Really great quality 997 pictures

http://www.hadel.net/autos/html/d_pk..._erlkonig.html

That looks great. The nose looks a lot shorter which I like.

These are the first pictures I've seen where I think I really like this design. I like the front, the bulging rear fenders and the view from the rear. I hope they stick with the twin pipes instead of a 'rectangular' exhaust pipe design like I've seen in some other pre-production pictures. Thanks Riad. Doug H-I believe I've seen you cruising in your car these last two Friday afternoons on Poplar. Car really looks great. chuck

Thanks. My wife and I took it out for dinner this afternoon to take advantage of the gorgeous weather. Last Friday, I did spot a tail kind of like mine on Poplar right before Germantown road. Was that you. I could only see the back of the car after I noticed it/you.

Wow, fenders look much better in that shot. Still a lot of silver tape hiding details. I do like the new door handles and mirrors. I cant wait to see the widebody version!

That was me-I was heading east and you were going west. I just got back from a drive with my son. Had to take the car out since the weather is moving in. As I was turning on the expressway ramp, Jake reached over and turned off the radio because he knew I was going to wind out second gear. He says the sound gives him goose bumps... Have a great weekend Doug, chuck

My 7 and 8 year old daughters love my cars also. I did not realize you had a tail somewhat like mine. It was looking good from behind.

The money shot http://www.hadel.net/autos/assets/im..._erlk01_15.jpg EDIT: Doesn't work like that, but you all know which shot I'm talking about...the rear view.

I like this picture also. The wide rear end obviously is very cool. The below pic makes the front end appear shorter kind of like the 993 and I think it looks much better than our 996 front end from the side or at a similar angle. http://www.hadel.net/autos/assets/im..._erlk01_18.jpg The link doesn't work, but the shot is like the 19th picture down if you count as two the two wheel shots that are side by side.

I wonder if Porsche will stuff larger brakes under those 19 inch wheels.

I still wish they added the front hood scoop like all the air cooled 911s have, but that can always be added later. I saw a 996 GT2 that had the hood added and i think it looked 100% better. Strangely ive always been drawn to that cue.

Great shots, and thanks for thge post. I am definitely in the minority here, I think this look sucks (I still want to wait till it hits the showrooms for my final verdict). I don't like the dual exhaust, or the square one i've seen in other pictures. The door handle looks weird to me. The headlights still doesn't seem to flow well and has no character, and the worst aspect of all seems to me the change in roofline, seems like the rear half is raised to give the rear passengers more head room, i hope I am seeing things here as it would really suck if it is true. I love the fenders and ofcourse that wider rear end and thats about it. I'll hold onto the hope that it looks better in person.

I'm with you Jeeva.

Actually I'm not sold on the new design either, but I too will wait to see it in person before passing judgement. I really like the headlamps design on my C4S and the Turbo, very distinct and powerful looking. The 997 bug like front lamps aren't doing it for me, they somehow lack the character of the 993 whos evolutionary design is now a classic. I'm excited to see how the interior differs... we'll see soon enough! Rob

I like the look,, I am a porsche lover, I had a 993 and now a 996,, they are all great lookers to me. The 997 will be awesome I am sure but I will wait until the 998 comes out before trading in my 1200 mile 996. I was going to put miles on it today but, it rained here all day in the DC-MD-Va area. So, have to wait for next weekend... Spring hasnt sprung yet here. Cabman

i'm happy i got a 996! i don't see the point in going back to the 993 design. i do wish they'de change the 996 engine to eliminate rms probs.

damm, looks good

Well the obvious mask on the oval headlights might throw the looks of a bit. I might just photoshop them out tonight having some spare time on my hands for once (ahhh the joys of throwing your back out at work!). The rear sucks. I'm sorry, but it looks like a serious downgrade from the 996's beautiful caboose. Once again though, the masking might change that... and they might just be doing the classic switcharoo on us with the prototype parts. The higher geometry and squished taillights don't fit the car well at all IMHO. Cabman, you don't seem to put the 996 through too much cruising do you... I would be ecstatic to help you when I get back this summer! Did I mention I've never driven a 996 before? *AHEM* hin hint

It's a rough photoshop... but it's all I'm trying for now

...I hope it doesn't look this closely related to the 996. As much as I love the 996, I never like seeing successors look nearly identical to the cars they replace.