Wikicars - User contributions [en]

Porsche 996

2008-05-10T00:42:06Z

71.240.0.164: /* The Turbo */

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:Porsche_996.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Porsche 996'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Porsche]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| Porsche 911 Carrera
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 1996-2005
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Sports Luxury
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| [[Coupe]]/[[Cabriolet]]/[[Targa]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| 4430 mm
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| 1765 mm
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Height
|
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 2350 mm
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| Carrera 2 - 1345 KG Targa - 1415 KG Turbo - 1540 KG GT3 - 1380 KG GT2 - 1440 KG
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| 6-speed manual 5-speed Tiptronic
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| 3.4 litre flat six 3.6 litre flat six 3.6 litre flat six, turbocharged
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| 300 BHP 450 BHP (Turbo)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| Ferrari 360 Modena Aston Martin V8 Vantage Mercedes-Benz SL500
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
| [[Pinky Lai]] under [[Harm Lagaay]]
|}
The '''Porsche 996''' is the 4th generation of the [[Porsche 911]] range. It was manufactured by [[Porsche]] between 1996 - 2005. It is significant in the the history of the 911 as it is the first 911 to break from several of the historic model's traditions, such as featuring organic ovoid headlights in place of the 911's traditional ovals and, more significantly, switching to a water-based cooling system in place of the 911's traditional air-cooled setup. It has also been criticized for being 'bloated' as it increases significantly in size compared to previous generations.

==Task: To Perfect Perfection==

The 996 model was given an un-enviable task - to replace the legendary, and very popular, 993 model, and also to carry the Porsche company into record profits and the new Millenium. The new model was redesigned from the ground-up from its predecessors, and featured a new chassis, transmission, engine and bodywork. The engine had decreased in capacity, to 3.4 litres, and was water-cooled, for the first time in a Porsche flat-six. Porsche cited ever-stringent emission and noise regulations for the swap in cooling - but Porsche enthusiasts moaned that the distinctive sound would be lost. But they hadn't heard it yet.

The engine was not the only point for criticism for the new 996, however. The general press and public pointed out that the front end was identical to its smaller sibling - the Boxster, a car almost half the price of the 911. But Porsche was eager to get people to see behind these 'faults', and embrace the radically different but comfortably similar new incarnation of the world's most famous sportscar.

===Ground-up Re-engineering===

The 993 could never be described as aging, but its Achilles' heel was the power plant, which was rooted in the past, and although Porsche had bought the engine some time from the strict worldwide emissions regulations and drive-by noise limitations with the excellent VarioCam system, the writing was on the wall, and the decision was taken to produce a whole new 911 which could conceivably carry the company well into the 2000s - and for this to happen, a new engine had to be built.

The flat-six Boxer configuration was retained, and air-cooling was scrapped, to make way for the water-cooling system, which was both more efficient and crucially, quieter. Capacity shrunk 200 cubic centimetres to 3.4 litres, but power was up overall to 300 BHP. But the engine was only part of the story.

The exterior design was penned by Pinky Lai, and was refreshingly contemporary over the 993. The front lights and driving lights of the 993 were incorporated into one pod, christened the 'Fried Egg' by its detractors. The evocative roofline remained, and the rear lost the reflector stripe under the bonnet - which was now lined by two larger units, incorporating all the necessary accoutrements. The doorhandles were now flush to the bodywork, and the doors were rimless, and to complement the changes, a whole new range of alloy wheels were designed, proving to be evolutions of their 993 predecessors.

The radical developments continued indoors. The traditional 'five dial' dash was ditched, and replaced with a more modern, smoother dashboard. The seat design was revised, and the cabin as a whole was larger and better equipped - a whole host of new electrical toys were made available for the 996 that space did not allow in the 993. A new colour chart and interior material list was drawn up, and the 996 featured leather seats as standard.

Under the skin, the power was delivered to the road by the now-traditional Carrera two wheel-drive and Carrera 4 four wheel-drive platforms, intercepted by a six-speed manual or revised five-speed Tiptronic semi-automatic gearbox.

The standard Carrera models were joined in 2000 by a Carrera-based 'Millenium' model, finished in Vesuvius Metallic with chromed 'Turbo Technic' alloys. Only 911 were built worldwide. In 2002, the whole range was updated, featuring new bumpers, alloy wheels, front lights, colour charts and equipment levels. The power went up slightly, as the bored-out 3.6 litre engine made its debut. To celebrate 40 Years of 911, in 2004 a special Celebration model was produced - again with a production run of only 1963 units worldwide - and featured the Aerokit as standard, the GT Silver paint from the Carrera GT, and boosted interior specifications. This model was the only 911 since the 1980s to actually be badged so - a special rear badge was designed, which was essentially '911' in an italicised script.

