The next-generation 911 cabrio has been spied testing, ahead of its launch in 2011.
The 998 will replace the current 911, which itself has only just been refreshed, and Porsche is promising the car will be far more competent than its predecessor.
See the hi-res Porsche 998 cabrio picture gallery
The biggest alteration appears to be the wider track, disguised by the fake turbo-style vents in the rear bodywork, aimed at improving high-speed agility.
The front lights are said to be slightly more upright, harking back to early 911s, to appease safety regulations. The exterior mirrors are now mounted on the doors, rather than the front of the side windows, possibly to improve rear visibility. The plastic trim that runs along the edges of the roof, evident on the 997, has also disappeared.
Porsche is also thought to be working on a radical aerodynamic package, with a prominent lip added to the rear spoiler, presumably for added downforce and extra cooling of the engine bay.
There is also likely to be a slight alteration to the front end suspension geometry, with an increase in camber.
We know that other major aerodynamic innovations being considered for the 998 include variable lift mechanisms for the front and rear, so the modification to this prototype’s rear spoiler could prove to have a deeper significance.
The engine line-up is expected to be an evolution of the current range. The latest six-cylinder direct injection engines will have an even greater emphasis on economy and emissions.
Photos: CarPix
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Re: Porsche 998 cabrio spied
Re: Porsche 998 cabrio spied
LOL
1 Correction if I may be so bold. Cayenne was a flash of inspiration when a Porsche engineer witnessed a horrific high speed, rear end shunt of a 997 by some non descript Japanese SUV whilst driving home on the Autobhan.
Re: Porsche 998 cabrio spied
If it ain't broke don't fix it. Porsche intended to kill off the 911 way back when they introduced the inovative 928 but sales of the 928 were poorer than expected whilst 911 sales remained boyant. What Porsche have done is to accept an "if that's what they want that's what they get" attitude to the 911 and its market and delivered the best possible engineering solution to the flawed principle of super high performance rear engined cars. Didn't need to make it bigger though.