1997 Porsche 911 – Refining the Final Air-Cooled Era

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Overview

The 1997 Porsche 911 continued the 993-generation’s refinement, marking one of the last years of air-cooled Porsche production. With Porsche focusing on finalizing its air-cooled legacy, 1997 saw continued production of the Turbo S and GT2, both of which are now among the most collectible Porsche 911 models.

Available Models

For 1997, Porsche offered the following 911 variants:

• 911 Carrera: The classic rear-wheel-drive model.
• 911 Carrera 4: The all-wheel-drive Carrera variant.
• 911 Turbo: A twin-turbocharged, all-wheel-drive performance icon.
• 911 Turbo S: A more powerful, limited-production version of the Turbo.
• 911 GT2: The extreme, rear-wheel-drive homologation special.

Performance & Enhancements

The 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo S was introduced this year, featuring a 450-horsepower version of the twin-turbo engine and limited to only 345 units worldwide. The GT2 remained the most track-focused 911 variant, continuing its role as a dominant force in motorsport.

Engine & Performance

The 1997 Porsche 911 lineup retained the powerful 3.6L air-cooled flat-six, delivering exceptional performance.

• Engine: 3.6L Flat-6 (Carrera models), 3.6L Twin-Turbo Flat-6 (Turbo, Turbo S, GT2)
• Horsepower: 282 HP (Carrera), 408 HP (Turbo), 450 HP (Turbo S, GT2)
• Fuel System: Bosch Motronic Fuel Injection
• Transmission: 6-speed manual
• Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive (Carrera, GT2), All-Wheel Drive (Carrera 4, Turbo, Turbo S)
• 0-60 mph: ~5.2 seconds (Carrera), ~4.0 seconds (Turbo), ~3.9 seconds (GT2)
• Top Speed: 168 mph (Carrera), 180 mph (Turbo), 187 mph (GT2)

Design & Features

The 1997 Porsche 911 maintained the signature widebody design for Turbo models while refining interior materials and features.

• Body Style: Coupe, Cabriolet
• Seating Capacity: 4 (Carrera, Turbo), 2 (GT2)
• Weight: ~3,064 lbs (Carrera), ~3,197 lbs (Turbo), ~2,866 lbs (GT2)
• Chassis Code: 993
• Wheelbase: 89.5 inches
• Notable Features: Introduction of the Turbo S, continued GT2 production

Production & Market Value

The 1997 Porsche 911 is one of the most desirable air-cooled 911s, with Turbo S and GT2 models commanding extremely high values in today’s collector market.

FAQs

What makes the 1997 Porsche 911 special?

This was the year Porsche introduced the limited-production Turbo S, and continued building the motorsport-inspired GT2.

How rare is the 993 Turbo S?

Only 345 units of the Turbo S were produced, making it one of the rarest Turbo models in 911 history.

Is the 1997 Porsche 911 a good investment?

Yes, particularly Turbo S and GT2 models, which continue to rise in value due to their performance, rarity, and desirability.