Performance Review: Porsche 911 Carrera 996 - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche 911 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche 911 Carrera 996 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.This particular Porsche 911 has a 3387cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 911 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 911's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1320 kgs (2910 lbs) this makes the Porsche 911 Carrera 996 in the same weight category as the 2020 McLaren 765LT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo 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 St6 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 St6 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 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS (249.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche 911.

The Porsche 911 has a Power to weight ratio of 224.2 bhp per ton and 195.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 911 competing with the 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS (249.0 bhp per ton) or the 1995 Caterham Super 7 1.6 16v (249.0 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 195.4 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 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937 (220.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 (220.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.8 secs, this made the Porsche 911 Carrera 996 as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the or the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs). This Porsche 911 Carrera 996 is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the and the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 911 and the 1986 Porsche 928 S4 5.0L V8

When talking about the performance of the Porsche 911 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.48 secs @ 101.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 Porsche 928 S4 5.0L V8 (13.42 secs), the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Turbo (13.43 secs), and the 1999 Audi A6 S6 4.2 Quattro (13.44 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Porsche 911 Carrera 996 has a maximum speed of 173mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 911 equals the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 992 (184 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera 996 then how about the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 992 (184 mph), the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 6.2 V8 C8 (184 mph), or the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa 4S 991 (184 mph).

Related Links:

1997 911 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison