Porsche has been making 911 Turbos for 50 years, but one highlight that many tend to overlook is the 996-generation Turbo S. Despite its 20 years of age, it’s still practical, fast, balanced, and – most importantly – quite rare.
Those Headlights – Love Them or Hate Them
Yes, we need to talk about the headlights. The 996-generation Porsche 911’s “fried egg” headlights have been the subject of plenty of jokes. Why bring it up again? Because the 911 Turbo S from this model series happens to be one of the best-looking versions to feature this face.
It stands there, confident and powerful, with broad but not overly inflated rear fenders and rear air intakes that are striking without being obnoxious. The result? Even after 20 years, this Turbo S looks modern, a rolling embodiment of Alphaville’s hit Forever Young.
Step inside, and you’ll notice the interior doesn’t hide the hard plastic, even though leather trim tries to add some class. But let’s be fair – this was the early 2000s, and drivers back then weren’t as obsessed with interior finishes as we are today.
If you were behind the wheel of a Porsche, you had better things to do than run your fingertips over the dashboard. And for those who wanted a bit more, Porsche delivered with the 2004 Turbo S, adding 30 more horsepower and 60 Nm of torque over the standard Turbo.
Power That Still Impresses
The result is a car with 331 kW (450 hp) and 620 Nm of torque between 3,500 and 4,500 rpm, all wrapped up in a package that weighs 1,540 kg. The performance figures still hold up today: 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, hitting 200 km/h in 13.6 seconds, and a top speed of 307 km/h. Even after two decades, this car can easily outpace most modern sports cars – and that’s without mentioning its cornering abilities, but we’ll get to that later. Shifting gears is a treat with the six-speed manual gearbox, as the true Porsche experience demands. Enthusiasts know to stay away from the Tiptronic S, which dampens the car’s dynamic potential.
But it’s not just about the power. Porsche’s engineers ensured that everything works together in harmony. They equipped the 3.6-liter boxer engine with two larger turbochargers, reprogrammed the engine electronics, and optimized both the intercooler and exhaust systems to let the six cylinders breathe freely. All that power comes with additional demands: the cooling system is more than 50 percent larger than the one in the naturally aspirated 911s, requiring a stronger water pump and radiator fan. And to handle all that speed, the Turbo S came standard with ceramic brakes, though they are prone to wear and are expensive to replace.
Not a Cheap Ride – Then or Now
At its launch, the Turbo S wasn’t exactly a bargain. The coupe had a base price of €142,248, while the convertible started at €152,224. Production ended in 2005, making this model rare – only 600 coupes and 963 convertibles were ever built.
From the moment you sit in the driver’s seat, everything feels right. The seating position is easy to adjust, and your eyes naturally fall on the iconic five-dial instrument cluster with the rev counter front and center. No digital displays here – just classic analog design. This straightforward, no-nonsense setup will accompany you throughout the entire drive, a reminder of what makes this car so special.
A Symphony of Precision
Turn the ignition with your left hand, and the boxer engine rumbles to life with a deep, throaty sound. The fun begins. A series of winding curves await. First gear slots into place with a satisfying click, followed quickly by second and third. The short gear lever feels perfect in your hand, gliding through the gates with ease. The clutch engages quite late, but it’s something you get used to quickly. Once you pass 5,000 rpm, the engine’s growl turns into a thrilling scream, transporting you to an acoustic nirvana.
The joy of driving dynamics is what makes this turbocharged 911 so appealing. When driving a Porsche 911, you plan your routes based on how many curves there are, not how short the trip is. The 996 Turbo S is made for these twists and turns. The steering is precise and understated, making fast driving feel effortless. And if things get tight, the all-wheel-drive system ensures plenty of traction. Sudden oversteer? Not in this car. The 996 is a friendly companion that communicates its intentions clearly and early. The turbo power delivery is progressive and easy to control – far from the brutal, coffin-nailing boost that earned the 930 Turbo its “widowmaker” nickname. Even by modern standards, the power is smooth and manageable.
Everyday Usability with High Thrills
This isn’t just a car for weekend drives – it’s still perfectly suited for daily use. If you have the chance to own one, don’t hesitate. After all, how often do you find a car that’s this fast, this rare, and still so much fun to drive two decades after it first hit the road?
