Model Page
Porsche 964 Carrera RS
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Production Run: |
2,282 |
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Production Date: |
1992 - 1995 |
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Engine: |
Porsche 3,600cc 6 Cylinder |
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Built: |
Zuffenhausen (Germany) |
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0-60: |
4.9 secs |
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Max Speed: |
161 Mph |
The Porsche 964 Carrera RS was a lightweight, rear wheel drive, rear engine car manufactured by Porsche for European markets. The car was based on the 911 “Carrera Cup” model that had been developed for a proposed racing series in the US to support the CART series, featuring a revised, blueprinted engine the model received a slightly increased power output giving better performance.
964 RS Publicity Shot
As with the previous RennSport (RS) badged 911’s, the most considerable change to the model was the removal of as much weight as possible, in this instance the car weighed around 150Kg lighter than the Carrera 2. To reduce the weight of the body the steel front bonnet was replaced with an item manufactured from aluminium, the doors replaced for a lightweight version and the rear bumper swapped for a lightweight version. The wheels were replaced with 17” Cup alloys made from Magnesium (7.5” wide wheels shod with 205/50 ZR tyres at the front and 9” wheels fitted with 255/40ZR tyres at the rear). To allow for the wide tyres to fit the wheel arches had beaded edges to give more clearance. The weight savings continued with the side glass being replaced with 3mm thick items a reduction of 1.7mm, the front windscreen remained standard and the removal of the under-body sealant although the car did retain the plastic wheel arch splash shields. The front fog lights were removed with only covers remaining, these were sometimes removed and brake ducting installed by owners. To strengthen the structure of the car the model featured a seam welded chassis.
Porsche 964 Interior
The interior did not go untouched and the removal of items in an effort to save weight continued unabated resulting in the RS having a Spartan passenger cabin. The back seats were completely removed and the front electric seats from the Carrera 2 replaced with Recaro bucket seats complete with four point safety harness. The void where the rear seats had once been was trimmed with carpet embroidered with the Carrera RS logo, the carpet set for the car was made from a lightweight thin weave. The passenger doors were re-trimmed in a racing style with no storage bins and the door handle removed and a pull strap used in its place. The car did not benefit from the inclusion of a stereo as standard, the mounting points for the stereo and speakers were simply blanked off. Most of the cars luxuries such as electric windows (replaced with wind down units), electric sunroof, electric wing mirrors, heated windscreen, and interior light were deleted from this edition. The car did retain the standard heating system and strangely the glove box light and a new steering wheel with the RS logo embossed was added.
The luggage compartment (bonnet) did not receive gas filled struts these were replaced with lighter stays, the storage area was not as well trimmed as the standard models. Within the luggage compartment a master battery kill switch was fitted. This edition was available with the Touring option, this version of the car included electrically operated windows, seats and included sound proofing.
Porsche 964
To improve the handling the car featured 40% stiffer springs and shock absorbers with uniball solid top mountings and the car was lowered by 40mm all round. Front and rear adjustable anti-roll bars were fitted with shortened rear trailing arms giving rise to better handling characteristics. The power-train featured a G50/10 gearbox (mated with an offset longer gear-stick to provide a smoother change) with revised gear ratios providing a closer matched box, linked to an asymmetrical limited slip differential with steel synchromesh. The brakes were taken from the 911 3.3 Turbo these being cross drilled, ventilated discs all round being acted upon by large four piston callipers. The high pressure braking system from the Carrera 4 was installed in this edition with a revised Anti-lock braking system to more closely suit the characteristics of the car.
The engine fitted to the model was a mild overhaul of the flat 6 3,600cc unit fitted to the Carrera 2 / 4 964. Internally under the M64/03 designation the motor produced 260bhp @ 6,100rpm up by 10 bhp and 240lb/ft @ 4,800 rpm of torque. The increase in power came courtesy of a revised ECU and use of matching pistons and barrels. The unit did benefit from the removal of the dual mass flywheel to a single mass item this had the effect of making the power-plant more freely revving.
In total around 150Kg of weight was saved compared with the equivalent Carrera 2, the changes transformed the car making it more agile and speedier albeit not quite as comfortable. The car could achieve a top speed of 161 mph and arrive at 60 mph from standstill in 4.9 seconds.
Other lines in the 964 RS series included the Carrera RS America for the US market and the Turbo bodied Carrera RS3.8, further information on these models can be found on their own designated page.
The Facts
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Engine: |
Porsche Straight Six. |
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Capacity: |
3,600cc |
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Valves: |
12 |
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Compression Ratio: |
11.3:1 |
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Fuel System: |
Bosch Fuel Injection |
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Maximum Power: |
260bhp @ 6,100 rpm. |
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Maximum Torque: |
240lb/ft @ 4,800 rpm. |
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Transmission: |
Manual 5 speed. |
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Top Gear: |
- |
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Brakes: |
Servo Assisted Ventilated Cross Drilled Front & Rear Discs |
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Kerb Weight: |
1220kg |
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Max Speed: |
161 mph |
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0-60: |
4.9 secs |
