The Porsche Type 996 is a sports car, and the version of the Porsche's "911" Carrera model sold from 1997 (as a 1998 model) through 2004. It is being replaced by the Type 997, although certain versions are being kept in production while replacements are finalized. At its debut, it featured the most significant changes to the Carrera model since its introduction in 1963. Chief amongst these is the fully water-cooled engine, replacing the previously air-cooled engines used exclusively by the Carrera models. More stringent noise regulations and higher customer expectations for both refinement and performance made the switch neccesary. Other significant changes include a sleeker body with a more steeply raked windshield and a re-designed interior. With these differences in mind, many "purists" consider the 996 to be an altogether different car, at least in spirit, than the Carreras that preceded it as opposed to being a development of the original.
The first 996s were available as a coupes or cabriolets with either rear wheel or all wheel drive and a 3.4 litre naturally aspirated engine producing 300 bhp (224 kW). In 2000, Porsche debuted the 996 Turbo, equipped with four-wheel-drive and a 3.6 litre, twin turbocharged and intercooled flat six producing 415 bhp (309 kW), making the car capable of 3.9 second 0 to 60 mph times. An "X50" upgrade package was avaliable from the factory, increasing power to 450 hp (336 kW) through minor revisions to the turbochargers and engine control software. Porsche introduced a Turbo "S" in 2004, featuring the X50 engine upgrades and the formerly optional ceramic brakes as standard equipment. In 2002, the standard models underwent minor re-styling, which included switching to the Turbo-style headlamps and to a new front fascia. In addition, engine capacity was also increased to 3.6 litres across the range, yielding gains of 20 horsepower (15 kW) for the non-Turbo models. 2002 also marked the start of production of the 996 based Targa, featuring a sliding glass "green house" roof system like its Type 993 predeccesor.
Like the 993 before it, the 996 platform was used as the basis for two lightweight GT variants called GT2 and GT3. The GT3 was based on the standard RWD Carrera, but was stripped of a great deal of equipment for weight savings, featured stiffer suspension, re-tuned brakes, racing seats and a high strung 3.6 litre boxer six engine making 375 horsepower (280 kW). In 2004 testing, the car produced 0-60 times of 4.0 seconds flat, and produced 1.13g on the skidpad, the highest number ever recorded by a street legal automobile. Its counterpart, the GT2, was also RWD only, but received an added group of aerodynamic body parts, ceramic brakes of larger diameter, and a re-tuned version of the 996 Turbo's 3.6 litre, twin turbocharged engine featuring larger turbochargers and intercoolers, revised intake and exhuast systems, and re-programmed engine control software. The result was 477 horsepower (356 kW) and 472 ft.lbf (640 Nm) of torque, enough to launch the car from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds and to a top speed of around 200 miles per hour (320 km/h). Both cars are avaliable only with 6 speed transmissions.
