Porsche 944 Turbo S
The Porsche 944 Turbo S (internally designated M44/52) represented the highest state of tune for Porsche's remarkable four-cylinder sports car. Launched in 1988, the Turbo S took the already excellent 944 Turbo and added more boost, revised engine management, and suspension refinements to create what many consider the finest-driving 944 variant.
The 2,479cc inline-four engine was a marvel of engineering — the world's largest production four-cylinder at the time. Fitted with a KKK K26 turbocharger, air-to-air intercooler, and Bosch Motronic engine management, the Turbo S produced 250 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 350 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine was refined for a turbocharged four, with balance shafts eliminating the second-order vibrations inherent to the layout.
Like all 944s, the Turbo S used Porsche's transaxle layout with the gearbox mounted at the rear axle. This gave the car excellent weight distribution — approximately 50.7/49.3 front-to-rear — which translated into neutral, predictable handling that was the 944's greatest asset. The chassis used MacPherson struts at the front and semi-trailing arms at the rear, with the Turbo S receiving uprated springs, Koni dampers, and larger anti-roll bars.
Brakes were ABS-equipped ventilated discs at all four corners, borrowed from the 928 S4, giving the 944 Turbo S stopping power well beyond its price class. The five-speed manual gearbox featured a cable-operated shift that was precise if not as sweet as the best Japanese rivals.
The Turbo S could accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and reach 262 km/h — performance that rivaled the 911 Carrera of the same era at a significantly lower price. More importantly, its balanced chassis made it a more approachable car to drive quickly, without the 911's rear-engine handling quirks.
The interior featured supportive sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and comprehensive instrumentation including a boost gauge. Build quality was exemplary — the 944 was one of the most reliable Porsches of its era.
The Turbo S is now recognized as the connoisseur's choice among 944 variants, offering the best performance, the most refined driving dynamics, and increasing collectibility as values continue to climb.
Timing belt service history is absolutely critical — the 944 Turbo is an interference engine. Check for boost leaks and turbo shaft play. Balance shaft belt must be changed with the timing belt. Water pump failures are common. Clutch replacement requires transmission removal. Dashboard cracking is endemic — most have been re-covered.
Produced at the Porsche factory in Zuffenhausen (with body assembly at Audi's Neckarsulm plant) from 1988 to 1991. Approximately 1,635 Turbo S models were built, making it one of the rarer 944 variants.