2006 Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 (996) Turbo is a rear-engine coupe and cabriolet fitted with a water-cooled, 3.6-litre-twin turbo engine that was launched in 1999 and first sold in the year 2000. Whilst retaining a similar line to its 996 Carrera brethren, the Turbo has a wider track and can be immediately identified by the rear wing intakes.

The Porsche 911 (996) was a controversial model when launched: the first water-cooled engine put off some purists, as did the ‘tear drop’ headlamps which were very similar to the much cheaper Boxster, prompting some 911 owners to complain that the design was being compromised.

The standard 911 (996) Turbo produced 415bhp but in 2002 an X50 option pack was launched, offering larger turbochargers and intercoolers, as well as improvements in ECU and exhaust, which combined to produce 450bhp. Magazine road tests at the time of launch produced 0-60mph times of 3.7 seconds, quicker than a 991 RUF Turbo of the same era.

In 2005, the final year of manufacture, Porsche released the Turbo S model. This bundled the X50 pack with various other upgrades to interior and brakes. Both X50 and Turbo S models are sought after by collectors: add 10-15% for X50 and 15-20% extra for Turbo S over a standard Turbo.