[[image:Porsche_996_Targa.jpg|thumb|The Porsche 996 Targa]] In conjunction with the 2002 revamp, the Targa model was unveiled - and was essentially a Carrera or Carrera 4 with the sliding glass roof as premiered on the 993 model almost a decade earlier. The new car was designed with a rear hatch window, making it the most practical sports car on the market. Again, the Targa was engineered by using a Cabriolet bodyshell as a base, then adding strong visual bars to top off the doors. From a side profile, the Targa has a sharper angle to the rear window over the standard Coupe.

==Moving Upwards - the Super-996s==

===The Turbo===

The obligatory Turbo model raced onto the price lists in 1999, boasting headline-grabbing performance figures such as 420BHP - from a twin-KKK-turbocharged 3.6 litre - and a sub six second 0-60mph time. The Turbo lines transferred well to the 996 shape - but the general opinion was that the car had lost a little visual drama over the outgoing 993. The 'Tea Tray' spoiler, once the trademark of the Turbo model, was dead, replaced by an almost-ducktail speed-operated, electrically-lifting example. The once-expansively wide rear arches were not as pronounced, but the impressive alloy wheels were retained, albeit in a modernised form.

But Porsche let the chassis and powerplant forge an impression of the car, and period press struggled for enough superlatives to describe the other-worldly performance, exploitable chassis and almost-impossible-with-such-performance everyday usability. Porsche had certainly produced a stunning automobile with the 996 Turbo, and strong sales reflected this. Technology was a trademark of the model, with such aerodynamic wonders like the rear-bumper air vents - which created a vacuum behind the car, sucking hot air from the engine. The carbon-composite brakes made their debut on the model - badged PCCB, and developed from Porsche's recent Le Mans activities, these amazing brakes promised fade-free performance. However, they carried a price tag to match - around £8,000!

The Turbo also filled the 'Luxury' part of its class tag. The interior was the first word in leather-lined opulence, with electric everything, and generous standard equipment levels.

Also available on the Turbo was the X50 option - the power kit. This harnessed better breathing and engine mapping to release an extra 30BHP, producing a peak 450BHP. Torque figures almost mirrored this. With the X50 option, the 996 Turbo was peerless in every respect.

From 2005, the Turbo S model was available, essentially as a run-out model. The car carried a price premium over the standard model, but featured the X50 option, Graphite-painted alloys, a special 'Olive Green' paint option and the Porsche Carbon Composite Brakes (PCCB) as standard. Equipment levels were high, and a limited slip differential was also added to the standard specification sheet.

===The GT3=== [[image:Porsche_996_GT3.jpg|thumb|The GT3 Mk. 1]]

The GT3, released in 1998, was essentially the Carrera RS-equivalent for the 996 generation. However, the GT3 was a much more advanced engineering proposition compared to the standard RS ethos of weight reduction and sports suspension. The GT3 used a completely different engine to the standard Carrera, whose basic bodyshell it used. The engine was derived from the Le Mans winning 996 GT1, and featured lavish use of light and expensive materials - such as magnesium and titanium. The whole engine and the car was partly hand-built by Porsche's Motorsport Division, in Weissach.

Over the standard car, the GT3 had fully adjustable suspension which was set 40mm lower than the Carrera's. Anti-roll bars were fitted front and rear, and the interior was stripped in keeping with the idea that many customers would use the car for the new phenomenon - track days. The rear seats were jettisoned, along with the air conditioning and stereo, and bucket seats and a roll cage were added. However, due to an additional radiator, stronger gearbox and the more sophisticated engine, the GT3 weighed 40KG more than the Carrera. The Comfort model reinstated the air conditioning (if so specified), removed the roll cage (although the car was welded for it if the owner wanted to fit it eventually), included less severe perches and thicker carpeting. It was still a very extreme automobile. Exterior-wise, the GT3 was supplied with the 'Aerokit GT3', which included a rather handsome adjustable folded rear wing, in conjunction with deeper side skirts and a lip spoiler under the bumper. 'Sport Design' alloy wheels were fitted as standard, and were of two piece manufacture to keep unsprung mass to a minimum.

Although a success, the GT3 was updated along with the rest of the range in 2003, and now sported the new headlights and bumpers. A new rear spoiler was also specified, to provide greater downforce for extreme track work, and the handsome Sport Design alloys were replaced with a forged one-piece design. The ethos remained the same, and power was up to 381BHP. PCCB was available for track day fanatics looking for that extra edge, although horror stories circulated about cracking and disintegration of the brake discs themselves - Porsche denied this to be possible and also the warranty claims, meaning the unlucky owners had to fork out for new brakes - a very expensive proposition.

In 2003, the GT3 became even more extreme, with the GT3-RS. This model became the only RS-badged 996. Power remained the same over the GT3 Mk. 2, but 20KG of weight was lost, with further stripping from the interior, the addition of PCCB as standard, a carbon fibre rear spoiler, a carbon fibre bonnet and a plastic rear window. All GT3-RSs were supplied in White, and the owner could choose the colour of the alloy wheel centres and the script along the sills of the car - in either blue or red, designed to echo the 1972 2.7 Carrera RS. The GT3-RS has become a cult 911.

