History of the Porsche 911, part 5: the revolution of the 996 generation

The history of the Porsche 911 takes a turn at the end of the last century with the arrival of the fifth generation

With more than 30 years of life, the history of the Porsche 911 reaches a crucial moment. In 1997 the Porsche 911 996 arrived, the “nine-eleven” of controversy, since technologically it introduced as its great novelty water cooling, abandoning the traditional technology of the 911 air-cooled.

In addition, the styling of the new Porsche 911 underwent another major revision, and front headlamps appeared that integrate the indicators, but they altered the curvilinear character that had traditionally always defined it, breaking with the pattern repeated across the four previous generations, even though the Porsche 911 993 had already introduced a significant change in the angle of its headlights.

Be that as it may, the Porsche 911 996 presents important improvements derived from intensive work by the design studio. Thus, its drag coefficient improves to 0.30 and, thanks to the new chassis, the wheelbase is now 2,350 mm. Both figures should translate into a more dynamic and sporty drive.

In autumn 1997 the Porsche 911 Carrera 996 Coupé was officially presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which, apart from its styling, contained the biggest novelty in its engine: the 3.4-litre, six-cylinder boxer block producing 300 CV, which used a system in which water replaced air for cooling. Furthermore, efforts had been made to make it more compact while improving access to the oil tank filler, the coolant filler and the air filter.

Criticism focused on the new look and the new engine. Therefore, at the 1998 Geneva Motor Show a new variant appeared, the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, which, in addition to an electric fabric roof, was followed shortly after by a version with a manually removable hardtop that did not receive a much warmer welcome either.

This year the road-homologated racing version appeared as the Porsche 911 GT3, as well as its competition version, a spectacular sports car with a 3.6-litre naturally aspirated engine, 360 CV and rear-wheel drive, capable of hitting 0-100 in 4.8 seconds and reaching 200 in 11.

Its track version would be the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup but, above it, the successor to the Porsche GT1 of the previous generation. The new Porsche GT1 of 1998 featured a more elaborate body and a monocoque chassis made of carbon fibre. With all this, the car tackled the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it secured victory and thus gave the brand the triumph in the most important race of the year on its 50th anniversary. A year later, the Porsche 911 GT3 R debuted in competition.

In autumn 1999 the long-awaited Porsche 911 996 Turbo was presented. It would go on sale from the year 2000 with the same block as the 911 GT3 but turbocharged, producing 420 CV sent to all four wheels and paired with a five-speed Tiptronic S gearbox. Aerodynamically, the retractable spoiler deployed mechanically.

With the turn of the century and millennium, Porsche celebrated the arrival of the year 2000 with a commemorative edition called the Porsche 911 Carrera Milennium.

In 2001 the successful Porsche 911 Carrera 4S went on sale, a sporty version with the same suspension and braking system as the Porsche 911 Turbo, rear wheel arches different from the original Carrera, and distinctive details on both bumpers.

The new Porsche 911 Targa was also presented which, as in the previous generation, had a glass roof but whose tilting rear window made access to the interior easier. But the real impact came with the Porsche 911 GT2, a more extreme variant that combined the radical character of the Porsche 911 GT3 and its rear-wheel drive with the power of not one turbo, as on the Porsche 911 Turbo, but two turbos in the new Porsche 911 GT2.

Its 0 to 100 acceleration dropped to just 4.1 seconds and it reached a top speed of 310 km/h. Together with its styling, it crowned the peak of the 996 “nine-elevens”.

This model featured the 3.6-litre block which, with two turbochargers attached, produced 462 CV at 5,700 rpm and a brutal torque of 620 Nm from 3,500 to 4,500 rpm to move a car weighing only 1,440 kg, which was equipped with the innovative Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) braking system.

In 2002 the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet appeared, along with the new aesthetic evolution of the 996 generation.

In 2003 the new Porsche 911 GT3 was presented at the Geneva Motor Show, more powerful now with 381 CV sent to the rear wheels; its new flat spoiler and the simplicity of its bodywork lines showed that its best quality was the sensations behind the wheel. To optimise its handling, this new car had improved brakes whose 350 mm diameter discs were gripped by tireless six-piston calipers.

But as was to be expected, an even more extreme version arrived that would capture the essence of the RS and Clubsport models of earlier generations. And so it was: in 2003 the sublime Porsche 911 GT3 RS saw the light of day.

This Porsche paid homage to the original Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS, hence its colours and also its character. Thanks to a reduction in weight, this vehicle weighed 1,360 kg on the scales and, although it kept the 381 CV of power, the rev counter climbed up to 8,200 rpm, with a 0-100 time of 4.4 seconds, 0-200 in 14 and a top speed of 306 km/h. A vehicle of which only 200 units would be built.

And in 2003 the 40th anniversary of the Porsche 911 was celebrated, so the firm offered a special edition of the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupé “40 Jahre 911”, a variant with a 345 CV engine (20 more than the original). There was also a update of the Porsche 911 GT2 with 483 CV, a 0-100 time of 4 seconds and a top speed of 319 km/h.

In 2004 the new versions for the Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupé and Cabriolet were presented, with 450 CV engines and top speeds of 307 and 300 km/h respectively.

Closing out production of this generation known as the Porsche 911 996, the Porsche 911 Targa of 2004 used rear-wheel drive for the last time, since the next member of the family, the Porsche 911 997 which was about to be presented, would feature all-wheel drive in its targa version.

Technical specifications of this car

CoupePorsche 91119 versions · from 157,835 €