Porsche 928

Porsche 928
1987 Porsche 928 S4
Overview
Manufacturer	Porsche
Production	1977–1995
Assembly	Stuttgart, Germany
Designer	Wolfgang Möbius
Body and chassis
Class	Grand tourer
Body style	2-door Coupé
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	4.5 L V8 4.7 L V8 5.0 L V8 5.4 L V8
Transmission	5-speed manual 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,500 mm (98 in) 1988–1995: 98.4 in (2,499 mm)
Length	4,520 mm (178 in) 1988–1995: 178.1 in (4,524 mm)
Width	1,890 mm (74 in) 1987–1992: 72.3 in (1,836 mm) 1993–1995: 74.4 in (1,890 mm)
Height	Pre-1989: 50.2 in (1,275 mm) 1990–1995: 1,282 mm (50.5 in)
Curb weight	1,450 kg (3,200 lb) – 1,620 kg (3,570 lb) (approx.)

The Porsche 928 is a luxury GT car produced by Porsche AG of Germany from 1978 to 1995. Originally intended to replace the company's well-known and famed 911, the 928 combined the power, poise, and handling of a sports car with the refinement, comfort, and equipment of a luxury sedan to create what some Porsche executives thought would be a vehicle with wider appeal than the compact, quirky and sometimes difficult 911.

Since its inception in 1949, Porsche has manufactured only seven front-engined models, four of which were coupés, including the 928. The car has the distinction of being the company's only coupé powered by a front-mounted V8 engine, and the company's first production V8 powered model.

By the late 1960s, Porsche had changed significantly as a company, and executives including owner Ferdinand Porsche were toying with the idea of adding a luxury touring car to the line-up. Managing director Ernst Fuhrmann was also pressuring Ferdinand to approve development of the new model in light of concerns that the current flagship model at the time, the 911, was quickly reaching the limits of its potential. Slumping sales of the 911 seemed to confirm that the model was approaching the end of its economic life cycle. Fuhrmann envisioned the new range-topping model as being the best possible combination of a sports coupé and a luxury sedan, something well equipped and comfortable enough to be easily driven over long distances that also had the power, poise and handling prowess necessary to be driven like a sports car. This set it apart from the 911, which was intended to be an out-and-out sports car.

Ordered by Ferdinand Porsche to come up with a production-feasible concept for his new model, Fuhrmann initiated a design study in 1971, eventually taking from the process the final specification for the 928. Several drivetrain layouts were considered during early development, including rear and mid-engined designs, but most were dismissed because of technical and legislative difficulties. Having the engine, transmission, catalytic converter(s) and exhaust all cramped into a small rear engine bay made emission and noise control more difficult, something Porsche was already facing problems with on the 911 and wanted to avoid. After deciding that the mid-engine layout did not allow enough room in the passenger compartment, a front engine rear wheel drive layout was chosen. Porsche also may have feared that the U.S. government would soon ban the sale of rear-engined cars in response to the consumer concern over safety problems with the rear-engined Chevrolet Corvair. The Corvair's alleged safety issues were detailed in the book Unsafe at Any Speed by consumer advocate Ralph Nader.