Performance Review: Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S - [1993]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche 968 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1993. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1994 McLaren F1 6.1 V12 and the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo.This particular Porsche 968 has a 2990cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 968 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 968'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 1370 kgs (3020 lbs) this makes the Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S in the same weight category as the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche 968 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 2990cc 16V St4 engine produces 301 bhp (224 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 369 lb-ft (500.2 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche 968 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 Porsche Cayenne 4.8 V8 Turbo S (244.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche 968.

The Porsche 968 has a Power to weight ratio of 219.7 bhp per ton and 269.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1993 968 competing with the 2013 Porsche Cayenne 4.8 V8 Turbo S (244.6 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S 4.8 V8 (244.6 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 968 generating around 269.3 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 2011 Ford Mustang GT500 (294.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 7.2 V8 (294.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.9 secs, this made the Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the or the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs). This Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S is also faster than the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the and the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 968 and the 1951 Jaguar C Type 3.4L

When talking about the performance of the Porsche 968 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.56 secs @ 100.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1951 Jaguar C Type 3.4L (13.50 secs), the 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR (13.51 secs), and the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 (13.52 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1993 version of the Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S has a maximum speed of 175mph.

Top Speed of the 1993 968 equals the 2021 Jaguar F Type R Convertible 5.0 V8 Supercharged (186 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1993 Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S then how about the 2021 Jaguar F Type R Convertible 5.0 V8 Supercharged (186 mph), the 2021 Jaguar F Type R 5.0 V8 Supercharged (186 mph), or the 2021 Porsche Cayenne GT 4.0 V8 Bi-Turbo (186 mph).

Related Links:

1993 968 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison