Porsche 997

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Porsche 997
Porsche 997 S
Manufacturer Porsche
Also called Porsche 911 (nine-eleven)
Porsche Carrera
Production 2004–present
Predecessor Porsche 996
Successor Porsche 998
Class Sports car
Body style(s) 2-door coupé
2-door convertible
Layout Rear engine, rear wheel drive/all wheel drive
Engine(s) 3.6 L flat-6
3.8 L flat-6

The 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 530 hp (395 kW) GT2 can accelerate 0-60 mph of 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 204 mph (328 km/h), the first production, street-legal Porsche 911 has a 200+ mph top speed[citation needed]. 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.

Contents

[edit] 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 381 hp (284 kW) 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, direct injection, and a dual clutch gearbox.[1][2]

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

[edit] Performance

According to testing carried out by several American automotive publications, the Turbo model can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in about 3.7 seconds with an automatic transmission and 3.9 seconds with the manual transmission. The Carrera S model is capable of going 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.7 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 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.0 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.

[edit] Special editions

In 2006, the Porsche 911 Club Coupe[3] was produced in limited numbers (50) as a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Porsche Club of America[4]. 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 381 hp (284 kW) 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.

[edit] Turbo

2007 Porsche 997 Turbo in Speed Yellow
2007 Porsche 997 Turbo in Speed Yellow
2007 Porsche 997 Turbo in Carrara White
2007 Porsche 997 Turbo in Carrara White

The 997 Turbo debuted in February 2006 at the Geneva Motor Show. It uses 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 353 kW (473 hp) 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 480 hp (358 kW), accelerates 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds with the manual transmission, and a has 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of just 3.7 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).

[edit] 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 retracting system for the folding and stowing of the roof.

[edit] GT3

2006 Porsche 997 GT3 at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show
2006 Porsche 997 GT3 at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show

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) [5] with a new variable intake system. It has an 8400 rpm redline which is the same as the 612 bhp (456 kW) 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).

Porsche 997 GT3 RS
Porsche 997 GT3 RS

The 997 GT3 is more driver-friendly than its predecessor, with "comfort" seats and the Porsche Communication Management system installed. The special RS model[6] 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[7].

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.

[edit] 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 60 kg (132 lb) the suspension has been modified from Carerra 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.

[edit] 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 60 mph (97 km/h) and in 7.4 seconds to 100 mph (160 km/h) and has a maximum top speed of 204 mph (328 km/h). This makes it the first Porsche 911 to exceed the 200 mph (320 km/h) 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 homogolation 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.

[edit] Statistics

Model MSRP (Cost USD) Horsepower, Engine 0-62 Acceleration* Top Speed Slogan Official Model Site
911 Carrera $82,400 325 hp (242 kW) @ 6800 rpm, 3.6 L wet-sump 4.8 s 177 mph/285 km/h The dream lives on. [1]
911 Carrera S $89,600 355 hp (265 kW) @ 6600 rpm, 3.8 L wet-sump 4.6 s 182 mph/293 km/h Same soul. Even more heart. [2]
911 Carrera Cabriolet $92,600 325 hp (242 kW) @ 6800 rpm, 3.6 L wet-sump 5.0 s 177 mph/285 km/h The top goes down. Spirits rise. [3]
911 Carrera S Cabriolet $96,800 355 hp (265 kW) @ 6600 rpm, 3.8 L wet-sump 4.7 s 182 mph/293 km/h Let the sun chase you. [4]
911 Carrera 4 $89,200 325 hp (242 kW) @ 6800 rpm, 3.6 L wet-sump 4.9 s 174 mph/280 km/h 911 to the power of 4. [5]
911 Carrera 4S $98,400 355 hp (265 kW) @ 6600 rpm, 3.8 L wet-sump 4.6 s 179 mph/288 km/h The perfect distribution of power. [6]
911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet $88,400 325 hp (242 kW) @ 6800 rpm, 3.6 L wet-sump 5.1 s 174 mph/280 km/h Open to take any corner. [7]
911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet $98,600 355 hp (265 kW) @ 6600 rpm, 3.8 L wet-sump 4.7 s 179 mph/288 km/h Take control of the road and sky. [8]
911 Targa 4 $87,000 325 hp (242 kW) @ 6800 rpm, 3.6 L wet-sump 5.1 s 174 mph/280 km/h Skydriving. [9]
911 Targa 4S $97,300 355 hp (265 kW) @ 6800 rpm, 3.8 L wet-sump 4.7 s 179 mph/288 km/h Best of both worlds. [10]
911 Turbo $122,900 480 hp (360 kW) @ 6000 rpm, 3.6 L dry-sump 3.9 s 193 mph/310 km/h A new interpretation of masterwork. [11]
911 Turbo Cabriolet $136,500 480 hp (360 kW) @ 6000 rpm, 3.6 L dry-sump 4.0 s 193 mph/310 km/h Best of all worlds. [12]
911 GT3 $106,000 415 hp (309 kW) @ 7600 rpm, 3.6 L dry-sump 4.3 s 193 mph/311 km/h Origin Motorsport. [13]
911 GT3 RS $123,200 415 hp (309 kW) @ 7600 rpm, 3.6 L dry-sump 4.2 s 193 mph/311 km/h Origin Motorsport. [14]
911 GT2 $191,700 530 hp (400 kW) @ 6500 rpm, 3.6 L dry-sump 3.6 s 204 mph/328 km/h Respect required. [15]
  • Note: 0-62 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

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Car & Driver - Spied: 2009 Porsche Carrera S
  2. ^ Details on Porsche’s 2008 911 update
  3. ^ 50th anniversary - Porsche Club of America. Porsche. Retrieved on 2008-05-03.
  4. ^ Porsche Club of America (PCA)
  5. ^ First Drive: 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 997 - Short Take Road Tests. Car and Driver (May 2006). Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  6. ^ Upfront News: Porsche 997 911 GT3 RS. Car and Driver (May 2006). Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  7. ^ 2007 Porsche 997 911 GT3 RS to be sold in U.S.. Car and Driver (May 2006). Retrieved on 2008-02-19.

[edit] External links

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