Porsche 989 (1988)

The Porsche 989, developed between 1988 and 1991, was a bold and ambitious concept aimed at expanding Porsche’s lineup into the high-performance four-door luxury sedan segment. Conceived as a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports saloon with Porsche DNA, the 989 was decades ahead of its time — a direct philosophical predecessor to what would later become the Porsche Panamera. Although it never reached production, the 989 remains one of the most significant "what-if" projects in the brand's history.

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History

In the late 1980s, Porsche was facing a shifting market. Sales of its traditional 911 were stagnating, and models like the 928 and 944 were struggling to sustain momentum. To secure the brand’s long-term future, Porsche began exploring new market segments, including sedans and more practical sports cars. The idea: create a four-door Porsche that retained the performance, design language, and engineering ethos of the brand’s core identity.

The 989 project was greenlit in 1988 under the direction of then-CEO Heinz Branitzki, with design led by Harm Lagaay, who had recently returned to Porsche. The car was intended to compete with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series, but from a performance-first perspective.

Development continued for three years, reaching advanced prototype stages and including fully functional test vehicles. However, internal shifts, economic downturns, and management changes ultimately led to the project's quiet cancellation in 1991.

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Design Features

The Porsche 989 featured a sleek, elongated fastback silhouette that clearly echoed the 911, despite being a four-door sedan. It was low-slung, wide, and fluid, with muscular rear haunches, oval headlights, and a sloping rear window — all of which would later influence the design of the Porsche 993, Panamera, and even the Taycan.

The front fascia used elliptical headlights, a key design evolution that would later debut on the 993-generation 911. The side profile was defined by a long hood, short front overhang, and a cab-rearward stance — emphasizing performance despite the added rear doors.

Inside, the 989 featured a four-seat layout with luxurious appointments such as leather upholstery, digital instruments, and climate controls for each passenger. The dashboard retained a familiar Porsche configuration, with the tachometer in the center and minimal distraction. The rear seats were sculpted individually, providing comfort without compromising the car’s sporting nature.

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Specs

The 989 was designed around a new 4.2-liter V8 engine, developed in-house by Porsche. Positioned at the front and paired with a rear-wheel-drive layout, the V8 was expected to produce 300 to 350 horsepower, providing strong performance while maintaining refinement for long-distance touring.

Projected technical specifications included:

• 4.2-liter DOHC V8 engine

• 300–350 hp (estimated)

• 6-speed manual transmission

• Rear-wheel drive layout

• 0–100 km/h in around 5.5 seconds (targeted)

• Top speed near 270 km/h (168 mph)

• Front and rear independent suspension

• Curb weight: approx. 1,600–1,700 kg

Porsche engineers prioritized chassis balance and handling to ensure that the 989 would drive like a true Porsche despite its size and layout. The car featured a hydropneumatic suspension system in testing, and Porsche considered both manual and automatic gearboxes for production feasibility.

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Production Status

The Porsche 989 reached the prototype stage — with several fully operational test mules built and driven — but was never officially unveiled to the public during its development. The project was cancelled in early 1991, largely due to financial strain at Porsche and the departure of project supporter Ulrich Bez, who left the company after clashing with new leadership.

At the time, Porsche was struggling with profitability, and the 989 was seen as too risky. The costs of development were mounting, and projections showed limited short-term return on investment.

However, the influence of the 989 lived on:

• Its headlight design shaped the 993-generation 911.

• Its layout and philosophy directly inspired the Porsche Panamera, launched in 2009.

• It demonstrated that Porsche could think beyond two-door sports cars and still retain brand identity.

The sole surviving 989 prototype — painted dark metallic blue — is stored at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, occasionally appearing in private showings and exhibitions.