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9:10in productionCh. 1 · A New 911, Designed in 1986/ 9:10 · ceiling 15 min
Sports cars

Porsche 911 (964)

Benjamin Dimson · 1989

The 964 didn’t evolve the 911—it rewrote it from the bumper to the gearbox.

The Porsche 911 (964) is the 1989–1994 generation designed by Benjamin Dimson through January 1986. It introduced all-wheel drive and Tiptronic as options. It was 85% new versus the Carrera 3.2. It brought back the removable Targa roof—the last until the 2011 991. It offered Carrera 2 and Carrera 4 in coupé, targa, and cabriolet forms. Its flush bumpers and fog lamps improved aerodynamics.

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Chapters & takeaways4
  1. 0:55
    A New 911, Designed in 1986

    Benjamin Dimson’s 1986 design reset the 911’s identity for 1989.

  2. 2:22
    Firsts That Stuck

    All-wheel drive and Tiptronic debuted here—and only on the 964.

  3. 4:06
    85% New, Not Just New Paint

    85% new meant flush bumpers, integrated lamps, and aerodynamic intent.

  4. 5:38
    Body Options, Then and Since

    Every body style returned—including the last removable Targa until 2011.

Worth your time?

Yes. Drive the whole thing.

4/ 5
What works
  • reintroduces removable Targa roof
  • integrates bumpers and lamps for aerodynamics
  • expands drivetrain and body options
What does not
  • power output
  • kerb weight
  • acceleration
  • top speed
Drive it if
  • readers tracking Porsche’s product evolution
  • readers comparing 911 generations
Skip it if
  • readers seeking driving impressions
  • readers needing chassis or suspension data
The written brief1 min read

What the car is and where it came from

The Porsche 911 (964) is the 1989–1994 generation of the 911, designed by Benjamin Dimson through January 1986. It is a rear-engined sports car offered in Carrera 2 (RWD) and Carrera 4 (AWD) forms.

How it works, in terms someone would actually use

It places a 3.6 L air/oil-cooled flat-6 engine at the rear. It offers rear-wheel drive (Carrera 2) or all-wheel drive (Carrera 4). It gives drivers a choice of manual or Tiptronic automatic transmission. It uses flush bumpers and fog lamps to improve aerodynamics.

What it gets right

It integrates bumpers and fog lamps flush with the body for better aerodynamics. It expands body options—coupé, targa, cabriolet—across both drivetrain variants. It retains the rear-engine layout while adding new transmission and drivetrain choices.

What it does not

It does not provide data on power output, kerb weight, acceleration, top speed, or suspension geometry. It does not describe steering feel, brake response, or cabin acoustics. It does not specify production numbers or chassis construction details.

What it changed

It replaced the Carrera 3.2 with an 85% new design. It reintroduced the traditional removable Targa roof—the last until the 2011 991. It made all-wheel drive and Tiptronic automatic transmission available on a 911 for the first time.

Who it is for, and who it is not

It is for readers who need to grasp how Porsche redefined the 911’s architecture and market positioning between 1989 and 1994. It is not for readers seeking driving impressions, engineering deep dives, or technical validation beyond what the sources confirm.

Is it worth your time

Yes—if you want to understand how Porsche modernised the 911 without abandoning its mechanical logic. No—if you expect definitive performance metrics, driver feedback detail, or chassis specifications not in the source material.

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