Porsche's 928 was a front-engine, rear wheel drive car introduced in 1977 as an experiment in moving away from the rear and mid-engined cars which are their trademark. Though the engine was front-mounted, which in cars of the day typically meant front-heavy, the use of a rear-mounted transaxle made for excellent weight distribution. It was among the first automobiles to feature an unsleeved silicon-alloy engine block, which reduced weight and improved engine life. The vehicle was intended to replace the 911, but the 928 has not been produced since 1995, and the 911 is still being sold.
1977-1979 928s come only with a 16 valve 4.5 liter V8, which was offered until 1982. 1977 and 1978 models develop 219 HP @ 5250 RPM, and 1980 through 1982 models 220 @ 5500. Starting in 1980 a 4.7 liter motor was offered in a model known as the 928S, which model was sold until mid-1986. This started out as a 16-valve motor but in the US it was replaced with a 5.0 liter, 32-valve version in 1985. The 16 valve powerplant generates 234 HP @ 5250 RPM, and the 32-valve 288 @ 5750. The 928S was also upgraded with both front and rear spoilers.
In 1987 the vehicle was rechristened the 928S4 which lasted only until 1989, when the 928 became the 928GT. This was when the 928 "flowered" as it were; the 5.0 liter V8 was redesigned to produce 316 HP @ 6000 RPM. Al Holbert tested this car to 171 MPH at Bonneville and set a FIA land speed record - in a stock 928S4 with the catalytic converter still installed, exactly the same car available from the dealership. The car got a new, enlarged clutch, Brembo brakes, and massive styling updates. The 928GT got another horsepower bump (326@6000RPM) and a traction control system featuring an electronically-controlled limited slip differential, known as the PLSD (Porsche Limited Slip Differential.) It also became the first car to feature side-impact airbags across the model line. 1991 is the last year for the GT. These vehicles had the front spoiler integrated into the front fascia and the rear spoiler was replaced with a wing.
1992-1995 928s are known as the 928GTS and come with a 5.4 liter 32 valve V8 producing a whopping 345HP @ 5700RPM, as well as brake rotors measuring nearly 13 inches in diameter to go with big Brembo 4-piston calipers.
About 95% of American-sold 928s came with a Mercedes-Benz automatic transmission, the remainder came with the vehicle's five speed manual with an unusual shift pattern. Starting at the top left, then bottom left, upper middle, bottom middle, and so on along those lines, (as you would normally shift 1-2-3-4 in a "standard H" pattern) the gears read R-1-2-3-4-5 with the neutral in the usual spot in the center.
References:
- Tong, Phil. 928S4VR Home Page. 1998.(http://www.928s4vr.com/)
- Wikipedia, Porsche 928. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_928)