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In the world of automobiles, speed means the 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo.

This new sports car is super in all respects: engine, drive system, suspension and aerodynamics. The numbers attached to this automobile are mind-boggling.

It will be limited to an output of 600 to 700 units for the remainder of this year.

“I believe the one we have coming is being built this month,” said Chad Spidle, new-car manager for Tom Wood Porsche. “I expect delivery in early July. There is such a demand that dealers are trying to buy them from other dealers.”

The Heart of the 911 is a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter (220-cubic-inch) opposed-6, an engine that now produces 400 horsepower and 400 foot-pounds of torque. That’s 12.7 percent more horsepower than the 1994 911 Turbo flat-6, and 4.2 percent more torque.

The drive system is full-time all-wheel drive, with a new viscous clutch-based system transmitting only the power usable by each wheel in all road conditions. Adding to control is a limited-slip differential and an automatic brake differential on the rear axle.

These systems constantly adjust the power transmission to suit traction conditions, and eliminate wheel spins that might cause instability.

The transmission is an upgraded version of Porsche’s manual six-speed. Added design parameters include improved gear changing, reduced weight and lower noise levels.

Porsche makes an automatic Tiptronic transmission, but the heavy torque loads produced by the engine more than likely account for it not being offered.

Porsche has reworked the car’s suspension. The exterior has that familiar 911 look, but its all new.

Ellipsoidal headlights provide a more flowing look, as does the whale tail on the rear deck lid. Fenders have a greater flair to cover the 18-inch wheels. The sheathed undercarriage, nose design, nearly flush glass and more aerodynamically-shaped outside mirrors result in lower air drag.

The driver’s cockpit is little changed from the 1995 911 Carrera, except for all-leather upholstery and a digital turbo-boost gauge.

Factory test drivers who have driven this car advise, “Just get your best grip and hang on.”

By using two turbochargers, turbo lag has been virtually eliminated. Zero to 60 mph is right now, like in 3.9 seconds. And track speeds top out a touch better than 180 mph.

“Mr. Wood drove the car in Europe,” Spidle said, “and he said it’s just awesome.”

One of the outstanding features of the car is that you don’t have to be a Formula I driver to handle the thing at supersonic speeds. The four-wheel-drive aspect keeps everything going in the right direction.

A driver may fumble occasionally going through the gears. In a 1995 911 that I drove with a six-speed, once in a while you had to hunt for a gear when downshifting from sixth to fourth. But if you just sort of let everything fall into place, it all seems to work out.

There’s so much torque that anything above fifth gear really doesn’t demand a lot of shifting. Fourth pro bably is a better city gear than overdrive fifth, and sixth is for quicker acceleration. But when you do shift, the throw on the gearbox is short, and there’s short clutch-pedal travel.

Reportedly, Porsche’s speed ranking of 180 mph is a little low. The car will actually do better than that. But I’d say the primary performance is going be the acceleration.

A hammer-down, off-the- line start has all four wheels grabbing hold of the pavement, with an engine- revolution limiter kicking in at 6,720 rpm. Engine speed comes up very quickly, dictating a habit of keeping an eye on the tachometer.

The car is called unbelievably stable, even in turns that look at speed like a street corner. The all-wheel drive sets up a situation where a little understeer in the turns can be turned into a neutral condition by working the throttle.

The base sticker price is $99,000, with very little offered as an option. Admittedly, that’s high-buck motoring, but a few minutes behind the wheel of the 199 6 Porsche 911 Turbo, and the price is all but forgotten.

1996 Porsche 911 Turbo Base price: $99,000Type: Rear-engine, four-wheel-drive, 2-plus-2 luxury sports coupeEngine: 3.6 liters, single-overhead-cam opposed-6, 12 valves, twin turbochargers, fuel-injected, 400 horsepower, 400 foot-pounds of torqueTransmission: Six-speed manualMileage: 13 mpg city/19 mpg highwayAcceleration: 0-60 mph in 3.9 secondsTop speed: 180 mph-plusWheelbase: 89.4 inchesLength: 167.7 inchesWidth: 70.7 inchesHeight: 51.8 inchesCurb weight: 3,490 poundsOptions: Six-disc CD player/changer, power lumbar support, floor mats