I came across this interesting article about the next gen 911. What do you guys think about this?

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...11-carrera.htm

 

the wider the back the meaner it looks

 

Seems to be alot of reaching in that article... Cameras instead of side mirrors? Porsche no longer offering N/A engines, instead offering only turbo'd engines with CVT trannies?

The writer must have one hell of a crystal ball.

 

cameras instead of side mirrors? where are you getting that?

 

Fluff article to fill 'print' space. They mentioned it but did not comment on its known major change - 100mm (4") longer wheelbase - a no-no in 911 evolution.

 

I would be shocked if Porsche widened the car by 4 inches!...thats would be a huge change...even the diff between narrow body and turbo/C4/C4S is only 1.2 inches if I recall.

 

page 2 of the article.

 

Wheelbase is distance between front and rear wheels centers - not track. It's a pretty common rumor so maybe some fire to the smoke. 4 inches does seem extreme though - I'd imagine it's not a minor handling implication. Another 4 inches could make for some serious leg room in the rear - but is that what 911 customers want? Seems like a strange and radical change...I guess we'll find out soon enough - won't affect my car though.

 

I imagine that the marketing angle will be increased rear seat space, but 911 drivers care less for that. I also imagine that a longer wheelbase will allow for a 911-looking mid-engine car which may be sought by the motorsports division for GT racing. It will look like a 911 but it will not be one.

For me, a long-term 911 fan, increasing the wheelbase is a major game changer. The car will further lose its go-kart dynamics. But I guess few customers these days appreciate that, as these cars are increasingly bought for show and as executive commuters.

 

the article states:

"reports from Britain's CAR magazine and Germany's Auto Bild indicate the 991 will have slightly altered proportions from the 997's, as wheelbase is said to be stretched nearly 4 inches while overall length is little changed. These sources also expect wider axle tracks, so the new 911 will be broader of beam, front and rear."

no mention of the length or the width of the car changing.. just the wheels will be further away from each other.

i always thought with the wheels further out in the corners give u better handling, as long as the car's over-all dimension remain the same...

 

This may be my next car...

 

Hmm - need some car dynamics guys to weigh in on this, but seems like the body dimensions and handling would not be nearly so connected to handing as wheel/suspension geometry would be. Other than body function of keeping CG low.

 

While I am no dynamics guy, Audi's current A4 has similar changes and the the car has a sport diff which is somewhat similar to the torque vectoring. General consensus is that the "new" handles very well compared to the previous generation.

 

hmmm, seems to me like that article was written well over a year ago, during the time that people were speculating about the 997.2. If you read closely, they mention the "upcoming" 997.2 GT3 (which has been released), and the 997 Turbo and GT2 which will "follow" in 2010. Might be a bit outdated.

 

So it sounds like they are pushing the wheels into the corners like the Mini. If that's the case then there should be an increase in "go-cart" style handling. I still say we'll see a 997.3 before we see the next series come out - whatever they call it either 998 or 991.