968 Turbo S Prototype

The story

Six chapters

From the racing department to the present day. Each chapter names its independent sources.

1992 · Weissach

Built by the racing department

Porsche's racing department in Weissach built the Turbo S as the road version of the 968 Turbo RS, a car made for the new ADAC GT Cup. Gerd Schmid led both projects. The recipe: the 968's 3.0-litre four, the eight-valve head from the 944 Turbo, a KKK turbocharger and a six-speed gearbox.

Sources: auto motor und sport; Stuttcars; cars.co.za

1992 · The prototype

The car that came first

The 968 Register lists chassis 800412 as the factory prototype, built on a 968 coupé chassis. It carries an 800-series number, while every series car is numbered in the 890 series. Speed Yellow, paint to sample, with black cloth inside. First registered in October 1992.

Sources: 968 Register; Stuttcars

1992–94 · Weissach

Built before it was approved

Gerd Schmid and Jürgen Barth of Porsche's customer racing department didn't wait for the board. They took a 968 from the line and built this car at Weissach. Once the board saw it, the Turbo S was approved for production. Porsche then kept this prototype for about two years of development testing and press work before it was ever sold.

Source: Automo Speed Crew film, 2026

1993 · On sale

DM 175,000

Porsche planned up to 100 cars, priced at DM 175,000 including VAT. In the end, only 14 Turbo S road cars were ever built.

Source: auto motor und sport

1993 · Why only fourteen

Built without compromise

Porsche planned up to a hundred. At DM 175,000, and with the 964 RSR already winning races inside Porsche, the order book closed at fourteen. Gerd Schmid, who led the project, called the car technically impressive; the price is why so few were built.

Sources: auto motor und sport; Elferspot; cars.co.za

2023 · Public sale

Seen in public again

In 2023 the prototype came to public sale for the first time. It is now cared for by a private custodian.

Source: 968 Register

The machine

Hand-built hybrid

Factory figures for the 968 Turbo S, as quoted by auto motor und sport.

305PS, factory figure

500Nm at 3,000 rpm

280km/h, approx.

1,300kg, kerb weight

Engine bay of chassis 800412 with the Porsche strut brace, intake plenum and Turbo S intercooler — Move across the engine bay to look closerM44/60 · 2,990 cc

Engine: M44/60 inline four, 2,990 cc, with the 944 Turbo's eight-valve head and unique pistons. On this car, replaced by the Porsche factory under warranty at about 72,000 km.
Induction: KKK K27 turbocharger at 1.0 bar, intercooled
Gearbox: Reinforced six-speed G44/01, limited-slip differential. On this car, a 968 gearbox converted to Turbo S specification.
Chassis: Sport chassis, body 20 mm lower, brakes from the 911 Turbo
Wheels: 18-inch three-piece Speedline
Body: Twin NACA bonnet ducts, larger intake, chin spoiler, wing adjustable by 10°
0–100 km/h: About 5 seconds
Price new: DM 175,000, 1993

500 Nm was matched in Porsche's 1993 range only by the 928 GTS and exceeded only by the 911 Turbo 3.6.

The registry

1 of 14

Every 968 Turbo S chassis we can trace. Select a car for its details.

15 chassis

Voices

On the record

Exact, attributed quotes only.

“One of the best asphalt acrobats that Porsche has yet built.”

auto motor und sport · quoted by Hagerty, 2021

“The most powerful and most exclusive four-cylinder transaxle Porsche offered.”

Richard Lindhorst · Elferspot · 2024

“…way rarer than the next most collectible 968, the Club Sport.”

Andrew Newton · Hagerty · 2021

“Seriously quick, just as you'd expect of a car hand-made in Porsche's racing department.”

Daniel Borg · Performance Car · June 1993

“The Turbo S was the final feasibility study of what the transaxle concept was capable of.”