===The GT2===

The 993 GT2 was one of the wildest 911s available, and it came as a shock to the world when Porsche announced that it would create another, using the 996 as a base.

Released in 2001, the GT2 again used the Turbo model as a base, and removed the front differential, to create two-wheel drive. The power of the turbocharged powerplant was raised to 482 BHP, and unnecessary ancillaries such as traction control were removed. The interior went on a diet, and the suspension was lowered slightly. PCCB was added as standard, along with a more extreme bodykit - deeper front bumpers, thicker sideskirts and a larger rear wing over the Turbo.
[[image:Porsche_996_GT2.jpg|thumb|The Porsche 996 GT2 - The Pinnacle of the 996]]
The model was created to top off the 996 range, and to show all detractors that the 996 was, in fact, a performance car. This impression was cemented when the GT2 broke the production car lap record and the Nurburgring Nordschliefe in Germany.

==See Also==
* [[Porsche 911]]

{{Porsche}}

Porsche 996

2008-05-10T00:40:53Z

71.240.0.164: /* The Turbo */

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:Porsche_996.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Porsche 996'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Porsche]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| Porsche 911 Carrera
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 1996-2005
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Sports Luxury
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| [[Coupe]]/[[Cabriolet]]/[[Targa]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| 4430 mm
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| 1765 mm
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Height
|
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 2350 mm
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| Carrera 2 - 1345 KG Targa - 1415 KG Turbo - 1540 KG GT3 - 1380 KG GT2 - 1440 KG
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| 6-speed manual 5-speed Tiptronic
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| 3.4 litre flat six 3.6 litre flat six 3.6 litre flat six, turbocharged
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| 300 BHP 450 BHP (Turbo)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| Ferrari 360 Modena Aston Martin V8 Vantage Mercedes-Benz SL500
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
| [[Pinky Lai]] under [[Harm Lagaay]]
|}
The '''Porsche 996''' is the 4th generation of the [[Porsche 911]] range. It was manufactured by [[Porsche]] between 1996 - 2005. It is significant in the the history of the 911 as it is the first 911 to break from several of the historic model's traditions, such as featuring organic ovoid headlights in place of the 911's traditional ovals and, more significantly, switching to a water-based cooling system in place of the 911's traditional air-cooled setup. It has also been criticized for being 'bloated' as it increases significantly in size compared to previous generations.

==Task: To Perfect Perfection==

The 996 model was given an un-enviable task - to replace the legendary, and very popular, 993 model, and also to carry the Porsche company into record profits and the new Millenium. The new model was redesigned from the ground-up from its predecessors, and featured a new chassis, transmission, engine and bodywork. The engine had decreased in capacity, to 3.4 litres, and was water-cooled, for the first time in a Porsche flat-six. Porsche cited ever-stringent emission and noise regulations for the swap in cooling - but Porsche enthusiasts moaned that the distinctive sound would be lost. But they hadn't heard it yet.

The engine was not the only point for criticism for the new 996, however. The general press and public pointed out that the front end was identical to its smaller sibling - the Boxster, a car almost half the price of the 911. But Porsche was eager to get people to see behind these 'faults', and embrace the radically different but comfortably similar new incarnation of the world's most famous sportscar.

===Ground-up Re-engineering===

The 993 could never be described as aging, but its Achilles' heel was the power plant, which was rooted in the past, and although Porsche had bought the engine some time from the strict worldwide emissions regulations and drive-by noise limitations with the excellent VarioCam system, the writing was on the wall, and the decision was taken to produce a whole new 911 which could conceivably carry the company well into the 2000s - and for this to happen, a new engine had to be built.

The flat-six Boxer configuration was retained, and air-cooling was scrapped, to make way for the water-cooling system, which was both more efficient and crucially, quieter. Capacity shrunk 200 cubic centimetres to 3.4 litres, but power was up overall to 300 BHP. But the engine was only part of the story.

The exterior design was penned by Pinky Lai, and was refreshingly contemporary over the 993. The front lights and driving lights of the 993 were incorporated into one pod, christened the 'Fried Egg' by its detractors. The evocative roofline remained, and the rear lost the reflector stripe under the bonnet - which was now lined by two larger units, incorporating all the necessary accoutrements. The doorhandles were now flush to the bodywork, and the doors were rimless, and to complement the changes, a whole new range of alloy wheels were designed, proving to be evolutions of their 993 predecessors.

The radical developments continued indoors. The traditional 'five dial' dash was ditched, and replaced with a more modern, smoother dashboard. The seat design was revised, and the cabin as a whole was larger and better equipped - a whole host of new electrical toys were made available for the 996 that space did not allow in the 993. A new colour chart and interior material list was drawn up, and the 996 featured leather seats as standard.

