Porsche 964 RS: ultimate guide
The last 964 to be subjected to the Ultimate Guide treatment was the Carrera 4, but this time we’re focusing on a very special incarnation of the penultimate air-cooled 911.
Before we get to the meat of what the RS is all about, however, it’s worth taking a moment for a broader reminder of the 964’s pivotal role in the model’s evolution.
Essentially, it stood as a bridge between the old guard that was the 3.2 Carrera and the 911s we admire today, introducing modernities such as power steering, anti-lock brakes and coil-sprung rather than torsion-bar suspension.
Four-wheel drive and Tiptronic gearboxes also made their first appearance, and the 964 was both stiffer and more aerodynamic than its predecessor, while we’d also marvel at the electric rear spoiler and modern heating system that was no longer unfathomable.
This was the march of 911 progress, and the range would grow to encompass some very special cars, perhaps none more so than this one.
Like many Porsche 911s before and since, the 964 RS was born from the need to go racing, in this case acting as a homologation model for the Carrera Cup series. The RS was launched at the 1991 Geneva Motor Show, and went on sale later that year as a 1992 model, with total sales reckoned to be in the region of 2,400.
Production would be split between four key variants – the majority of which (just under 2,000) would be in ‘Sport’ or ‘Touring’ specification, with the remainder in ‘M001’ and ‘M003’ form – and it’s worth exploring those in more detail before going any further.
The Sport model was marketed as ‘Lightweight’ in the UK, and was designed both as a road car and club racer, making it uncompromising as a choice for the daily commute.
To read more about the Porsche 964 RS, the undeniable classic 911 of the moment, pick up your copy of Total 911 issue 116 in store now. You can also order your copy online or, alternatively, download it straight to your digital device.
Comments (0)