I know Porsche co-develop this with the Audi. Curious if it has torque vectoring, rear bias, etc. I'm sure its not as sophisticated as the modern day 997 Turbo or the RS5.

I would like to learn more about the AWD on a '97 C4S. Thx!

 

Completely different and simplified from the 964 awd, which over engineered from the 959. No worries in the 993 series, it works well, is lighter, and doesn't have the repair issues of the 964. The 993 awd design is still being used in 996 and 997 cars. The major difference is the PSM systems found in the 996/997 which are very sophisticated compared to the basic ABS traction control in the 993 cars. The 993 C4S are very reliable and desirable being the first and last aircooled Porsche with a workable AWD system. AWD does tend to add lots of understeer, but this is a common trait of most AWD systems. Porsche built it to tame the throttle snap oversteer of the old RWD turbo cars. I would not have any second thoughts buying a C4S, but if you still have concerns consider a C2S. They are rare and retain the RWD "fun" factor in owning a Porsche.

 

thx. did you mean oversteer or understeer? i would imagine the awd would cause the car to plow, understeer.

i wanted a c2s rwd but those are harder to come by.

 

Sorry i meant understeer.

 

The 993 AWD system is simple. With only a couple of parts.
Trans ned is different to fit the torque tube, that goes to the front pumpkin. In the front it has the "transfer" case & front diff. The transfer is 5-39% torque. It works just like Subaru's, it's a viscous coupling. The whole system was just about 100lbs.

It's simple, with no electronics, no maintenance, other then diff/trans fluid changes. It can be made into 2wd with only a couple of added parts parts.

It does not feel anything like an Audi, it was not made with any help from Audi. There is no understeer like the other AWD Porsches or other AWD cars. If I didn't tell you it was AWD you would have no idea.

That all being said, the 993 C4 was touted as being "spin proof" while very, very hard to spin, it can be done.

With the 993 AWD system, Porsche also added an LSD & ABD (automatic brake diff) that keeps the car straight on ice/snow up to 40mph. In the snow, my C4 is AWESOME, way better then my Audi was.