g'afternoon to ya'll gentleman (and the one lady I know on this forum, 944SpeedGrrrrrrrrrrl)
My cuz NYC_SpeedRacer hooked me up with some pics and I figured I'd upload them.
By GREG KABLE
WE STUDIED THESE SPY SHOTS LONG AND hard before arriving at this
conclusion: What you're looking at is an early prototype of Porsche's new
Boxster Coupe, caught during recent tests at Porsche's Weissach proving
ground on the outskirts of Stuttgart.
Yes, the car codenamed 987 looks a lot like a 911 in this guise, but
Porsche sources say the second-generation Boxster--a roadster due in
mid-2005 and the coupe 12 months later--will be far different from the 911
than today's Boxster. Despite this prototype's heavy disguise, several
details point to its inherent Boxster-ness: the two-seat, mid-engine layout
(note the blacked-out rear side windows and firewall behind the seats);
relatively long wheelbase (today's Boxster boasts a 2.5-inch longer
wheelbase than the 911); and muscular hip line, short rear overhang and
small spoiler--the latter aimed at replicating the retractable wing on
today's car.
Porsche will push the existing 2.7-liter and 3.2-liter flat-six engines to
gain about 10 hp (to 235 for Boxster, 268-270 for Boxster S) along with a
considerable boost in low-end torque. Channeling drive to the rear wheels
will be an optional new six-speed double-clutch manual gearbox similar to
the system offered on the Audi TT, a new six-speed automatic or a
traditional six-speed manual.
In addition to the roadster and coupe, Porsche plans a series of
performance models based on its new sub-911 coupe, including a stripped-out
Boxster Clubsport model running a powered-up version of Porsche's flat-six
engine.
MONDAY AUGUST 11, 2003
PICTURED HERE FOR the first time is Stuttgart's next 911 Turbo that will go
on sale towards the end of 2005 as part of a thoroughly revised 911
line-up. At its heart is a reworked version of the current cars twin-turbo
3.6-litre flat six with over 450 HP in standard trim - up by 30 HP. Exact
technical details remain scarce, though Porsche is thought to have
side-stepped direct injection - a technology it has already developed - in
raising the turbo's output. Instead, the increase is said to come from a
series of subtle enhancements to the ECU, coupled with further improvements
to the VarioCam variable valve timing system and a moderate increase in
boost pressure.
New transmission technology is also claimed to have played its part in
pumping the torque rating of the new turbo. Along with a beefed up version
of the existing 6-speed manual and a new 6-speed automatic, Porsche is
developing the next-generation Turbo to accept an advanced double clutch
gearbox similar to that offered by Audi on the TT V6 and pioneered by
Porsche itself on the 956/962 sports racing cars of the '80s and '90s.
The new front-end look of the 911 Turbo, with a return to classic round
headlamps, can be clearly seen in these pictures. The heavily disguised
rear vertical air ducts for the engine and brakes will be replaced by more
stylised units similar in shape to those found on the Porsche Carrera GT.
___________________
FACTS
- Porsche 911 Turbo
- Flat-6
- 450 HP
- 3.7 sec.
- 305 km/h
Photo: AutoMedia
That supposed new Boxster looks nothing like the current Boxster and at first glance, the "new" Boxster looks alot like the "new" 911 Turbo but if you look a little closer there are definitely some major differences to the chin and rear end.
Looks like our boys from Stuttgart are finally not working on stoopid SUV's. (Sorry Cayenne ownerz)