Want to see Porsche’s all-new 911 in action? Here’s the first video of Stuttgart’s icon winter testing in the Arctic Circle, almost three years ahead of launch.
We won’t see it until late 2011 – before then Porsche has to launch the Panamera, its Cayenne replacement, and GT3 RS, GT2 and Turbo variants of the current 911.
I’m sure the new Porsche 911 won’t look any different from the current car, so what are the important changes to the new car?
You’re right – bar some subtle tweaks the new 911 will look like the old 911, though Porsche is planning to replace the door mirrors on these prototypes with cameras.
But the important changes are under the skin, all aimed at improving the stability of the 911. There’s the pop-up rear spoiler, active aerodynamics in the nose and inlets open and close to manage airflow and provide drivetrain cooling, plus perforations in the wheelarches to reduce the 911’s bobbing front end.
Again the 911 will share parts with the next Boxster (due in 2012), and both will switch from a hydraulic steering system to an electro-hydraulic set-up. It’ll save fuel, but Porschephiles everywhere will be hoping it doesn’t affect the legendary steering feel.
What fans won’t have to worry about is the engines. The range will kick of with a Carrera S featuring a direct-injection 3.4-litre flat-six with 350bhp/280lb ft and an RS packing a 3.8 with 400bhp/295lb ft. Beyond that there’ll be a 450bhp GT3, plus Turbo and GT2 models, while there is also talk of an entry-level Clubsport and a range-topping 600bhp GT1.