Once again CAR Online’s spy photographers have caught a couple of Porsches testing at the Nurburgring, but rather than just the latest iteration with a few minor tweaks, the 911 and Boxster in our pictures are thought to be the first cars to publicly feature Porsche’s next generation of aerodynamic tweaks.
This Porsche 911 looks like every other Porsche 911 snapped at the ‘Ring!
Yes, yes – we know they all look alike, but it’s the detail changes on this 911 that make it stand out. Check out the nose – the side intakes are from a regular 911, but the central intake is from a GT3, and there appears to be a new radiator nestling up front too. Plus there’s a completely new front splitter.
Down the sides there are new, deeper sills, but look higher and you’ll also spot the subtle double-bubble roof. There are also two rather odd stripes on the bonnet.
At the rear the moveable spoiler is disguised, but there are two huge new exhausts, and perforations in the rear bumper, currently clad in disguise.
And what about that new Porsche Boxster?
It’s also sporting a new, much sleeker front bumper, and was following close behind a current-generation Boxster to make the differences even more obvious.
Mules for the next-gen Boxster have also been spotted on the ‘Ring with holes in the rear bumper to match the perforations spotted on the 911.
Slashes, holes, perforations… What does this is all mean?
The aero tweaks are all part of Porsche’s next 911 and Boxster/Cayman range. Called Porsche Active Aero Balance (or PAAB), there’s a motoristed rear spoiler to increase stability at speed, and active front air intakes that open and close to mange airflow and increase drivetrain cooling when needed. There are also perforations in the wheel houses, designed to sucker the car to the road.
Porsche is also considering ditching regular door mirrors, and replace them with tiny cameras that will relay live images to cameras mounted in the base of the A-pillars.
We’ll see the next 911 in 2012, and the Cayman and Boxster siblings will follow in 2013.
>> Are these interesting new aero tweaks enough to differentiate the new 911 and Boxster from the current cars? Click ‘Add your comment’ below and have your say