Porsche
944 Turbo S

Why it matters

The 944 Turbo S, introduced for 1988, raised the 944 Turbo to 184 kW (250 PS) and gave it a top track speed of 261 km/h. Porsche called it the fastest four-cylinder production car of its time. It was the ultimate evolution of the 944, and its engine passed to the regular Turbo in 1989.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The 944 Turbo arrived in 1985; in 1988 Porsche introduced the Turbo S as a limited series, giving its production run as 1,000 units. A larger K26-8 turbocharger and revised engine mapping allowed full boost up to 5,800 rpm. Other S changes were 928 S4 front brakes, adjustable Koni shocks and chassis stiffening brackets on the front frame rails. In 1989 the same 250 PS engine went into the standard 944 Turbo.

RM Sotheby's states that 1,635 Turbo S cars were built in 1988, which conflicts with Porsche's 1,000-unit figure.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The Turbo S is a Type 951. It carries the S package of ABS, a limited-slip differential and power front seats, along with 928 S4 front brakes, adjustable Koni shocks and front frame-rail stiffening brackets. The M474 sport suspension was a desirable option on one cataloged car. Cataloged chassis numbers are WP0AA2953JN151575 and WPOAA2957JN151272.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Time lapse: Porsche's transaxle models Level A Porsche Newsroom (Christophorus 418) · 2026-06-11

   • limited-edition 944 Turbo S series, with a production run of 1,000 units
   • The 184 kW (250 PS) engine of the Turbo S
   • Its top track speed is 261 kmh

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Porsche Newsroom – Time lapse: Porsche’s transaxle models Level A

   • 1000 production run

   Accessed 2026-11-11
3. 3
   1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (Amelia Island 2012, lot 46) Level C Gooding & Company

   • 2,479 CC SOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine (Technical Specs)
   • Single KKK Turbocharger (Technical Specs)
   • 250 BHP at 6,000 RPM (Technical Specs)
   • 5-Speed Manual Gearbox (Technical Specs)
   • 4-Wheel Ventilated Disc Brakes (Technical Specs)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
4. 4
   1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (Amelia Island 2017, lot 282) Level C RM Sotheby's

   • Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection
   • larger K26-8 Turbo
   • front independent suspension with MacPherson struts with lower coil springs
   • semi-trailing arms with torsion bars and adjustable Koni shocks
   • Wheelbase: 94.5 in.

   Accessed 2026-11-12