From the latest AutoBild article....and with some try at translation, this is what the scoop is saying:

The new design 997 will appear only as Coupé. However there are two different versions starting from Carrera 2 and the Carrera 2S with wider rear flared fenders, 19" wheels and sport chassis. The new C2/S Cabrio and the C4/S Coupé
follow in 2005, the C4/S Cabrio with 400 HP strong, GT3 as well as the Turbo with all-wheel drive and 460 HP appears in 2006.

Targa and the second edition of the GT2 complete 2007 offerings. The 911 gets more capacity (3.8 instead of 3.6 litres), more power (340 instead of 320 HP) and when desired a Tiptronic transmission with more gears (six instead of five).

The cockpit with better readable instruments, better formed seats and a completely better quality is likewise new. But the 997 is only a further evolution stage, not a genuine new development. For that we wait until 2008.

 

Interesting - seems like we have a bit more time with the 996 body - nice ( I am not waiting for the 997 )

 

That is actually good news!! get to enjoy my 996TT for a bit more time now

 

I won't be tempted to trade until 2008.

 

hehehe... it's nice to hear this...
that means I have about 4-5 more years to enjoy my current turbo... also long enough for me to have the engine rebuild and upgraded...hahahahaha...nice nice nice...
but won't be trading it in though...hehe... gonna make this a monster like Chad, and keep it as one of my collection. it never-the-less is my first porsche... and will have a lot of good memory with it... ^____^... keeping it till I die...haha

 

I was waiting for the 997. If these numbers are true I will look else where. Sorry Porsche.
Lawrence
03ttx50

 

Is that MY 2006?

 

Based on what RC on RennTeam mentioned, of course there is no solid info on the HP, but he said that RUMOR has it that the based models may get 360 HP to 380 HP and they are contemplating on the 997TT Power figure that it may carry a 5 in front of its power figure.

 

340 hp won't cut it. Base 911 needs to start at at 360 hp. It is embarassing being in a 997 and having to worry about running into a c6. The car either needs to be lighter or have more power than that.

 

Dude, you've got a 997? Kewl!

In February 1979, R&T tested a carrera 4 and got zero to 60 in 4.9 seconds. It sounds to me the next (inevitably heavier) 997 coupe with 340 - 360 or so hp will get from zero to 60 in about 4.9 seconds. This ain't (enough) progress.

 

In order to be competitive against new Z06 and M5, the 997 tt needs 515hp (100hp gain over 996) for the base model and a X50 option for an additional 50hp or so. The NA 997 should get the 996 GT3 380hp engine. This can easily justify a price increase of 30k for the TT and 20k for the NAE. It makes sense from business point of view and helps maintain/consolidate the brand image of Porsche. Just my 2 cents.
Lawrence
03ttx50

 

"In order to be competitive against new Z06 and M5" - since when is the M5 considered competition for the Turbo?

 

the new M5 with 500-550 H.P one will be, especially since a new E55 will hang with a stock turbo with not that much problem. The Luxo Sport Sedans are not to be taken too lightly anymore.

~ Jason

 

Porsche is going to maintain the performance split between the models. The "key" car will be the 997 Turbo. Porsche has to leave room below the Turbo for a 997 "S" to fit between the Turbo and the base 997. If the 997 Turbo gets 500 hp (I doubt it, but obviously possible), Then the base 997 might just have 380-400 hp. That would leave room for an "S" version with ~420 hp. But if the 997 Turbo has 450-480, then I think we'll see less power in the base 997.

The whole "horsepower war" thing misses one big point (outside the Turbo models) and that's torque. Having big horsepower numbers just to be able to have bragging rights at the water fountain might be one way to decide what kind of sports car to buy, but not for me. I also don't give a hoot if some car is "XX" tenths faster than my Turbo in some magazine test. I don't street race, so having some guy "pull" me isn't a factor either. I have the most fun on the streets when it's just me and the road. There aren't any stopwatches, magazine test equipment, or other cars to race.

Porsche has never been the "Power" leader, and I suspect they won't be anytime soon.

 

Dock - too true, and I have to seriously wonder how someone could put an E55 in the same class as a Porsche Turbo as a sports car. Driving is much more than just straight line accelleration #s.

Those so-called sports sedans are excellent for what they do, but they aren't sports cars and I don't see how anyone can even make the comparison.