more 997 speculation and photos

Autoweek Article

those people in the car have the robocop thing going on...

I think that front looks awesome.

350 hp aint bad, i am hoping for ~380 hp (no harm in hoping). Is that first photo without any disguise ??? or is it a touch up

Any ideas how far the displacement can be increased on this engine?

did anyone notice that the headlights are different in the first and third pictures? are they different models?

I think they may just be "disguised" in pic three.....also they are different cars (note the plates and lack of hood badge)

freaking awsome

I hope the new 997's have cup holders and a moon roof option

I've said it before and I'll say it again. 1.) Save the round headlights for the 993. 2.) Save the quad exhaust for the M3. 3.) Those taillights SUCK! Way too small. 4.) The door handles probably feel more expensive, but look out of place. A few minor gripes, but I'm happy about the bigger flat-6 and wider standard body. Also, I know it'll look good in person. Even the Cayenne looks good in person I'll be awaiting the 998.

is it just me or does the rear overhang look kind of long?

Here is a picture of the 2005 Turbo. and the article it came from is here.

When I was in Stuttgart before X-mas, I talked to someone in the engine development department, and he thought that 3.8 l would probably be close to the limit. From a theoretical point of view that makes sense. Thermodynamic theory says that you sould keep your individual displacement volumes between 300 and 600 ccm, so with 3.8 l you are already slightly over. Also, from 3.4 l to 3.6 l they kept the bore of 96 mm and increased the stroke from 78 mm to 82.5 mm, and for a variety of reasons I can't see them further increase the stroke. So in order to get your 3.8 l, you would need to increase the bore from 96 mm to 100 mm. 100 mm bore is quite tricky with today's tough emission laws, because with a single spark plug it is difficult to ignite the mixture close to the cylinder wall. I know, the 993 Carrera RS 3.8 had a bore/stroke of 102 mm/76.4 mm, but that was a two-spark engine and also wouldn't have conformed to current emission standards. I also know that there are other cars that do 100 mm bore, but a boxer engine is particularly tricky, because your intake manifold hits the cylinder head at an angle of 90 deg. and you can't aspirate your engine nicely from the top like a v-engine. Maybe one can overcome some of the problems with direct injection which I know they've been looking into, but that's a technology I don't know enough about ... Cheers, Uwe

umn, thanks for the very imformative reply! Seeing as Porsche generally tweeks the output gradually every few years or so, I wonder what they will do further improve output. Will they turn to other methods and technology other than displacement icreases to improve power, and/or could a new engine be in the works eventually? 8 cyl?

I have my deposit down on the 997 and cant wait to get it. Anyone know when they will be in the USA Dealerships?

I have my deposit down on the 997 and cant wait to get it. Anyone know when they will be in the USA Dealerships?

The only thing I don't like about it is that from the front it looks like a VW. The teardrops on the 996 are a 993 travesty. The 993 was/is/remains IMHO the most beautiful Porsche ever. The 996 will never be a 993 and the 997 won't be either. So lets move on. Forget the 993 headlights. On this car they suck. On the 993 they look brill! Will they ever stop dicking about with the headlights on these cars...... Personally, on the 996 I liked the pre face lift ones. I was hoping that they would return in the 997 but nope! we go back to the 993. Sheesh....

The front end, reminds me of the 993 with a rear of the 996 - still looks good :-)

Uwe - one rumour has the "S" versions of the 997 being equipped with direct injection lifting output from the 3.8L to 374 hp.

Latest shots in AutoWeek can look like VW. Showed my wife and first response was "it looks like a Beetle" ! Guess we need to see more shots to be sure.

all porsches have always had a familial resemblance to the vw beatle. this was even more stiking in the 356. to me this is not a bad trait. do you remember who designed the first vw beatle? besides i promise you it won't drive like a "new beatle"!

4X's the cost of new Beetle, I agree with you. But with family or not, I am not sure all Porsche's resemble VW's in recent years. Anyway, lets hope for the best with the 997 as the timing is right for me for a new model.

What is the size and weight of the car? Please tell me it's not bigger and heavier - along with more powerful. IMHO the car needs to be under 3100 pounds, not overweight like the latest BMWs. Jim

Well Scouser, I quite don�t agree with you. Yes the 993 looks very good..............from the outside......but inside it looks like they have thrown some of instruments in.....especially the heater control unit. Am very impressed with the 996. A complete car. Just my opinon, that all. :-)

Personally I love the new look. VW and Porsche have common heritage and history. I wouldnt say the new 997 looks like a Bug, rather the Bug looks like the 997 But as stated by somone else, the 997 sure as will not drive like a Bug. I was in the market for the 996 for a while until I heard about the 997 coming soon and I decided to wait. I just hope they have a moonroof option for the 997, I like the targa but 11k more for a huge glass roof? I'd like to see some interior shots