Porsche 997

Infobox Automobile


name=Porsche 997
aka=Porsche 911 (nine-eleven)
Porsche Carrera
manufacturer=Porsche
class=Sports car
layout=Rear engine, rear wheel drive/all wheel drive
body_style=2-door coupé
2-door convertible
engine=3.6 L flat-6
3.8 L flat-6
predecessor=Porsche 996
successor=Porsche 998
production=2004–present
similar=Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Cadillac XLR
Dodge Viper
Ferrari F430
Jaguar XKR
Lamborghini Gallardo
Maserati Coupe
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Nissan GT-RThe Porsche Type 997, or simply 997 is the project code name for the current version of the sports car Porsche 911, built by the German manufacturer Porsche since 2004. Production began in July 2004 and two variants, the Carrera and Carrera S coupés, were available immediately. The all-wheel drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S versions began shipping in November 2005, while the Turbo and GT3 derivatives went on sale in late 2006 and the 997 GT2 in 2007. The new Convert|530|hp|kW|0|abbr=on GT2 can accelerate 0-60 mph of 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 204 mph (328 km/h), making it the first production, street-legal Porsche 911 with 200+ mph top speed [ [http://jalopnik.com/cars/ich-bin-ein-widowmaker/porsche-911-gt2-brochure-leak-278013.php Jalopnik - Porsche 911 GT2: Brochure Leak!] ] . The Targa top models are also available, in Targa 4 and Targa 4S forms. The 997 is the most commercially successful 911 of all time. As of July 2007 it has sold 100,000 units since its introduction in April 2004.

Design

The base Carrera has essentially the same 3.6 L flat-6 (Boxer) engine that its predecessor, the Type 996 Carrera used, producing 239 kW (325 SAE hp/329 DIN). The Carrera S uses a new 3.8 L flat-6 engine producing 261 kW (355 SAE hp/ 360 DIN). The X51 powerkit with a Convert|381|hp|kW|0|abbr=on power output is available as an option for the Carrera S, Carrera 4S, and Targa 4S models.

While the exterior styling is changed — in fact, the 997 Carrera S and Carrera 4S models share only their roof panels with their predecessor, the 996 — it is again more evolution than revolution, typical of Porsche and the Carrera. British motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson (a known detractor of Porsche vehicles, especially the 911) has often voiced the opinion that Porsche had "the laziest design team in the world" due to the almost unnoticeable change in external appearance between the 997 and earlier models. The most notable difference between the 997 and the predecessor 996 is the return to circular headlights, like those of pre-996 Carreras, with separate indicator units. The interior has been almost entirely re-invented and all the controls are new; however, it is more reminiscent of classic 911 interiors than of the outgoing 996.

The 997 was due for a slight redesign in 2008 (as a 2009 model); planned changes include a revised front bumper with larger air intakes, new headlamps with dual HID projectors, new taillights, new direct injection engines (not based on the previous ones), and the PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung) twin-clutch gearbox. [ [http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/12430/spied-2009-porsche-911-carrera-s.html Car & Driver - Spied: 2009 Porsche Carrera S] ] [ [http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/porsche/details-on-porsches-2008-911-update/ Details on Porsche’s 2008 911 update] ] [ [http://www.evo.co.uk/videos/planetevovideos/223848/porsche-911.html EVO: Porsche 911] ]

On June 6th, 2008, these changes to the Porsche 911 were revealed on the Porsche website.

Performance

According to testing carried out by several American automotive publications, the Turbo model can accelerate from 0 to convert|62|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on in about 3.4 seconds with an automatic transmission and 3.7 seconds with the manual transmission. The Carrera S model is capable of going 0 to convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on in 3.9 seconds, and carries a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph), while the base Carrera model is slightly slower, able to run 0 to convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on in 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of 285 km/h (175 mph). Note, however, that these figures contradict the conservative official Porsche figures.

The Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S will use the same engines as the Carrera and Carrera S, respectively. Visually, the rear bodywork is nearly 2 in (50.8 mm) wider over larger tires. The all wheel drive system sends between 5% and 40% of engine torque to the front wheels as needed.

pecial editions

In 2006, the Porsche 911 Club Coupe [cite web|title=50th anniversary - Porsche Club of America|publisher="Porsche"|url=http://www.porsche.com/all/transitional/usa/clubs/pca/50thanniversary/default.asp |accessdate=2008-05-03] was produced in limited numbers (50) as a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Porsche Club of America [ [http://www.pca.org/ Porsche Club of America (PCA)] ] . The first production model was returned to the Porsche Museum in Germany and one lucky PCA member won the fiftieth model in a sweepstakes drawing. The remaining 48 models were offered to randomly chosen PCA members who applied to purchase this extremely rare car. The Porsche 911 Club Coupe which is available only in the unique Azurro California color, comes equipped with a more powerful Convert|381|hp|kW|0|abbr=on motor, part of the X51 Powerkit. Other features unique to this special model include a vehicle identification number (VIN) which ends with the production number and special commemorative badging and door sills which adorn the interior.

