🏆 European Car of the Year 1978
The Porsche 928 was named the European Car of the Year (COTY) for 1978.
Why This Award Is Significant:
- First Sports Car to Win: The 928 was the first (and only) sports car to ever win the European Car of the Year award in its history. This highlights just how groundbreaking and influential the design was upon its release.
- Recognizing Innovation: The award recognized the car’s advanced engineering and innovative design, particularly:
- The smooth and powerful all-aluminum, water-cooled V8 engine (a huge departure for Porsche).
- The excellent weight balance achieved through the Transaxle layout (engine in front, gearbox in the rear).
- The groundbreaking Weissach Axle (a passive rear-wheel steering system) that provided exceptional high-speed stability and handling.
The award affirmed Porsche’s vision for a high-performance Grand Tourer that combined the athleticism of a sports car with the comfort and refinement of a luxury sedan, making it truly a car “projected to take Porsche into the next century.”