Under the skin, the power was delivered to the road by the now-traditional Carrera two wheel-drive and Carrera 4 four wheel-drive platforms, intercepted by a six-speed manual or revised five-speed Tiptronic semi-automatic gearbox.

The standard Carrera models were joined in 2000 by a Carrera-based 'Millenium' model, finished in Vesuvius Metallic with chromed 'Turbo Technic' alloys. Only 911 were built worldwide. In 2002, the whole range was updated, featuring new bumpers, alloy wheels, front lights, colour charts and equipment levels. The power went up slightly, as the bored-out 3.6 litre engine made its debut. To celebrate 40 Years of 911, in 2004 a special Celebration model was produced - again with a production run of only 1963 units worldwide - and featured the Aerokit as standard, the GT Silver paint from the Carrera GT, and boosted interior specifications. This model was the only 911 since the 1980s to actually be badged so - a special rear badge was designed, which was essentially '911' in an italicised script.

[[image:Porsche_996_Targa.jpg|thumb|The Porsche 996 Targa]] In conjunction with the 2002 revamp, the Targa model was unveiled - and was essentially a Carrera or Carrera 4 with the sliding glass roof as premiered on the 993 model almost a decade earlier. The new car was designed with a rear hatch window, making it the most practical sports car on the market. Again, the Targa was engineered by using a Cabriolet bodyshell as a base, then adding strong visual bars to top off the doors. From a side profile, the Targa has a sharper angle to the rear window over the standard Coupe.

==Moving Upwards - the Super-996s==

===The Turbo===

The obligatory Turbo model raced onto the price lists in 1999, boasting headline-grabbing performance figures such as 420BHP - from a twin-KKK-turbocharged 3.6 litre - and a sub six second 0-60mph time. The Turbo lines transferred well to the 996 shape - but the general opinion was that the car had lost a little visual drama over the outgoing 993. The 'Tea Tray' spoiler, once the trademark of the Turbo model, was dead, replaced by an almost-ducktail speed-operated, electrically-lifting example. The once-expansively wide rear arches were not as pronounced, but the impressive alloy wheels were retained, albeit in a modernised form.

But Porsche let the chassis and powerplant forge an impression of the car, and period press struggled for enough superlatives to describe the other-worldly performance, exploitable chassis and almost-impossible-with-such-performance everyday usability. Porsche had certainly produced a stunning automobile with the 996 Turbo, and strong sales reflected this. Technology was a trademark of the model, with such aerodynamic wonders like the rear-bumper air vents - which created a vacuum behind the car, sucking hot air from the engine. The carbon-composite brakes made their debut on the model - badged PCCB, and developed from Porsche's recent Le Mans activities, these amazing brakes promised fade-free performance. However, they carried a price tag to match - around £8,000!

The Turbo also filled the 'Luxury' part of its class tag. The interior was the first word in leather-lined opulence, with electric everything, and generous standard equipment levels.

Also available on the Turbo was the X50 option - the power kit. This harnessed better breathing and engine mapping to release an extra 30BHP, producing a peak 450BHP. Torque figures almost mirrored this. With the X50 option, the 996 Turbo was peerless in every respect.

From 2005, the Turbo S model was available, essentially as a run-out model. The car carried a price premium over the standard model, but featured the X50 option, Graphite-painted alloys, a special 'Olive Green' paint option and the Porsche Carbon Composite Brakes (PCCB) as standard. Equipment levels were high, and an LSD was also added to the standard specification sheet.

===The GT3=== [[image:Porsche_996_GT3.jpg|thumb|The GT3 Mk. 1]]

The GT3, released in 1998, was essentially the Carrera RS-equivalent for the 996 generation. However, the GT3 was a much more advanced engineering proposition compared to the standard RS ethos of weight reduction and sports suspension. The GT3 used a completely different engine to the standard Carrera, whose basic bodyshell it used. The engine was derived from the Le Mans winning 996 GT1, and featured lavish use of light and expensive materials - such as magnesium and titanium. The whole engine and the car was partly hand-built by Porsche's Motorsport Division, in Weissach.

Over the standard car, the GT3 had fully adjustable suspension which was set 40mm lower than the Carrera's. Anti-roll bars were fitted front and rear, and the interior was stripped in keeping with the idea that many customers would use the car for the new phenomenon - track days. The rear seats were jettisoned, along with the air conditioning and stereo, and bucket seats and a roll cage were added. However, due to an additional radiator, stronger gearbox and the more sophisticated engine, the GT3 weighed 40KG more than the Carrera. The Comfort model reinstated the air conditioning (if so specified), removed the roll cage (although the car was welded for it if the owner wanted to fit it eventually), included less severe perches and thicker carpeting. It was still a very extreme automobile. Exterior-wise, the GT3 was supplied with the 'Aerokit GT3', which included a rather handsome adjustable folded rear wing, in conjunction with deeper side skirts and a lip spoiler under the bumper. 'Sport Design' alloy wheels were fitted as standard, and were of two piece manufacture to keep unsprung mass to a minimum.

