[hks786]

Pics:

[hks786]

Its Friday and Porsche has given us just the tonic to start our weekend off with a bang by revealing the first photos and details of the 911(997) facelift. Subtle modifications to the exterior provide a slightly updated look, but beneath this superb posterior the Porsche engineers have really gone to work.

For the 2009 model year, the Carrera and Carrera S will get a new optional seven-speed automatic double-clutch gearbox dubbed Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK) along with a new direct injection system– the first time we have seen this in a Porsche sportscar. The new double-clutch gearbox replaces the Tiptronic S automatic transmission and now allows the gear changes without any break or interruption to traction and pulling power.

The 3.6-liter unit in the 911 Carrera has been boosted by 20bhp bringing total output to 345 bhp. Acceleration time from 0-60mph stands at 4.7 seconds, an extra 0.2 seconds is shaved off this time with the double-clutch gearbox. Despite the rise in power the 2009 Carrera's fuel economy figure remain impressive coming in at 9.8 liters/100km whilst reducing emissions by up to 15% keeping it significantly below the Porsche's benchmark of 11 liters/100km for the Carrera range.

Not to be left out, the Carrera S' 3.8-liter unit has been tuned to power out an extra 30bhp bringing total output to 385 bhp. The sportscar can now shoot from 0-60mph in just 4.3 seconds with the double-clutch gearbox and it can now achieve a top speed of 186mph (300 km/h).

As we already mentioned the exterior modifications are kept to a minimum with the incorporation of front and rear LED lights along with slightly redesigned bumpers. Pricing for the 2009 Porsche Carrera will start at €69,600 for the Coupe and €78,000 for for Cabrio whilst the Carrerra S will start at €78,000 for the Coupe and €88,000 for the Cabrio.

[hks786]

What a pointless refresh. I was sad enough to compare it to the current 997 Carrera and the changes are barely noticeable except the stupid rear lights that look worse than the outgoing model's.

I'm fed up of seeing 911's, they just look the same as they have since day 1.

[hks786]

More pics here:

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Se...ew-2009-model/

[e92leon]

Never liked the way this particular model looks...
GT3 ftw :P

[jtblcksprt]

i've never had the pleasure of drivng a porsche, but damn, they have got to be one of the most refined cars on the road. they are consistenly better, it would be "living the evolution of a sports car" if you could test drive each succesive vehicle from the days of doc porsche in 39' to present.

[LOLrance]

Anyone else notice that Porsche went the JDM route with the manual mode of their dual clutch system. To shift up is push the shift lever up and to shift down and push the lever down. Its very bizarre and just doesnt feel natural.

But then again if i got a porsche, i would get their 6mt . And i wouldn't get a 911 (besides the turbo) until they learned to put the engine in the correct place like its cheaper siblings. Although i doubt thats ever gonna happen.

[seven_227]

Originally Posted by hks786

What a pointless refresh. I was sad enough to compare it to the current 997 Carrera and the changes are barely noticeable except the stupid rear lights that look worse than the outgoing model's.

I'm fed up of seeing 911's, they just look the same as they have since day 1.

+1
Pointless indeed

[dimisa1977]

although i am a huge porsche fan...

porsche needs to go something BIG, fast.

just adding PDK isn't gonna recapture the market share they need.

the GT3 and GT3 RS are the only models that shake me. I also like the SOUND of the Carrera GT, but for 400K, it better sound nice.

[gonzo]

Hmmm. I think I would take the money difference and do this to a Cayman S.

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by hks786

What a pointless refresh. I was sad enough to compare it to the current 997 Carrera and the changes are barely noticeable except the stupid rear lights that look worse than the outgoing model's.

I'm fed up of seeing 911's, they just look the same as they have since day 1.

Originally Posted by seven_227

+1
Pointless indeed

+2. The 911 has been around for 40 years. Still looks exactly the same...

Jeremy Clarkson: "Porsche Design... the least a man can get..."


I still want one though... would be very happy with a Turbo

[J.P.]

nice beetle!

[albeik]

I do like the new steering wheel and the new center stack - much better organized and cleaner compared to the previous generation.

[hks786]

Steering wheel looks cheap. I like brushed aluminium trim against most leathers, including cream, but that steering wheel doesnt have aluminium "trim" but instead is made half aluminium and half leather.

[KL2DC]

Interior looks uprated as a whole although the pics show the full leather option. The front looks closer to the 987 and the rear lights are so Audi A/S5 -esque , I must prefer the old ones...

[chuck92103]

Porsche is dying. The same car for the last 40 years. One major change. Moved from air cooled to water cooled.

Their best selling cars are made by VW and with gas prices the Tourage/Cayenne are going bye bye.

The 911 needs to get out of the VW Karhman Gia shell and get a completely new design.

[iatacs19]

They need to change their design, shit looks the same year after year... boring.

[Crimson92]

whats new about it? lol

[jlstyle]

Front end of P cars are getting cleaner and cleaner

[Amir87]

Originally Posted by iatacs19

They need to change their design, shit looks the same year after year... boring.

That's the point. Porsche and Mercedes G-wagen are the only two cars I can think of that have stayed true to their roots.

[Bobby_Light]

Originally Posted by iatacs19

They need to change their design, shit looks the same year after year... boring.

+1

Same design, different year.

[iatacs19]

Originally Posted by Amir87

That's the point. Porsche and Mercedes G-wagen are the only two cars I can think of that have stayed true to their roots.

It's ok to keep the same design for 1 or 2 models, but maybe Porsche needs to start investing some money in car design instead of slapping Porsche Design monikers on luggage and watches.