Performance Review: Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 - [1998]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche 911 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1998. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Porsche 911 has a 3387cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F6's includes the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

The 911 shares its Petrol F6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS and the 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S 991 II. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 911's All Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1420 kgs (3130 lbs) this makes the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche 911 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3387cc 24V F6 engine produces 296 bhp (220 kW) @ 6800 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F6 throws out 258 lb-ft (349.8 Nm) @ 4600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche 911 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (233.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche 911.

The Porsche 911 has a Power to weight ratio of 208.4 bhp per ton and 181.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1998 911 competing with the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (233.3 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Porsche Cayman S 3.4 (233.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Porsche 911 generating around 181.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2003 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet (206.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX S (206.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.2 secs, this made the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 as fast as the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 (6.00 secs). This Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 is also faster than the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the and the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI 2.0 Turbo DSG (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 911 and the 1965 Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8

When talking about the performance of the Porsche 911 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.43 secs @ 101.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1965 Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 (13.37 secs), the 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive F30 LCI (13.37 secs), and the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (13.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1998 version of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 has a maximum speed of 171mph.

Top Speed of the 1998 911 equals the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 982 (182 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 then how about the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 982 (182 mph), the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (183 mph), or the 2015 Aston-Martin DB9 GT Volante 5.9 V12 (183 mph).

Related Links:

1998 911 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison