Porsche 996
The Porsche 996 is the internal designation for the 911 model manufactured from 1997 to 2006 It was replaced by the 997 in 2004 but the high performance Turbo S, GT2 and GT3 variants remained in production until 2006. The 996 had little in common with its predecessor, with the first all new chassis platform since the original 911 and a new water-cooled engine. Technically, it was a major change, a complete breakthrough from the original car other than the overall layout.
Development was shared with its entry-level sibling, the roadster-only Boxster which was introduced around the same time, including the front suspension, various interior components, and the engine, all of which were enlarged for the 996. However, the multi-link rear suspension was derived from the preceding 993. This was done mainly to save development costs as Porsche was facing financial troubles at that time. This move resulted in cost savings of approximately 30% in the development of the car.
At its debut, the 996 featured the most significant change from the classic 911 series: a water-cooled engine replacing the previously air-cooled engine. Progressively stringent emissions and noise regulations, environmental concerns, a higher expectation for refinement and the need for a high-performance 4 valve per cylinder engine made the switch necessary. Other major changes include a completely new platform having a sleeker body with a more raked windshield, and a re-designed interior along with new "fried egg" shaped headlamps instead of previous "bug eye" headlamps.
Design and History
During the 1990s, Porsche was facing financial troubles and rumours of a proposed takeover were being spread. The signature air-cooled flat-6 of the 911 was reaching the limits of its potential as made evident by the 993. Stricter emissions regulations world wide further forced Porsche to think of a replacement of the air-cooled unit. In order to improve manufacturing processes, Porsche took the aid of leading Japanese car manufacturer Toyota whose consultants would assist in the overhaul of the Zuffenhausen manufacturing facility introducing mass production techniques which would allow Porsche to carry out production processes more efficiently. Porsche had realised that in order to keep the 911 in production, it would need radical changes. This led to the development of the 996. The sharing of development between the new 911 and the entry level Boxster model allowed Porsche to save development costs. This move also resulted in interchangeable parts between the two models bringing down maintenance costs.The Porsche 996 was a new design developed by Pinky Lai under Porsche design chief Harm Lagaay from 1992 to 1994; it was the first 911 that was completely redesigned, and carried over little from its predecessor as Porsche wanted the design team to design a 911 for the next millennium. Featuring an all new body work, interior, and the first water-cooled engine, the 996 replaced the 993 from which only the front suspension, rear multi-link suspension, and a 6-speed manual transmission were retained in revised form. The 996 had a drag coefficient of resulting from hours spent in the wind tunnel. The 996 is longer and wider than its predecessor. It is also 45% stiffer courtesy of a chassis formed from high-strength steel. Additionally, it is lighter despite having additional radiators and coolant.
All of the M96 engines offered in the 996 are susceptible to the Porsche Intermediate Shaft Bearing issue which can potentially cause serious engine failure if not addressed via a retrofit.
The 996 was initially available in a coupé or a cabriolet bodystyle with rear-wheel drive, and later with four-wheel drive, utilising a 3.4 litre flat-6 engine generating a maximum power output of. The 996 had the same front end as the entry-level Boxster. After requests from the Carrera owners about their premium cars looking like a "lower priced car that looked just like theirs did", Porsche redesigned the headlamps of the Carrera in 2002 similar to the high performance Turbo's headlamps. The design for the initial "fried egg" shaped headlamps could be traced back to the 1997 911 GT1 race car.
In 2000, Porsche introduced the 996 Turbo, equipped with a four-wheel-drive system and a 3.6-litre, twin-turbocharged and intercooled flat-six engine generating a maximum power output of, making the car capable of accelerating from in 4.2 seconds. An X50 option which included larger turbochargers and intercoolers along with revised engine control software became available from the factory in 2002, increasing power output to. In 2005, Porsche introduced the Turbo S, which had the X50 option included as standard equipment, with the formerly optional Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide composite ceramic brakes also included as standard.
In 2000, power output on the base Carrera model was increased to. 2001 marked the final year of production for the base Carrera 4 Coupé in narrow body format.
