924 2.0L 1980-85

Originally conceived as a joint venture between Volkswagen and Porsche under  a collaborative sales and marketing entity, the 924 project emerged to fill various needs for both companies. Volkswagen aimed to establish a flagship coupe sports car, dubbed "Project 425," while Porsche sought to introduce an entry-level sports car to replace the 914. With Volkswagen lacking an extensive research and design division for sports cars and Porsche already heavily involved in the company's development work since the 1940s, Porsche was tasked with developing a new sports vehicle, utilizing an existing VW/Audi inline-four engine.

Opting for a rear-wheel-drive layout and a rear-mounted transaxle to achieve a favorable 48/52 front-rear weight distribution, Porsche designed the 924 with traction and brake balance in mind. However, external factors such as the 1973 oil crisis, regulatory changes in the automotive industry during the 1970s, and shifts in leadership at Volkswagen led to a reevaluation of the 425 project. Ultimately, Volkswagen decided to shelve the project in favor of the more economical and practical Golf-based Scirocco model.

Seizing the opportunity, Porsche struck a deal with Volkswagen to repurchase the design, as the 914 was discontinued before the 924 entered production. This led to the reintroduction of the Porsche 912 as the 912E for the North American market for a brief period. Production of the 924 was slated to take place at the former NSU factory in Neckarsulm, with Volkswagen acting as the subcontractor for manufacturing.

The 924 made its debut in November 1975 at a press launch in La Grande Motte, Camargue, France, rather than a traditional motor show. Despite criticisms of its performance, the 924 became one of Porsche's best-selling models, largely due to its relative affordability and profitability in production.

Powered by the VW EA831 2.0ltr  engine, the 924 initially utilised a four-speed manual transmission sourced from a front-wheel-drive Audi vehicle, adapted for rear-wheel-drive use. Over time, improvements were made to the transmission, including the introduction of a five-speed manual and a three-speed automatic option.

Despite its popularity, the 924 faced challenges in terms of performance, particularly with the US-spec variants. However, subsequent models, such as the Turbo and 924S, addressed some of these concerns, offering improved performance and reliability. Despite its initial criticisms, the 924's styling, handling, fuel economy, and reliability earned praise from enthusiasts and critics alike.