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Úvod »Automobily osobní a dodávky»Porsche » Porsche 911 Ultimate Portfolio 1998-2004
Whilst the 996 retained the 911 badge as well as the silhouette of what people expect a 911 to possess and, importantly for marketing (not necessarily engineering!) reasons, it retained the rear engined configuration. It really was a whole new ball game for the company and its clients. Developed in parallel with the 986 Boxster, it shared some 40 per cent of body components with its sibling. But hiding at the rear was a completely new engine, a 3.4-litre (later expanded to 3.6-litres) DOHC per bank water-cooled flat six designed to satisfy all current and future emission and noise regulations. Some of the purists tut-tutted in their beer about the engine not being a real Porsche engine but a quick blast down the autobahn soon showed them that it made all the right (legal) noises and had that guttural growl that 911 buyers expect, plus it had enormous reserves of power at all speeds. And the car did not bite back when you lifted off in a tight corner like the old ones sometimes did; the performance and capabilities of the new chassis were in fact outstanding. Gradually Porsche won over the doubters and soon began to offer alternatives for those for whom too much traction and power would never be enough. First came the All Wheel Drive Carrera versions, then a Turbo and then the GT3 and GT2 for the hard core drivers who want to take part in club day track events as well as in the various Porsche Cup race series that take place around the world. And let us not forget the stunning 911 Cabriolet and the unusual sliding-roofed Targa. The 996 edition 911 quickly reasserted Porsche's supremacy in the upper end of the sports coupe market and has maintained that sale momentum. Today few people give a second thought to where the engine is located in the car and even fewer worry about the fact that it is not air-cooled. Life has definitely marched on in a big way for Porsche and has now built a solid base for future editions of this iconic car. Included are road, comparison & long term tests & buyers guide. Models covered: Carrera, C2, C4, C4S, Turbo, GT2, GT3, RS, RUF, Club Sport in Cabriolet, Targa & Coupe forms. 192 pages all in full colour. Over 250 illus. SB.