Some pics of 997 taken from another forum

I would give credit for these pics if I knew who to give credit to...

Hey Don, I have been meaning to ask you. On the Turbo bumper, my old radiator boots (the big black ones that go behing the bumper) do not match up. I was told I need to order the Turbo boots to fit behind the Turbo bumper. The reason I ask is that when you look, dead on and at level, at the air intakes in the turbo bumper, you can see the radiators and all the mechanics behind the bumper, there are no boots currently to hide portions of the inside. Did you install turbo boots? Did you somehow manage to fit the old boots? Did you cover up the inside somehow? I was thinking of painting some of the mechanics behind the bumper with some black paint. Regards, Dan

Wow. Looks similar to the 996. Are those fog lights hidden behind the front 'cover up' bumper? Back look awesome with the 4 exhaust pipes.

looks like the 996 to me.. bummer..

Strange, usually new models are very well protected from the eyes of the public - this one isn't. I suspect this is a 996 with a touch of "private" design. <img src="graemlins/sleep.gif" border="0" alt="[sleep]" />

[quote]Originally posted by Kostas Vassiliadis: <strong>usually new models are very well protected from the eyes of the public - this one isn't. </strong><hr></blockquote> It sure is. It is the future 911 with the present body. That's camouflage to me.

The wide haunches suggest that there may be a V8 in there. What do you think?? Sure would like to get a look in the engine compartment of that car.

Probably a test mule clothed in the present 996 bodywork. They do that to test suspension and other things. The front and back bumpers look diffrent so we'll just have to wait and see

The more I look at the pic the more i see some details. Did you guys notice the 993 style headlights with masking tape around it to give it the 996 look ?

[quote]Originally posted by Scott J. Duncan: <strong>The wide haunches suggest that there may be a V8 in there. What do you think?? Sure would like to get a look in the engine compartment of that car.</strong><hr></blockquote> Not only would the haunches have to be wider, but the whole line of the rear raised . That ain't no V8 in there - and that's not a 997. That's a 996.

[quote]Originally posted by Christer: <strong> Not only would the haunches have to be wider, but the whole line of the rear raised . That ain't no V8 in there - and that's not a 997. That's a 996.</strong><hr></blockquote> Look closely the rear deck lid has a considerable hump to it indicating the rear decklid is taller (or the engine compartment taller) than the current 996. It could well hold a V8.

It is not a question of whether or not a V8 will fit back there. It is more a question of weight distribution. Hopefully, whatever V8 they use, is not heavier than the flat six.

Here are two pics. 997??? 996 C4S Those hips are 993. More rounded, more VW beetle look (Sorry, couldn't think of another way to put it). The front that's hiding 993 lights? It's a 993 with fake 996 C4S/turbo bumpers. I think it's a 993 disguised to look like a 996, not a 997 at all.

Paulting, I looked at pics of my 993 again and the pic of the mule is a 996 shell. The 993 still had gutters and different rear window. They may have grafted a 993 type rear fenders (I can see a fine line just ahead of where the hips begin, but it's definitely a 996 variant rather than a 993 variant. Granted it's a lousy pic of my 993, but you can definitely see the 993 roofline doesn't begin to look like the mule.

Whatever it is, it's definintly 996 based. Hate to disagree but if you look at the roof line, the doors and mirrors then you'll see more 996 then anything else. Only the front headlights have changed to a 993 look

If it IS a future 911 line, I hope they do something about the front. I don't like the peek-a-boo treatment. One of the designs I liked on the 993 was how the lights were on the leading edge of the front bumper. Sleek, accentuates a flat horizontal line, making it look even lower. Maybe the pee-a-boo style is to comply with federal regualtions requiring that the lights survive a 5 mph crash into a solid barrier.

I was going to say this picture wasn't something(ala Dave Letterman), but the registration tag LB XN109 which indicates it is registered in Ludwigsburg, Baden-W�rttemberg.

[quote]Originally posted by Palting: <strong>Those hips are 993. More rounded, more VW beetle look (Sorry, couldn't think of another way to put it).</strong><hr></blockquote> Those hips are stuck-on plastic camouflage pieces which you see clearly in that picture. There is really no way of telling what chassis that car has but Porsche has always tested various next generation components on an existing generation model. I'd have to guess that this car is a modified 996 chassis.

[quote]Originally posted by Scott J. Duncan: <strong> Look closely the rear deck lid has a considerable hump to it indicating the rear decklid is taller (or the engine compartment taller) than the current 996. It could well hold a V8.</strong><hr></blockquote> I don't think ii will fit even with that bulge. However, what I am saying which we might be able to agree on is that Porsche would be crazy to throw a brand new realtively untested V8 in the back of their flagship offering. That is even if they can make it fit. If that is a V8 in there, we won't see it for a good while. I think we might see a point where the V8 is an option on the 911. Well that is if it is economically viable for Porsche to offer 2 diferent engines for the 911 at this stage (whixch it should be if indeed the Cayenne engine can be shared). I just don't think they can get away from, or would be wise to move away from the flat-six pedigree. Otherwise, we might as well just buy Ferrari's instead.

According to Autombile magazine's current issue which arrived yesterday, the 997 will be a rebodied 996. The article included an artist's rendering which shows revised front and rear with more flare of the fenders. It will retain the flat 6 with the displacement bumped up to 3.8L. The 998 which could debut anywhere from late 2005 to 2007 will be the one that gets an 8 cylinder, but still a boxer configuration. It won't be the engine out of the Cayene. They also said that the new 996-based GT3 will be coming to the US in early 2003 (woohoo!) and that there will be a Turbo Cab. Seems like the normal Porsche product progression to me.

