This year marks the fifth birthday of the 997 model Porsche 911. That's like 75 in human years. Its predecessor, the 996, lasted six years before replacement whilst the 993 before it made it just five. The 997 is still a world class car, and its recent update with the Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission has injected new life into the latest 911. But that hasn't stopped Porsche from working on the next-gen model, and our spy photographers recently caught up to it undergoing winter testing somewhere very, um, wintery.
The new 911, said to be known internally as the 998, will reportedly receive some dramatic adjustments, although, true to Porsche's evolutionary standard, the changes aren't immediately visible. Most obvious alterations include revised lower fascias, the relocation of the side-view mirrors to the doors ( la 993), and the raised headlights which are rumored to be the result of recent safety regulations. The side air inlets, just aft of the door handles, are more than likely fakes.
Porsche has installed a massive piece of camouflage to hide the rear of the car, leading us to believe a significant redesign is in store for the hindquarters. The car spied here also appears longer and wider than its predecessor. At the outset, the 998 will probably utilize the outgoing car's existing powertrain options, including the flat-six with a power boost, and a standard six-speed manual with the PDK as an option. Rear- and all-wheel-drive variants should continue.
Since the PDK's inception, Porsche has made much of the efficiency offered by the new transmission. The company has put serious effort into reducing emissions and has positioned the 911 as an economical sports car -- relatively speaking. Expect Porsche to market the 998 as even more of a green machine when it hits the market, probably sometime in 2011.