Guide: Porsche 911 Carrera (993)
Background
Porsche’s 993 was the last 911 to retain the air-cooled Flat 6 engine that had been a fixture in its rear-engined model since 1964.
Introduced during late 1993 as global economies were beginning to emerge from a particularly severe recession, the 993’s fresh new look, outstanding performance and improved handling underpinned Porsche’s revival after the firm had been in a sorry financial state earlier in the decade.
Hoping their new model would attract a record number of executive buyers from the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and BMW, Porsche paid particular attention to ride quality and refinement without compromising the original 911 ethos of performance, practicality and great design.
A replacement for the outgoing 964, the 993 was built in a variety of formats. Coupe, Cabriolet and Targa body styles were available with two or four-wheel drive and either a manual or semi-automatic Tiptronic gearbox.
A turbocharged four-wheel drive Coupe was also subsequently offered and the Turbo body later became an option on normally-aspirated Coupes.
Lightweight homologation specials and racing cars followed plus a few ultra exclusive low volume variants that were manufactured by special request.
Produced between late 1993 and mid 1998, the 993 sold in massive numbers and marked a turnaround in Porsche’s fortunes. The firm has gone from strength to strength ever since.
Chassis
Initially offered alongside the 968 and later the Boxster, the 993 used a revised unitary bodyshell with increased side impact protection. The updated bodyshell was reportedly 20% stiffer than the 964.
Ride quality and handling were much improved thanks to a multi-link rear suspension arrangement that replaced the semi-trailing arms of previous 911s. The new system was ultimately derived from Porsche’s Weissach axle introduced on the 928 back in the late 1970s. It played an important role in reducing the lift-off oversteer that had long been a 911 trait.
Front suspension was via an improved version of the existing MacPherson strut arrangement; for this latest application, nearly every component was redesigned to save weight.
Monroe dampers, ventilated disc brakes and 16-inch Cup Design 93 wheels were fitted all round.
The light alloy wheels measured 7-inches wide at the front, 9-inches wide at the rear and were originally shod with Continental tyres.
The disc brakes had a 304mm diameter at the front and 299mm diameter at the rear.
A 73.5-litre fuel tank was installed underneath the front lid.
Engine & Gearbox
Like the 964, displacement of the air-cooled, all-alloy Flat 6 engine was 3600cc thanks to an unchanged bore and stroke of 100mm and 76.4mm respectively.
The specification included a single overhead camshaft for each bank of cylinders, two valves per cylinder and dry-sump lubrication.
New lightweight pistons and connecting rods were fitted along with a strengthened crankshaft and hydraulic valve adjustment. The cooling fans, oil pumps and chain housings were magnesium.
Compression stayed at 11.3:1.
These Type M64/05 powerplants (M64/07 for the USA) also came equipped with the latest Bosch Motronic M2.10 engine management and a new twin outlet exhaust system.
Peak output was 272bhp at 6100rpm and 243lb-ft at 5000rpm.
An all new six-speed manual Type G50/21 gearbox was standard equipment.
Customers could alternatively specify the optional Tiptronic unit that offered modes for both fully automatic and sequential gear-changing.
993s equipped with Tiptronic received Type M64/06 engines (M64/08 for the USA).
Bodywork
Although the 911 had undergone some fairly major cosmetic surgery in its lifetime (most notably the arrival of impact-absorbing bumpers in 1974 and the 964’s curvaceous revamp of 1989), the 993 marked perhaps the most significant visual departure yet.
Despite unmistakably still resembling a 911, the 993 shared only a roof and front lid with its predecessors.
The previously upright headlights were replaced with reclined items mounted on flattened front wings to give a more aerodynamic profile.
The bumpers were updated front and back while more muscular fenders, a tapered tail and custom light clusters gave a new lease of life to the back end.
The successful redesign was executed by Tony Hatter who created arguably the most cohesive-looking 911 since 1973,
Interior
Inside, the familiar 911 dash layout remained with five instruments housed in a simple oval binnacle. Directly behind the four-spoke steering wheel was a 7000rpm tachometer. This was flanked to the right by a speedometer and clock. To the left were combined read outs for oil pressure / oil temperature and oil level / fuel.
Driver and passenger airbags were standard.
Although the seats looked almost identical to the outgoing 964, they had been subtly redesigned to provide greater thigh support.