[quote]Originally posted by Karl S: <strong>According to Autombile magazine's current issue which arrived yesterday, the 997 will be a rebodied 996. The article included an artist's rendering which shows revised front and rear with more flare of the fenders. It will retain the flat 6 with the displacement bumped up to 3.8L. The 998 which could debut anywhere from late 2005 to 2007 will be the one that gets an 8 cylinder, but still a boxer configuration. </strong><hr></blockquote> Karl thanks for the info. I am interested in seeing the artists rendition to see if it has any resemblance to the car in these photos. From the Autoweek description sounds like it. You know maybe Porsche has taken notice to the way the prices of 993's have held up so well in comparison to the 996's (ie 96-97 prices vs. the 99 car resale prices) and decided to "borrow" some of the 993 shape and incorporate it into the new design. To me that is essentially what I see when I look at the shape of the car in these photos... a 996 morphed into a 993. As to the rabbit trail on the motor in the car you guys are probalby correct... probably no V8 in there. The idea if the torque and horsepower that a porsche designed bigger displacement motor could provide in one of these cars does peak my interest, however. Enjoy the day,

"and that there will be a Turbo Cab" And if we believe them, they also said there will be a 996 C4S cab to go with the TT cab in case anyone is interested.

So maybe I shouldn't have put down a couple of bucks on a GT3. The blurbs I've seen piqued My interest- 3.8L?. I also would like to think it's a Plan for a flat 8 in the next couple of years. '02 996/O.Red/ Factory Aero-Kit/ "sport Ex"/ B&M '91 964/G.Red/C2 E-Pics @ <a href="http://www.epics/996/964" target="_blank">http:/www.cvrpca.org/n_cvrmonly_b.htm</a>

I hope this is not the future of the 996. I think it a step back in design, and seems to be a confusing blend between the 993 and the 996. And for gosh's sake, can Porsche please design better stock wheels. They look so awful IMHO! Regards.

Interesting that it is on a European (dutch plate towing the caravan( road with German tags and yet it has the US specs bumper.... In my opinion, there is very little that you can tell about the new car from this test mule... JM

From what I have read (lots of searching on the Internet), Porsche will be slightly modifying the 996 as an 04 model (minor modifications to the bumpers) and introducing the new 3.8 L engine as well. The new engine will then be used in the next generation 911, the 997, which will likely debut sometime in 05. Anyone else heard or read anything closely resembling this?

I like the way the rear looks, more curves like a 993. I, personally, have never liked the slab sides of the 996, and i think many people would agree. The 996 doesn't JUMP out and grab your attention in traffic like a 993 or earlier does. I think porsche has recognized this and is doing something about it.

No its the guy from Australia who has been boasting on the P-fish forum of stuffing a V8 into a 911 Actually, like others I'd say Porsche morphed a 996 and a 993 to test the component beneath... It looks like a complete 993 front end (you can even see the 993 bumper through the fo-front), a 996 cabin (that lovely and distinctive roof line hump is clear), and a custom rear (probably hand made from the old turbo/C4S forms). Note how the plugged in 996 lights looks - well plugged in... But it appears taller and wider then any 996. The rear wheels looked pushed out, that last panel below the rear glass is hanging on for dear life, and are those quad pipes suggest something more. Is that enough space to fit the V8? BTW Stuttgart... [quote]The 996 doesn't JUMP out and grab your attention in traffic like a 993 or earlier does. <hr></blockquote> Couldn't agree more...

I've always like the 993. Short and muscular looking. But, I like the 996 better. It's looks more flat on the road and sleeker. Retro cues from the 993 are fine, but I think it would be a mistake to go back to the shorter look. Of course, I own a 996 .

After reading Paltings last post the thought occurred to me (duh) that this is exactly what Porsche wants...reaction from letters to editor in mags, forum responses, emails etc. Am I naive in thinking they are actually listening to their comments? (notice I didn't say reacting, just listining)

I hope so Don, but if they've read my constant haranguing of the P-fish I'll be on their most unwanted list ... A good example of the retro-ing of the 996 is the new C4S. That rear lid hump is gone and the tail lights are connected again with the light bar. As much as I love the hand made aspects of the 993, the machine made improvements of the 996 are clear. Have a great week...

One of the UK car mags - can't recall which - responded to spy pictures similar to the above pictures and speculation over the Cayenne's V8 being in the next "911" model with a Porsche Source giving a "categorical" denial of the possibility of the flat six format being dropped in the 996 replacement and explanation that there has been and is a "911" test mule with the V8 engine in place in the rear for some time, purely to extensively test the engine. Makes sense when you think about it - the engine was probably ready for testing long before the Cayenne chassis. My guess is that the pictures above are the same mule.......

The other thing I just remembered about V8's in 911's is that for years some people have put small block Chevy V8's into 911s. So we know it works. I can even recall seeing an ad somewhere selling this type of conversion.

[quote] some people have put small block Chevy V8's into 911s. So we know it works. I can even recall seeing an ad somewhere selling this type of conversion. <hr></blockquote> <a href="http://http://www.renegadehybrids.com/911.htm" target="_blank">Renegade Hybrids</a>

[quote]Originally posted by Christian Stewart: <strong>. . . explanation that there has been and is a "911" test mule with the V8 engine in place in the rear for some time, purely to extensively test the engine. Makes sense when you think about it - the engine was probably ready for testing long before the Cayenne chassis. My guess is that the pictures above are the same mule.......</strong><hr></blockquote> Man wouldn't you just love to get your hands on that little "Mule" for a little run around the N�rburgring... I would run the tires off that car until it was out of fuel if I got the chance.