In 2002, the standard Carrera models underwent the above-mentioned facelift. In addition, engine capacity was also increased to 3.6-litres across the range, yielding gains of for the naturally aspirated models. 2002 also marked the start of the production of the 996 based Targa model, with a sliding glass "green house" roof system as introduced on its predecessor. It also features a rear glass hatch which gave the driver access to the storage compartment. Also in 2002, the Carrera 4S model was first introduced. The C4S, as it is called among the enthusiasts, shares the wide-body look of the Turbo as well as the brakes and suspension.
Turbo
The 996 Turbo debuted at the Frankfurt Auto show in September 1999 and went on sale in the US in summer of 2000 as a 2001 model. The Turbo is powered by a water-cooled twin-turbocharged and intercooled 3.6-litre flat-6 engine derived from the 1998 Le Mans winning 911 GT1 race car. The engine is rated at at 6,000 rpm and of torque. It features an all-wheel drive system and was available with either a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed Tiptronic transmission. It has revised styling and a wider stance than the naturally aspirated 996 Carrera models, along with new bi-xenon headlamps and a fixed rear wing. The Turbo also came with VarioCam Plus and stability management, and on the US models, an electronically adjustable rear spoiler was included which would rise at a speed of 76 mph and lower at 36 mph. The bodywork was also revised to allow airflow to 3 radiators up front and to accommodate 18-inch wheels and tyres.In 2002, the X50 package was offered as an option on the Turbo that included larger K24 turbochargers and intercoolers, a revised ECU and quad-pipe exhaust which raised power output to. Other features introduced in 2002 were a glove box, center mounted cup-holders, an optional Bose stereo and rain-sensing wipers.
In 2003, Porsche North America restated their horsepower numbers due to SAE changes. The turbo was still listed at 415 hp however the X50 option was now listed at 444 hp.
The Turbo cabriolet was introduced for the 2004 model year which was the first mass-produced Turbo Cabriolet model since the 1989 964 Turbo Cabriolet.
In 2005, Porsche introduced the Turbo S model available as either a coupé or cabriolet. The Turbo S was essentially a 996 turbo with the X50 option but also included PCCB, 6-disc CD changer and aluminum-faced instruments.
GT variants
The 996 platform was used as the basis for two lightweight GT variants called GT2 and the GT3. The GT3 was based on the standard 996 Carrera, but was stripped of a great deal of equipment for weight savings, featuring stiffer, adjustable suspension and upgraded brakes. The GT3 used the bodyshell of the four-wheel-drive Carrera 4, which incorporated additional front-end stiffening. The GT3 was produced in two versions. The first, commonly referred to as the Mk.I GT3, was introduced in 1999 in all markets, except North America. It featured a naturally aspirated 3.6-litre flat-six engine generating a maximum power output of. This engine was shared with the 996 Turbo and was a derivative of the engine developed for the 911 GT1 race car. The Mk.II GT3 variant was based on the second generation of the 996, and featured updated aerodynamics, and a more powerful version of the 3.6 L engine from the MK.I, now rated at. The Mk.II was the first GT3 marketed in the North America. An Mk.II GT3 was tested in 2004 and accelerated from in 4.0 seconds, and produced 1.03 g on the skidpad, the second highest number ever recorded by a street-legal vehicle at the time.The turbocharged counterpart to the GT3, the GT2, was rear-wheel drive as well, to save weight and to avoid power losses through the transmission. The GT2 received an added group of aerodynamic body parts, and a re-tuned version of the 996 Turbo's 3.6 litre, twin-turbocharged engine featuring larger turbochargers and intercoolers, a revised intake and exhaust system and re-programmed engine control software. The result was at 5,700 rpm and at 3,500 to 4,500 rpm, enough to launch the car from in 3.9 seconds and to a top speed of. Bigger wheels and tyres along with lightweight ceramic brakes were standard. The GT2's fixed rear wing appears to be a concession to racing rules that usually outlaw adjustable aerodynamic components. The GT2 had no rear seat and no air conditioning and came with a factory installed roll cage. Both the GT3 and GT2 were available only with a 6-speed manual transmission.
