The Porsche Type 997, or simply 997 (nine-nine-seven or nine-ninety-seven) is the project code name for the current version of the sports car Porsche 911, built by the German manufacturer Porsche since 2004. Production began in July 2004 and two variants, the Carrera and Carrera S coupés, were available immediately. The all-wheel drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S versions began shipping in November 2005, while the Turbo and GT3 derivatives went on sale in late 2006. The Targa top models are also available.
According to testing carried out by several American automotive publications, the Turbo model can go from 0 to 62mph in about 3.4 seconds. The Carrera S model is capable of going 0 to 60mph in as little as 3.9 seconds, and carries a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph), while the base Carrera model is slightly slower, able to run 0 to 60mph in 4.4 seconds, with a top speed of 285 km/h (175 mph). Note, however, that these figures contradict the conservative official Porsche figures.
The Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S will use the same engines as the Carrera and Carrera S, respectively. Visually, the rear bodywork is nearly 2 in (50.8 mm) wider over larger tires. The all wheel drive system sends between 5% and 40% of engine torque to the front wheels as needed.
The 997 Turbo debuted in February 2006 at the Geneva Motor Show. It uses a new front bumper with LED parking lights in a horizontal bar through the air intake. The fog lights are moved to the corners of the bumpers. Large air intakes in front of and behind the rear wheels are other obvious visual cues. The retractable rear wing is also one of the highlights, a feature which has been available on the 996 Turbo too.
The engine is reported to be based on the rugged and very reliable 964/GT1 design at 3.6 L with power output at 353 kW (480 PS) and 620 N·m (457 ft·lbf). The turbochargers will include BorgWarner's new Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG), which uses guide vanes located in front of the turbine wheel that modulates inflow angle and speed. While the 911 Turbo is the first non-diesel production car to feature a variable geometry turbine, a similar approach was used by Garrett Systems starting in 1989 with the Shelby CSX, that used variable nozzles instead. The optional Sport Chrono Package includes a temporary 2.9 psi overboost, upping peak torque to 680 N·m (502 ft·lbf) for ten second bursts.
According to official Porsche figures, it produces 480 hp, accelerates 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds with the manual transmission, and a has 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of just 3.4 seconds with the manumatic Tiptronic S transmission, which is more than enough to edge out its current rival from Ferrari, the new F430. It has also recorded a 0-60mph time of 3.2 seconds at the hands of US motoring publication Motor Trend - eclipsing all of its major competitors and even Porsche's own Carrera GT supercar. The 997 Turbo has a top speed of 311 km/h (193 mph).
Possibly one of the most astonishing feats of the Porsche 997 is its 40 - 60 mph time. In second gear, it takes just 1 second.
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