1988 PORSCHE 944 S2 3.0 5MT (211 HP)

Vehicle Overview

With just a few years before the end of the 944 era, Porsche introduced the last modification for its base model range: the S2 version.

Porsche didn’t want to install more cylinders under the 944’s hood. The 928 was already launched and it was the GT of the car-maker with its V8 engine lineup. The 944 had to stick with the same inline-four architecture. But there was room for improvement.

From the outside, there were few details that could tell the difference between the S2 and the rest of the 944s. Basically, its look was identical to the S version. It featured body-colored bumpers, with a rubber strip on the one in the back. For the wheels, a special design with seven spokes was chosen. The 944 S2 badge was added to the tailgate, under the hard-rubber spoiler. Unlike the Turbo version, it was not a wing.

The interior was fitted with four seats, but only the front occupants could sit well. The tiny rear seats were fitted for very small children due to lack of legroom. For the driver, there was a new instrument cluster with four dials and six gauges. The biggest ones were, of course, the tachometer and the speedometer. The AC was offered fitted as standard and so was the ABS and the dual-airbags.

Under the hood, the S2 featured a 3.0-liter engine, which was the biggest displacement four cylinders on the market at that time, in the car industry. It was fitted with the four-valves technology so the maximum output exceeded 200 hp. It was paired exclusively with a 5-speed manual.