The Porsche 989 was a four-door sports sedan that Porsche began developing in 1988, aiming to bring its performance-car character to a “family sports car” for “more than two.” The company abandoned the project over its economics before it reached production. Porsche’s accounts differ on the cancellation date and some specifications, so the 989 is best understood as an ambitious prototype—not a production car that simply became the Panamera.
What was the Porsche 989?
Project 989 was Porsche’s late-1980s attempt to enter a new market segment with a four-door sports sedan. Porsche’s 2014 account describes a front-engine V8 with rear-wheel drive, intended for a market launch by 1995. The company called the concept a “family sports car” and a “Porsche for more than two.” Porsche Newsroom, “Top Secret” (2014)
It remained a development project rather than a production model. Porsche later displayed it among unrealized projects in an exhibition; that fact does not establish where the prototype is today. Porsche Newsroom, “Project: Top Secret!” (2014)
Why did Porsche cancel the 989?
The project’s projected costs made the business case untenable, according to Porsche’s 2014 account. The technically sophisticated sedan was expected to cost more than 100,000 German marks, while the company’s price calculation eventually exceeded 150,000 marks. Porsche also said its planned annual volume of 15,000 cars could not be made economical at that price. These are figures from Porsche’s description of its project calculations, not independent estimates of market demand. Porsche Newsroom, “Top Secret” (2014)
#1 Best Overall
- SOLIDO BRAND QUALITY: Solido is known for producing high-quality diecast model cars with exceptional detail, durable construction, and accurate representations of real vehicles. Each model is crafted with precision and built to last.
- PORSCHE OFFICIALLY LICENSED MODEL: Solido 1:18 scale reproduction of the 1993 Porsche 911 (964) Turbo 3.6 in Black, presenting the wide-body coupe configuration of this celebrated 911 generation car.
- FEATURES & DETAILS: Features opening front doors and directional wheels, along with the black exterior, fixed rear wing, round headlights and broad rear bodywork associated with the 964 Turbo 3.6 car.
- TOP QUALITY MATERIALS: Reproduces the two-door coupe body, black exterior finish, cabin layout, wheels, exterior trim and rear-mounted spoiler of the 1993 Porsche 911 (964) Turbo 3.6 scale model.
- COLLECTIBLE DISPLAY ITEM: Designed for collectors ages 14 and up. Suitable for Porsche enthusiasts, classic sports car fans and scale model collectors as a display piece or thoughtful collector gift.
The cancellation date is inconsistent across Porsche’s own publications. The 2014 account says the supervisory board stopped the project in January 1991; a 2019 Panamera retrospective says development ended at the start of 1992. The available accounts do not reconcile the dates. Porsche Newsroom (2019)
What were the Porsche 989’s specifications?
Porsche’s published descriptions do not agree on the engine displacement, output, or placement. Rather than treating one set of figures as a definitive production specification, it is useful to keep each account attached to its claims:
Rank #2
- Brand new box.
- Real rubber tires.
- Has opening doors.
- Detailed interior, exterior.
- Made of diecast with some plastic parts.
| Account | Engine and layout | Other listed figures |
|---|---|---|
| Porsche Newsroom / Christophorus, 2014, “Top Secret” | 4,200 cc V8; front-engine, rear-wheel drive | 257 kW (350 hp); empty weight 1,572 kg; “top track speed” 279 km/h |
| Porsche Newsroom, 2019, “Four wins” | 3.6-litre V8 making 300 PS, described as rear-mounted | Not stated in this account |
The 2014 account’s “top track speed” wording should not be recast as a production-car maximum speed: the 989 never entered production. Porsche’s cited accounts do not explain whether their differing engine descriptions refer to distinct development stages or different specifications. 2014 account; Porsche Newsroom, “Four wins” (2019)
Did the 989 influence later Porsche models?
Porsche says design elements from the 989 were incorporated into the 993-generation 911. Its 2014 “Top Secret” account, however, refers more broadly to ideas and detail solutions reaching future models such as the 996-generation 911. Because the accounts identify different generations, the specific 993 design-influence claim is best attributed to Porsche’s 2019 Panamera retrospective rather than treated as a settled account of shared engineering hardware. Porsche Newsroom (2019); Porsche Newsroom / Christophorus (2014)
Rank #3
- High-Quality Materials:The Porsche 911 Turbo die-cast car is made of zinc alloy,plastic parts and rubber tires,making it safe for children to play with.It features detailed interior and exterior trim, and is very sturdy.
- Function:No batteries are required, but the vehicle has a powerful pull back feature. Simply pull it back, then release your hand, and the car will go for a long distance. The doors may be opened to view the whole inside of the vehicle. So appealing to children and collectors alike.
- Size:1/36 scale vehicle model with beautiful English packaging,ideal for toddlers to play with and carry. Car collectors will appreciate the perfect small size, which allows them to collect a complete set of cars without taking up too much space.
- Grow From Play:Help children learn more about car ,expand their knowledge ,increase the hand-eye coordination and the reaction speed of the children in the play.
- Ideal Christmas Festival Gift:All of TOKAXI die-cast model cars are attractively packaged in English, making them the perfect Christmas, Birthday, Children's Day, New Year gift for kids, party favors, home decorations, or travel toys for boys and girls.gifts for boys girls.
Was the Porsche 989 the first Panamera?
No. The 989 and Panamera belong to Porsche’s broader history of pursuing a four-seat sports car, but Porsche’s accounts do not establish a direct engineering succession from the prototype to the Panamera. The company says the Panamera was developed in the early 2000s and launched in 2009, years after the 989 project ended. It is fair to call the Panamera a later production realization of the four-door sports-car idea; it is not accurate to say that the 989 simply became the Panamera. Porsche Newsroom, “Four wins” (2019)
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Revell Plastic Model Car Kit #85-4521 is skill level 4 and contains 109 parts. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
- Assembled Dimensions: 7.00"x3.13"x2.19"
- 3.2-liter flat six engine. Positional front wheels & movable engine cover. Fuchs style wheels & optional front chin spoiler.
- Choice of left or right-hand drive version and either US or Euro spec front turn indicators and rear bumper guards.
- Molded in white and clear with soft black tires. Paint and glue not included.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