Although a success, the GT3 was updated along with the rest of the range in 2003, and now sported the new headlights and bumpers. A new rear spoiler was also specified, to provide greater downforce for extreme track work, and the handsome Sport Design alloys were replaced with a forged one-piece design. The ethos remained the same, and power was up to 381BHP. PCCB was available for track day fanatics looking for that extra edge, although horror stories circulated about cracking and disintegration of the brake discs themselves - Porsche denied this to be possible and also the warranty claims, meaning the unlucky owners had to fork out for new brakes - a very expensive proposition.

In 2003, the GT3 became even more extreme, with the GT3-RS. This model became the only RS-badged 996. Power remained the same over the GT3 Mk. 2, but 20KG of weight was lost, with further stripping from the interior, the addition of PCCB as standard, a carbon fibre rear spoiler, a carbon fibre bonnet and a plastic rear window. All GT3-RSs were supplied in White, and the owner could choose the colour of the alloy wheel centres and the script along the sills of the car - in either blue or red, designed to echo the 1972 2.7 Carrera RS. The GT3-RS has become a cult 911.

===The GT2===

The 993 GT2 was one of the wildest 911s available, and it came as a shock to the world when Porsche announced that it would create another, using the 996 as a base.

Released in 2001, the GT2 again used the Turbo model as a base, and removed the front differential, to create two-wheel drive. The power of the turbocharged powerplant was raised to 482 BHP, and unnecessary ancillaries such as traction control were removed. The interior went on a diet, and the suspension was lowered slightly. PCCB was added as standard, along with a more extreme bodykit - deeper front bumpers, thicker sideskirts and a larger rear wing over the Turbo.
[[image:Porsche_996_GT2.jpg|thumb|The Porsche 996 GT2 - The Pinnacle of the 996]]
The model was created to top off the 996 range, and to show all detractors that the 996 was, in fact, a performance car. This impression was cemented when the GT2 broke the production car lap record and the Nurburgring Nordschliefe in Germany.

==See Also==
* [[Porsche 911]]

{{Porsche}}

Porsche 993

2008-05-10T00:35:33Z

71.240.0.164: /* The Turbo */

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="'Porsche"'
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:Porsche 993.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Porsche 993'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Porsche]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| Porsche 911
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 1993 - 1996
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Sports Luxury
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| Coupe Cabriolet Targa
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| 4245 mm (Carrera)
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| 1735 mm (Carrera)
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Height
| 1315 mm
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 2271 mm (Carrera)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| 1370 kg (Carrera)
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| 6-speed Manual/4-speed Tiptronic (latterly Tiptronic S)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| 3.6 litre flat-six, air cooled - turbocharged on Turbo and GT2
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| Carrera - 272 hp Turbo - 408 hp
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| [[Ferrari F355]] [[Lamborghini Diablo]] [[Aston Martin DB7]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
| [[Tony Hatter]]
|}
==New Decade, New 911==

It's hard to believe that the 993-generation 911 was the first all-new model since 1963. The shape had gently evolved over the years - the first cars' sleek bumpers giving way to the USA-necessitated 'Impact Bumpers', then the arrival of the 1980s SC and Carrera models, the addition of the Tea Tray spoiler, and then the return to sleek bumpers for the 964-generation. All the models shared the same roof, and very similar dimensions and panels. But all this was to change, as Porsche set about blowing away the cobwebs from the 911 with the all-new 993.

===Launch - With a Waiting List===

The 993 was unveiled in early 1994, and as soon as Porsche had started to build them, buyers were beating a path to the dealerships' doors. This was a good sign - Porsche was on its way back around, after poor sales from the lacklustre 968 and 964 models. The press at the time gave the car gushing reports, and rejoiced in the fact that Porsche had implemented its brief for the new family member perfectly - improvement in the three categories of engine, styling and handling.

The styling was the car's tour-de-force - the staid looks of the 964 giving away to a smooth, Coke-bottle hipped form - but still pure 911. The upright wings and headlamps had been relaxed and canted backwards by a few degrees, giving the car a breath-taking modern look. The new alloy wheels, from the 968 range, complemented this, and to finish the exterior revamp, a new set of fresh colours was drawn up. Small details stood out - the aerodynamic mirrors, the teardrop exhausts and the wide haunches all combined to ensure that the 993 was the best-looking 911 ever. The visual makeover was enhanced by a re-designed interior, with new fabrics, a new seat design, improved heating and improved dashboard fabrics. Airbags were fitted as standard.

