After 34 years in production the famous air-cooled Porsche 911 was replaced by an all-new water-cooled model. Known as the Type Porsche 996 this car was a major leap for Porsche, although many of the traits that made the 911 what it was during the past 34 years still remained with the new model. As with the Porsche 993 before it the Porsche 996 was also a significant model, but mainly for the way it was conceived and designed, and the effect it had on Porsche during the 1990s.
Pundits criticised the Porsche 996's styling a great deal, largely because it shared its headlamps—indeed much of its front end, mechanically—with the less expensive Boxster. The Porsche 996 had been on the drawing board first and was a more advanced car in some respects, but the cost-cutting seemed inappropriate for an expensive car. Otherwise, the Pinky Lai-penned shape followed the original Butzi Porsche design very closely. The interior was further criticised for its plainness and its lack of relationship to prior Porsche 911 interiors, although this came largely from owners of older 911s.
The Type Porsche 996 spawned over a dozen variations, including all wheel drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models, the club racing-oriented GT3, and the forced-induction Porsche 996 Turbo and GT2. The Turbo, four-wheel-drive and twin-turbo, often made appearances in magazines' lists of the best cars on sale.
The Carrera and Carrera 4 underwent revisions for model year 2002, receiving the front headlight/indicator lights which were first seen on the Turbo version two years earlier. This allowed the Porsche 911 to be more distinguishable from the Boxster. A mildy revised front fascia was also intorduced, though the basic architecture remained.
Engine wise, displacement was 3.4 litres and power 300 PS (221kW), increased in 2002 to 3.6 litres and 320 PS (235 kW).
Pundits criticised the Porsche 996's styling a great deal, largely because it shared its headlamps—indeed much of its front end, mechanically—with the less expensive Boxster. The Porsche 996 had been on the drawing board first and was a more advanced car in some respects, but the cost-cutting seemed inappropriate for an expensive car. Otherwise, the Pinky Lai-penned shape followed the original Butzi Porsche design very closely. The interior was further criticised for its plainness and its lack of relationship to prior Porsche 911 interiors, although this came largely from owners of older 911s.
The Type Porsche 996 spawned over a dozen variations, including all wheel drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models, the club racing-oriented GT3, and the forced-induction Porsche 996 Turbo and GT2. The Turbo, four-wheel-drive and twin-turbo, often made appearances in magazines' lists of the best cars on sale.
The Carrera and Carrera 4 underwent revisions for model year 2002, receiving the front headlight/indicator lights which were first seen on the Turbo version two years earlier. This allowed the Porsche 911 to be more distinguishable from the Boxster. A mildy revised front fascia was also intorduced, though the basic architecture remained.
Engine wise, displacement was 3.4 litres and power 300 PS (221kW), increased in 2002 to 3.6 litres and 320 PS (235 kW).
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