Porsche 928
1977–1995 (928 GTS 1992–95) · Porsche 928 — Grand Tourer, V8, designed by Anatole “Tony” Lapine.
The Story
The 928 was Porsche’s bold bet on its own future — a front-engined, V8-powered grand tourer designed in the 1970s to REPLACE the 911 entirely. It didn’t (the 911 refused to die), but the 928 became a cult legend in its own right: a 4.5-to-5.4-litre V8 (Porsche’s first), a rear transaxle for balance, the radical pop-up-headlamp ‘shark’ styling of Tony Lapine’s studio, and genuine 150-mph autobahn pace. It was named 1978 European Car of the Year — the only sports car ever to win it. And in 1983 it became a pop-culture icon when Tom Cruise drove one through ‘Risky Business,’ giving Porsche its enduring slogan. The late 5.4-litre 928 GTS (345 hp) is the connoisseur’s pick — and the 928 is now a sharply-appreciating cult classic.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Grand Tourer class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Anatole “Tony” Lapine
Lapine fled Riga as a child, apprenticed at Daimler-Benz, then built a US career at GM before leading Porsche design for nearly two decades. Under him Porsche launched its front-engine, water-cooled transaxle cars (924/928/944) alongside continued 911 development.
Studio Motors POV
The brilliant ‘wrong’ Porsche — the V8 GT meant to replace the 911 that instead became a cult icon. A sorted 928 GTS is a sharply-appreciating connoisseur’s classic; buy on history, not price.
The Engine
928 V8 (M28)
Lineage
Where it sits in the bloodline
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About 928
Worth Knowing About the 928
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1) The 928 was meant to KILL the 911 — Porsche thought the future was a front-engine V8 GT; the 911 outlived it by decades. 2) It's the only sports car ever to win European Car of the Year (1978). 3) The actual 'Risky Business' film 928 sold for $1.98 million at Barrett-Jackson in 2021 — then a world-record price for any 928.
5 Fast Facts
- • 1977–1995; Porsche's FIRST production V8 (and first front-engine car). • 4.5L (240 PS) growing to 5.4L (928 GTS, 350 PS). • 1978 European Car of the Year — the only sports car to win it. • Tom Cruise's 'Risky Business' car sold for $1.98M (2021). • The late GTS is the appreciating connoisseur's pick.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
Tom Cruise — drove a 1979 928 in the 1983 film ‘Risky Business’ (the line ‘Porsche. There is no substitute.’ became Porsche’s slogan); producer Jon Avnet taught Cruise to drive stick in it. The actual film car sold for $1.98M at Barrett-Jackson in 2021. [Barrett-Jackson / Robb Report]
Studio Buyer’s Brief
The 5.4-litre GTS (1992–95, manual especially) is the blue-chip; earlier S4 and GT cars are the value sweet spot. The 928 is complex — timing belts, electronics and cooling are critical, so a documented, recently-serviced car with known history is worth a big premium over a cheap project. Manual cars command more.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Porsche 928
- Class
- Grand Tourer
- Production years
- 1977–1995 (928 GTS 1992–95)
- Units built
- 2,904 (928 GTS; whole 928 gen 61,056)
- Variants
- 928, 928 S, S4, GT, GTS
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- V8
- Engine family
- 928 V8 (M28)
- Displacement
- 5.4L / 5397 cc
- Power
- 345 hp
- Torque
- 369 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 5.3 s
- Top speed
- 171 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 212 hp/tonne · 10.4 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual / 4-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-engine, RWD (rear transaxle) · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 3594 lb
Questions
928 FAQ
What engine does the Porsche 928 GTS use?
The 928 GTS (1992-1995), the final and most developed 928, uses a 5.4-litre naturally aspirated V8 producing 345 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque through a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, driving the rear wheels via a rear transaxle for near-50/50 weight distribution. It tops out at 171 mph and was the most powerful naturally aspirated production Porsche at the time of its launch.
Why is the Porsche 928 historically significant?
The 928 (1977-1995) was intended by Porsche management as the long-term successor to the 911, offering a front-engine V8 grand tourer that was quieter, more comfortable, and easier to drive than the rear-engine 911. It won the 1978 European Car of the Year — the only sports car ever to receive that award. Despite its critical success, strong 911 demand kept the 928 as a parallel model rather than a replacement.
What is a Porsche 928 GTS worth today?
The 928 GTS trades from approximately $58,000 for automatic examples to around $138,000 for clean manual cars in 2025-2026 markets. Exceptional 5-speed GTS coupes have realized six-figure results at auction; specific record sales vary and should be verified against current auction data.
How does the 928 GTS compare to the 928 S4?
The 928 S4 (1987-1991) uses a 5.0-litre V8 producing 316 hp and introduced the styling updates — revised nose, integrated rear wing, wider rear track — that carried through to the GTS. The GTS (1992-1995) enlarges the engine to 5.4 litres for 345 hp, adds larger brakes, and refines the suspension, making it the definitive development of the 928. The GTS commands a significant premium over the S4 in the current market.
Can I buy or finance a Porsche 928 GTS through Studio Motors?
Yes. Specialist lenders can structure financing on these appreciating V8 grand tourers.
The Porsche Lineup
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911 Turbo (964) ’90911 Carrera RS (964) ’91968 ’92911 (993) ’94911 Carrera RS (993) ’95911 Turbo (993) ’95911 GT2 (993) ’95Boxster (986) ’96911 (996) ’97911 GT3 (996) ’99
911 Turbo (996) ’00911 GT2 (996) ’01Cayenne (955) ’02911 (997) ’04Boxster / Cayman (987) ’04Carrera GT ’04911 Turbo (997) ’06911 GT3 (997) ’06911 GT3 RS (997) ’06911 GT2 (997) ’07911 Sport Classic (997) ’09Panamera (970) ’09
911 GT2 RS (997) ’10911 Speedster (997) ’10Cayenne (958) ’10911 (991.1) ’11Boxster / Cayman (981) ’12911 Turbo (991) ’13911 GT3 (991) ’13918 Spyder ’13Macan (95B) ’14911 GT3 RS (991) ’15Cayman GT4 / Boxster Spyder (981) ’15911 (991.2) ’16911 R (991) ’16718 Cayman / Boxster (982) ’16911 GT2 RS (991) ’17Panamera (971) ’17Cayenne (9Y0) ’17911 Speedster (991) ’19911 (992.1) ’19718 Cayman GT4 / Spyder (982) ’19Taycan ’19
911 Turbo (992) ’20911 GT3 (992) ’21Cayenne Turbo GT (9Y0) ’21911 Dakar (992) ’22911 GT3 RS (992) ’22911 Sport Classic (992) ’22718 Cayman GT4 RS / Spyder RS (982) ’22911 S/T (992) ’23911 (992.2) ’24911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid (992.2) ’24Panamera (972) ’24Macan Electric ’24
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