KNOW YOUR 996S

1997 Carrera and Carrera Tiptronic S unveiled at Frankfurt show. Both with 3.4-litre 300bhp lat-six. Only very earliest cars get orange indicators for true ‘fried egg’ look.

1998 Carrera Cabriolet debuts at Geneva. Carrera 4 launched at Paris, also introduces Porsche Stability Management.

1999 GT3 announced. Gets 360bhp 3.6-litre motorsport-derived lat-six by Hans Mezger. 911 Turbo returns at Frankfurt show, twin turbos squeezing 420bhp from Mezger six. All models get safety updates including side airbags from late ’99, plus standard climate control. Carrera 4 Millennium limited to 911 units.

2001 GT2 model launched at Detroit – e¡ectively a Turbo with more power (456bhp), two driven wheels and no stability control.

2002 Midlife facelift introduces Turbo-style teardrop headlights, new bumpers, and 3.6-litre engine for Carreras, now with 320bhp/273lb ft. They command a little more than earlier models. Targa returns. 4S gets 60mm wider Turbo body, standard 18s.

2003 Turbo Cabriolet returns after 14-year sojourn. 450bhp Turbo S available as Coupe and Cabriolet. 40th anniversary Carrera limited to 1963 units, all silver with 345bhp. GT3 updated with facelift lights, 381bhp power, uprated chassis. Finally, the irst ever GT3 RS debuts in white with either red or blue graphics.