Porsche 996

Porsche 996



Porsche 996 it is a surprisingly unfussy car for a top of the range of sports car. No fins, spoilers, air ducts or power bulges. Porsche 996 has amazingly clean lines in a refinement of the classic Porsche shape that began with the 356 back in 1949. All the lights are carefully faired in with the bodywork and only the streamlined mirrors break the outline. Of course you can buy a big, obtrusive spoiler if you want but the mini spoiler on this one deploys at 75 mph.
Porsche 996 Porsche 996 Porsche 996
In a way it is a bit of a giveaway to the highway patrol if your spoiler is up. If you are stopped you have to tell them you pressed the little button to manually deploy it.



The interior of Porsche 996 is a little plain for a car of its price. There is no feeling of being pampered here though there are front and side airbags for the front seats.
Porsche 996 Porsche 996 Porsche 996 Porsche 996
To match the deluxe +2 image, I suppose they have to provide the extra 2 seats and the rear seat accommodation is less spartan than many +2 sports cars. You certainly will not be stopping for any hitch hikers but you could cram people in for a short journey and the area is very handy for a briefcase or for something too big to go under the hood with the spare.



The engine of the Porsche 996 is at the rear but the most curious thing is that it is water cooled! It is only 3,6 litres arranged as a flat 6, with twin Turbo chargers and it is dry sumped to stop the oil slopping around in these high G turns. To me it looks surprisingly small for an engine of around 300 hp.
But you want to know how it drives right? The engine is quiet unlike most of its predecessors but it packs quite a punch and feels utterly stable at ordinary speeds.
Porsche 996 Porsche 996 Porsche 996 Porsche 996 Porsche 996
The top speed of Porsche 996 is around 175 mph.
Everyone seems to agree that it is much quicker and safer than a 993.
Everyone also agrees that it is a smooth move away from the noisy sporty Porsche of yesterday in which you knew all about its hard suspension, lively back end and had the minute to minute realisation that you are driving true Sport Car.