Feds designed new Porsche 991?
 

The 991 isn't at dealers yet, but its so lost in acronym systems, its not even funny anymore. Like other manufacturers coming up to meet newer CAFE standards, it has the engine start-stop technology. Even the manual. At a red light, when you press the clutch pedal, the engine will restart. Oh, its a 7spd too, for ultra overdrive - another MPG gain. Plus the trans will disconnect for free wheel and non engine braking coast downs. Remember when it was illegal to do neutral drops(?)

Dr. F. Porsche's conceptual designs were always from a personal vision. Never influenced by government demands and earthly progressive movements. Or maybe he was way back with the original volkswagen?

Share your opinion.

If Feds had their hand in the 991, they've had it there since the early 70's in the 911, 914, 924, 928, 944, 951, 964, Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne, 996, 997, and every other street-legal Porsche model.

And the Euro regulations had MUCH more to do with it than US CAFE.....stop thinking the world revolves around the US.

Dr Porsche was always about poeple and politics - don't let the propaganda fool ya. Farm tractors, Tank turrets, the beetle...

I had read that one of the reasons the wheelbase grew so much was so that it could meet certain European emissions standards for a given size of vehicle - it's "footprint".

Agreed. European and US federal mandates have influenced car design for a very long time. Now all the new front end designs are a reaction to the EU pedestrian laws.

When it's done well, it's a win-win. Today we have engines that can destroy the best of the '60's "golden era" while getting 3x the mileage, 1/100th the emissions and 10x the reliability. Not to mention better handling, braking and comfort. And no more expensive (when adjusted for inflation).

IMO this is a case study in the good that can happen when government and free markets focus on their strengths and don't try to cross over.

Tabby was right when he said Porsche stopped making good cars in 1973...

Actually, he wasn't.

Imagine if Ferry Porsche was an idiot who admired engineering that was 40+ years old. We'd never have had any of these great cars.

It's not Ferry I'm blaming...if cars are good today, it's in spite of Government interference, not because of it.

Well, actually today's accomplishments in automotive engineering are a result of manufacturers rising up to meet the challenges of govt. regulations in emissions and safety along with consumers' demands for ever-improving performance figures.

Some of it is for our own good, without a doubt

993 bumperettes, both front and rear, still suck and were put there because of US gov't. regs. I suspect they were purposely made ugly by Porsche as an FU to us. Luckily, I have the Euro bumpers now.

Still, the US is Porsche biggest market and CA is the biggest market within the US. Porsche can't make cars for each state, so they all have to be CA-compliant.

CA. has always been the biggest market for Porsche sports cars. The rest of the entire U.S. is insignificant in comparison. SoCal alone bought 50% of worldwide 911 production for most of its run. :cool:

This is a good example. Back when US regulation was more stringent, Porsche decided to 'add' to the ROW bumpers to pass the tougher US requirements.

Now that the euro regulations have caught up (and in many ways surpassed) US regulations, the engineers and designers can cohesively implement solutions for all markets without band-aids. The 991 has good looking bumpers, and they are VASTLY superior to the bumperette US 993 bumpers.

Good looking AND more functional......win/win

Meanwhile, cities everywhere put up more and more stop signs and obstacles to smooth flowing traffic. :-/

Like all regulations, it's been a mixed bag.

It would be interesting to paint a guess of what cars would look like today if there were never any government regulations at all.

Lighter or heavier, bigger or smaller, faster or slower, safer or more unsafe, pollute more or less, more mpg or less mpg, etc. and how much of each.

Porsche stopped making one particular kind of good car in 1973.

the biggest automaker's middle finger..in my world at least, is Rover not bringing the Defender here anymore. i would own one if they had newer ones keeping the older model's prices down. right now, in my area the prices are brutal.

Not to mention all those bicycle lanes...:rolleyes: