While the 996 is "softer" and more refined then any previous porsche....pretty much all porsche's have been more refined then the previous model. I would expect nothing less. While the 996 doesn't offer the tendancy to snap around as easily it is still the fastest stock 911 around any track. A stock C2 996 will take a stock C2 993 or earlier porsche in about anything. it may feel softer or be "too" refined for some tastes, but porsche is doing what will sell more cars and make an overall better product. It may look like a GT car inside, but it is still pure sports car heaven in the engine and performance.
As far as the new models you have the:
C4S
C4 Cabrio
C2
Boxster
Boxster S
996 turbo
996 GT2
Coming:
Carrera Gt
Cayene
some sort of 2+2 Gt car to compete with the Ferrari 456
new boxster with around 280 HP
probably some i'm not thinking of right now
seems to me porsche has a lot on it's plate. Most of it good....though I do hate to see them making an SUV, but at least it is more of a "fast station wagon" then a suburban warrior machine like the explorer, suburban, etc. It reminds me of faster version of the BMW X5.