Undisguised 997 photos in CAR

Link to thread on the 944 forum... https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...hreadid=107376 Looks good if the pics are for real. The back from this angle kind of says Audi TT to me...Im sure its just the angle though.

Eh. Not sure if I really like it. The back looks a little too bulbous.

When I first saw the 996 I was unsure of the looks, but I liked the interior much better than the 993 and, of course, the exterior style grew on me. I really hope they upgraded the interior of the 997, more about the quality of the materials, not so much about the ergonomics, which I like. Especially the stalks off the steering column, very weak. I really need to sit in it, drive it, look it over for a while before passing judgement... jury still out for me.

I'm undecided on this (you can't make a real decision without seeing it in the flesh) but as it stands I quite like it. For me, the 996 was a bit of a better looker than the 993 but the big improvement for everyone it seems was the interior, which was a big step forward but as riad said, the quality of the materials on some things need to be improved. I think the biggest appeal of the 993 was the driving experience, the 996 was a bit too watered down so I've heard. So I'm hoping the 997 will have the driving involvement of the 993, the interior of the 996 (with improvements).....I would have liked the exterior looks of the 996 but I still love the 993, so from the front it doesn't look to bad, I'd be interested to see the rear view too, it looks a bit 'chubby' from that angle. Graham

I can't say the whole rear looks too big, but it seems that the flare out over the wheel goes too far towards the window.

From that particular angle the rear looks like it came from an Audi TT.

Imagine the widebody versions...................

Must be a bad shot of it. Can't say that I like it. Okay it was, here's a shot that's flat. Much better now.

At that angle I give it a thumbs down as well. Looks to bulbous and rear end is too wide for its size. 996 looks much more 'refined' and attractive. I just want to know what the difference in hp will be, I hear rumors on this forum that the GT3 engine will go into the 997.

The GT3 engine ain't going into the "base" 997 unless the 997 is going to have a sticker price comparable to the '04 GT3 as the GT3 engine is much more expensive to produce than the standard 996 engine. The more believable rumor is that for the 997 Porsche will bump the 996 engine design we all hate to 3.8L making about 340HP.

Looks like the front of a VW Beetle and the back of an Audi TT. It's lost the slick lines of the 996. Can't say I like it either. But it may be a bad photo or the scan may have skewed the image.

I have that magazine and that picture on the link is totally scewed. It looks much longer in the mag. I actually really like it. I was getting worried that Porsche was gonna start making ugly cars, it's been a trend in the industry.

Is it just me or does the door handle looked photoshopped on there?

Easily the best photoshop job to date but still not an authentic photo of an unmasked 997. Just look at the A pillar seam down the driver's door.

Porsche Beetle!!!

Ouch. That is a little scarey. Kind of like Mr. Potatoe head. A cross between a TT and VW with a hint of the Crossfire thrown in for good measure. I like the old style and the new style. Maybe they should stop trying to blend the two and realize they cannot make everyone happy. The guys with the older Porsches would still find something to bitch and moan about the new Porsches even if the new 997 looked exactly like a 3.2 Carrera. They are not the ones dropping the dough on the new cars anyway. I liked the direction it was heading. Why not get sleeker and more toward a 360, Careera GT, sporty low profile, type look as opposed to a VW Bug or TT retro type look.

Well said Doug, couldn't have said it any better myself.

I'm waiting to see it in person...I still think the 996 could have a wider ****. My wife wants a 545i wagon when they're released. I was against it when I saw pictures of the sedan. I've seen one in person now and what a difference! The good thing is that PAG is adressing everyones complaint that the boxster and 911 look to similar...plus another 20hp never hurts. -PK

It's too bad about the headlights. Tradition aside, the 2002+ 996 lights are simply a work of art. I don't like this whole "modern 993" look. The 996 was the modern interpretation of a 911. It's different look was representative of its different technology. Why go backwards? If I want a 993 (which I do someday), I'll buy a 993.

I agree... I think it's a step backwards. I also think the front head light redesign using the Turbo lights really makes the car stand out, even more than my 01.

The change in the corners of the front hood remindS me of the shape change in the hood between the T-5 and T-6 bodies of the 356 Series that occurred in 1963. I'm sure you all remember that!

I agree w/ BostonMarkC, the current headlights look great. I have a 99, and I think that the newer cars look fantastic (just look at a C4S or GT3). I for one think that Porsche should have left the headlights alone and focused on a more powerful engine with more reliability. I mean c'mon, when the 'Vette can do 0-60 in under 4.2 for under $50k, shouldn't a 911 at least come close?

I like the new design. I agree, the lights on my '02 are nicer than the first 996 design. I still miss the looks of my '96 993 that I traded, but life goes on. I think that the 997 captures the veloptuousness of the 993, but still retains the evolutionary design that is/was the 996. As for the Beetle front looks, I can't agree. It is instantly recognizable as a 911. Hopefully it will have more power. We all know how the GT3 brings the 996's chassis to life. I agree with the previous posts that people wil always find someting to critique, but that's what makes a Porsche a Porsche, it is not everything to everybody. To me, it's all that should be.

check these out: http://www.bcagentur.de/Porsche/

Just talked with a Porsche dealer and he said the 997's wont be out till model year 2006, which means you can get your hands on one in September or so 2005. Anyone know any truth to this? I thought I'd be able to pick up a 2005 model sometime later this year, around September 2004. I hope he was wrong, most likely not though because he said he just came back from Cayenne training and thats where he found out. Ah well.

My dealer said Sept 2004; he says that I will get mine July 2005. By the way, instead of sticing on 993 front , I wish they had adopted front graphic of Carrera GT. Anyone agree? Spizz

Yes, I really like the front look of Carrera GT too. Maybe they are saving it for the 998 model.

Now your talking.