Under the skin, the 3.6 litre flat six engine retained its air-cooling (much to the delight of the purists), but with a 10% power increase - peak power was now up to 272 BHP. The new engine featured lavish use of exotic metals, such as magnesium for the fan housing, and a strengthened camshaft along with lighter pistons. A sophisticated Bosch ignition system was employed to keep the engine running as sweet as intended. In 1995, the powerplant was uprated with the addition of VarioCam, a sophisticated induction system which could change the length of the inlet pipe at different engine speeds to provide optimum performance all the way through the rev-range.

To cover the handling aspect of the design brief, the traditional semi-trailing arm suspension was scrapped and replaced with a multi-link system - very similar to the 928's Weissach Axle system. New dampers were fitted to improve the ride quality. Drive was delivered to the wheels via a six-speed manual or four-speed Tiptronic gearbox. The 993 was offered in both two-wheel drive Carrera and four-wheel drive Carrera 4 forms - the latter featuring a completely redesigned (on post-1995 cars) system over the departing 964 Carrera 4. The new drivetrain was lighter, more responsive, smoother and faster than the previous system - allowing true all-weather high-speed ability. This cured the deficit that had plagued the 911 since its inception - lift-off oversteer - due to its ability to independently brake a spinning wheel.

The range-wide 1995 overhaul included the return of a synonymous model - the Targa. The new model was the personification of the new high-tech 911 generation, with such engineering marvels as the glass roof, replacing the dated roll-bar of the traditional Targa. The large glass panel, which stretched from the A-pillar right down to the rear window, was mounted upon electric motors, and could be slid down at the owner's fancy, creating a large open space, akin to a convertible. The glass itself was UV-resistant, to prevent the cabin becoming a furnace on hot days. The model included a special, model-specific alloy wheel design - a contemporary five-spoke, split-rim design. The basis of the Targa was in fact a bare cabriolet shell.

==Widening The Range - The Models==

===The Turbo===

No 911 generation is complete without the synonymous turbocharged model, and the 993 effort was one of Porsche's strongest to date. The already-perfect 993 curves were subjected to a nip and tuck, with wider front and rear arches, along with the svelte, modernised version of the Tea Tray. A new alloy wheel was designed, named the Turbo Technic, and featured innovative hollow spokes to keep the unsprung mass as low as possible. The 'Big Red' brakes were added to the car, so called because of their Guards Red calipers, and behind these, the suspension components, all around the car, were fashioned from lightweight aluminium.

But even bigger changes were afoot beneath the wonderful bodywork - the 3.6 litre engine was fitted with twin KKK turbochargers, which allowed the power to soar to a peak of 408 BHP. Twin intercoolers dominated the engine bay. However, the headline grabbing facts lay with the drivetrain - the 993 Turbo premiered the four-wheel drive chassis, which is now a traditional Turbo trademark. The power-split was 20-80 front to rear, which was Porsche's optimum for the car - any more to the front, and understeer would reign the driving experience. Any less, and the expense of the four-wheel drive system would be to no avail. The extra traction lent the car awesome performance and road-holding, unlike anything else of its period : the Diablo tried too hard, the Aston DB7 was just a Jaguar in a dinner jacket, and the Ferrari 512 TR was too temperamental. The Porsche marketeers made hay from the supercar performance, but also the rock-solid build quality and bulletproof reliability. The 993 Turbo was to become one of the most successful turbocharged variants of all time.

===The Carrera RS===

The Carrera RS entered the world in 1995, bringing with it the VarioCam system which would be rolled out throughout the range in the remainder of the year. The model was based upon the 993 Carrera's two-wheel drive chassis, and, as in similar vein of the 1973 and 964 RS variants, 50 kilograms were shaved from the kerbweight, through the ommission of luxury components such as the rear bench, electric windows and mirrors. The glass was produced thinner, and the steel bonnet was replaced with a lighter aluminium item - which was flexible to the touch. The larger 'Big Red' brakes were pinched from the Turbo, and the 3.6 litre was bored out to 3.8 litres, and produced a peak of 300BHP.

The car could also be ordered in Club Sport guise, shaving further weight, from ancillaries such as airbags and standard front seats. Externally, the Club Sport RS can be identified by the revised bodywork - a large, double-layer rear wing was added, in conjunction with a swooping front splitter.

The USA was supplied with a special version, named the RS America - this featured less power (due to noise regulations) but kept all the weight-saving measures of the European car.

===The GT2===

To many, the GT2 is the ultimate incarnation of the 993. Intended soley as a motorsport homologation special, the car was devised to comply with the GT2 regulations of the European GT championships, and also the USA IMSA series. The successful Turbo model was used as a base, and the Porsche engineers set about extracting a few more horses (eventually liberating 430BHP), along with stripping even more un-essential luxuries. As such, the four-wheel drive system was jettisoned, and the standard two-wheel drive layout was utilised.

