German Car Zone

The current 997 Porsche 911 is still being updated for its mid-cycle refresh, with only the standard Carrera and Carrera 4, plus their performance ‘S’ variants, receiving the update. Still in the works is the new Turbo and the GT3 models and these aren’t expected to be revealed for several months at least. Now, a test mule has been spotted in Germany by our spy photographers, which suggests that Porsche engineers may have already begun testing the next-generation 998 model.

Telltale signs that a new platform is residing under the familiar 997 sheet metal are the extended wheel arches, revealing a wider track is set to appear on the new model. This means the new car should be slightly bigger than the current model, while handling and dynamics should also see an improvement. The roll-cage fitted on this test car is another indication that the 998 platform is still in the early stages.
It’s still too early to determine what changes Porsche has in store for the engine lineup, but expect to see the familiar flat-six engine range carry over with only minimal updates – possibly for emissions and economy standards. The new PDK dual-clutch gearbox will also carry over as will a standard six-speed manual.
Given Porsche’s trend of updating its cars roughly every three to four years, the new 998 will likely appear towards the end of 2010 at the earliest.

motorauthority

What if it's just a sport version of the 997 Carrera S? Maybe a more powerful Kit-version?

Nope. It's th 998 due late 2011 and this is pretty much the maiden test of the under pinnings.

I'm very curious about the new engines or if Porsche will just bump up the displacement of the current DFI ones.

Wow, Porsche doesn't play around. I'm still waiting on them to approve a facelifted 911 Turbo Cabriolet for their "give it away" program.

M

Damn! If they are testing this early the 998 is going to be one hell of a car.

I couldn't be another souped-up version of the current 997. There is already a GT3, GT3 RS, GT2..........................

I wonder what this could be? It doesn't have any wings'n'things on it but it has wider track. The standard looking S-tailpipes tells me that the engine is most probably unmodified.

Maybe Porsche is just testing a new front axle.

Update: More details on next-generation 911


Updated with new details
The current 997 Porsche 911 is still being updated for its mid-cycle refresh, with only the standard Carrera and Carrera 4, plus their performance ‘S’ variants, receiving the update. Still in the works is the new Turbo and the GT3 models, though they too are drawing near to their expected unveiling. Recently a test mule was spotted in Germany by our spy photographers, suggesting that Porsche engineers may have already begun testing the next-generation 998 model, and now Porsche’s chief of research and development, Wolfgang Dürheimer, has revealed some details of what to expect from the next-gen 911.
(more…)

Gulp!


M

Sounds very advanced, and expensive as well. Not sure that's going to happen yet, I mean where in the cabin would the screens be located??

"First, pedestrian protection rules in the EU will require a change to the nose section of the car, likely meaning a larger and more collapsible bumper section."

This is going to completely ruin the front end design of the car. I want to thank to EU politicians for altering the design of the 911 with stupid legislation