the history

“The Porsche 993 is the company’s internal name for the version of the Porsche 911 model manufactured and sold between late 1993 and early 1998, replacing the 964. Its discontinuation marked the end of air-cooled Porsches.

Like previous and future generations of the Porsche 911, there were several variants of the car manufactured, varying in body style, drivetrains, and included equipment. The Porsche 993 was replaced by the Porsche 996.

Citing cost reasons, the design of the Porsche 993 used the doors of the Porsche 964, along with the flat-6 engines, as well as gearbox in 2wd variants. These are reported to be the only major components carried over^{[citation needed]}.

[edit]Overview

[edit]Technical improvements

One of the changes in the 993 over preceding 911s is the implementation of an all-alloy multi-arm rear suspension attached to an all-alloy subframe. Its design was derived from the project 989, a four-door sedan which never went into production, and was later continued in the 993’s successor, type 996. It required the widening of the rear wheel arches, which itself helped the 993’s stability. This suspension improved the 993’s cornering abilities, making it more direct and more stable and helping to reduce the tendency to oversteer if throttle was lifted during hard cornering, a trait of earlier 911s. It also reduced interior noise and improved ride quality.

The 993 was the first generation of 911 to have a standard six-speed manual transmission; previous cars, except for thePorsche 959, had 4- or 5-speed gearboxes. In virtually every situation, it was possible to keep the engine in its best torque range above 4500 rpm. The Carrera / Carrera S / Cabriolet and Targa models (2WD) were available with a “Tiptronic” 4-speed automatic transmission, first introduced in the 964. Beginning with model year 1995, Porsche offered the Tiptronic S with additional steering wheel mounted controls and refined software for smoother, quicker shifts. Since the 993’s introduction, the Tiptronic is capable of recognizing climbs and descents.

Further, the 993’s optional all wheel drive system was refined over that of the 964. Porsche departed from the 964’s setup consisting of three differentials and revised the system based on the layout from its 959 supercar, replacing the centre differential with a viscous coupling unit. In conjunction with the 993’s redesigned and recalibrated suspension, this system improved handling characteristics and still retained the stability offered by AWD without having to suffer compromises in understeer. Its simpler layout also reduced the system’s weight.

Other improvements include a new dual-flow exhaust, larger brakes with drilled discs, and revised power steering.

[edit]993 Variants

[edit]Carrera Coupe / Cabriolet

1994–1997 Porsche 911 Carrera (993) cabriolet (Australia)

1994–1997 Porsche 911 Carrera (993) cabriolet (Australia)

The Carrera represented the “base model” of the 993, and was available in rear and all-wheel drive versions. It was equipped with the naturally aspirated 3.6 liter M64 engine, further developed from the 964 and combined with a new dual-flow exhaust system now incorporating two catalytic converters. In contrast to the Type 964, Porsche deleted the “2” from the rear-wheel drive “Carrera” name tag. However among enthusiasts, to differentiate between the rear-wheel and all-wheel drive variants of the Type 993 Carrera they were (and still are) commonly referred to as “C2” and “C4”, respectively.

The options list for the 993 Carrera (and most other variants) was extensive and offered the possibility to easily configure highly individualized cars, depending on the amount of money a buyer was willing to spend. Options included up to five different styles of wheels, various suspension set-ups, at least three different seat styles (comfort, sport, racing), uncountable upholstery options including the possibility to have almost any interior element of the car covered with leather, wood or carbon fiber, and various hi-fi systems including digital sound processing. Further, Porsche offered the option to a customer to have their car painted in any color that they may desire if the standard palette wasn’t satisfactory. Even more, the Tequipment- and Exclusive-Programs added further options and built to order almost any specific wishes of customers such as special consoles, fax-machines or even brightly colored interior upholstery.

The Cabriolet, introduced in 1994 for the 1995 model year, features a fully electrical and hand-stitched softtop reinforced with metal sheets and an automatic windblocker.

Both coupe and cabriolet versions were available with all-wheel drive under the tag ‘Carrera 4’. From the outside the Carrera 4 is distinguishable by clear front turn markers and rear red markers (each instead of orange). The brake calipers are painted silver as is the ‘Carrera 4’ badge on the hood. The center wheelcaps carry the Carrera 4 logo instead of the Porsche crest.

In contrast to most of the following other variants, production of the Carrera Coupe and Cabriolet ceased with the end of model year 1997, except for a very few produced in a shortened 1998 model year.

[edit]Targa

Porsche 993 Targa

The Targa version of the 993 was introduced in model year 1996 and saw the debut of a retractable glass roof, a design continued on the 996 and 997 Targa. The glass roof would retract underneath the rear window revealing a large opening. A shade was there to help prevent the greenhouse effect of the closed roof. This system was a complete redesign, as previous Targa models had a removable roof section and a wide B-pillar functioning as a roll bar. The new glass roof design allowed the 993 Targa to retain the same side-on profile as the other 911 Carrera variants and finished with the inconvenience of storing the removed top of the old system. The Targa has the body of the convertible with the Targa glass roof replacing the fabric roof.

The Targa was equipped with distinctive 2-piece 17-inch (430 mm) wheels, which could be ordered as an option on all cars not having standard 18-inch (460 mm) wheels. Problems with the Targa include heat in the cabin, creaking noises on rough roads and a very complicated and unreliable mechanism.

Production Numbers: 1996:ROW 1980 US/Canada 462 1997:ROW 1276 US/Canada 567 1998:ROW 212 US/Canada 122 Total Production Run 993 911 Targa: 4619

[edit]Turbo

993 TT in Westend Frankfurt

The 993 Turbo coupe was released in 1995. It featured a new turbocharged engine displacing 3.6 liters producing 408 PS (300 kW; 402 hp). Twin turbochargers and air-to-air intercoolers, electronic engine management, redesigned cylinder heads and other modified engine internals were used. The 993 Turbo was the first Porsche Turbo with all wheel drive. The electronic engine management helped the Turbo to achieve fuel efficiency far superior to any of the previous production Turbos^{[citation needed]}. In connection with two catalytic converters and an on-board-diagnostics-system including four oxygen-sensors, it also made the 993 Turbo the cleanest sports car at its time^{[citation needed]}. The Turbo’s bodywork differs from the Carrera body by widened rear wheel arches (approximately 6 cm), redesigned front and rear bumper moldings, and a fixed rear wing housing the intercoolers. New 18-inch (460 mm) alloy wheels with weight-reducing hollow spokes were standard.

This was one of the first production cars in the world to have OBDII diagnostics^{[citation needed]} (the 3.8 liter and track versions didn’t have it, and the normally aspirated 993s didn’t get it until 1996). The 993 Turbo was the fastest production car in the world when it was produced^{[citation needed]}. All turbos since have had water-cooled heads. The car also had brakes that were larger than those on the base Carrera model.

Within the 1996 through 1998 production run, there were two distinct differences – the 1996 and the later ones. The 1997s and 1998s had the following differences from the 1996s: 1 – Stronger transmission input shafts (a known weakness due to the combination of immense power and AWD). 2 – An ECU that was able to be flashed and modified (the 1996 was not modifiable). 3 – With the addition of a Porsche child seat, the passenger airbag was cutoff. 4 – Motion sensors for the alarm that were integrated into the map light above the rear view mirror. 5 – Standard wheel center caps that said “turbo” (the 1996 version had Porsche crests).”

Source provided by Wikipedia