This gave the GT2 model the reputation of a 'widowmaker' - mainly due to the fact that it had 430 turbocharged horses rampaging through the rear wheels only - but this was mainly fallacy. Sure, it was more difficult to drive than the Turbo, but the sophisticated suspension cancelled out and lift-off oversteer - however, it was an animal in the wet.

The bodywork is the GT2's, and 993's, parting shot - the effusive curves widened even more by the addition of some lovely riveted on plastic arch-extensions, front and rear. The look was completed by new front and rear spoilers, and three-piece magnesium Speedline alloy wheels, with the centres painted gold.

The 993 generation was the base of an even more extreme GT1 model - although only the headlights were retained from the standard car.

===Summary===

*1993-1997 - Porsche 993 Carrera Coupe
*1993-1997 - Porsche 993 Carrera 4 Coupe
*1994-1997 - Porsche 993 Carrera Cabriolet
*1994-1997 - Porsche 993 Carrera 4 Cabriolet
*1995-1998 - Porsche 993 Targa
*1995-1998 - Porsche 993 Turbo (latterly in Turbo S specification)
*1995-1996 - Porsche 993 Carrera RS
*1996-1997 - Porsche 993 GT2

{{Porsche}}

Porsche 993

2008-05-10T00:34:01Z

71.240.0.164: /* Launch - With a Waiting List */

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="'Porsche"'
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:Porsche 993.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Porsche 993'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Porsche]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| Porsche 911
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 1993 - 1996
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Sports Luxury
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| Coupe Cabriolet Targa
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| 4245 mm (Carrera)
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| 1735 mm (Carrera)
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Height
| 1315 mm
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 2271 mm (Carrera)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| 1370 kg (Carrera)
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| 6-speed Manual/4-speed Tiptronic (latterly Tiptronic S)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| 3.6 litre flat-six, air cooled - turbocharged on Turbo and GT2
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| Carrera - 272 hp Turbo - 408 hp
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| [[Ferrari F355]] [[Lamborghini Diablo]] [[Aston Martin DB7]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
| [[Tony Hatter]]
|}
==New Decade, New 911==

It's hard to believe that the 993-generation 911 was the first all-new model since 1963. The shape had gently evolved over the years - the first cars' sleek bumpers giving way to the USA-necessitated 'Impact Bumpers', then the arrival of the 1980s SC and Carrera models, the addition of the Tea Tray spoiler, and then the return to sleek bumpers for the 964-generation. All the models shared the same roof, and very similar dimensions and panels. But all this was to change, as Porsche set about blowing away the cobwebs from the 911 with the all-new 993.

===Launch - With a Waiting List===

The 993 was unveiled in early 1994, and as soon as Porsche had started to build them, buyers were beating a path to the dealerships' doors. This was a good sign - Porsche was on its way back around, after poor sales from the lacklustre 968 and 964 models. The press at the time gave the car gushing reports, and rejoiced in the fact that Porsche had implemented its brief for the new family member perfectly - improvement in the three categories of engine, styling and handling.

The styling was the car's tour-de-force - the staid looks of the 964 giving away to a smooth, Coke-bottle hipped form - but still pure 911. The upright wings and headlamps had been relaxed and canted backwards by a few degrees, giving the car a breath-taking modern look. The new alloy wheels, from the 968 range, complemented this, and to finish the exterior revamp, a new set of fresh colours was drawn up. Small details stood out - the aerodynamic mirrors, the teardrop exhausts and the wide haunches all combined to ensure that the 993 was the best-looking 911 ever. The visual makeover was enhanced by a re-designed interior, with new fabrics, a new seat design, improved heating and improved dashboard fabrics. Airbags were fitted as standard.

Under the skin, the 3.6 litre flat six engine retained its air-cooling (much to the delight of the purists), but with a 10% power increase - peak power was now up to 272 BHP. The new engine featured lavish use of exotic metals, such as magnesium for the fan housing, and a strengthened camshaft along with lighter pistons. A sophisticated Bosch ignition system was employed to keep the engine running as sweet as intended. In 1995, the powerplant was uprated with the addition of VarioCam, a sophisticated induction system which could change the length of the inlet pipe at different engine speeds to provide optimum performance all the way through the rev-range.

To cover the handling aspect of the design brief, the traditional semi-trailing arm suspension was scrapped and replaced with a multi-link system - very similar to the 928's Weissach Axle system. New dampers were fitted to improve the ride quality. Drive was delivered to the wheels via a six-speed manual or four-speed Tiptronic gearbox. The 993 was offered in both two-wheel drive Carrera and four-wheel drive Carrera 4 forms - the latter featuring a completely redesigned (on post-1995 cars) system over the departing 964 Carrera 4. The new drivetrain was lighter, more responsive, smoother and faster than the previous system - allowing true all-weather high-speed ability. This cured the deficit that had plagued the 911 since its inception - lift-off oversteer - due to its ability to independently brake a spinning wheel.

