Porsche 996 Carrera 4

The vehicle in detail

In 1997 when Porsche introduced the 996 model it was a major chapter in the story of the 911. As it is widely known since the introduction in 1963 the engine had been air cooled but now it was all over. Porsche assessed that conventional water cooling was needed for the future and consequently developed a 3.4 litres engine providing a respectable 300 bhp and still placed in the rear as it is supposed to be in a 911. Porsche was economically under pressure and the way forward was to reuse some of the parts designed for the Boxster, among others the now famous front lights, which for Series I are identical with the Boxster and gradually became a trademark for the model.

This example is a Carrera 4 and today where the 4 wheel drive models all are wide bodied there is something pure and elegant related to the quite narrow body of this 996. When driving the car a further advantage with the narrow body is that you are left with pretty much space on the road, which is always nice but of a particular advantage should you come across some alpine roads….