Pretend you are in charge of design at Porsche....

........the year is 1999 and you are tasked with designing a replacement for the 996 (the model that is to become the 997). Would you go the same direction that Porsche went with the 997 it introduced this year? To 993'ish styling, or would you take a different direction? The reason I ask is because I often wonder what the 997 would look like if Porsche "looked forward" with the 997 design rather than back at the 993. What if they made a "996 meets Carerra GT'ish" design? After all, they have probably already started on the "998" and I doubt that they will go "back to the future" again. - What should they have done with the 997? - What will they do with the 998?

In some ways I think the 997 style should have been before the 996. It just seems to evolve better if you look at the 993, 997, 996. I would not be upset to have seen the 997 take some styling cues from the CGT.

I don't think I ever was very enthused about the 996 design. I remember looking when they launched 996 (I had a 97 Targa at the time), and remember not liking the movement to a more Toyota-ish interior, or especially the front end. From a driving standpoint (which I really learned much later with my 04 Targa), I think they softened it up to make it more of a touring car, and lost something in the process. Not saying 996 is bad, just that I was modding mine with PSE, X74 (sold it before buying X74), etc. to make up for the deficiencies I perceived. I think the general 911 design (and 356 design) are classic designs that have stood the test of time over decades; I still drool over 356's. I think 997 is closer to that design heritage and has more performance "edge" than the 996's. Therefore, I guess I'm saying moving from 993 directly to 997 would have been a better move. Isn't 998 really the Panamera? Maybe not, or whatever they call it, of course there will be a successor to 997 at some point. I tend to think more of roots for Porsche than something futuristic, so from my view hopefully they don't change too much.

Ray, I've had some of the same thoughts; sometimes I think the 997 shape with more pronounced fenders was a good thing, but I would have preferred more of a Carrera GT headlight treatment. On the other hand, they could have hired Chris Bangle and given us a TRULY visionary product (just ask him!).

Honestly, I am not crazy about the 997 design, I know its classic and all that, but for whatever reason I am pulled by the 996.Yea i have a 997 TT on order, but i can tell you with 100% confidence it wasnt because of the new front ,rear and sides, it is with out a doubt the new power it will have to offer. The saying is true, every new Porsche is better the then one befor, technology has come a long way since the first 996 , hell since even the 02+. I know alot of people do not like the 996 , but ask yourself this Why is it the best selling Model ever??

I am not trying to insult the 997. I like the 993 and by extention I like the looks of the 997 as an improvement over the 993. My only feeling is that Porsche may have gone too retro. Obviously they have a fantastic history and should honor that in their design, but I think they still must move forward. For example, I think the Boxster is a great "clean sheet" design that honors the 550 while still looking entirely fresh. I can't help but wonder if in 6 years when Porsche designs the next 911 and lines them all up for a group picture that the 997 might look a little out of place in the timeline. Look at these images and you'll see what I am describing. http://www21.porsche.com/usa/models/ http://www3.uk.porsche.com/english/g...rs/default.htm http://www.autotrend.com/745.html Do you see what I'm getting at.......or think I'm crazy.....

I agree with Caf and riad, I like the hips of the 997, but I think the front end treatment is going backwards, it should have been more in line with the 987 and GT. Obviously the car has improved immensely, more than what I had expected. But, I have not the slightest wish to upgrade my C4S to any of the 997 models released thus far, the improved performance is great, but to me the 997 styling is not an improvement over the 996C4S. Once in a while, in a moment of weakness or addiction I consider replacing my car, but it's always been the 996 gt3 or the cayman club sport (if it's ever a reality) and may be even a TT, but never a 997. I am sure I'll change my mind once the 997 TT anf gt3 hits the market.

You guys are right on! I like the 997 "hips" but the front and the old style round headlights don't quite seem right.

I agree with Riad and Kilrgt. The 996 should have come after 993 and 997, in terms of evolution. IMHO this picture says it all. I'm glad I have a 996!

ditto... although I do like the hips of a 997. I've always liked the headlights on the 996... I guess I'm new school

my goodness all this angst over headlight shapes

I wish Porsche would let us have complete control over which gizmos we want. I mean I would like to get a 997S but without PSM. No PASM either. Maybe a complete ala cart order form. That way if you want a cruiser, you could get the whole package. If you want a track day toy, you could get the bare car (and for allot less money). This is the direction I wish Porsche would take. As far as design, I read the interview with the new design "guru" and wasn't very impressed. He never even owned a Porsche in his life and now he is in charge of design? Absurd!! Porsche is going mainstream and there's nothing we can do. But hey, they have the largest per unit profit margin in the business so they definately know what they are doing.

