944 Turbo 2.5L 8V 1989-91

In 1986, Porsche unveiled the 944 turbo, internally designated as the 951, for the model year. This performance powerhouse featured a turbocharged and intercooled iteration of the standard 944's engine, delivering 220PS (162kW) (217hp at 6,000 rpm. Car and Driver's 1987 evaluation of the 944 turbo clocked an impressive 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) time of 5.9 seconds.

Pioneering advancements, the turbo became the first Porsche production car to integrate a ceramic port liner for optimized exhaust gas temperature control, alongside new forged pistons. Notably, it achieved identical power output with or without a catalytic converter. Enhanced aerodynamics were evident with the inclusion of an integrated front bumper featuring the widest turn signals ever fitted to a production car.

Further enhancements comprised a reinforced gearbox with a different final drive ratio, standard external oil coolers for both engine and transmission, and 16-inch wheels (with optional forged Fuchs wheels). The turbo's suspension received progressive springs to handle the increased weight, while its headers, crossover pipe, and downpipe were crafted from inconel for durability.

Derived from the 911, the turbo borrowed its front and rear brakes, boasting Brembo 4-piston fixed calipers and 12-inch discs. Over thirty engine component revisions were undertaken to address heightened internal loads and heat.

In 1987, notable changes ensued. The North American variant of the 944 turbo marked a significant milestone as the first production car worldwide to feature driver and passenger side airbags as standard. Additional updates included a low oil level indicator on the dashboard and a 180 mph (290 km/h) speedometer, replacing the 170 mph (270 km/h) version from the previous model year. Noteworthy alterations also encompassed the deletion of the transmission oil cooler and suspension control arm adjustments to reduce the car's scrub radius. The engine configuration remained consistent with the M44/51 inline-4 utilized in the 1986 model. ABS became an available option, mirroring the standard 944 model's offerings.