Lars997:That is not the 997 body, this car is wider, lower and slightly chunkier with a more upright front end. What's from the 997 is only the head lights which have been glued on top of the 998 sheet metal as well as the bumper, other than that the car looks very much 100% new. Kind of the same way Cayenne Mk.I tail lights have been glued on to the rear of the mules for the next generation Cayenne. No need to heavy camo as everyone knows that a 911 look like and what what the future generations will have.
I still think Porsche is strongly fooling us with the body of the current 997. Maybe the final product has some stronger changes??? (.... I know there is only a small chance but I would hope so)
if this will turn out to be a rather radical new design the 997 might turn out to be the new 993......
then again if this design will be beyond cool then the 991 will be the new 993
11-Feb-2009 16:22:40
These are EP's - what you;re seeing is not what will go into production. So none of the bodywork is correct. They're using a 997 shell that's been hacked to put in new subsystems, and to allow them to tap sensors wherever they need them.
It's nice to see but frankly there's no point at all commenting on bodywork.
Emperor:
Lars997:That is not the 997 body, this car is wider, lower and slightly chunkier with a more upright front end. What's from the 997 is only the head lights which have been glued on top of the 998 sheet metal as well as the bumper, other than that the car looks very much 100% new. Kind of the same way Cayenne Mk.I tail lights have been glued on to the rear of the mules for the next generation Cayenne. No need to heavy camo as everyone knows that a 911 look like and what what the future generations will have.
I still think Porsche is strongly fooling us with the body of the current 997. Maybe the final product has some stronger changes??? (.... I know there is only a small chance but I would hope so)
13-Feb-2009 14:30:09
13-Feb-2009 19:33:36
14-Feb-2009 07:13:55
It seems that porsche wants to include the option of a hinged rear glass screen (just like the targas) on all their models. This may be the reason for the metal plate at the rear end of the roof.
It only make ssense. they should have done this long ago to make efficient use of storage space.
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16-Feb-2009 10:41:35
Porsche seems to test the 991 and a possible Panamera Coupe under the "look" of the current 911, so I wouldn't read too much into these cars from the looks only.
One thing seems to be clear:
1. the 991 is going to be wider
2. the 991 is going to increase in size (not sure if this is going to benefit the interior room)
3. the 991 is getting a completely new chassis to improve handling and high speed stability
Due to the current financial crisis, I wouldn't be surprised if the 991 budget will be shaved off a little bit, it remains to be seen.
Porsche had(still has?) great plans for the 997 successor but apparently the current financial crisis worldwide can't be ignored. Time will tell.
RC:
Due to the current financial crisis, I wouldn't be surprised if the 991 budget will be shaved off a little bit, it remains to be seen.--
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, Cayenne Turbo S, BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
During a recession customer loyalty is what's going to keep your business surviving, and making signifigant cutdowns in development is just going to make the rabbit hole bigger. For the first time in ages the 911 has some serious competition like the R8 and GT-R and it's Porsche's purpose to always be one step ahead of the compeitition. Despite the primium price of the 911, people will still by it if the see high value in what it offers. It's during a recession that you should really go full force and try leech customers from your competitors.
16-Feb-2009 11:05:14
RC:Why would Porsche move the side mirrors and use a lot of camouflage if this was just the current design? The Panamera turned out to be pretty much the car that the mules suggested and I think we'll see the same thing here: this is the actual 991 hiding the new lights and a few other details.
Porsche seems to test the 991 and a possible Panamera Coupe under the "look" of the current 911, so I wouldn't read too much into these cars from the looks only.
neunelf:
RC:Why would Porsche move the side mirrors and use a lot of camouflage if this was just the current design? The Panamera turned out to be pretty much the car that the mules suggested and I think we'll see the same thing here: this is the actual 991 hiding the new lights and a few other details.
Porsche seems to test the 991 and a possible Panamera Coupe under the "look" of the current 911, so I wouldn't read too much into these cars from the looks only.
Back again!
21-Feb-2009 21:30:40
Rossi:
neunelf:
RC:Why would Porsche move the side mirrors and use a lot of camouflage if this was just the current design? The Panamera turned out to be pretty much the car that the mules suggested and I think we'll see the same thing here: this is the actual 991 hiding the new lights and a few other details.
Porsche seems to test the 991 and a possible Panamera Coupe under the "look" of the current 911, so I wouldn't read too much into these cars from the looks only.
Yup, I think the same. All new Porsche will have these side mirrors mounted at the doors. So what we see is basically the final design, surely the use of new head and rear lights, as well as front and rear bumpers will give it a new look different to the 997, but I'm sure it's again more evolution than revolution.
--
Back again!
I think it will be a little more than from 996 to 997.. it will be like from 993 to 996 which really excites me. You guys are right about the notion that Porsche camo is usually pretty lazy in that you see what you get (minus the details) So by looking the a mules i think we will see a lower wider more serious sports car emerge as the new 911. Porsche can do it because they got the boxster, Cayman, Cayenne, Panamera, Panamera Coupe.
We will see an aggressive 911 with CGT hints!!!
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RC:since the panamera now covers the big car/comfort part of business, why not make the 911 smaller and lighter !? that would help performance , they could use smaller engine consuming less fuel and still be competitive !! come on Porsche you can do it ;)
Porsche had(still has?) great plans for the 997 successor ...
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, Cayenne Turbo S, BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
Smaller and lighter = Cayman.
Seriously: I never heard somebody making complaints about the 911 to be too big or too heavy. If you want a lighter 911, go for the GT3.
Smaller engine? Are you kidding?
Less fuel? Are you kidding again? Have you ever drove a 997? Compared to other sportscars, the 911 is no fuel burner.
The Panamera is no sportscar, it is a limousine and it can't replace in ANY way the 911.
I would rather think that the Panamera will "steal" customers from the Cayenne than from the 911.
100 % agree RC!
Thats all the fascination of the 911 - highly usable, still sporty, light, strong, no extra gimmicks, consumption extremly low (especially with the latest DI egines).
Further on, plenty of options from super lightwight track car until GT comfort.
The 911 - is unique in its class - what else you would like to add?
05-Mar-2009 19:10:00
I've heard PLENTY of complaints about the 911 being too big and heavy! They come especially from those "purists" who have enjoyed 911s from the past, when the 911 WAS smaller and lighter.
One of the most common complaints about sportscars these days is their weight. This is the price we pay for many of the safety features they now have.
I worry that the 911 is really becoming a GT car rather than a fast & nimble sportscar benchmark.
05-Mar-2009 20:22:41
RC:I'd like to be the first to complain then. The 997 is too big and too heavy. The GT3 is not lighter - it's about the same as a C2. I'd like to have a 911 the size of a 993, but with less weight (2,600 pounds or 1,200kg seems about right). No need to make the engine smaller...
Seriously: I never heard somebody making complaints about the 911 to be too big or too heavy. If you want a lighter 911, go for the GT3...
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, Cayenne Turbo S, BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW