The Porsche 996 is the internal designation for the Porsche 911 model manufactured and sold between 1998 and 2005. It has since been replaced by the Type 997. Both body styles were used in 2005, depending on model. At its debut, the 996 featured the most significant changes to the Carrera model since its 1963 introduction. Most important among these is the water-cooled engine, replacing the previously air-cooled engines. More stringent noise regulations and higher customer expectations for both refinement and a higher performance 4 valve per cylinder engine made the switch necessary.

The first 996s were available as a coupe or cabriolet with either rear wheel or four-wheel drive and a 3.4 litre flat-6 normally aspirated engine producing 296 bhp (224 kW). These cars had the same front end as the 1996 Porsche Boxster. Porsche Carrera owners complained loudly and long about the "lower priced car that looked just like theirs did ", hence the headlight change for the Boxster. The design for the "fried egg" headlamp could be traced all the way back to the Porsche Panamericana concept car.