Spied: 2009 Porsche Carrera S

[rcecale]

For some car companies, evolution involves making radical changes at regular intervals to their products in order to maintain their appeal. However, that’s not the way it works at Porsche, whose notoriously fast cars get updated at a notoriously glacial pace, at least in terms of style, even while sometimes major advancements occur under the skin.

Even so, the slight changes that will find their way to the iconic Carrera within the next year or so are not so insignificant as to make it past the watchful eye of our European spy photographers, one of whom exasperated a Porsche test driver (who was stupid enough to venture onto Germany’s public roads in a future Carrera) by following him about while snapping away.

Specifically, what he got was a pretty, blue, badge-less 2009 Carrera S clearly showing off new quad-element HID headlamps nestled within the Carrera’s not-new ovoid surrounds. Beneath the familiar frog eyes are enlarged air intakes into which the turn signals are integrated (thankfully in a horizontal arrangement, as opposed to the fang-like design on the 2008 Cayenne). A subtle lower lip extends from the chin spoiler and continues all the way down the bodysides and into the rear bumper. Said bumper has been revised to accommodate wider-set tailpipes and, unfortunately, droopy Cayenne-style LED taillamps.

As for any major mechanical advancements that often accompany styling updates? Porsche has remained typically tight-lipped, but we don’t expect much of a horsepower bump from the 325/355 of the current Carrera/Carrera S…which wouldn’t be such a bad thing, given that from a mechanical standpoint, the 911 has already evolved into virtual perfection.



Source.

Randy

[Won]

Even under the camo, those are some ugly tail lights...

[HardDrive]

Not a radical departure from the current machine, and thats good. We are witnessing some great years for the 911. The return of the oval headlights with the 997 real got the styling back on track.

I think the 996s are going be get 'middle year' status in the long run. Those 'runny egg' headlamps will hurt their value.

[hytem]

I wonder how many sports coupes look like that these days.
You put drag coefficients in the computer, and out comes that shape.

[austin552]

I'd wear it.

[JonT]

Porsche will have to get a little more adventurous with their styling IMO to compete with the new Audi.

[K. Roman]

I think the 996 Turbo headlights look better than the 997 ovals. Way more agressive. And if we are splitting hairs the 997 headlights don't look like the 993's or the '65-'94's. And in the long run I think people will catch on to the cracked egshell look or whatever they are nicknamed. As for getting used to the 997 look, it's easy...wanna go fast? Buy one.

Originally posted by HardDrive
Not a radical departure from the current machine, and thats good. We are witnessing some great years for the 911. The return of the oval headlights with the 997 real got the styling back on track.

I think the 996s are going be get 'middle year' status in the long run. Those 'runny egg' headlamps will hurt their value.

[drauz]

the Audi must prove its styling timeless and iconic before it's worthy of emulation.

[Sonic dB]

Jeremy Clarkson will call that "the laziest makeover in auto history"....

then he will get in and actually drive it.

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by K. Roman
I think the 996 Turbo headlights look better than the 997 ovals. Way more agressive. And if we are splitting hairs the 997 headlights don't look like the 993's or the '65-'94's. And in the long run I think people will catch on to the cracked egshell look or whatever they are nicknamed. As for getting used to the 997 look, it's easy...wanna go fast? Buy one.

I actually like the 996 lights as well.

I disagree about the 993+997 lights. If the 996 never existed, and they had went directly from the 993 to the 997 it would have been a more natural progession. Just my humble opinion.

[serunderpar]

Audi? Audi? Audi's are generally terrible cars in every way... Should never be mentioned again on pelican. To compare an S to an Audi...

[Dantilla]

Originally posted by JonT
Porsche will have to get a little more adventurous with their styling IMO to compete with the new Audi.

Sorry to disagree, but the new Audi does nothing for me.

Looks kinda silly.

It is trendy, and I think in the long run, it will not age as gracefully as a truely timeless design. Audi is the one that will have to be adventurous in a few years to keep interest up in their new car.

[porsche911girl]

Originally posted by Dantilla
Sorry to disagree, but the new Audi does nothing for me.

It is trendy, and I think in the long run, it will not age as gracefully as a truely timeless design. Audi is the one that will have to be adventurous in a few years to keep interest up in their new car.

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks that.

[porsche911girl]

Originally posted by Won
Even under the camo, those are some ugly tail lights...

I've thought the tail lights have looked bad since the departure of the 993. Same with the rear end of the car. I'm also not a fan of the 996 fried-egg headlights. I was glad they went back to oval-round for the 997. Just MHO tho...

[Jastx]

I think it's a nice, clean evolution and tightens up the good design it began with.

[berettafan]

Originally posted by JonT
Porsche will have to get a little more adventurous with their styling IMO to compete with the new Audi.

yeah, who wants to drive a car that doesn't have a couple of cookie sheets hanging off the rear qtr windows?