The current 911 generation, known internally as the 996, was launched in 1997, had a water-cooled engine for the first time, and used many components from the cheaper Boxster. Some buyers thought the 911 had gone soft and moved too far away from the original 911 spirit, so this latest version, revised in 2002, has a larger engine (3.6 litres up from 3.4), more power (320 bhp against 300) and a racier exhaust note. Torque is improved, too, and a stiffer bodyshell improves ride, handling and safety. There's a new look at the front, with a bigger air intake and the headlights from the 911 Turbo, plus new lightweight wheels. Detail changes include a double cup-holder, a proper glovebox and a glass rear window for the cabriolet. Today's 911 bears little relation to the 1963 original beyond the basic shape and the existence of a flat-six engine overhanging the rear wheels, but it remains both a unique and thrilling supercar and a very practical one. As before, you can choose from coupe or cabriolet, manual or Tiptronic-S transmission, and rear-wheel drive (Carrera 2) or four-wheel drive (Carrera 4).