In order to close the price gap between the 356 and the 911, the 912 was brought onto the market in 1965 as a cheaper, less powerful, variant of the 911.
Externally and technically, the 912 was almost identical to the 911. In the rear, however, power came from the 1.6-litre four-cylinder boxer engine from the 356 SC. For its use in the 912 , the engine's output was reduced from 95 to 90 PS at 5,800 rpm – this gave the engine more torque and greater stability. Power was transmitted through a four-speed manual transmission.