Porsche 930 3,3 930/68-USA Targa Flat Nose
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Car producer : |
Porsche |
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Model: |
930 3,3 930/68-USA Targa Flat Nose |
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Year: |
1987-1989 |
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Type: |
Targa |
Porsche made its first and most significant changes to the 930 for 1978 model year, enlarging the engine bore by 2 mm (0.08 in) to a total displacement of 3,299 cc (3.3 L; 201.3 cu in) and adding an air-to-air intercooler. By cooling the pressurized air charge, the intercooler helped increase power output to 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp) at 5,500 rpm and 412 N⋅m (304 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,000 rpm (DIN); the rear 'whale tail' spoiler was re-profiled and raised slightly to make room for the intercooler and the spoiler was now infamously called the 'tea tray' spoiler by the enthusiasts. The suspension benefitted from new anti-roll bars, firmer shock absorbers and larger diameter rear torsion bars. Porsche also upgraded the brakes to units similar to those used on the 917 race car. While the increase in displacement and addition of an intercooler increased power output and torque, these changes also increased the weight of the vehicle, especially the engine, which contributed to a substantial change in the handling and character of the car compared to the earlier 3.0-litre models.
Changing emissions regulations in Japan and the United States forced Porsche to withdraw the 930 from those markets in 1980. It however remained available in Canada. Envisioning the luxurious 928 gran turismo eventually replacing the 911 as the top of the Porsche model lineup, Fuhrmann cut back further development on the model, and it was not until his resignation that the company finally committed the financing to reregulate the car.
The 930 remained available in Europe, and for 1983 a 330 PS (243 kW; 325 hp) at 5750 rpm and 432 N⋅m (319 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm of torque performance option became available on a build-to-order basis from Porsche. With the add-on came a quad-pipe exhaust system and an additional oil-cooler requiring a remodeled front spoiler and units bearing the add-on often featured additional ventilation holes in the rear fenders and modified rockers.
By the 1985 model year, 928 sales had risen slightly, but the question remained as to whether it would supersede the 911 as the company's premier model. Porsche reintroduced the 930 to the Japanese and U.S. markets in 1986 with an emission-controlled engine having a power output of 282 hp (210 kW; 286 PS) at 5500 rpm and 377 N⋅m (278 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm of torque. At the same time Porsche introduced targa and cabriolet variants, both of which proved popular.
Porsche discontinued the 930 after the 1989 model year when its underlying "G-Series" platform was being replaced by the 964. In that year, Porsche introduced the 930 Speedster, a variant featuring body style akin to the 356 Speedster, the Speedster featured a humped rear end with a "double bubble" roof storage compartment and a short, raked windshield along with a manually operated soft top. Only a handful of examples were produced making it one of the most rare 930 variants alongside the slantnose. The 1989 models were the first and last versions of the 930 to feature the Getrag G50 five-speed manual transmission. A turbocharged variant of the 964 officially succeeded the 930 in 1991 with a modified version of the same 3.3 litre flat-six engine and a five-speed transmission.
Kremer Racing had originally began offering conversion kits for 930 Turbo models which included front bodywork like the famous 935 race car in 1981. In 1982, TAG Heuer co-owner Mansour Ojjeh commissioned Porsche to develop a road-legal version of the 935 race car. The final product was developed using a body shell of the 930 and fitting fabricated 935 body panels to it. The one-off also had the suspension and brakes shared with the 935 race car. Other special features of the car included special paintwork called Brilliant Red by the manufacturer, BBS wheels and the use of the 3.3-litre turbocharged flat-6 engine of the 934 race car. The car proved very popular among enthusiasts and prospective buyers began to demand a similar car as a factory offering. Porsche offered a "Flachbau" ("flatnose" or "slantnose") 930 under the "Sonderwunschprogramm" (special order program) from 1986 model year, an otherwise normal 930 with a 935-style slantnose instead of the normal 911 front end with the replacement of the famous "bug eye" headlamps with pop-up units.
Each Flachbau unit was handcrafted by remodeling the front fenders (option code M505 (coupé) and M506 (convertible)). A limited number of units were produced due to the fact that the package commanded a high premium price, and an initial premium of up to 60 per cent (highly individualised cars requiring even more) over the standard price. 948 units were built in total with 160 units being imported to the US. The Flachbau units delivered in Europe usually featured the 335 PS (246 kW; 330 hp) performance kit. The flat nose greatly contributed to the aerodynamics of the car and enabled it to accelerate from 0–97 km/h in 4.85 seconds and attain a top speed of 278 km/h (173 mph) (figures with the performance kit).
