JayEmm on Cars takes a close look at the Porsche 928, the model Porsche once positioned as a potential successor to the 911. Launched in 1977, the 928 was designed as a modern, front-engined V8 grand tourer meant to widen Porsche’s reach, especially in the U.S. market.
It offered genuine 2+2 usability and a practical hatchback layout, giving it far more everyday capability than the 911 of its era. Styling evolved from the earlier, angular design to the smoother, more cohesive S4 updates, though the split in preference between early and late cars remains strong.
The car featured in the video is a 1983 928 S, the first major step in addressing the original model’s modest performance. The initial 4.5-liter V8 made 240 hp—a product of late-’70s efficiency demands rather than Porsche’s ambition. By the early ’80s, Porsche recognized that buyers of its flagship wanted power, not restraint. The 928 S delivered with a 4.7-liter V8 rated at 300 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, supported by a higher 10:1 compression ratio and a chassis finally matched to the performance it was designed for.
