New 997 photos

Here're some updated 997 pictures. Finally Porsche got it right!!! A New Beetle inspired front end combined with lovely Saab doorhandles and the legendary 996/986 instruments in a new style. MAN what a package!!!


Why can't they come up with something better?

[svandamme]

1 RPM thingie
2 Steering wheel
3 SAT NAV
4 shifter

did i win something?

[JP911]

Wow, the front end really does look like the new Beetle in the pic. That's so sad.

[Por_sha911]

Looks like it has a low roofline. Speedster?

[svandamme]

i've said it before and i'll probably say it a lot more:

new cars aren't designed by people with vision,
they are genetically engineered by boards who prepare specs
some cad design team is let loose on it... and they produce something..


every car company basically wants the same engineering wise
and rules of nature and of man, just force cars to be designed into a narrow range of possibilities..

the only difference is how they balance cost vs performance( speed/safety/handling/luxury/gadgets)


the old days , one guy had first and final word on the design
and the track was where that one guy proved his design over another guys design..

[Moses]

Ugh.

The round headlights are great, but they need to elevate the front fenders and light housing like the old classic. This looks like a Lexus.

[RSBob]

One word: BORING

[ErVikingo]

This design will not make me change any of my "old" Porsches.

No offense guys, after the 993 it all went downhill. It's like when Datsun went from the Z cars to the ZX cars. No more sports car but boulevard cruisers.

My $0.02

[MrKJBlue]

Thats one bland looking car.
but isnt that always the way with the first of a new design, it gives them the chance for a mid life face lift to boost sales in a few years, also the new pedestrian safety standards a going to lead to total reliance on computers for design.

[alf]

Well, the black wheels and round lights are cool. It needs a hood scoop thingy (like the old 911s) to add some texture to the big wide boring hood.

Hey, maybe it has a ducktail in the back

[911ctS]

Anyone want to buy a blue RGruppe 70'T...... just kidding, but after looking at that 997 I think ive lost serious hope in our beloved company. Holy $h!t... the hood looks like its straight off the new bug. If they only refined it in a slightly retro way it might look decent.

[goat]

Not impressed.
They really need to backdate the front lights.

[JonT]

It seems to me Porsche addressed some major criticisms of the 996 and brought back the classic round headlights and some of the curves of the 993. Just because the Beetle came along and copied the Porsche round headlights doesnt mean the Porsche should change its design now. That rear end looks nice and wide and the production car will look even better. Nice job Porsche in my book.

[TRE Cup]

i think the front turn signals (when unmasked) will recall the 65-73 style, but the hood looks like it came off the new beetle. is it interchangeble? i like the direction they were going to get rid of the slab sided 996, but overall the design does not have enough impact

[DanTheCat]

I agree with JonT. Compared to the 996, this is much more in the spirit of the 993 (at least from that angle) and I like what I've seen so far.

I can't believe all you folks whining about the headlights. You complain about the lights on the 996 and say they should be round again. Now that they're round, you complain that it looks too much like the new beetle. They're basically siblings, of course they are going to evolve along similar paths. I don't hear anybody whining about how early 911's headlights look too much like early beetle headlights. But then again, back then people probably did moan about that exact same thing.

Dan

[RickM]

I don't know. It seems as if the "911" is morphing into a confusing mess. Seems they've given too many facelifts. Ask Michael what happens after a while.

Should Porsche quit before things get worse?

Hopefully it's more appealing in person.

[Moses]

Originally posted by DanTheCat
I can't believe all you folks whining about the headlights.
Dan

The round lights are great, but the front fenders have vanished. Screw aerodynamics- those lights need to be higher!

[DanTheCat]

Hey, look, the headlights on that porsche look just like the beetle lights!




Oh, wait, you say the porsche was first? Hmmm...

C'mon guys, ease up. This is a big step in the right direction. You can't have huge headlights sticking up anymore anyway, too much wind resistance. Damn those wind tunnels!

Dan

[Raymond]

if it had more prominent front fenders, i'd like it much more. as it is, i may be the only one who likes it. it seems like a very early prototype though, it doesn't even have a crest.

as far as the reason i like it, it's not a 996. that model was a big mistake in my opinion. from the front, it's nearly indistinguishable from the boxter (914 wannabe) that i don't like.

it does slightly resemble the beetle, but back in the day didn't they resemble each other too?

[DavidI]

I don't care for the appearance, but would love to drive it. I bet it is lightening quick!

David