The Turbo, GT2 and GT3 models use the Aluminum crankcase of the air-cooled 911 with its true dry sump oiling system. The six separate individual Nikasil lined cylinders in this engine are covered with two separately installed water jackets each covering a bank of 3 cylinders on each side of the engine, thus adding water cooling to a crankcase originally designed for air-cooled cylinders.
Special editions
Porsche offered a special edition of the 996 for the year 2000. The car, named the 911 Millennium edition was based on the Carrera 4 coupé. Only 911 cars were made. It came with polished “turbo look” wheels.This special edition was finished in Violet Chromaflair paint with natural leather interior and dark burr maple trim. The car was available with a Tiptronic or six-speed manual gearbox. A number plate on the center console and a unique "911" badge on the engine lid and lettering on the door sills make this special edition easy to identify from other base Carrera models.
Porsche celebrated the 911's 40-year history in 2003, using the slogan, "40 Jahre 911/40 Fast Years". The company also introduced the 996 "40th Anniversary Edition" for model year 2004. This model has the 996 Turbo's front-end, and was available only in GT Silver metallic paint. Other unique features included: X51 power kit, turbo radiators, limited slip differential, sport suspension, polished 5-spoke alloy wheels, GT3 side skirts, natural gray leather interior, sports seats, polished exhaust tips, heated seats, litronic bi-xenon headlights, special dynamic sealed panels, and a special "40 Jahre 911" logo on the engine cover. The power was increased to. Only 1,963 units were made, to commemorate 1963—the year in which the 911 was first introduced.
Statistics
| Model | Power output, Engine | 0–100 km/h acceleration | Top Speed |
| 911 Carrera | at 6,800 rpm, 3.6L integrated dry-sump | 4.9 | |
| 911 Carrera 4S | at 6,800 rpm, 3.6L integrated dry-sump | 5.0 | |
| 911 "40 Jahre" | at 6,800 rpm, 3.6L integrated dry-sump | 4.8 | |
| 911 Targa | at 6,800 rpm, 3.6L integrated dry-sump | 5.2 | |
| 911 Turbo | at 6,000 rpm, 3.6L dry-sump | 4.2 | |
| 911 Turbo X50 | at 6,000 rpm, 3.6L dry-sump | 4.0 | |
| 911 Turbo S | at 6,000 rpm, 3.6L dry-sump | 3.9 | |
| 911 GT3 | at 7,400 rpm, 3.6L dry-sump | 4.5 | |
| 911 GT3 RS | at 7,400 rpm, 3.6L dry-sump | 4.4 | |
| 911 GT2 | at 5,700 rpm, 3.6L dry-sump | 3.6 | |
| 911 Turbo Cabriolet | at 6,000 rpm, 3.6L dry-sump | 4.4 | |
| 911 Turbo X50 Cabriolet | at 6,000 rpm, 3.6L dry-sump | 4.2 | |
| 911 Turbo S Cabriolet | at 6,000 rpm, 3.6L dry-sump | 4.1 | |
| 911 Carrera Cabriolet | at 6,800 rpm, 3.6L integrated dry-sump | 4.9 | |
| 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet | at 6,800 rpm, 3.6L integrated dry-sump | 5.2 | |
| 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet | at 6,800 rpm, 3.6L integrated dry-sump | 5.4 |
- All specifications stated are for the MkII, EU spec 996 models.
- Integrated dry-sump is Porsche's name for a dry sump lubrication system integrated within the engine block, i.e. no separate oil reservoir.
| Year | Production numbers |
| 1997 | 14 |
| 1998 | 9,248 |
| 1999 | 28,040 |
| 2000 | 20,979 |
| 2001 | 27,275 |
| 2002 | 33,013 |
| 2003 | 29,536 |
| 2004 | 23,145 |
| 2005 | 4,012 |
| Total | 175,262 |