(1989 – 1994) Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe (964) – Ultimate Guide
The “87% new” Type 964 Carrera 4 (all wheel drive) Coupé launched January 1989 with new 250bhp, 3.6-litre, air cooled, flat-6 engine with 6-speed manual gearbox. Features include new look body, coil spring suspension, power steering and ABS.
The Type 964 911 first launch with an all wheel drive model. It was a serious investment by Porsche in updating the chassis and tech platform. The 964 Carrera 4 was powered by the M64/01 3.6 liter flat six engine, developing 250 bhp and 229 ft/lbs of torque.
The objective of the C4’s all-wheel-drive system was not only to provide improved traction but also better handling, especially in the wet and on slippery surfaces. A cool fact is that the system sends power front/back in a 31:69 ratio because a 50:50 split would have made the 964 feel like a front-wheel-drive car. For slippery surface the axles can be locked 50:50 front/rear. Over 13,353 964 Carrera 4s were sold.
Our Take
The Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe represents one of the most important technological turning points in 911 history. When the 964 debuted in 1989, Porsche fundamentally re-engineered the 911 for the modern era, and the Carrera 4 was the boldest expression of that shift. Introducing all-wheel drive to the 911 for the first time in a production road car, the Carrera 4 redefined what a 911 could be—expanding its performance envelope without abandoning its rear-engine DNA.
The Carrera 4 used a sophisticated AWD system derived from the legendary 959, actively distributing torque to improve traction and stability in all conditions. Paired with the new 3.6-liter air-cooled flat-six, the result was a 911 that felt more planted, confidence-inspiring, and usable at high speeds or in poor weather than any of its predecessors. While slightly heavier than the Carrera 2, the tradeoff came in the form of remarkable composure, making the car easier to drive quickly without dulling the essential 911 character.
Beyond drivetrain innovation, the 964 generation brought sweeping upgrades that transformed the ownership experience. Power steering, ABS, improved climate control, modernized suspension geometry, and a far more refined interior marked the biggest leap forward the 911 had seen since its original debut. Yet despite these advances, the Carrera 4 Coupe retained an unmistakably analog feel—air-cooled sound, mechanical steering feedback, and a chassis that still demanded driver respect and skill.
Today, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe (964) is increasingly appreciated as the bridge between classic and modern 911s. It preserved the soul of the air-cooled era while introducing technologies that would define Porsche’s future. As a landmark model that expanded the 911’s capabilities without diluting its identity, the 964 Carrera 4 earns its place among the greatest Porsche 911s ever made.