Turbo

The 997 Turbo debuted in February 2006 at the Geneva Motor Show. It has a new front bumper with LED parking lights in a horizontal bar through the air intake. The fog lights are moved to the corners of the bumpers. Large air intakes in front of and behind the rear wheels are other obvious visual cues. The retractable rear wing is also one of the highlights, a feature which has been available on the 996 Turbo as well.

The engine is reported to be based on the rugged and very reliable 964/GT1 design at 3.6 L with power output at Convert|353|kW|hp|0|abbr=on and 620 N·m (457 ft·lbf). The turbochargers will include BorgWarner's new Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG), which uses guide vanes located in front of the turbine wheel that modulates inflow angle and speed. The 911 Turbo is the first petrol production car to feature variable geometry turbines (previously only available to diesel engined vehicles), however a similar approach was used successfully by Garrett Systems starting in 1989 with the Shelby CSX that utilized a computer controlled variable nozzles instead. When equipped with the optional Sport Chrono package, the 911 Turbo gains the ability to overboost for 10 seconds, increasing peak torque over a narrow rev range.

According to official Porsche figures, it produces Convert|480|hp|kW|0|abbr=on, accelerates 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds with the manual transmission, and a has 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of just 3.4 seconds with the automatic Tiptronic S transmission, which is more than enough to edge out its current rival from Ferrari, the F430. It has also recorded a 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds at the hands of US motoring publication Motor Trend—eclipsing all of its major competitors and even Porsche's own Carrera GT supercar. The 997 Turbo has a top speed of 311 km/h (193 mph).

Turbo Cabriolet

Porsche AG announced on May 7, 2007 that the 911 Turbo Cabriolet would go on sale in September 2007. The Porsche 997 Turbo Cabriolet is one of the fastest convertible sports cars in production. It is capable of reaching similar top speeds, and acceleration, of the standard Porsche 997 Turbo Coupe. This is considered an astonishing feat because usually the convertible version of cars are much slower than the hardtop variant, due to its slightly less stable aerodynamics associated with its soft roof, and its extra weight caused by the structural reinforcements made necessary by the absence of B and C pillars.

GT3

The 997 GT3 model also debuted in Geneva in 2006. Like previous GT3 models, it is a way for Porsche to homologate aerodynamic features for racing, as well as a starting model for customer racing. The 997 GT3 is priced at US$106,000 and uses an updated version of the naturally-aspirated 3.6 L flat-6 dry-sump engine from the 996 GT3. This engine produces 415 hp(PS)/409 bhp (309 kW) [cite web|title=First Drive: 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 997 - Short Take Road Tests|publisher="Car and Driver"|url=http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroadtests/10864/first-drive-2007-porsche-911-gt3-997.html|month=May | year=2006|accessdate=2008-02-04] with a new variable intake system. It has an 8400 rpm redline which is the same as the Auto bhp|612|0 Carrera GT's. Torque is also up to 299 ft·lbf (405 N·m). The 3.6L dry-sump engine does not seem to share the rear main seal (RMS) problems of the 3.6L/3.8L semi-dry-sump engine.

The GT3 body includes a special front bumper which increases cooling for the front-mounted radiators as well as a split spoiler at the rear. The GT3 also includes a special rear bumper and center tailpipes which draw heat away from the engine. It is lowered and rides on 30-series 305 mm (12 in) tires on 19 in (483 mm) wheels. The car weighs 3075 lb (1395 kg).

The 997 GT3 is more driver-friendly than its predecessor, with "comfort" seats and the Porsche Communication Management system installed. The special RS model [cite web|title=Upfront News: Porsche 997 911 GT3 RS|publisher="Car and Driver"|url=http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/11315/upfront-news-porsche-997-911-gt3-rs.html|month=May | year=2006|accessdate=2008-02-04] will strip most of these luxuries out to focus more on track-oriented driving (although the car is still road-legal). The package will also include a full rollcage and carbon fiber seats to add to that race-car-for-the-road feel. The RS version will be released in Europe in October 2006; the North American release was in March 2007 [cite web|title=2007 Porsche 997 911 GT3 RS to be sold in U.S.|publisher="Car and Driver"|url=http://caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/sports_car_central/2007_porsche_997_911_gt3_rs_to_be_sold_in_u_s_car_news|month=May | year=2006|accessdate=2008-02-19] .

