The Porsche 911 model reaches the age of 40 this year. To celebrate this Porsche is offering a special edition 911 model of which only 1,963 units will be built. It also has more power than the regular 911.

The "40th anniversary 911" edition marks the climax of the successful career of what is known as the "996" internally at Porsche and by Porsche connoisseurs.

It is based on the rear-wheel drive 911 Carrera and has particularly sporty suspension settings and many features as standard.

This model is available exclusively in GT silver metallic - a colour that was only available until now for the Carrera GT high-performance sports car.

The 911 special edition model is in excellent shape for its 40th birthday. Distinguishing styling features are the front cooling air openings adopted from the 911 Turbo. The side air intake grilles at the front are painted in body colour.

Other styling details are the left and right sill trims, the shot-blasted, polished 18-inch Carrera wheels and the high-gloss polished exhaust tailpipes.

A sliding sunroof, bi-xenon headlights with dynamic beam angle control and a headlight cleaning system complete the exterior features. There is an aluminium "911" logo on the engine cover at the rear.

The 3.6-litre flat-six engine has a power output of 345 bhp. This is 26 more than the regular 911 and can be sensed particularly in the upper engine speed range, which will suit the more committed driver.

This modification makes the "40th anniversary 911" one second faster, at 16.5 seconds, when accelerating from 0 to 200 km/h.

Its maximum speed goes up by 5 km/h to 290 km/h (181.25 mph).

The jubilee 911's body has been lowered by ten millimetres compared with the standard production model and has firmer suspension, leading to even more sporty road behaviour and a more direct driving experience.

The interior is trimmed in soft dark grey natural leather. The jubilee model of course has sport seats, with two-stage seat heating.

The centre console, seat backs and groove trim strips on the dashboard and the handbrake lever side covers are finished in GT silver metallic.

The interior looks even more exclusive, thanks to details such as the aluminium-finish instrument dial rings and the numbered "911 40th anniversary" plaque on the centre console.

This special edition car is the 13th version of the Porsche 911 currently available and the second fastest car in Porsche's production car program with a naturally aspirated engine, following the GT3.

Wheels24 - 26 Aug 2003