Although the odds were tiny, we were still hoping to see the 997 facelift in Geneva, or at least get some bits of information from the PR people, and we were disappointed. Could not get a word from them about the 997 evolution, direct injection, PDK or such. The funny thing is that swiss dealers are already taking orders for fall deliveries . That leaves us with a few interior pics.

The only news for us is that the GT2 seats are now available as an option for about 4500$ (4855 CHF).
According to the PR folks on the floor, the Panamera will be launched in calendar year 2009, so will not be at the Paris auto show in October.

 

The 997's are selling too well, and Porsche marketing doesn't want to drop the ball and risk losing sales due to the new facelift. It's irritating, but this tactic is sort of expected.

It was the same for the boxster facelift when I bought my '02 Boxster S in winter. The next spring, the facelifted model came out and had a glass rear window! I was very irritated, but the dealers were very tight lipped.

 

I don't think face lift is always better. I think the 02 boxster front bumper was better looking than the 03.

 

...+1

 

When have you ever gone into any dealership and they volunteer the info that a new model is right around the corner.

I don't see this as just a Porsche tactic.

 

It's not but were are discussing Porsche

 

Well that goes without saying.

 

what's the next major car show Porsche might unveil the 09 997 at (prior to Frankfurt)?

 

Sad but true man....

 

There is a dealer training in Spain in June. We will know more then. I was at my Porsche dealer yesterday and the sales manager is going to see the new cars and drive them.

 

Frankfurt is every other year, next 9/09. If facelift/DFI/PDK debut this fall it will be w/o any autoshow fanfare which itself is interesting. When does a car manufacture lose an opportunity to showcase changes in technology to the public? My theory is that Porsche does not want to raise prices on the new cars despite increased costs and, at least in US, weakening dollar. The health of the global economy is another important factor. In order to maintain prices at near current levels, profit margin/unit will have be trimmed. Porsche's profitability is due, at least in part, to large unit margins. An official debut/announcement of DFI/PDK would likely have a chilling effect on current sales. Selling the current dealer stock and in-pipeline units at current profit margins is clearly a priority for Porsche.

 

Couldn't agree more.

Is there any other international show between now and the fall?