Re: New 997 Turbo - did Porsche a good job?
Thanks for the post, RC. I agree with you about not having a special "WOW" feeling when I first saw the pictures, despite the technology improvements. BUT:
1. I always like a car better in full sight (for example I hated the Cayman until I saw it in Frankfurt--then I loved it).
2. The Turbo is the best all around sportscar for my taste and use. Are the Lambos, Ferraris, etc. more visually exciting? Maybe. But over the years I have seen Ferrari styling get old quick, and the F430 is to me a modification of the 360 styling and a bit brutish looking. The Gallardo is far too extreme and impractical for my taste and use. The Aston is nice, but untested and most likely not as responsive and quick as I would like.
3. So what explains my slight malaise about the new TT? I think it is because I was so excited by my 996TT, and the 997TT is not quite enough of a styling advancement for me. Almost enough, but not quite. Admittedly silly, but I would have liked integrated-not inserted--side vents; more of a new GT3 rear valence and exhaust set-up; full body color front and side spoiler lips; and a more flowing design coming off the back windows into the rear panels. Cosmetic--sure. But I do find myself thinking about these things and I believe they tell me I wanted something a little further advanced stylistically from the 996TT
4. I like the TIP, because I know manual shifting is on its way out in the future. I have driven manuals for forty years, at least ten of those years in competitive sports car racing both on and off road. I will watch the tests carefully, however, but for now I am excited about this progress (if it turns out to be).
5. But finally, I will hold my judgement and feelings until I see the car in person in Geneva.
1. I always like a car better in full sight (for example I hated the Cayman until I saw it in Frankfurt--then I loved it).
2. The Turbo is the best all around sportscar for my taste and use. Are the Lambos, Ferraris, etc. more visually exciting? Maybe. But over the years I have seen Ferrari styling get old quick, and the F430 is to me a modification of the 360 styling and a bit brutish looking. The Gallardo is far too extreme and impractical for my taste and use. The Aston is nice, but untested and most likely not as responsive and quick as I would like.
3. So what explains my slight malaise about the new TT? I think it is because I was so excited by my 996TT, and the 997TT is not quite enough of a styling advancement for me. Almost enough, but not quite. Admittedly silly, but I would have liked integrated-not inserted--side vents; more of a new GT3 rear valence and exhaust set-up; full body color front and side spoiler lips; and a more flowing design coming off the back windows into the rear panels. Cosmetic--sure. But I do find myself thinking about these things and I believe they tell me I wanted something a little further advanced stylistically from the 996TT
4. I like the TIP, because I know manual shifting is on its way out in the future. I have driven manuals for forty years, at least ten of those years in competitive sports car racing both on and off road. I will watch the tests carefully, however, but for now I am excited about this progress (if it turns out to be).
5. But finally, I will hold my judgement and feelings until I see the car in person in Geneva.
. 
)
)! Many of us on this board are clear about that the performance on a straight line is not the most important thing for a sportscar, right!? Despite that, the 997 Turbo will be a hell of a performer on a straight, even with the manual! I think that everyone, absolutely everyone, will be able to achieve a time of 3.7 seconds from 0 to 100 kph, in the 997 Turbo Tiptronic, while with the manual, only a real good driver WILL be able to reach 100 kph in less than these stated 3.9 seconds for the manual. I'm sure that you know, that Porsche AG always underestimates the performance of its cars, and always claims times, higher than the achieved from undependent sources ones! Some examples - the Carrera GT claimed time from 0 to 100 kph is 3.9 seconds, some magazines stated times to accelerate to 100 kph between 3.5 and 3.8 seconds! The 997 S claimed time from 0 to 100 kph is 4.6 seconds, some magazines stated times to accelerate to 100 kph between 4.1 and 4.5 seconds! All that is assigned to these models with manual transmissions! There are a lot of these examples in the Porsche history or present production line, so I don't bother that on paper, the Tip is faster than manual! In the hands of a real good, experienced driver, the manual 997 Turbo will be faster than Tip, especially on a track. 
The top speed has never been something that important when it comes to Porsches, so I don't care about it that much, still 310 kph maximum speed for the new Turbo is more than enough. 
enough said 
