No one can accuse Porsche of failing to make the most of the 911.

Though the latest iteration of the iconic German supercar, the 997 as it is known internally, has been with us only a year, already there are eight different models to tempt customers: Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera Cabriolet, Carrera S Cabriolet, Carrera 4, Carrera 4S, Carrera 4 Cabriolet and Carrera 4S Cabriolet, to name them all. It seems every time you turn around, a different version of the 911 pops up on the new-car radar screen.

Not that we’re complaining. It’s just that with so many variants, and with such high production numbers these days, the 911 appears to be in danger of losing its allure.

But Porsche is not deterred. With at least four more variants of the 911 scheduled to bow in 2006, including the heavy-hitting Turbo captured here testing with only minimal disguise, Porsche is forging ahead like never before.

Traditionally the most eagerly anticipated of all 911 models, the new Turbo is scheduled to make its first public outing at the Geneva motor show in March, with North American sales likely to begin next June.

As our pictures reveal, the Turbo once again sports more aggressive styling than lesser versions of the 911. The new look is partly revealed on the Carrera 4S, which receives the Turbo’s widened bodywork.

Other distinguishing features include a deeper front bumper with large ducts directing air to a trio of front-mounted radiators, chunkier sills underneath the doors, cooling ducts in the leading edge of the rear fenders, a reworked rear bumper with ducts at the corners to direct hot air out of the engine bay, and tailpipes that poke out of the lower valance cover.

To provide even greater levels of downforce, Porsche also modifies the outgoing model’s biplane rear spoiler.

A set of standard 19-inch wheels and lowered ride height complete the visual makeover, giving the new car an appealing, hunkered-down stance highly reminiscent of today’s model.

The recent popularity of the 911 Turbo Cabriolet, brought back in the previous generation after a lengthy hiatus, convinced Porsche to retain it the next time around, though the Cabriolet is not expected to join the lineup until 2007, according to AutoWeek sources.

Powering next year’s range-topping 911 is a reworked version of the outgoing model’s devastatingly effective 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine. Porsche drew on its engine-building experience to crank up the output of the horizontally opposed unit with an enhanced management system, twin variable vane turbochargers, improved exhaust routing with reduced back-pressure, and the latest evolution of its electrohydraulic VarioCam Plus system, which continuously varies valve lift and timing.

The exact output is still under wraps, but the German carmaker’s long history of evolutionary improvements suggests peak power will not rise dramatically beyond the outgoing 911 Turbo’s 420 hp.

Insiders hint at a gain of 30 hp, taking the new model up to around 450 hp. That is about the same as today’s 911 Turbo S (444 hp), but our sources say the power curve is flattened out, with added clout below 2500 rpm and improved breathing efficiency giving it a more determined character above 6000 rpm.

While the new car’s curb weight creeps above 3520 pounds, the subtle increase in power should be sufficient to endow it with a power-to-weight ratio beyond its predecessor’s 253 hp per ton. Torque is also expected to rise by at least 30 lb-ft, to around 457 lb-ft.

These numbers point to even sharper standing-start acceleration for the car and, in combination with improved aerodynamics, an incremental increase in top speed.

Though nothing is official, a 0-to-60-mph time under 4.0 seconds and an all-out 200-mph appear to be reality, creating what should be a fascinating three-way tussle for supercar supremacy with the heavily lauded 4.3-liter 490-hp V8-powered Ferrari F430 and the 5.0-liter 500-hp V10-powered Lamborghini Gallardo.

As with the past two generations of the 911 Turbo, power is delivered permanently to all wheels via a closely stacked six-speed manual gearbox. Porsche also intends to offer a new double-clutch unit, though it remains to be seen whether it will be ready in time for the car’s debut early next year.

Together with the new Turbo, Porsche’s other 911 debuts for 2006 include the GT3, Targa and GT2—the latter sharing the new Turbo’s driveline but channeling its reserves through the rear wheels.

Our spies have undermined Porsche’s plan to keep its seventh-generation 911 Turbo secret until its world premiere at the Geneva motor show next February.

