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First Look! 2005 Porsche 911: 355-hp Carrera S leads 997 model line


By GREG KABLE


2005 Carrera S

IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE A mildly facelifted version of today's model, but Porsche says its 2005 911 is essentially an all-new car.

On sale across North America this fall, the latest incarnation of Porsche's legendary two-door, codenamed 997, closely adheres to the company's tradition of hiding significant technical innovations beneath familiar-looking sheetmetal.

Under its mildly more muscular styling lurks a stronger horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, a new six-speed gearbox, myriad suspension changes and variable-ratio steering. There's also a friendlier and more comfortable interior, a host of new standard features and additional luggage space (thanks to elimination of the spare tire).

In what represents a major shift in marketing philosophy-one clearly modeled on that of the smaller and cheaper Boxster-Porsche is launching the 2005 911 as two separate models: a base Carrera running a 325-hp 3.6-liter flat six, and a distinctly sportier Carrera S with a 355-hp 3.8-liter flat six. Until now, Porsche has launched every new 911 as a single model and then augmented the lineup with additional variants throughout its model cycle-a practice that led to the 13 variants of the 996.


2005 Carrera

Future 997s include Carrera 4 and Cabriolet models in 2005, followed by a Turbo and Carrera 4S in 2006 and race-inspired GT3 and GT2s in 2007. Targa will be phased out due to slow sales and production complexity.

Porsche says the design of the 997 was influenced by the 993 Carrera 4, the last of the air-cooled 911 models. Like all 911 models, styling changes are evolutionary and avoid any radical departure from the classic Ferdinand Alexander "Butzi" Porsche-designed original launched 40 years ago.

Porsche says all body panels except the roof are new. At the front, the corners of the sloping hood are rounded like the Carrera GT to provide a tighter seal. Simpler oval assemblies that sit more vertically on the leading edge of the front fenders replace the teardrop-shaped headlight units of today's model. The front indicators are separated from the headlights and are mounted on the bumper.

The front and rear wheel arches bulge out more to house 18-inch (Carrera) or 19-inch (Carrera S) alloy wheels. Side sills are wider, providing the 997 with a shape reminiscent of the 993 when viewed from above. In the words of one Porsche designer, "The 911 once again has hips."

Taillights wrap further around into the bodywork and are more angular than before. The pop-up spoiler is reworked and incorporates just four cooling slats instead of the seven used on the outgoing model. At 174 inches long and 71 inches wide, the new car is slightly shorter, but 1.5 inches wider than its predecessor. The wheelbase remains at 92.5 inches.

Aerodynamic gains are notable, with the Carrera's co-efficient of drag down from 0.30 to 0.28 in the new model. Lift is marginally reduced for better high-speed stability.


2005 Carrera

For the first time in 21 years, Porsche is providing the regular 911 with engines of differing capacities. The Carrera retains the 3.6-liter engine, but electronic engine management revisions boost power by 10 hp to 325 hp at 6800 rpm, while torque stays at 273 lb-ft at 4250 rpm. For the Carrera S, increased bore pushes the engine to 3.8 liters, with 355 hp at 6600 rpm, and torque topping out at 295 lb-ft at 4600 rpm. Porsche plans to upgrade the 911's engine to incorporate direct-injection, but this is three years away, according to AutoWeek sources.

Mated to the new engines is a six-speed manual gearbox carrying slightly lower ratios. Porsche isn't talking about a rumored six-speed double-clutch gearbox, but the fact that Porsche isn't upgrading its Tiptronic automatic from five speeds to six signals its intention to offer an alternative, and the more advanced double-clutch setup seems likely.

Underneath, 997 employs reworked MacPherson struts in front and a multilink rear suspension. Together with increased front and rear track measurements, it gets new mounting points for the rear suspension arms, increased spring travel and more compliant bushings claimed to better isolate road noise. An optional sports package is available with firmer springs and dampers, reduced ride height and a more aggressive limited-slip differential. Porsche Active Suspension Management, standard on the Carrera S and optional on the Carrera, uses adaptive dampers from Bilstein to continuously alter the level of damping through normal and sport settings. The 997 also gets a speed-sensing variable-ratio power steering system. Brake size increases, with ceramic discs available on the S.


2005 Carrera S

Porsche claims an 8 percent increase in torsional rigidity and a 40 percent increase in bending stiffness due to improved welding processes, better adhesives and additional reinforcements. One drawback: increased weight. The Carrera is 55 pounds heavier, tipping the scales at 3075 pounds, while the Carrera S tops out at 3131 pounds. But with the increase in engine output, power-to-weight ratios remain the same at 1:9.5 for the Carrera and 1:8.8 for the S.

Carrera's 0-to-62-mph time and top speed remain at 5.0 seconds and 177 mph, while the S improves to a claimed 0-to-62-mph time of 4.8 seconds and top speed of 182 mph.

In a move that is set to make the 911 more user-friendly, Porsche has jettisoned the retro interior theme that has been around since the launch of the 996 back in 1996 for a more modern look similar to the Cayenne. A new three-spoke multi-function steering wheel adjusts for both rake and reach, while the dashboard employs the latest soft-touch plastics and aluminum-look trim.

Pricing for the Carrera starts at $70,065, with the S starting at $79,865.

INFORMATION BELOW PROVIDED BY PORSCHE

Porsche Releases Initial Details of New 911 Models For 2005

ATLANTA, GA, May 11, 2004 – Porsche® today disclosed the first information available on two all-new Porsche 911s destined to be the flagship models for its 2005 sports car lineup. The all-new Porsche 911 Carrera and more powerful 911 Carrera S combine the classic 911 silhouette, a trademark of the model for more than 40 years, with new and more aggressive styling.

Both models feature Porsche’s traditional horizontally opposed flat-six cylinder engines. The 911 Carrera’s 3.6-liter unit produces 325 HP (SAE) while the 911 Carrera S’s larger 3.8-liter power plant develops 355 HP (SAE). Both cars also have a newly developed six-speed gearbox and a reworked chassis, which includes active suspension as standard on the S modelThe new 911 models will go on sale in the second half of 2004. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the 911 Carrera is $69,300 US and $101,400 Canadian and for the 911 Carrera S $79,100 US and $115,650 Canadian.

 

so there is a turbo...interesting

 

Interesting...........

 

I can't wait!

 

Nice! I'm all over the TT