Porsche 996

The Porsche 996 is the internal designation for the Porsche 911 model manufactured and sold between 1998 and 2005. It was replaced by the Type 997. Both body styles were produced by Porsche in 2005, based upon model type.

At its debut, the 996 featured the most significant changes to the Carrera model since its 1963 introduction; the most significant change with this new iteration is the water-cooled engine replacing the previously air-cooled engine. Progressively stringent noise regulations, environmental concerns, a higher expectation for refinement and a high-performance 4 valve per cylinder engine made the switch necessary. Other changes include a sleeker body with a more steeply raked windshield and a re-designed interior.

The Porsche 996 was an all new design made by Harm Lagaay; the first new 911 that didn't carry over a significant component from a previous variant. All new body work, interior and drive-train including the first water-cooled engine in a 911. The Porsche 996 replaced the Porsche 993.

The first 996s were available as a coupe or cabriolet initially with rear wheel, or later, with four-wheel drive, and a 3.4 litre flat-6 normally aspirated engine producing 296 bhp. These cars had the same headlights as the Porsche Boxster. Porsche Carrera owners complained loudly and long about the "lower priced car that looked just like theirs did", hence the headlight change for the Carrera in 2002. The design for these headlamps could be traced all the way back to the Porsche Panamericana concept car.

In 2000, Porsche debuted the 996 Turbo, equipped with four-wheel-drive and a 3.6 litre, twin turbocharged and intercooled flat-six producing 420 bhp, making the car capable of 0 to 60 mph 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 to 450 hp.

In 2001, horsepower on the base Carrera model was increased by 4 bhp to 300 bhp. In 2002, the standard models underwent minor re-styling, which included switching to the Turbo-style headlamps and to a new front fascia. These were sometimes known as the Mk2 generation of the 996, or the 996.2. In addition, engine capacity was also increased to 3.6 litres across the range, yielding gains of 15 horsepower for the naturally aspirated models. 2002 also marked the start of the production of the 996 based Targa, featuring a sliding glass "green house" roof system like its Type 993 predecessor. Also in 2002, the Carrera 4S model was first introduced. The C4S as it is commonly called, shares the widebody look of the Turbo as well as the brakes and suspension.

Porsche offered a special edition of the 996 for the year 2000. The company introduced the car as "The 911 for the Millennium" and based it on the Carrera 4 coupe. Only 911 were made.

This special edition was finished in Violet Chromaflair paint with natural leather interior and dark burr maple trim. Available with a Tiptronic or six-speed manual gearbox, the car was well-equipped. 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.

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 Carrera GT Silver exterior paint. Other unique features included: X51 power kit, turbo radiators, limited slip differential, sport suspension, polished 5-spoke alloys, 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 back. The power was increased from 316 to 345 hp. Only 1,963 units were made, to commemorate 1963—the year the 911 was introduced.

Hollywood custom car builder Eddie Paul created a modified 996 Carrera as one of a set of three vehicles for Pixar's 2006 Cars promotional tour. Sally, a blue Porsche 996 designed to closely resemble a 2002 Carrera, is built on a slightly-shortened wheelbase; her windscreen is tilted closer to vertical to accommodate the animated character's eyes.

In 2007, a motorist's 2002 Porsche 911 was searched during a traffic stop by Hoover, Alabama police. The police department seized the vehicle after they found 10 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside two compartments. Since then the vehicle was redecorated in two-tone police blue with a wing, light bar, and rear window lights. The vehicle was unveiled in 2009 as a Hoover Police Department police car and has appeared at various public events.

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