled GT sports car that still looks great after over 20 years. People still turn their head while staring at the car when passing by, wondering if this is a new Porsche model.

It will probably remain an exotic car forever: A class by itself !

Porsche has simply made a car which has always been an example of how a GT of the next generation should run.

"Nothing is substitute for excellence. Not even success." (Thomas Boswell)

Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, 2. May 1997 - For 20 years this car has been the dream sports car:  The Porsche 928. As no other car from Zuffenhausen, this car combined both power with luxury. 1972, a quarter of a century ago, Porsche Design Studio presented a new car from the Weissach breed called "Typ 928". Five years later the car was taken into production.

The same as the Porsche 924 and 944 the "Typ 928" had a Transaxle-Construction. The engine was placed front and was connected to the gearbox by a Transaxle. Since 1972 this setup, triggered by the Mercedes 350 SL release, had to do two million test kilometers. Only after this torture the 928 was presented to the car show at Geneva in Switzerland. In 1978 the Porsche 928 was elected as the first, and up until now <only sports car>, "Car of the Year". In the same year  a design-jury elected the same model for "Style Auto Trophy".

In those days, when the cast-iron engine was common, Porsche gave the 928 already an Aluminum Engine. The 4.5 Liter-power plant was capable of pushing 240 HP and accelerated in 7.7 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. The max speed was 220 km/h. In the last version of the car, the 928 GTS, the car had 5.4 Liter hub and 350 HP. Performance went up to 0-100 km/h in 5,7 to 5.9 sec and a top speed of 275km/h. Torque increased from 350Nm in the early 928 up to 500Nm in the GTS models.

Further development of the 928 S in 1980 gave the car an automatic transmission, resulting in the fastest car  with auto tranny. The especially for the 928 developed "Weissach-Achse", a steering rear-wheel axle, took care of creating a superb behavior in curves at changing loads. With this development Porsche was years ahead of the competition. Many years later the Japanese brands released their electronically controlled four-wheel steering.

In 1986 the Porsche 928 S4 was the fastest "Katalysator-Fahrzeug" in the world. Two years later the factory standard car was even equipped with a tire pressure control system. Again way ahead of the competition.

Technical supremacy and luxury however had their price. The base version of  1977 was 60.000 Mark ($30.000), eventually leading up to 160.000 Mark ($80.000). Despite of the exclusive price, this sports car was build and sold 61.000 times in its 18 years lifecycle. Not many sports cars can match this.

When Porsche needed the Zuffenhausen production plant for the new Boxster, the production of the 928 ended....... sadly.

With a standard 928 GTS the 24hour speed record using a standard sports coupe was broken. The car was driven over regular motorway from Austria to a test track at Nardo, Italy. The test run was an initiative of Franz Doppler and 3 colleagues racing a 928. On that track 6377,25 km were done in 24 hours, leading to an average of 265,74 km/h. After this spectacular test drive the car was taken back like it came, over the regular motorway. A small detour one could say....

This website is dedicated to the Porsche 928 and especially to S4, GT, and GTS models.

Some stats as of December 2023:

2.520 Web pages, 14.604 pictures or diagrams, and 858 data files.

Please visit the Technical Tips section regularly as I do updates every week, so it is still growing.

Last update:

porsche 928 technical instruction writeup idle valve timing seal bearing torque nut screw motor switch diag diagnostic ecu computer brain LH EZH RDK PDS ABS battery generator fan belt wheel tire brembo caliper fluid hose flare tank lights bulbs wire cover lock hatch key windshield schocks leather seat interior door mirror controller steering boot bushing alignment hub adjust axle vacuum membrane actuator dash pod instrument gear clutch transmission lever connector plug pipe strip bar camshaft crank belt oil ATF ring pinion exhaust cat bell converter torquetube tacho voltage fuel injector pulse plug ignition cross bar stud pan sensor temp temperature pressure radiator evaporator compressor dryer venturi switch rail lubricant fan reservoir coolant radiator tank wiper shield assembly light rebuild eprom upgrade maf ezk repair ecu numbers nummers diagnostic hammer KTS300 KTS301

Visitor number:
View My Stats

Privacy statement

Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only.
I am not an authorized representative of Porsche and not appointed to promote or offer information regarding the Porsche cars. I am a private person, acting independently of Porsche and only offer the website to assist those maintaining, repairing, and enjoying the Porsche 928 series. The information is made available on this website which, whilst endeavoring to keep the information up-to-date and correct, makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, and suitability with respect to the Website or the information or related graphics contained on the Website, for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will I be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of the Website. Through the Website, you are able to link to third party websites which are not under my control. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorsement of the views expressed within third party websites. I do not receive any commission for information presented, or links provided.
Porsche, the Porsche brand, and 928 are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.