There was new door trim and an electronic heating system but proper air-conditioning was still a cost option.
Standard equipment included leather upholtsery, electric windows, electric mirrors and four-way electric seats.
Options
Customers could choose from a host of options including 17-inch Carrera Cup wheels, sports seats, fully electric and heated seats, an electric sunroof, air conditioning and veneered walnut cabin inserts.
A sports suspension pack came with shorter and stiffer springs and dampers plus thicker anti-roll bars.
Further customisation could be carried out via Porsche’s Exclusive department.
Weight / Performance
Porsche quoted a weight figure of 1370kg for the standard Coupe. US specification derivatives were 1420kg as a result of their additional safety equipment.
The manual gearbox variant had a top speed of 164mph and 0-62mph time of 5.5 seconds.
Cars equipped with Tiptronic required 6.1 seconds for the 0-62mph sprint.
Launch
The 993 was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1993. Production was underway by that December.
Early 993s were initially built alongside 964 Cabriolets and Speedsters while Porsche applied the finishing touches to their new 993 Cabriolet.
The Cabriolet was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1994.
It featured a good deal of structural reinforcement, most notably around the safety cell and windscreen.
An optional wind deflector helped reduce turbulence and wind noise when the electric canvas hood was lowered.
At 1370kg, weight was identical to the Coupe.
1994 Model Year R-series Production
In the first twelve months of production, 9447 R-series 1994 model year Coupes were constructed along with 7196 Cabriolets.
1995 Model Year S-series
Thereafter, Porsche’s annual improvement programme continued as normal.
The first updates arrived with the 1995 model year S-series variants introduced in August 1994.
The most notable development was a more powerful 3.8-litre Type M64/05S VarioRam engine that offered improved volumetric efficiency thanks to its larger valves.
Available via the options list, the 3.8-litre engine produced 285bhp at 6100rpm and 250lb-ft at 5250rpm. Displacement was 3746cc thanks to a 2mm bore increase (now 102mm). Stroke stayed at 76.4mm.
Tiptronic-equipped VarioRam engines were designated Type M64/06S.
A second type of Tiptronic gearbox was added to the options list at the same time: Tiptronic S featured new steering wheel-mounted shift buttons.
Carrera 4
Two months later (in October 1994), Porsche introduced the all-wheel drive Carrera 4.
This variant utilised a lightweight four-wheel drive system plus Automatic Brake Differential (ABD).
ABD had been optional on the rear-wheel drive 993 from the start of production. It effectively prevented individual wheels from losing traction under hard acceleration or braking. The Carrera 4′s ABD system also took account of varying wheel rotation speeds to further reduce lift-off oversteer.
Despite weighing 50kg more than standard Carrera, the Carrera 4 managed to post a marginally faster 0-62mph figure of 5.4 seconds. Top speed remained unchanged.
1996 Model Year T-series
For the T-series 1996 model year 993s that went into production in August 1995, Porsche deleted the 3.6-litre 272bhp motor and began to fit the 3.8-litre VarioRam unit as standard.
At the same time, an even more powerful engine option was introduced. The new Type M64/21S (or M64/22S if combined with Tiptronic) produced 300bhp at 6500rpm and 258lb-ft at 4600rpm.
A surprise arrival for the 1996 model year was a 993 Targa. Unlike earlier 911 Targas (which had a distinctive roll over bar and removable roof panel), this latest variant incorporated a large electric glass roof that slid back underneath the rear window.
In addition to its panoramic roof, the 993 Targa came with several other special features to include triangular three-quarter windows and two-piece five-spoke wheels.
The Targa wheels also became an option on the Coupe and Cabriolet.
Another new variant was also introduced for the 1996 model year. The Carrera 4S was a Carrera 4 kitted out with the Turbo’s more aggressive body shell minus its fixed rear spoiler.
18-inch alloys and Turbo-spec. suspension and brakes were included. Ride height was dropped by 15mm while air-conditioning and fully electric seats came fitted as standard.
1997 Model Year V-series
No major changes were made to 1997 model year V-series 993s aside from the addition of a two-wheel drive turbo-bodied variant; the Carrera S.
V-series cars went into production during August 1996. This was the last year of production for the full 993 range as, when the 996 went into production from September 1997, the two-wheel drive 993s were dropped.
Porsche continued to built the Carrera 4 until July 1998 when it too was replaced.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com
