The vehicle that first used the VarioCam was the last in a line of front-engined vehicles, following the 944 and the 924.
 It was the final evolution of a line of water-cooled front-engined rear wheel drive models begun almost 20 years earlier with the 924, taking over the entry-level position in the company lineup from the 944 with which it shared about 20% of its parts. 
 A front-engined, rear-wheel drive mid-level model based on the 924 platform, the 944 was available in coup or cabriolet body styles, with either naturally aspirated or turbocharged engines 
Porsche's more recent VarioCam Plus combines variable valve timing with two-stage lift on the intake side. 
