While the exterior styling was revised, it was again more evolution rather than revolution; typical of Porsche and the Carrera. The rear bodywork was a total of 88mm (3.5in) wider than its predecessor. However, the most notable aesthetic difference between the 997 and the 996 was the return to oval headlights like those of pre-996 Carreras, with separate indicator units. The interior was re-designed with new controls; however, it was more reminiscent of classic 911 interiors than of the outgoing 996. The body in general remained low profile with a drag coefficient of 0.29 for the Carrera and 0.30 for the Carrera S.[citation needed]
Performance[edit]The base Carrera has essentially the same 3,596cc (3.596L; 219.4cuin) flat-6 (Boxer) engine from Type 996 Carrera.
According to testing carried out by several American automotive publications, the Turbo model can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in about 3.4 seconds with an automatic and 3.5 seconds with the manual transmission. Note, however, that these figures are conservative Porsche statistics.
The viscous clutch all wheel drive system (997.1) sends between 5% and 40% of engine torque to the front wheels as needed.
CabrioletFor the first time, development of the cabriolet version of the 997 led the design and engineering effort at Porsche with the coupé following. Porsche applied the logic that if you started with the more difficult cabriolet challenges (for chassis stiffness) the coupé version would simply be more rigid. Despite additional weight, the cabriolet versions attain nearly the same performance figures as their coupé counterparts. Even the rear tail comes up slightly higher on the cabriolets to compensate for differences in drag over the canvas top vs. the smoother coupé shape.
The 997 Turbo debuted in February 2006 at the Geneva Motor Show. It featured a new front bumper with LED turn signal strips in the air intakes; the fog lamps were moved to the corners of the bumpers. Large air vents fore and aft of the rear wheels provide other obvious visual cues of the Turbo model. Also featured was a retractable rear wing, as used on the 996 Turbo.
The engine was based on the rugged and reliable 964/GT1 design rated 480PS (350kW; 470hp) and 620N·m (460lb·ft). The turbochargers are fitted with a two-stage resonance intake system.
The engine uses two BorgWarner VTG turbos, a first for Porsche. The Variable Turbine Geometry incorporates guide vanes on the turbine wheel that change their angle of attack with exhaust speed, reducing boost lag at low speeds while opening up to prevent excessive back pressure at high RPMs. With the exception of the 1988 Honda Legend Wing Turbo, such variable geometry turbines were previously only available on diesel engines.
The optional Sport Chrono package allows the 911 Turbo to overboost for ten seconds (1.0 bar to 1.2 bar), increasing peak torque over a narrow RPM range.
According to official Porsche figures, the 997 Turbo Gen 1 accelerates to 100km/h (62mph) in 3.9 seconds with the manual transmission, and 3.7 seconds with the 5-speed Tiptronic S transmission. Benchmark times to 200 km/h (124 mph) are 12.8 and 12.2 seconds, respectively. Maximum speed with either transmission is 310 km/h (193 mph).
Turbo Cabriolet
Porsche 997 Turbo CabrioletPorsche AG announced on May 7, 2007 that the 911 Turbo Cabriolet would go on sale in September 2007. The Porsche 997 Turbo Cabriolet became one of the fastest convertible sports cars in production. It is capable of similar top speeds and acceleration to the standard Porsche 997 turbo coupé, a notable feat due to the typical problems associated with convertible variants of hardtop coupés, such as the poor aerodynamics of a soft top, a lack of torsional rigidity, and the consequential weight increase from structural members.
ENGINE SPECS:
Turbo | 3,600cc (3.6L; 220cuin) H6 twin turbo | 480PS (353kW; 473hp)@6000, 620N·m (457lbf·ft)@1950-5000 Overboost: 680N·m (502lbf·ft)@2100-4000 |