Porsche history · 2004–2012

Porsche 997: History, Specs & What to Know

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The Porsche 997 is the sixth-generation 911, built from 2004 to 2012. Porsche made 213,004. The 997.1 used 3.6- and 3.8-liter engines with 325 and 355 PS; the July 2008 update (997.2) brought direct fuel injection, 345 and 385 PS, and the PDK dual-clutch gearbox. Its GT and Turbo models introduced VTG turbos and the 500 PS GT3 RS 4.0.

The 997 offered more versions of the 911 than ever, from the Carrera to the Targa 4, GTS, Turbo, GT3, GT3 RS, GT2 and a run of limited models. Porsche splits it into two phases: the 997.1 (2004–2008) and the 997.2 from the July 2008 facelift.

The 997.2 is a turning point under the skin. It introduced direct fuel injection and the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox. Limited models followed: the 250-car Sport Classic, which found buyers for every car within 48 hours, the 356-car Speedster and the 600-car GT3 RS 4.0.

997 history: what changed, year by year

  1. 2004 — 997 Carrera (325 PS) and Carrera S (355 PS, 3.8 liters) launch.[1],[2]
  2. 2006 — 911 Turbo with variable-turbine-geometry turbochargers (480 PS) and the 415 PS GT3 are shown at Geneva; the glass-roof Targa 4 and 4S follow in September.[2],[3]
  3. July 2008 — 997.2 facelift: direct injection (345 and 385 PS), PDK, bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights.[1],[2]
  4. 2009–2010 — Turbo moves to 3.8 liters and 500 PS; the 250-unit Sport Classic is built.[1]
  5. 2010 — Turbo S with 530 PS and PDK standard; GT2 RS with 620 PS; the 356-unit Speedster.[1],[4]
  6. 2011 — GT3 RS 4.0: 500 PS, limited to 600 cars; Carrera GTS with 408 PS.[1],[5]
  7. 2012 — Production ends after 213,004 cars; the 991 takes over.[1]

How many 997s were made?

Porsche 997 production figures (units). ≈ marks a figure Porsche gives as approximate.
Model / variantYearsUnitsWhat the figure counts
9972004–2012≈ 213,004[1],[6]total builtGeneration history: 213,004; 2017 milestone page: 215,092.
9972010–20125,296[4]sold worldwide
9972009250[1],[7]limited to 250 units
9972010356[1],[7],[8]limited to 356 units
997—600[1]limited edition
997201213[7]total built (12 for club members, 1 kept by the Porsche Museum)
997 — GT3 Cup—1,485[9]race cars built

More model-by-model totals: Porsche production numbers.

997 variants and engines

Key Porsche 997 variants. Power in PS (metric horsepower) as Porsche quotes it, or hp where marked.
VariantYearsEnginePowerNotes
Carrera / Carrera 4 (997.1)MY2005–20083.6 L flat-6325 PS[1],[5]US 325 hp; MSRP $73,500 (2008).
Carrera S / 4S (997.1)MY2005–20083.8 L flat-6355 PS[1],[5]US 355 hp.
Carrera / Carrera 4 (997.2)MY2009–20123.6 L flat-6, direct injection345 PS[1],[5]US 345 hp.
Carrera S / 4S (997.2)MY2009–20123.8 L flat-6, direct injection385 PS[1],[5]US 385 hp.
Carrera GTSMY2011–20123.8 L flat-6, direct injection408 PS[1]
Turbo / Turbo SMY2007–20133.6 L, then 3.8 L twin-turbo (VTG)480–500 PS; 530 PS (Turbo S)[1],[4]
GT3 / GT3 RS / RS 4.0MY2007–20113.6, 3.8, then 4.0 L naturally aspirated415–435 PS; 450 PS (RS 3.8); 500 PS (RS 4.0)[1]
GT2 RSMY20113.6 L twin-turbo620 PS[1]7:18 at the Nordschleife.

Full trim-by-trim figures (US hp, torque, 0–60, weight, launch MSRP): Porsche 997 specs (997.1 and 997.2).

997 engine and drivetrain facts

  • 997.2 Carreras were the first 911s with direct fuel injection.[1]
  • The 997 Turbo's 3.6-liter engine was the first gasoline engine with variable-turbine-geometry turbochargers.[1],[2]
  • The seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox arrived with the 997.2 Carrera in October 2008 and became standard on the Turbo S.[2],[4]

What to check before you buy a 997

  • 997.1 Carreras (through the 2008 model year) use the M97 engine, which shares the 996's documented IMS-bearing and bore-scoring issues; get inspection or replacement records.[10]
  • On PDK cars, ask for documented gearbox fluid services; service history matters more than mileage.[10]
  • Turbo, GT2 and GT3 models use the Mezger engine; ask whether the bonded coolant pipes have been pinned or replaced.[10]
  • Limited models (Sport Classic, Speedster, GT3 RS 4.0) should be confirmed from the VIN and factory record, not trim pieces.

Documented problems, recalls and pre-purchase checks: 997.1 IMS bearing · PDK maintenance · Porsche 911 known issues by generation.

How to verify a 997's factory options

Every 997 carries a 17-character VIN, so a build sheet can show its factory paint, interior and options — useful for confirming Sport Chrono, ceramic brakes, PDK or manual, and limited-edition cars.

See exactly how this 997 left the factory.

The CarWhere build sheet decodes a US-market Porsche VIN into its factory record: paint, interior, option codes and equipment as built. $9.99, and the free availability check shows whether build data exists before you pay.

Porsche build sheet by VIN

Porsche 997 FAQ

What is the difference between the 997.1 and 997.2?

The 997.2, from the July 2008 facelift, introduced direct fuel injection (345 PS for the 3.6 and 385 PS for the 3.8, up from 325 and 355 PS) and the PDK dual-clutch gearbox, along with bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights.

How many Porsche 997s were made?

Porsche built 213,004 997-generation 911s between 2004 and 2012.

Does the 997 have the IMS bearing problem?

The documented IMS-bearing issue applies to 997.1 Carreras through the 2008 model year (M97 engine). Turbo, GT2 and GT3 models use the Mezger engine, and the 997.2 Carreras use a newer direct-injection engine.

How many 997 GT3 RS 4.0 were made?

Porsche limited the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 to 600 cars. It made 500 PS from a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six.

What years is the Porsche 997?

Porsche built the 997 from 2004 to 2012; US model years run from 2005 to 2012, with the Turbo continuing into 2013.

Related Porsche history

Specs, production and buying research

Sources

Production counts, power outputs and dates on this page come from the sources below. Where sources disagree, the page says so or uses Porsche's own figure.

  1. The 997: Technology offensive, new design and great variety for the 911 (part 6) — Porsche Newsroom
  2. Porsche Historical Background: 1948-2025 — Porsche Cars North America (Porsche Newsroom)
  3. History of the Porsche Targa — Porsche Newsroom
  4. Porsche 911 Turbo S: history (press kit) — Porsche Newsroom
  5. Porsche 911 specs by generation (US-market figures, each sourced on the page) — CarWhere Research
  6. From zero to 1,000,000: Seven generations of the Porsche 911 — Porsche Newsroom
  7. Porsche Exclusive makes nearly all dreams come true — Porsche Newsroom
  8. There can only be two — Porsche Newsroom
  9. 5,000th Cup 911 features in the Porsche Supercup as the VIP car — Porsche Newsroom
  10. Porsche 911 known issues by generation (each issue sourced on the page) — CarWhere Research

Independent reference published by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Porsche, 911, Carrera, Targa and Boxster are trademarks of their owner.