Which Porsche model was the first to use a transaxle layout?

The Porsche 924 was the first Porsche model to use a transaxle layout.

Introduced in 1976, the 924 placed its engine at the front and its transmission and differential together at the rear. A rigid torque tube connected the two ends of the car. Moving the transaxle rearward helped the 924 achieve an approximately 48/52 front-to-rear weight distribution, improving balance, traction, and brake stability.

The 924 began as a Volkswagen development project known as EA425. When Volkswagen changed direction, Porsche purchased the design and brought the car to market under its own name. Its front-engine, water-cooled layout was a major departure from Porsche’s traditional rear-engine sports cars, yet the car became an important commercial success.

The Porsche 928 was conceived before the 924 but reached production later, so it was not the first Porsche transaxle model. The 944 followed as a more powerful development of the 924, while the 914 used a mid-engine configuration rather than a front-engine rear-transaxle arrangement. The 924 therefore marks the beginning of Porsche’s transaxle era.