Porsche 996 production history and information

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the new Porsche 996 Turbo arrives with a twin-turbocharged, water-cooled flat six cylinder engine, with VarioCam Plus which develops a whopping 416hp. Power is

Porsche 911, model 996: 1997 – 2005

The Two-door, two plus two seater Coupe, Cabriolet and Targa were introduced with for the first time a rearmounted six-cylinder water- cooled ‘boxer' engine. This change from the previous air cooled engine caused quite a stir from the purist community. However once the purists calmed down, the Porsche 996 proved to be one of the best designed cars of all time. The Porsche 996 Carrera 2 is all one would ever actually need. Building up on this automotive ledgend were the four-wheel drive Porsche 996 Carrera 4 and Porsche 996 Carrera 4S. The latter had it's brakes sourced from the Turbo, including it's suspension and most of the body work, save the rear quarter panels which had no vents for the intercoolers and the rear deck lid with an extendable wing - synonimouse with the Porsche Turbo model.

The Porsche C4s was arguably the best value 911 Porsche has ever built. The 416hp, all-wheel drive Porsche Turbo quickly became a contender for the greatest supercar of all time, easily beating out the the italian power houses (Ferrari and Lamborghini). The 462hp GT2 which was launched soon after was deemed a tad excessive, too raw, for most daily drivers. The Porsche GT3 which was a stripped-out 911 Carrera (non-widebody) was as close to a Porsche 911 RS (Ren Sport) one could get still making it a street legal race car. It gained the reputation as one of the most rewarding Porsche 911s at launch, and it's still a favourite amongst the Porsche purists. The Porsche GT3 RS was further tuned for the track, which included a lightweight program. The Porsche Targa featured, the now traditional, opening rear glass hatch.

1997 to 1998 1998 Model Year An end of the air cooled era. Production of the all- wheel drive 993 Carrera 4 and 993 Turbo continues until July 1998 but when the last car finally rolls off the production line (a Carrera 4S) it marks the end of the air-cooled Porsche 911 after 35 years of production. Porsche's all-new water-cooled, 3.4-litre VarioCam six- cylinder ‘boxer' engine is introduced with the Porsche Carrera 996 powered by a rear-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission or five- speed Tiptronic S at an extra option. Traction control is also made available. The all-wheel drive Carrera 4 is introduced at the end of the year along with another first from Porsche, the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) function.

1998 to 1999 1999 Model Year – The race track tuned, 360hp Porsche GT3 is introduced. A GT1-based engine helps to create the most focused Porsche 996 to date. Sadly however the addition of more cooling via larger radiators, a stronger gearbox and engine accounted for extra weight over the standard Porsche Carrera 2. The Porsche GT3 was available in both a ‘Comfort' or a ‘Club Sport' trim. Additionally the same year it broke the Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record for a production car (8mins 03sec).

1999 to 2000 2000 Model Year – the new Porsche 911 Turbo arrives with a twin- turbocharged, water-cooled flat six cylinder engine, with VarioCam Plus which develops a whopping 416hp. Power is directed to the wheels via the Carrera 4's all-wheel drive chassis. This also marks the first time a Porsche 911 Turbo is available with a Tiptronic S transmission.

2000 to 2001 2001 Model Year – Porsche introduces the 996 GT2 with 462hp, a rear- wheel drive, and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes and, however with no Porsche Stability Management! Once again Porsche breaks the production car lap record at the Nordschleife (7min 46sec) with its new 996 GT2.

Porsche 911, model 996: 2001 - 2004

2002 Model Year marks the second-generation 996's introduced. The engine capacity grows from a 3.4 liter to 3.6 litres, and a power increase to 316hp for the Carrera models. The Porsche Turbo's trip computer option becomes standard across the range, as are the Turbo headlights, removing the odly shaped originals. Cup holders are also fitted for the time. The Porsche Carrera 4S is introduced with much larger Turbo brakes, and turbo suspension including the wide-body. Porsche 996 Targa model is launched with retractable sliding glass roof.

2003 to 2004 2003 Model Year slates the return of the Porsche GT3 with 381hp while the Porsche GT3 RS running on the same power gets a weight reduction of 20 kilos thanks to carbon fibre body panels and a plastic rear window. Both the Porsche Turbo and Carrera 4S are launched in a Cabriolet while the GT2 gets a power increase to 483hp breeaking 0-62mph times in under 4.0 seconds, and a top speed in access of 198mph.

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