(1999 – 2001) Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe (996) – Ultimate Guide
Since 1989, the rear-wheel-drive Carrera has always been accompanied by an all-wheel-drive Carrera 4, and the 996 was no different. Overlapping with the last year Carrera 993’S, the 996 Carrera represented two major changes for the venerable 911 lineage: a water-cooled flat-6 engine replaced the air-cooled engine used in the previous 911 model, and the body shell received its first major re-design. Engine displacement was 3.4 L and power output was 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp) featuring a change to an “integrated dry sump” design and variable valve timing.
The all-wheel-drive system provides between 5-40% of torque to the front wheels depending on the situation, and of course the extra weight slightly differentiates its handling characteristics from the two-wheel drive car. Without PSM, “the C4 is still behaviorally unique compared to the standard 996, with a bit less oversteer and somewhat heavier, but more direct, steering input on sweepers.”
The Carrera 4 coupe’s last year was 2001, and was replaced by the Carrera 4S for 2002-04. The Carrera 4 Cabriolet, continued on through 2004, receiving the same updates as the Carrera, including the 3.6-liter engine.
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