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Porsche 993 Carrera: ultimate guide

As production of the 964 generation drew to a close, it appeared that sales were beginning to falter, and Porsche knew that major improvements were going to be needed if the 911 was to keep its place at the top table of fine sports cars.

Step forward the 993, styled by British designer Tony Hatter, which appeared in 1993. The outline was reckoned to be more reminiscent of earlier 911s, with a simpler shape and fared-in headlights that were more effective than those found on the 964.

According to Porsche, the new body shell was some 80 per cent new compared to the outgoing 964 and 20 per cent stiffer in Coupe form, and with smoother bumpers, underbody cladding and other clever air-management tweaks.

Porsche 993 Carrera interior

The aerodynamics were improved, too. The retractable rear spoiler was retained, popping up at 50mph and disappearing into the engine cover at 35mph. Only the roof and bonnet had been carried over from its predecessor, while the galvanised shell benefitted from a ten-year anti-corrosion warranty.

The 993 utilised the 3.6-litre flat-six M64 engine, though once again it had received wide-ranging changes over the unit found beneath the 964’s engine lid.

A stronger, stiffer crankshaft (which negated the need for a separate crankshaft damper) was joined to the thinner and lighter pistons by lightened connecting rods, and revised chain-driven camshafts operated the two valves per cylinder via hydraulic adjusters.

Porsche 993 Carrera rear

The oil flow within the engine was improved for better lubrication, and there was also a redesigned exhaust system that liberated a few more units of horsepower over the 964, while the Bosch Motronic 2.1 system took care of engine management duties.

Putting out a healthy 272bhp (22bhp more than the M64 used in the 964) in standard form, power was boosted further to 285bhp for the 1996 model year Carrera thanks to the introduction of VarioRam, which was first used on the 300bhp 993 RS in the preceding year.

To read more of this ultimate guide, along with a host of other incredible 911 features, pick up your copy of Total 911 issue 110 from the Imagine Shop, or download it from Great Digital Mags now.

Porsche 993 Carrera engine

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