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1998, 911 Carrera Coupé, Type 996, 3.4 litre

Porsche 911 : Type 996 (1998-2005)

The hydropower plant - This was the great step-change in the history of the 911: the Type 996, which rolled off the production line from 1997 until 2005, was a totally new kind of 911 – while not sacrificing the classic version's character. As a completely redeveloped car, this generation was for the first time powered by a flat water-cooled engine. Thanks to four-valve technology it produced 300 hp and was regarded as pioneering in its emission levels, noise and fuel consumption.

The design gave a new interpretation to the classic lines of the 911 and featured an out standingly low cw-value of 0.3. The contours of the 996 were also a result of the concept of using the same parts as the successful Boxster model. The most striking design feature was the front headlights with integrated indicators – at first controversial, then often copied by other manufacturers. Inside the car the driver was in a totally new interior. In addition to the typically sporty qualities, drive comfort now also played a greater role. With numerous new variants Porsche launched an unprecedented product offensive with the 996. One high -point of the model range was, as of 1999, the 911 GT3, which carried on the tradition of the Carrera RS. In autumn 2000 came an extremely sporty model, the 911 GT2, which was fitted as standard with ceramic brakes

  • 996 Series........(1998–2004)
  • Models.............996 GT3 (1999–2004), 996 Turbo (2001–2005)

1998, 911 Carrera Coupé, 3.4 litr

Reworked body design with improved drag coefficient

The 996 series in 1997 not only introduced water-cooled engines to the 911 but also a new body design. The roof line with a windscreen which is around five degrees flatter gives the side view a more fluid look. Furthermore, the entire main body was made sleeker, for example by means of smaller gaps and windows that were fully flush with the body.
All the measures put together also have a functional effect, producing a drag coefficient of 0.30 – the coefficient of the 993 was 0.34. The two exterior mirrors are no longer affixed to the door but are mounted onto the side window triangle. The Cabriolet was delivered as standard with a light alloy hardtop painted in the same colour as the car. It weighed only 33 kilogrammes and two people could easily remove and install it. The body of the 2001 model year 911 Turbo was extensively redesigned. The most important features which distinguished it from the Carrera models were different front and rear end trims and a rear spoiler with moving wings and air intake ducts to the air coolers. The front wings were widened and bi-xenon headlights could be integrated. The extendable rear wing of the Turbo was a completely new development. At high speeds it had a significant impact on the aerodynamics of the vehicle and thus, above all, on driving stability. The rear spoiler comprised two wings, one on top of the other. Up to a speed of 120 km/h, the wings were on top of each other; at speeds in excess of this the hydraulics raised the top wing by 65 millimetres. If the speed of the car fell below 60 km/h, the wing was lowered into the base spoiler once again. For model year 2002, the 996 series was given new headlights and therefore a slightly redesigned front, including the front wings.

A completely new 911 generation had its debut in 2004 in the form of the 997 series. One of its main features was its oval headlights. From a distance they looked virtually circular – this element thus bringing the new 911 closer to the original 911 again. In addition to the headlights, other lights such as the parking lights, fog lights and indicators were integrated into the unit behind a clear plastic disc, which gave the entire front of the vehicle a clearly structured and extremely uncluttered appearance. The wind tunnel was an important tool for designing the 997 series and all the aerodynamics measures ensured that, with a value of 0.28, it boasted the lowest drag coefficient of any Porsche series production vehicle to date.

1999, 911 Carrera Cabriolet, Type 996, 3.4 litre

1999, 911 Carrera 4 Coupé, 3.4 litre

2001, 911 Carrera Coupé, Type 996, 3.4 litre

2001, 911 Carrera Coupé, Type 996, 3.4 litre

2004, Porsche 911 GT2

2001: Ceramic brake disc

In the year 2000, Porsche introduced the 996 series 911 Turbo. It could be fitted with ceramic composite brake discs as an option. They came as standard on the 911 GT2. The new brakes, called the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB), were an important technological advance and set new standards, particularly with decisive criteria such as response, fading stability, weight and service life. Porsche was the first automotive manufacturer in the world to successfully develop a ceramic composite brake disc with involute cooling duct for efficient internal cooling. The ceramic composite brake discs were perforated, just like metal brake discs. However they weighed more than 50 per cent less. One the one hand, this lowered the weight of the vehicle by 20 kilogrammes, thus saving fuel. On the other hand the unsprung masses were also reduced which further improved the response characteristics of the shock absorbers. Ceramic brake discs also have other advantages. Their friction coefficient always remains constant and an emergency stop with PCCB does not require the brake pedal to be actuated with force nor any technical assistant systems which help to generate the maximum brake force in a fraction of a second. The PCCB provides maximum braking immediately and without pressure on the brake pedal. It also boasts excellent response characteristics in wet conditions as the newly-developed brake pads collect less water in comparison with conventional pads. The ceramic brake disc can easily cope with high brake loads that often arise with a sporty driving style in particular.

2005, 911 Carrera S, 3.8 litre, Aerokit Cup

 

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