History of the Porsche 911, part 6. Generation 997, the "nine-eleven" of reconciliation

In the history of the Porsche 911 there are models that bring peace or open rifts. The 997 generation brought peace and glory back to the German icon.

If there is a generation in the history of the Porsche 911 that managed to calm things down and win over new followers without upsetting the old guard, it is the one known as the 997.

This model was unveiled in the summer of 2004 with the premise of making people forget all the controversy that the previous generation, the Porsche 911 996, had brought, without losing new attractions such as the GT3 and GT2 versions.

The new Porsche 911 once again offered a more traditional look, with round headlights free of distractions, an unmistakable silhouette and a rear end that was continuous with its predecessor’s, at least in its first evolution, and it showed a clear effort in aerodynamics that set its Cw at 0.28.

Be that as it may, the story of this Porsche 911 997 begins with the Porsche 911 Carrera with a 3.6-litre flat-six engine producing 325 CV, but shortly afterwards the first of the great attractions of the new batch appears: the Porsche 911 Carrera S.

By increasing the cylinder bore by 3 mm, the engine block offered a displacement of 3,800 cubic centimetres, which meant an increase in power to 355 CV, the largest-displacement engine fitted to a Carrera “nine-eleven” up to that point.

In addition, this Porsche 911 Carrera S featured a chassis with an active adjustable suspension system, giving it a far sportier character than one might expect. Moreover, with a 0-100 acceleration of 4.7 seconds and a top speed of almost 300 km/h, it was clear that this variant was more than just an improved Carrera but a new step up in the range.

In 2005 the Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet version appeared which, as a novelty, offered two roll bars integrated into the A-pillar and two automatically deploying bars behind the rear seats that only deployed in the event of a crash.

By June the all-wheel-drive versions arrived: the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, and a month later their Cabriolet versions.

In the winter of 2006 the long-awaited Porsche 911 Turbo appeared. At the Geneva Motor Show the German brand presented the range-topper, a sports car that, besides its power (480 CV), drew attention for being the first engine to feature variable-geometry turbo technology. In 2007 the convertible alternative arrived with the brand-new Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet.

Once again, the Targa variant made its debut and, as since the generation of the Porsche 911 993, the roof glazing was the main draw of this four-wheel-drive option.

But if we look at the more sporting requests, once again in the history of the Porsche 911, the arrival of the Porsche 911 GT3 in 2006 was the closest thing to a racetrack car homologated for public roads. This version offered a naturally aspirated 3.6-litre engine capable of producing 415 CV and reaching a top speed of 315 km/h, a car that served as the basis not only for the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup but also for an even more extreme 440 CV version, track-only, which appeared in 2008.

But if one radical car for daily use and public roads had to be singled out from this first batch of the 997 generation of the Porsche 911, it was the Porsche 911 GT2. A 530 CV beast whose power went exclusively to the rear axle, very hard to tame, which was as impressive as it was captivating for its driving and its arrogant styling.

And the light dawned on the evolution of the history of the Porsche 911

This closed the first part of the history of the Porsche 911 997, since from the summer of 2008 the new evolution, known as 997.2, was the first example of the introduction of the era of LED or laser diode lighting.

This switch from halogen to laser lighting not only gave it a facelift but also a more efficient use of energy, reducing both response time and energy consumption.

But the changes the 997.2 version introduced in the history of the Porsche 911 were not limited to these, since, thanks to an improvement in the direct injection system, petrol consumption fell considerably while power increased to 345 CV in the Porsche 911 Carrera and 385 in the Carrera S.

Once again the Swiss show served as the stage for Porsche to present its most attractive version: the new Porsche 911 GT3. With elaborate aerodynamic work, its engine was also improved and gained 20 CV, offering 435 CV in a naturally aspirated, rear-wheel-drive vehicle.

The Porsche 911 Turbo 997.2 was not long in coming, nor was its Cabriolet variant and, with them, a 500 CV engine for an all-wheel-drive vehicle.

2010 brought the preview of one of the brand’s most prized models. Once again reviving the RS badge, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS offered an extreme version of the Porsche 911.

To do so, the aim was to increase power, reduce weight, work on the gear ratios, increase aerodynamic efficiency and fine-tune the handling of a chassis befitting a competition model.

And, as throughout the whole history of the Porsche 911, special editions were offered not only as a distinction to certain customers but also to make the mouths of those dreaming of owning any of its models water.

One of these limited versions is the 2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic, a 408 CV vehicle with sport PASM suspension, manual gearbox and PCCB brakes, which captured the essence of the sporting versions of the early Porsche 911s in an interpretation and adaptation of what the technology of the early part of this decade could bring to the perfect Porsche 911.

With just 250 units built of the Porsche 911 Sport Classic, it is one of the most coveted and sought-after versions of all time.

But in 2010 the sixth generation was heading towards its end and with it came the sweetest of farewells: a definitive interpretation of the Turbo variant: the Porsche 911 Turbo S with 530 CV of power, 700 Nm of torque and a 0-100 time of 3.3 seconds, which elevated it to one of the most exceptional sports cars on the market at the time.

Technical specifications of this car

CoupePorsche 91119 versions · from 157,835 €