The ratios on the six-speed transmission are more aggressive, allowing the GT3 to hit 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.1 seconds, while the RS accomplishes the same in 4 flat. It will continue to 100 mph (161 km/h) in 9.2 seconds and has an ungoverned 193 mph (311 km/h) top speed.

Targa

The Targa 4 and Targa 4S versions, like the Porsche 911 Targa of the 993 and 996 generations, are equipped with a glass roof and hatch. At any speed, the roof can be opened where it drops down an inch and slides a metre back underneath the hatch. As the roof weighs an additional Auto kg|60|0 the suspension has been modified from Carrera models. When the glass roof is retracted, a small glass deflector above the windshield is raised to aid in aerodynamic stability.

Unlike previous versions of the Porsche 911 Targa, the Porsche 997 Targa 4 and Targa 4S have an all-wheel-drive drivetrain, hence the "4" in the name. The naming is to fit in with the naming trend of other Porsche models, namely the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S, whose "4" in the names are also due to their all-wheel drive systems. The Porsche 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S are slightly slower than the Porsche 911 Carrera models, because the heavier roof and all-wheel-drive drivetrain increases the weight, and, subsequently, the inertia associated with acceleration.

The updated Targa and Targa 4S models were announced on the 28th of July 2008. The updated models feature new direct injection engines and Porsche's new Doppelkupplungsgetriebe gearbox. [ [http://paultan.org/archives/2008/07/28/facelifted-2009-porsche-911-targa-4-and-targa-4s/ Facelifted 2009 Porsche 911 Targa4 and Targa 4S] ]

GT2

The Porsche 996 911 GT2 was superseded by the 997-generation GT2 in 2007.

On Friday July 13, 2007, an official brochure of the 997 GT2 was leaked on the internet.

According to this brochure, the 997 GT2 has a twin turbocharged 3.6 litre 6-cylinder engine, which generates 530 hp (395 kW) at 6500 rpm, the engine is the same as it is in 997 Turbo but Porsche achieved power increase through completely newly designed expansion intake manifold in which the distributor pipe is longer than in Turbo and the intake manifolds are shorter, a full titanium silencer is used also in GT2, even though the Porsche 911 (997) Carrera S variant has a slightly larger engine at 3.8 litres. The GT2 accelerates in 3.6 seconds to convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on and in 7.4 seconds to convert|100|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on and has a maximum top speed of 204 mph (328 km/h). This makes it the first Porsche 911 to exceed the convert|200|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on top speed, with the exception of the 1998 Porsche 911 GT1 Race Version (which is not considered an actual Porsche 911 due to its mid-mounted engine and it only saw roads for homologation purposes). The Porsche 997 GT2 also has a curb weight of 3,175 lb (1,440 kg), 505 ft·lbf (685 N·m) of torque from 2200 to 4500 rpm, and a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Based on leaked out spy photos its appearance is slightly different from its sister-car, the Porsche 911 (997) Turbo, in a few ways. It does not have fog lights in the front bumper, it has a revised front lip, it has a larger rear wing (with two small air scoops on either side), and it has a different rear bumper (now featuring titanium exhaust pipes).

The Porsche 911 (997) GT2 is also different from the Porsche 911 (997) Turbo because the GT2 is rear-wheel-drive rather than all-wheel-drive. This causes the Porsche 911 GT2 to have a slightly slower acceleration from 0–100 km/h than the Tiptronic Porsche 911 Turbo by 0.2 second.

The Porsche 911 GT2 has been on sale since November 2007.

tatistics

*Note: 0-62 mph acceleration times refer to the time taken to reach 62 "miles" per hour (about 100 kilometers per hour).
*Note: MSRP prices are set to the United States.
*Note: dry sump in all but GT3, GT3 RS, GT2 and Turbo versions, is a simplified version of dry-sump, with an internal oil reservoir instead of an external one, and only 3 pumps instead of the 7 in the more powerful version of the 911

2008 facelift

The updated Porsche 911 (called 997 Gen II internally at Porsche [cite web |url=http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080722/FREE/30254095/1532/FREE |title=DRIVES: 2009 Porsche 911 |accessdate=2008-10-01 |author=Vettraino, J.P. |date=July 21, 2008 |work=AutoWeek |pages=p 18 ] ) will have a convert|345|hp|kW PS|abbr=on flat-six engine for the Carrera model or convert|385|hp|kW PS|abbr=on flat-six in the S model. Production is set to begin late in 2008. Pricing is projected to increase from the previous model, the 997; the base Carrera model is set to start at US$ 75,600 for North American buyers. The line will debut with coupe and cabriolet models for the Carrera, Carrera 4, Carrera S and Carrera 4S. They will feature the newly developed PDK transmission. The car will be unveiled at the Paris auto show in September of 2008, but information is already available on Porsche's official website.

References

*

External links

* [http://www.porsche.com Official Porsche website]