Performance Review: Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937 - [1981]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche 924 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1981. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V and the 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP500S.This particular Porsche 924 has a 1984cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The 924 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 924'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 1121 kgs (2471 lbs) this makes the Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche 924 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1984cc 8V St4 engine produces 242 bhp (180 kW) @ 6250 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 247 lb-ft (334.8 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (267 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche 924 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (240.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche 924.

The Porsche 924 has a Power to weight ratio of 215.8 bhp per ton and 220.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1981 924 competing with the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (240.6 bhp per ton) or the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (240.5 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 924 generating around 220.3 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 2012 BMW X6 M50d E71 (245.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1992 TVR Chimaera 4.0 (245.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.2 secs, this made the Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937 as fast as the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the or the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (6.00 secs). This Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937 is also faster than the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the and the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 924 and the 1969 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 7.5 V8

When talking about the performance of the Porsche 924 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.69 secs @ 99.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 7.5 V8 (13.65 secs), the 2009 Infiniti G37 3.7 V6 S (13.66 secs), and the 1985 BMW 5 Series M5 E28 (13.66 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1981 version of the Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1981 924 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1981 924 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison