2012 Porsche 911: This is it

Best description I've seen yet about this design...
mhmmm, higher shoulders or more muscular shoulders?
standing next to the 991, the 997 seems to need a workout or in automotive terms:
the back of the 991 looks more like a Vantage,
the back of the 997 more like the good old Beetle.


standing next to the 991, the 997 seems to need a workout or in automotive terms:
the back of the 991 looks more like a Vantage,
the back of the 997 more like the good old Beetle.


Last edited by catchmyshadow; Aug 27, 2011 at 05:06 PM.

And of course, the WB rear view is much stronger:

I agree that the 991 has decent shoulders, I just think the rear end keeps getting taller and taller (look back at 993). This might be based on Safety Regulations, maybe design staff. I just prefer the lower shoulders of the 997 (and 993).
Good set of comparisons...
When I look at these, I realize that the slim, relatively high-mounted taillights also add the the effect of the taller shoulders give the 'expanse' of painted bumper section below the lights.
I will give Porsche credit for the blacked out lower rear apron. Love it on the GTS, and think it works well here to reduce the painted surface area. Which brings me to another point: all of the lettering from the launch images helps to fill in all of the blank space on the rear bumper. Still too much by adding 'PORSCHE' and '911' in front of the designation...but it reduces the effective area on the rear.
When I look at these, I realize that the slim, relatively high-mounted taillights also add the the effect of the taller shoulders give the 'expanse' of painted bumper section below the lights.
I will give Porsche credit for the blacked out lower rear apron. Love it on the GTS, and think it works well here to reduce the painted surface area. Which brings me to another point: all of the lettering from the launch images helps to fill in all of the blank space on the rear bumper. Still too much by adding 'PORSCHE' and '911' in front of the designation...but it reduces the effective area on the rear.
i think Porsche/Piech decided the game has to move on, move a bit away from the beetle theme and letīs be honest itīs not the worst compliment that the 991 could have been designed by Aston Martin. i mean it`s still a 911 just with AM Lola 70s racecar style headlights and a vantage style back end. 
P.S. agreed, i think that the new lettering, esp. the Porsche lettering, may not be as bad looking on the 991 as many first thought. it does compensate for the space between the new slim taillights. Maybe a "Porsche" lettering in body color would be the best choice. it would be there but not too offensive.

P.S. agreed, i think that the new lettering, esp. the Porsche lettering, may not be as bad looking on the 991 as many first thought. it does compensate for the space between the new slim taillights. Maybe a "Porsche" lettering in body color would be the best choice. it would be there but not too offensive.
Last edited by catchmyshadow; Aug 27, 2011 at 06:04 PM.
i think Porsche/Piech decided the game has to move on, move a bit away from the beetle theme and letīs be honest itīs not the worst compliment that the 991 could have been designed by Aston Martin. i mean it`s still a 911 just with AM Lola 70s racecar style headlights and a vantage style back end. 

BTW, great side comparison. It really does show how the 997 and the 991 are very very very similar.
The 911 is one step closer to being good looking in a cool "I have curb appeal" way rather than a "I"m from the 1960's way"
Still needs work on the front end though...basically copy the RSR Spyder and all will be well.
Still needs work on the front end though...basically copy the RSR Spyder and all will be well.
i think Porsche/Piech decided the game has to move on, move a bit away from the beetle theme and letīs be honest itīs not the worst compliment that the 991 could have been designed by Aston Martin. i mean it`s still a 911 just with AM Lola 70s racecar style headlights and a vantage style back end. 
P.S. agreed, i think that the new lettering, esp. the Porsche lettering, may not be as bad looking on the 991 as many first thought. it does compensate for the space between the new slim taillights. Maybe a "Porsche" lettering in body color would be the best choice. it would be there but not too offensive.

P.S. agreed, i think that the new lettering, esp. the Porsche lettering, may not be as bad looking on the 991 as many first thought. it does compensate for the space between the new slim taillights. Maybe a "Porsche" lettering in body color would be the best choice. it would be there but not too offensive.
//thread.
That's the styling I was expecting. If that had happened, I might have 2nd thoughts about going to a 991. Since the 918 is planned to launch in a couple of years, it's reasonable to hope that the mid-cycle 991 refresh will have more 918 front end styling cues...