The range-wide 1995 overhaul included the return of a synonymous model - the Targa. The new model was the personification of the new high-tech 911 generation, with such engineering marvels as the glass roof, replacing the dated roll-bar of the traditional Targa. The large glass panel, which stretched from the A-pillar right down to the rear window, was mounted upon electric motors, and could be slid down at the owner's fancy, creating a large open space, akin to a convertible. The glass itself was UV-resistant, to prevent the cabin becoming a furnace on hot days. The model included a special, model-specific alloy wheel design - a contemporary five-spoke, split-rim design. The basis of the Targa was in fact a bare cabriolet shell.

==Widening The Range - The Models==

===The Turbo===

No 911 generation is complete without the synonomous turbocharged model, and the 993 effort was one of Porsche's strongest to date. The already-perfect 993 curves were subjected to a nip and tuck, with wider front and rear arches, along with the svelte, modernised version of the Tea Tray. A new alloy wheel was designed, named the Turbo Technic, and featured innovative hollow spokes to keep the unsprung mass as low as possible. The 'Big Red' brakes were added to the car, so called because of their Guards Red calipers, and behind these, the suspension components, all around the car, were fashioned from lightweight aluminium.

But even bigger changes were afoot beneath the wonderful bodywork - the 3.6 litre engine was fitted with twin KKK turbochargers, which allowed the power to soar to a peak of 408 BHP. Twin intercoolers dominated the engine bay. However, the headline grabbing facts lay with the drivetrain - the 993 Turbo premiered the four-wheel drive chassis, which is now a traditional Turbo trademark. The power-split was 20-80 front to rear, which was Porsche's optimum for the car - any more to the front, and understeer would reign the driving experience. Any less, and the expense of the four-wheel drive system would be to no avail. The extra traction lent the car awesome performance and road-holding, unlike anything else of its period : the Diablo tried too hard, the Aston DB7 was just a Jaguar in a dinner jacket, and the Ferrari 512 TR was too temperamental. The Porsche marketeers made hay from the supercar peformance, but also the rock-solid build quality and bulletproof reliability. The 993 Turbo was to become one of the most successful turbocharged variants of all time.

===The Carrera RS===

The Carrera RS entered the world in 1995, bringing with it the VarioCam system which would be rolled out throughout the range in the remainder of the year. The model was based upon the 993 Carrera's two-wheel drive chassis, and, as in similar vein of the 1973 and 964 RS variants, 50 kilograms were shaved from the kerbweight, through the ommission of luxury components such as the rear bench, electric windows and mirrors. The glass was produced thinner, and the steel bonnet was replaced with a lighter aluminium item - which was flexible to the touch. The larger 'Big Red' brakes were pinched from the Turbo, and the 3.6 litre was bored out to 3.8 litres, and produced a peak of 300BHP.

The car could also be ordered in Club Sport guise, shaving further weight, from ancillaries such as airbags and standard front seats. Externally, the Club Sport RS can be identified by the revised bodywork - a large, double-layer rear wing was added, in conjunction with a swooping front splitter.

The USA was supplied with a special version, named the RS America - this featured less power (due to noise regulations) but kept all the weight-saving measures of the European car.

===The GT2===

To many, the GT2 is the ultimate incarnation of the 993. Intended soley as a motorsport homologation special, the car was devised to comply with the GT2 regulations of the European GT championships, and also the USA IMSA series. The successful Turbo model was used as a base, and the Porsche engineers set about extracting a few more horses (eventually liberating 430BHP), along with stripping even more un-essential luxuries. As such, the four-wheel drive system was jettisoned, and the standard two-wheel drive layout was utilised.

This gave the GT2 model the reputation of a 'widowmaker' - mainly due to the fact that it had 430 turbocharged horses rampaging through the rear wheels only - but this was mainly fallacy. Sure, it was more difficult to drive than the Turbo, but the sophisticated suspension cancelled out and lift-off oversteer - however, it was an animal in the wet.

The bodywork is the GT2's, and 993's, parting shot - the effusive curves widened even more by the addition of some lovely riveted on plastic arch-extensions, front and rear. The look was completed by new front and rear spoilers, and three-piece magnesium Speedline alloy wheels, with the centres painted gold.

The 993 generation was the base of an even more extreme GT1 model - although only the headlights were retained from the standard car.

===Summary===

*1993-1997 - Porsche 993 Carrera Coupe
*1993-1997 - Porsche 993 Carrera 4 Coupe
*1994-1997 - Porsche 993 Carrera Cabriolet
*1994-1997 - Porsche 993 Carrera 4 Cabriolet
*1995-1998 - Porsche 993 Targa
*1995-1998 - Porsche 993 Turbo (latterly in Turbo S specification)
*1995-1996 - Porsche 993 Carrera RS
*1996-1997 - Porsche 993 GT2

{{Porsche}}