Frankfurt preview: Seventh-gen Porsche 911 revealed!

Frankfurt preview: Seventh-gen Porsche 911 revealed!

Yes, believe it, this is the new seventh-generation Porsche 911 Carrera. Despite the same same looks, Porsche is calling this ‘991’ model ‘completely redesigned’. Try mocking their lazy designers and you’ll get this for an answer: ‘evolution, not revolution’.

At 2,450 mm, the new 911’s wheelbase has been stretched by 100 mm. Zuffenhausen did not reveal the dimensions, but Autocar UK quotes insiders saying that it’s 56 mm longer, 65 mm wider and 11 mm lower than the 997. Compared to that car, the 991 body, with its aluminum-steel composite construction, is 45 kg lighter. The combo of a bigger footprint, lower height and reduced weight sounds good.

Frankfurt preview: Seventh-gen Porsche 911 revealed!

It might take an avid 911 fan to spot, but the 991’s side mirrors are now mounted on the upper edge of the door. Porsche says that this helps highlight the new design line and gives the visual impression of width. The iconic silhouette of the 48-year old model is unchanged, but there’s a wider, variably extending rear spoiler at the back, which features slim tail lamps that should be the 991’s most distinct signature.

The spoiler, combined with greater structural rigidity and optimised aerodynamics, means that the 991’s front and rear lift has been reduced to near zero while retaining the Cd value of 0.29.

Frankfurt preview: Seventh-gen Porsche 911 revealed!

The new Carrera and Carrera S boast better performance and efficiency. The latter is aided by automatic start stop, engine and transmission thermal management, electrical system recuperation, the world’s first seven-speed manual gearbox and the ability to ‘sail’ or coast with the PDK transmission. There’s also a new electro-mechanical power steering in place of the hydraulic setup.

The 911 Carrera is powered by a new 350 hp/380 Nm, 3.4-litre boxer engine, down in size from the current 3.6L. Paired to PDK, it consumes just 8.2 l/100 km, 1.6 l/100 km less than its predecessor. That, plus a century sprint time of just 4.4 seconds (4.2 seconds with Sport Chrono Package’s Launch Control) means it can be all the 911 you need.

Frankfurt preview: Seventh-gen Porsche 911 revealed!

If not, there’s the Carrera S with its 400 hp/440 Nm, 3.8-litre boxer – 15 horses more than before. The S achieves 8.7 l/100 km, 14% better than the outgoing car. 0-100 km/h is done in 4.1 seconds, or 3.9 with Launch Control. The S also features for the first time, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilisation.

Inside, it’s still very much a 911, but with a touch more flair than before. Inspired by the Carrera GT are the rising center console and high-mounted shift lever. Classic Porsche elements include the five round gauges – one of them a high res multifunction screen – the central tachometer and the ignition lock to the left of the steering wheel.

Frankfurt preview: Seventh-gen Porsche 911 revealed!

As usual, Carrera and Carrera S models start the ball rolling, followed by Cabriolet and 4S variants (2012) and the range topping Turbo (2013). More pics after the jump.

[zenphotopress number=999 album=2559]

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • how long they have been keeping that look?

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    • looking-good on Aug 23, 2011 at 8:28 pm

      a true 911 fans would not mind that.. 911 is a icon, a lengend

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      • Porsche Dreamer on Aug 23, 2011 at 11:16 pm

        Now the current 997 prices are going to drop steeply. No more will we see recond 2009 C2S being sold for RM650,000. This is the same as when the 997 was introduced, the 996 dropped like mad.

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    • which side is the Front of the car now?…abit confusing…

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  • Gajen on Aug 23, 2011 at 7:59 pm

    the best car just got better

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  • skiborne on Aug 23, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    why are they still using that flimsy shift switches? i thought the prev model had dumped that design and came out with normal, left-downshift, right-upshift paddles???

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    • Steering column mounted shift paddles have always been an option(costly) on 911.

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  • Your mama' on Aug 23, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    It looks exactly the same. Not exactly a shock of any sort but still the looks of a car is the first thing you’re drawn too and with Porsche they’re never any surprises.

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  • Alpha on Aug 23, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    Yeah,buy old reconds of the current 911,then send to Sunway to transform it to this 991.LOL.

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  • Turbo Flame on Aug 23, 2011 at 8:24 pm

    The styling seems to borrow some lines from the Cayman. Still looks good and no reason for Porsche to change the style if it is still being sought after by successful people all over the world. Hope the Turbo and the Turbo S version will have more power than the current version.

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  • lonelyobserve on Aug 23, 2011 at 9:03 pm

    Behold the new 7-speed manual transmission. It has been more than a decade 6-speed manual transmission rules on sports cars.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • boxermania on Aug 24, 2011 at 1:24 am

      this is different gear tech. it’s dual clutch “Doppelkupplung” in German…it’s actually 7-speed manual shift, and not 7-speed manual transmission per se….
      really would like to see 7-speed MT gear stick…..

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      • lonelyobserve on Aug 24, 2011 at 1:09 pm

        I know it’s converted from PDK but the H pattern is still there.

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  • leong on Aug 23, 2011 at 9:39 pm

    my first impression from the interior is “wah! so brown, so leather!”

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  • shawal on Aug 23, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    Beautiful rear, but the front looks a little messy, especially with those LED thingies…

    But its okay , since the average driver will only get a glance of that gorgeous rear…,
    Interior feels special now…

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  • Naz@AE111 on Aug 23, 2011 at 10:12 pm

    its still the best porsche ever.. love it.. even thou the design still same in some parts…

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  • armandd on Aug 23, 2011 at 10:14 pm

    I’m glad to see the front overhang is not as long as the previous gen. What is mind boggling to me is how on earth they got 350 hp from a 3.4-litre engine that consumes just 8.2 l/100 km?? Genius!

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  • WooTS on Aug 23, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    SEXY ! and LOVE THE 911.

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  • kington on Aug 23, 2011 at 11:22 pm

    My personal fav. Yes, Ferraris and Astons look better to most, but Porsches will always have a special place in my heart.

    The best is still the Carrera S with a 6 speed manual gearbox. The way it ought to be.

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  • For those who have a big familiy, this ‘Porsches’ may be the better choice:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWLFGPl1Kdk

    ;)

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  • Jerry on Aug 24, 2011 at 6:52 am

    It’s Groundhog Day in Stuttgart.

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  • Porsche really make the best sport car. Other try but never will stay long. damn…

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  • Medic on Aug 24, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Marvelous German tech from Porsche.Hope it comes with real paddle shifters instead of silly buttons.The legend continues…

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  • Love the cabin.

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  • mat koboi on Aug 25, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    boring….kereta porshe tak pernah ubah bentuk…sama aje…

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  • Victor on Sep 15, 2011 at 3:34 pm

    The interior is cramped unlike previous 911s.
    Feels divided from the passengers side…

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  • Porsche fans will notice the differences immediately, while others just look at the car with no difference.

    My new dream car.

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