The decision is not in chief designer's hand, it's in board members... If the company decide to go with mainstream and designer just have to follow it... I use to blame everythin on Chris Bangle for what he did to BMW. but you really think that he can make the final call on how new BMW look? roll out a new model it's not one man's decision ... Porsche learn their lesson from 996/986 on headlights issue. if 997 roll out with CGT headlights, think about how CGT owner will feel... The new trend is business suit beat engineer. so whatever make the company more profitable and that's where they go...sad... heritage? who care?

I think I would have designed the Club Sport Cayman - wide rear fenders; the 355 HP Carrera S engine; big brakes; no traction control, stereo, power windows, sun roof, cruise control, et al. My 996 is too comfy - would be nice to see Porsche build a no frills, high performance car for under $75k. BTW - I think the 997 is a great looking car, though. Ub

the only regret is that porsche didn't make the 355 hp engine standard for the base car and give the 381 horse mill to the "s" i think porsche is back on track with the 997. compared to the 996, you can now see where porsche cut corners with that car to make it 'production compatible' with the mass-market boxster. and the 997 headlights don't bother me.

I agree, that's why 996 was more towards "everyone's car" rather than "driver's car" 911 used to be. And for sure "our" (enthusiast) voice played big part of traditional 911 headlight shape coming back. Same thing with Porsche now going back to prototype racing, head pf PCNA even said that in a recent interview. One thing with "listening" is bad though, voice of American customers... That's why 996 had cupholders, 997 in US now only comes with sunroof, navigation screen can not be deleted etc. That sucks. If I was in head of design at Porsche: There never would've been those "fried egg" head lights, 911 wouldn't have cupholders, you could delete pretty much everything (sunroof, navigation screen etc.), there would be "911 Club" model that would have "nothing", you could order it with a/c and stereo (these would not be automatically in the car) but that's it. No sound deadening (only carpets), no back seats, better suspension (stiff & low), louder engine (otherwise stock) etc. basically like GT3 but without added weight, leather & engine modifications etc. so the price could be the same as "stock" 911.

I think this thread went a little of point. I certainly did not intend to focus on the headlights only rather the overall design. The 996 design was a big step forward for Porsche. It is the most popular 911 ever and the design was noticeably different than the 993. Yet with the 997 Porsche chose a much more subtle change. To my eyes it looks like a cross between the 996 and the 993. It is certainly a nice looking car, I just think it could have been "more".

Change out the fried eggs and go with a more traditional head light and directional light assembly set up. I'd also have electrical opening side wing windows (flip outs) so you could get better cross air and maybe hear the engine better. Additionally, I'd make PSE standard equipment or at least tune the engine so it would sound like it and shorten the shift throw.

"Driver's car..." When I first acquired my 78 SC Targa, used in 84, I quickly concluded that driving it was comparable to flying our Cessna 210. Constant attention required, very tiring for "cruise" driving, freeway, etc. Eventually I found someone who set the stearing alignment so that it would remain "in line". If I understand the term, a true "driver's car", totally responsive and quick to response to driver's needs and inputs, but requiring constant attention. It now has ~100k miles (37K in 84) and has been cross country twice. My new 996, 2001 C4 only has 20k miles, but IMMHO is both a driver's car and a very comfortable vehicle for cruising the freeways. I picked it up at the factory, quite a few miles on the Autobahn, then from POE on the east coast to home, Seattle. In February I drove it around the track at Daytona three laps and as long as I remained "ahead" of the car the PSM never activated even one. Last month I took nine days to drive it from Memphis to home. I was a passenger as a professional driver drove it around Pacific Raceway and as near as I could tell the PSM never interferred at all. Of course you could smell the brake heat 1/4 mile away after we stopped. Were I a designer the only things I would change is I would go "retro" by duplicating my 78 Targa probably as a modern day T-top and I would certainly change the climate control design so that it doesn't chill the interior surface of the windshield during summer cooling operations. VW fixed this aspect of the Touareg but Porsche claims the two systems are not simuliar...