Shown here, devoid of bulky camouflage, blackout paint and taped disguise, is the turbocharged version of the new 997 as it will appear on American highways by next June. We caught the production-ready prototype as it ventured out of Porsche’s factory gates for final shakedown tests. The photos reveal a curvaceous appearance and eye-catching details that are bound to set Zuffenhausen’s latest performance leader apart from tamer versions of the 911.

Building on the wide-bodied appearance of the recently introduced 4S, the 997-series Turbo declares itself with a unique front bumper carrying high-intensity LED indicators and parking lights integrated into a horizontal bar running across the outer air ducts. The fog lamps are set low on the corners within special housings designed to protect them from stone damage.


Along the flanks, sills under the doors are more pronounced and sizeable air ducts ahead of the rear wheel arches provide efficient cooling. Changes to the rear include the adoption of a reshaped biplane wing assembly that Porsche says will provide added levels of downforce, and a bumper with small ducts to pull hot air out of the engine bay. Completing the makeover, lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels wear ultra-low-profile tires, accentuating a significantly lower ride height than standard 911 models.

Behind the Turbo’s distinctive look is a more powerful version of Porsche’s twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine. High-level Zuffenhausen sources say the powerplant is derived from the outgoing model’s engine, which itself evolved from Porsche’s Le Mans-winning 911 GT1 sports car program.

We’ve heard reports of power outputs of up to 500 hp—a massive 80-hp or 19 percent increase above the outgoing model’s 420 hp. The company’s habit of incremental improvement suggests the figure could be significantly lower, though with others advertising 500 hp, Porsche must be tempted to respond. Nothing is official just yet, but we’re told to expect a subtle 30-hp gain, taking the new model up to 450 hp (the same power obtainable by adding a Porsche X50 power kit to today’s 911 Turbo S—perhaps a similar option will be offered on the new model).

The Turbo’s torque figure also rises by about 30 lb-ft to 457 lb-ft. Drive goes to all four wheels via a standard six-speed manual unit or a new double-clutch automatic gearbox, and Porsche’s familiar full-time awd system.

Key to the increased output is Variable Turbine Geometry technology for the two turbochargers. Common on high-performance diesel engines, VTG continuously adjusts the angle of the turbocharger’s vanes to provide a more linear delivery of power and wider spread of torque. To make this work on gasoline engines, with much higher exhaust temperatures than diesel units, the BorgWarner-developed turbos employ heat-resistant ceramics. The engine also benefits from improved variable intake and exhaust valve timing.

As already reported by AutoWeek (“Porsche Juices the 911,” Nov. 7), the 997 Turbo’s weight is up to about 3520 pounds. Even with the added weight, the 997 Turbo gains in power-to-weight ratio and should be able to hit 60 mph in well under 4.0 seconds with a top speed of 190 mph

Porsche 911 Turbo Spy Photos
Text & photos by AUTOMEDIA
12-13-2005

New 997 Turbo Barely Disguised

Our spies from the cold caught up with the sensational new Porsche 911 (997) Turbo, and for the first time ever they snapped the car bare of any disguising. The next Turbo will sport 460bhp and go on sale in spring 2006. It is also said that the new car's improved underbody aerodynamics and more efficient bi-plane style rear wing should result in a top speed well in excess of the current car's 305 km/h, although we wonder for whom that speed is not sufficiently swift. The Turbo will also adopt a new four-wheel drive system that allows power to be fed to the individual wheel with the most grip, handy when you've got an awesome 460 ft/lbs of torque to call upon. Expect the price to be in the region of 130,000 Euros.

New Porsche GT3 Undisguised
by Hans G. Lehmann
Copyright Lehmann Photo-Syndication
12-23-2005
After the launch of the new 997 last year, the Swabian sports car maker Porsche is about to extend the model range next year by another new model, the GT3. It is scheduled to be released in May 2006.

Prototypes of the GT3 are currently being tested worldwide, but here are two pictures – taken near Porsche’s home base in Stuttgart - showing the new model for the first time without disguise in full showroom trim.

The new GT3 can be recognized by the big air intakes in the front skirt and the big rear wing. The super sports car is expected to be powered by a 3,8 litre engine performing next to 400 HP. It is equipped furthermore with a newly developed six speed transmission.

Like before, Porsche is again making a “Cup” race version of the new model.