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Porsche Carrera 4 - ten reasons to love the first 4x4 911

Name: Porsche Carrera 4 1988
Brand: Porsche

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Created on July 13, 2016

Text:

Lucio Pompeo / Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

Bruno von Rotz

Archiv Porsche AG

Porsche AG

Daniel Reinhard

Bruno von Rotz

Archiv Porsche AG

Porsche AG

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - naturally air (or rather oil) cooled

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - it demonstrated Porsche's determination to hold on to the classic rear-engined sports car

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - everyone recognizes the 911 immediately

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - the power is dynamically distributed between the front and rear wheels

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - amazingly narrow wheels, just 205s are fitted at the front

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - much easier to drive than its predecessors

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - significantly more comfortable than its predecessors

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - benefiting from the experience gained from the development of the 959

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - the car ran at 260 km/h in the Auto Motor und Sport test

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - a lot of fun to drive without straining the driver

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - safe to drive without compromising driving pleasure

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - matured into a classic

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - the basic layout has not been changed

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - thanks to four-wheel drive, traction is no problem even on gravel

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - no-frills bodywork

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - the dream car of generations

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - comparatively narrow-soled

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - still with upright headlights

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - this color combination was built at most a handful of times

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - still comparatively high for its width

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - the G-model had only been modified tentatively, as it was still being built in parallel

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - no Porsche 911 before and since has been more aerodynamic

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - the entire upper part of the shape is still close to the original 911

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - the spoiler only shows when it has to

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - only a simple exhaust pipe had to suffice

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - unadulterated 911 line

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - born to be a classic

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - View of the front

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - View of the rear

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - a color in the interior that takes some getting used to, but is "iconic"

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - comfortable sports seats, as you would expect from Porsche

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - the rev counter is of course in the center, many indicator lights have found their way to the left

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - 3.6-liter engine with dual ignition

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - air-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - relatively low liter output with 70 hp per liter displacement

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - Note for the oil specification

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - Notes on (high) tire pressure

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - the Porsche crest on the nose

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - classic 911 headlights, but without chrome ring

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - smooth rims and labeled brake calipers

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - Porsche crest in the rim

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - the first Porsche with four-wheel drive in large-scale production

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - distinctive Porsche lettering at the rear

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - integrated rear spoiler

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Porsche 964 C4 (1991) - the rear spoiler swings out automatically at 60 km/h or manually operated

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Porsche 964 C2 (1988) - with Tiptronic - Transparent drawing

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Porsche 964 - compared to other 911 models - 50 years of the Porsche 911 in the Porsche Museum

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Porsche 911 Carrera 2 3.6 (1990) - 964 variant with rear-wheel drive

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Porsche 911 Carrera 2 3.6 Targa (1992) - internally also called 964

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Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.6 (1992) - fast version of the 964

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Porsche 964 (1991) - still close to the basic shape

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Porsche 964 (1990) - in an unusual color scheme between predecessors and successors

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Porsche 964 (1990) - Advertising for the Fuchsfelge - Techno Classica 2016

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Porsche 964 Speedster - Speedster models were available from the G-model onwards - 50 years of the Porsche 911 in the Porsche Museum

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Porsche 964 - Rear wing in body color - 50 years of the Porsche 911 in the Porsche Museum

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Summary

It came as a surprise, as Porsche had hardly changed anything visually on the 911 for over 15 years. However, it was not only the appearance that was revised, but above all the technology. The 964 had all-wheel drive, making it significantly safer to drive than its predecessors. Nevertheless, with its good features, it did not automatically become a beloved youngtimer (and soon a classic car), but was somewhat overshadowed by its predecessor (G-model) and successor (993). The ten reasons for loving the Carrera 4 set out in this report show that this could change.

This article contains the following chapters

A shock for the cast-iron cars
1) Youngtimer at the transition to classic car
2) Model of new beginnings
3) Last 911 in the original design
4) Remaining compact
5) Discreet but efficient looks
6) Completely new engine with more power and torque
7) Pioneering new drive concept with added value
8) Driving fast in comfort
9) Still a fast car today
10) Another real 911
Further information

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

It came as a surprise, because for more than 15 years Porsche had hardly changed anything on the 911 (G model) in terms of appearance and chassis technology. But with the 964 (internal project number), which was shown for the first time in mid-1988, not only was the appearance revised more than usual, but the changes were mainly under the bodywork (87% of the parts were new!). The 964 C4 had all-wheel drive, power steering and ABS, making it much safer to drive than its predecessors. The 964 received completely new bumper covers, and the previously (and in some countries optional, in others mandatory) fixed rear spoiler was replaced by a retractable solution.

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