The Porsche That Almost Became a Volkswagen

When it came out, the Porsche 924 became a world-beater right away. Nowadays, it’s often regarded as a milestone in Porsche’s history. But this nameplate’s origins could have taken it down a very different road. Before it became the sleek, high-performance sports car we know today, the 924 almost emerged under a completely different badge—Volkswagen. This isn’t just a hypothetical twist; the car’s journey began as a consultation between two of Germany’s automotive powerhouses. 

Initially, Porsche was tasked with designing a new sports car for VW, a project that seemed destined to be another notch in VW’s portfolio. However, what started as a routine collaboration soon evolved into a complex tale of shifting priorities, design hurdles, and corporate decisions that could have forever altered the identity of this iconic car. The story of how the Porsche 924 nearly became a VW is a fascinating chapter in automotive history that reveals how close we came to a very different outcome.

The Origins of the Porsche 924: A Volkswagen Vision

The Porsche 924 had unconventional beginnings, originating from a collaboration between Porsche and Volkswagen. Known internally as EA425, the project was initially a consulting gig for Volkswagen, which intended to market the vehicle under the Audi or VW brand. The condition was that the car had to be inexpensive. One way to achieve this was by using existing VW parts. At the time, Porsche was searching for a way to diversify its lineup beyond the iconic 911, and the EA425 was seen as an opportunity to develop a more accessible sports car. 

The idea was for Volkswagen to benefit from Porsche’s engineering expertise while Porsche could leverage VW’s production capabilities and expand its range. This joint venture aimed to create a sports car that would appeal to a broader audience, but the vehicle’s identity as a Porsche was far from guaranteed. In fact, the original plan never intended the car to bear the Porsche name at all. 

Porsche adopted a front-engine, rear-drive configuration for the 924. The powertrain utilized a modified version of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine found in the Volkswagen LT cargo van. Audi engineered an overhead cam variant of this engine, originally developed by Daimler in the 1960s. To complete the drivetrain, Porsche leveraged Audi’s longitudinal engine layout to seamlessly integrate the four-speed manual transmission from the Audi 100. Initially, the 924 bore little resemblance to a typical Porsche; it lacked any parts designed by the company and was built by Audi at their Neckarsulm plant. 

From Concept to Conflict: The Turning Point in the 924’s Development

The development of the 924 took an unexpected turn when Volkswagen decided to abandon the EA425 project. Volkswagen argued they needed a purpose-built sports coupe, which eventually became the Scirocco. The sudden decision left Porsche in a precarious position. The company had been banking on the EA425 as one of the key components in its strategy to replace the aging 911 with a new generation of vehicles, including a four-cylinder transaxle model and the V8-powered 928. 

With Volkswagen pulling out, Porsche was left without a viable product to fill this crucial role in its lineup. This conflict between the two companies forced Porsche to make a critical decision: either let the project die or take matters into their own hands. Porsche chose the latter, purchasing the rights to the EA425 project and reimbursing most of what VW had already invested in, around 40 million Deutsche marks. Porsche rebadged the EA425 and created the 924 nameplate. This pivotal moment set the stage for the 924 to transition from a Volkswagen vision to a Porsche reality.

A Twist of Fate: How the 924 Found Its Way to Porsche

After acquiring the rights to the EA425, Porsche began the process of transforming it into the 924, marking one of the most significant twists in the car’s development. Despite these inauspicious beginnings, Porsche saw potential in the 924 and decided to proceed with its production. Although the Porsche 924 enjoyed initial success, it faced criticism for its primitive suspension, particularly on American highways. It shared half of its front suspension with the Beetle and the other half from the Rabbit. The rear suspension was adapted from the Microbus, incorporating half shafts from the Thing and its braking system.

Porsche Went Back To the Drawing Board

Porsche revisited the design in response, addressing issues and significantly improving the car. With Volkswagen’s supply of Audi engines ending, Porsche opted to design a new four-cylinder engine from scratch. They incorporated balance shafts from Mitsubishi to enhance its performance, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds. This success led to the creation of the Porsche 944, which earned accolades for its exceptional handling. 

Porsche also revamped the interior, adding a touch of luxury. To maintain competitive pricing, Porsche transferred the 944’s engine into the narrower 924 body, creating the 924S. Over the years, the 944 evolved into the 968, boasting 236 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds, marking a significant transformation from the original 924.

By the end of its production run, the 968 had emerged with substantial changes, including a new engine, interior, and body design, though it still retained some suspension components derived from VW models. This transformation, driven by Porsche’s relentless pursuit of engineering excellence, ultimately turned the 924 and its successors into vehicles worthy of the Porsche badge, despite their unusual origins.

Above content ©2021 Hagerty, Inc. reviewed and edited by Eduardo Zepeda