The new 911. Featuring a water-cooled flat-6 engine for the first time in the 34 year history of the 911 line. A completely redesigned car that some argue shouldn't bear the name 911. Others feel it is the perfect 911. I'm going to wait a few months until I form my opinion, but I can say now that I certainly don't like the new styling. Sharing half its parts with the Boxster doesn't help set it apart; blurring the once-distinct line between various models. The engine is of course completely different, and is the handling and general nature of the car, but the appearance is quite odd for a 911, that's for sure.

911 Evolution

However, let's face it. Porsche has proven to be a company that makes correct decisions. One of the remaining few truly great sports car companies of the world. They've been around for 50 years so I doubt they'll change their philosophy any time soon; it's worked so far to make them champions of the track and the public road. But it is with some skepticism that I watch the introduction of this new line. If they had just ended the 911 series with the last evolution (tpe 993), and called the new machine something else, I would have been perfectly happy...

Rear-mounted, water cooled, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine with aluminum-alloy block, heads, and pistons. Dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder with VarioCam variable valve timing system. 3.4 litre displacement pushes out a powerful 296 hp at 6800 rpm and 258 ft-lb of torque. Features a Bosch Motronic engine management system. (Click on the icon to the left for a RealVideo movie)

Features hydraulically assisted force-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering, independent MacPherson struts in the front, and 4-wheel cross-drilled brakes with aluminum-alloy 4-piston calipers. Bosch ABS 5.3, 12.53in in the front, 11.78in rear diameter. Cast alloy 7Jx17 front and 9Jx17 rear wheels standard.


[ PCNA's new 911 page]

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