Performance Review: Porsche 928 S4 5.0L V8 - [1986]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche 928 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche 928 S4 5.0L V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1986. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Porsche 928 has a 4957cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 928 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 928's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1580 kgs (3483 lbs) this makes the Porsche 928 S4 5.0L V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche 928 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 4957cc 32V V8 engine produces 320 bhp (238 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 318 lb-ft (431.1 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche 928 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Monaro 5.7 V8 VXR (227.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche 928.

The Porsche 928 has a Power to weight ratio of 202.5 bhp per ton and 201.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1986 928 competing with the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Monaro 5.7 V8 VXR (227.3 bhp per ton) or the 2004 BMW Alpina Z4 Roadster S (227.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Porsche 928 generating around 201.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS 5.7 V8 (226.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1992 Maserati Shamal 3.2L V8 BiTurbo (225.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.8 secs, this made the Porsche 928 S4 5.0L V8 as fast as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs). This Porsche 928 S4 5.0L V8 is also faster than the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the and the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 265 DSG (5.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 928 and the 1990 Honda NSX 3.0 V6

When talking about the performance of the Porsche 928 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.9 secs @ 98.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1990 Honda NSX 3.0 V6 (13.84 secs), the 2007 Bentley Brooklands 2d (13.85 secs), and the 1993 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon (13.86 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1986 version of the Porsche 928 S4 5.0L V8 has a maximum speed of 168mph.

Top Speed of the 1986 928 equals the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 PDK 982 (179 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1986 Porsche 928 S4 5.0L V8 then how about the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 PDK 982 (179 mph), the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (179 mph), or the 2017 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (179 mph).

Related Links:

1986 928 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison