In 2000, Porsche introduced the 996 Turbo, equipped with four-wheel-drive and a 3.6 litre, twin-turbocharged intercooled flat-six. Unlike the standard the Carrera models, this was derived from the GT1 race car and produced 420bhp. The performance was phenomenal at the time and frankly is still pretty impressive today. 0-60mph comes up in 4.2 seconds before powering onto a top speed of 190mph. It was available new with either a 5-speed Tiptronic transmission or 6-speed manual gearbox and was highly specified as standard.
It seems incredible these cars are now over 20 years of age, but even more remarkable, is the near supercar performance and dynamics for the money of a new Golf. Make no mistake, a 996 Turbo will leave very few wanting for much more on our roads today.
We are pleased to have acquired this immaculate C16 manual example, finished in the timeless colour combination of Arctic Silver Metallic with a full Metropole Blue leather interior. Supplied by Porsche Centre Kendal on the 14th of April, 2003, it has covered just 43,000 miles from new. Regular servicing took place until 2015 by either Porsche main agents or specialists before the car was put into long term storage at 40,000 miles. Regularly exercised and an MOT carried out every year since, the car received a comprehensive recommissioning at a cost of £7,000 this year.
Our thoughts
Speak to your Porsche mate and he will probably tell you to only buy last of the air cooled, but you will need at least 100k more to get into the equivalent one of those today.
With 420 BHP being produced from the water-cooled Mezger twin turbo motor, this may be the headline figure everyone talks about. However, it’s the tree stump pulling torque of 563Nm at 2,700RPM through to 4,600 RPM that is more impressive. Frankly, it means you can be in just about any gear in that power band and it will be off like a scalded cat.
Conspicuously undervalued for now, it can’t be too long before the world wakes up to the fact that the 996 Turbo, is frankly a bit of a bargain. Bag a good one while you can.
