993 is the company's internal name for the version of the Porsche 911 model manufactured and sold between late 1993 and early 1998 (model years 1995-1998 in the United States), replacing the 964. Its discontinuation marked the end of air-cooled Porsches, with the 993 being not just the last air-cooled 911, but also the last of the hand built 911s.[2] The 993 generation of the 911 is often referred to as the best and most desirable of the 911 series, not only because of its beauty, but also because its performance is very good, even by modern standards, and the 993 was "the last complete 'modern classic'"; "the 993 was and forever will be that last fresh breath of air that Porsche gave the world; elegance and muscle all in one package."[3]
The 993 was much improved over, and quite different from, its predecessor. Porsche said that every part of its engine was new,[4] and only 20% of its parts were carried over from the previous generation.[5] Porsche's engineers devised a new light-alloy subframe with coil and wishbone suspension (an all new multi-link system), putting behind the previous lift-off oversteer[4] and making significant progress with the engine and handling, creating a more civilized car with better than ever quality yet one in which the driving experienced remained uncompromised.[5] The 993 was also the first 911 to receive a six speed gearbox.[6]
Like previous and future generations of the Porsche 911, there were several variants of the car manufactured, varying in body style, engines, drivetrains and included equipment. Whereas the Porsche 964 produced 247 horsepower,[7] the model year 1995 993 produced 272, and this was increased again in the model year 1996-1998 911s with the addition of the Varioram system, which added additional power, particularly in the mid-ranges, and also resulted in a more throaty noise at higher revs; as a consequence, the 1996-1998 Varioram 993s put out 285 horsepower.[8] This resulted in a 15% increase in horsepower over its 964 predecessor.
The 993 was replaced by the Porsche 996. This represented a dramatic change for Porsche. As many enthusiasts agree, "the 993 is one of the sweetest spots in the 911's half-century of existence," and while "more modern versions might be more dynamically capable, they're bloated behemoths in comparison to the lean 993."[9]
The external design of the Porsche 993, penned by Englishman Toni Hatter, retained the basic bodyshell architecture of the 964 and other earlier 911 models, but with revised external panels, with much more flared wheelarches and a smoother front and rear bumper design, an enlarged retractable rear wing, teardrop mirrors, but keeping the doors and roof panels.
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