1989-1994 (964)
The 964 marked the first serious modernization of the 911 since the original car launched in 1963, with Porsche describing it internally as roughly 85 percent new despite looking, at a glance, much like the outgoing car. It introduced coil-spring suspension in place of the original torsion bars, standard ABS and power steering for the first time in a 911, and most significantly, all-wheel drive.
That AWD system debuted on the Carrera 4, which launched first in 1989 as the opening act of the 964 generation, powered by a 3.6-liter flat-six making roughly 247 hp. The rear-wheel-drive Carrera 2 followed a model year later using the same engine, giving buyers a choice between the more stable, all-weather Carrera 4 and the lighter, purer Carrera 2. The Turbo arrived in 1990, but Porsche hadn't finished developing a turbocharged version of the new 3.6-liter engine in time, so the 964 Turbo launched with a carried-over 3.3-liter unit from the previous 930 generation at 320 hp, before a proper 3.6-liter turbo engine arrived in 1992 at 355 hp. At the very end of production, Porsche's in-house Exclusive department hand-built 90 special Turbo 3.6 S models using leftover chassis, at 380 hp, some finished with the distinctive slant-nose front end. A European-market Carrera RS, based on the Carrera Cup race car, and the US-market Carrera RS America, a lighter Carrera 2 with a whale-tail spoiler, both catered to buyers wanting a more stripped-down driving experience, though the RS itself was never sold new in the US. Porsche also marked the 911's 30th anniversary in 1993 with a limited "30 Jahre" edition combining the Turbo's wide body with Carrera 4 running gear.
- Model years: 1989 to 1994
- Trims: Carrera 2, Carrera 4, Carrera RS America, Turbo (3.3L then 3.6L), Turbo 3.6 S, 30 Jahre Anniversary Edition (Carrera RS not sold new in the US)
- Power range: 247 hp (Carrera 2/4) to 380 hp (Turbo 3.6 S)
- Transmission: 5-speed manual standard, 4-speed Tiptronic automatic optional (non-Turbo trims)
- Notable firsts: first 911 with all-wheel drive; first 911 with standard ABS and power steering; first 911 with coil-spring rear suspension
- Available as: Coupe, Cabriolet, and Targa depending on trim, with Turbo offered primarily as Coupe