Let's pretend your at the head of Porsche inc. and could decide what you'll make for a futur 911 gen... What would you improve ? What annoys you from the 997 ?

I know the 998 (or whatever they will call it) is surely pretty much decided already, but we could also talk about an hypothetic "999" (wow.. just the type number).

What's your thoughts about that ?

 

After speaking today with someone that has been working for Porsche for over 20 years, I seriously doubt we will see the 998 before 2013. He told me the generation 2 997 extended the life of the 997 and Porsche has a lot of other models being introduced (pan, new cayenne, gt2rs etc) that they will focus on before releasing a new 911. He said they usually do NOT like to release "too" many new models at once.

Just sharing. Don't shoot the messenger. I hope he's right since I just bought a 2010. He did say they have been working on it but they won't be releasing for quite a while

 

car manufacturers rarely exceeds 7 years cycles, it's mostly 5 or 6 years.
997.2 is hardly a "new model" so i would guess a 998 release no later than fall 2012 as 2013 model.

999 would be a 2020 models that would probably come with a carbon fiber temporal convertor that will allow best timelaps by going back in time. But i'm just guessing. It might be titanium temporal convertor as well.

 

limited slip differential should be standard.

 

997.2 can be argued to be dramaitcally better
totally new touch screen pcm nav etc.. - huge improvement
DFI engine
extra 30 hp
LED
new options like ventilated seats
Totally new PSE

Probably other improvements.

You might be right Jon but the Porsche Vet said the .2 extended the life of the 997. He said not before 2013. So maybe 2013 as a 2014 model?

Time will tell but I hope he is right.

 

The 997.2 is virtually a new model: radically new engine, redesigned front suspension, PDK and new electronics. It could be labeled 991. In several ways it is more distant from the 997.1 than the 997.1 was from the 996.2.

 

I'm surprised to read that, is that right ?

I should test drive a .2 then you make me curious

 

You just got your 997 and already are looking 'into future'?

 

It takes more than a test drive to really appreciate the differences.
I had a 2005 997 S 6spd for 2 years and now a 2010 997 S pdk for around 6 weeks and still every day I am enjoying and realizing the improvements in the new car. You cant appreciate all the inhancements in a 20 minute drive.

 

oh god yes
being fully satisfied is the entry ticket for Boringland
please don't tell my wife i said that

no seriously, a Boseless future looks pretty charming to me. A sexier exhaust sound would be nice either. A sub 2900-3000lbs C2S would be great but probably impossible with security/luxury requirements of our days.

 

- Move to alluminum body panels to lose weight
- Move to alloy controls around the steering wheel rather than the cheap and flimsy plastic turn signal indicators
- Limited slip differential
- Make the sunroof optional and if so, make it glass!
- Better, more realistically priced nav
- Move balance forward a few inches for better overall handling
- Forged wheels vs. cast in standard/S models
- Center lock wheels across the line
- Fine tune engine for more efficiency and power
- Incorporate lightweight battery w/Lithium ion and don't charge thousands for it!

 

This is a pretty excellent list.

- Clean rear seat delete option that replaces it with a useful cargo area
- Rev match downshift like the Z (optional)
- spare tire option
- dipstick
- metal shifter and shift linkage

 

I'm not a big Cayenne fan, but along with the panamera it forces Porsche to compete with cutting edge technology. The PCM 3.0, heated/cooled seats, heated wheel, active headlights etc... are all seemingly hand-me-downs from the Cayenne.

So the 911 will likely continue to get such modern developments from the other P cars.

Personally, I'd like to see soundproofing an option so you can have a little more than it has now, or remove it completely for a track car ride. Also, I think PASM should be standard spec on all 911s.

DRP

 

I like it!

 

I would add:
- Standard multi-function steering wheel
- Auto on/off headlights
- Audible tone when locking doors
- Ditto on the moonroof