Porsche 911 (997)

History and development By February 1999, just a few months into the 997 development programme that began in the fourth quarter of 1998, designers were already at work on the 997's body design. After numerous reviews during the rest of 1999 and full size clay models that were built from 2000 into 2001, a final design by designer Grant Larson was approved. Early prototypes were built in late 2001 for testing, based on newly set parameters. While the exterior styling was revised, it was very similar to what was observed in the 996. The rear bodywork was wider than its predecessor. However, the most notable aesthetic difference between the 997 and the 996 was the return to oval headlights like those of pre-996 Carreras, with separate indicator units. The interior was re-designed with new controls; however, it was more reminiscent of classic 911 interiors than of the outgoing 996. The body in general remained low profile with a drag coefficient of 0.28 for the Carrera and 0.29 for the Carrera S. Cabriolet For the first time, development of the cabriolet version of the 997 led the design and engineering effort at Porsche, with the coupé following. Porsche applied the logic that if you started with engineering challenges more unique to the cabriolet (for example, chassis stiffness), the coupé version would simply be more rigid. Despite additional weight, the cabriolet versions attain nearly the same performance figures as their coupé counterparts. Even the rear wing rises slightly higher on the cabriolets to compensate for differences in drag over the canvas top versus the smoother coupé shape. The 997 cabriolet had factory optional hard tops that provided better protection from unexpected weather conditions than the conventional canvas top. It is interchangeable with what is available in the late 996 cabriolet models. The hardtop also provides a winter option for cabriolet owners. 911 Club Coupé (2005) The 911 Club Coupé is a limited (50 units) version of the 2006 Carrera S coupé with X51 Powerkit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Porsche Club of America (PCA). The vehicle included an Azurro California-colour scheme (similar to the colour found on the Porsche 356), a vehicle identification number (VIN) which ended with the production number and special commemorative badging and door sills, Sport Chrono Package Plus system, and optional Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes. The car bearing chassis number #001 was transferred to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. One PCA member won the car bearing chassis number #050 in a sweepstakes drawing. The remaining 48 units were sold to randomly chosen U.S. and Canadian PCA members. After 2005-08-15, unsold units were made available to the general public. The vehicle was unveiled in PCA's 50th Annual Porsche Parade in Hershey, Pa. The vehicle had an MSRP of US$99,911 or $145,911 CDN. Targa The Targa 4 and 4S versions were introduced in 2006. Like its predecessors, the 993 and 996, the 997 Targa is equipped with a glass roof system. At any speed, the roof can be opened where it drops down 25 mm and slides a metre back underneath the rear window. As the roof weighs an additional , the suspension has been modified as compared to the other Carrera models. When the glass roof is retracted, a small glass deflector is raised above the windshield to aid aerodynamic stability. Unlike previous versions, the 997 Targa was only available with all-wheel drive. Targa 4 models are slightly slower than the hard top Carrera models because of the heavier roof and the all-wheel-drive system. The 997 Targa became available in the fall of 2006 as a 2007 Model. In the first year, Porsche produced 1,760 cars worldwide (with 800 sold in the US market) out of the 38,922 911 models produced in total. Carrera S and 4S Following the success of the earlier 996 Carrera 4S, Porsche introduced the Carrera S in 2005 which had power output increased by as compared to the base Carrera. The new all-wheel-drive Coupé, Cabriolet, and Targa versions were later available either in the S version alongside the Carrera with the following additional features: • increased displacement of the engine (3.8 L vs 3.6 L) with increased power • lowered suspension with PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management, i.e. dynamically adjustable dampers) • 19-inch wheels • upgraded braking system • sports exhaust • Bi-Xenon headlights • aluminium trim in the interior Turbo The 997 Turbo debuted in February 2006 at the Geneva Motor Show. It featured a new front bumper with LED turn signal strips integrated in the air intakes; the fog lamps were moved to the corners of the bumpers. Large air vents fore and aft of the rear wheels provide other obvious visual cues of the Turbo model. The turbo utilises the wide body shell of the AWD models, giving it a more aggressive stance than the base 911 models. Also featured was a retractable rear wing, as used on the 996 Turbo along with air vents on the rear quarter panels in order for effective engine cooling. The 997 Turbo is lighter than its predecessor due to the extensive use of aluminium in key elements of the car. The engine was based on the 911 GT1's design and is rated at and ( at overboost) of torque. The torque is managed by Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system in conjunction with the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system in order for a safer utilisation of the torque produced by the engine. The engine uses two BorgWarner VTG turbochargers, a first for a Porsche production car. The turbochargers are fitted with a two-stage resonance intake system. The Variable Turbine Geometry incorporates guide vanes on the turbine wheel that change their angle of attack with exhaust speed, reducing turbo lag at low speeds while opening up to prevent excessive back pressure at high RPM. The optional Sport Chrono package allows the 911 Turbo to overboost for ten seconds (1.0 bar to 1.2 bar), increasing peak torque over a narrow RPM range. According to official Porsche figures, the 997 Turbo accelerates from a standstill in 3.9 seconds with the manual transmission, and 3.7 seconds with the 5-speed Tiptronic S transmission. Motor Trend tested a manual version of the Turbo in 2006 and achieved a time of 3.2 seconds. Benchmark times to are 12.8 and 12.2 seconds, respectively. Maximum speed with either transmission is . As an option, Porsche also offered its ceramic brake system, PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake). The advantages of this high-tech material mean a reduction of compared to the standard brake system, excellent fade resistance owing to consistent friction values, and absolute corrosion resistance. The Turbo weighs around 3,460 lbs (1,569 kg). The brakes were 380 mm diameter at the front and 350 mm at the rear. Turbo Cabriolet Porsche AG announced on 7 May 2007 that the 911 Turbo Cabriolet would go on sale in September 2007. The Porsche 997 Turbo Cabriolet became one of the fastest convertible sports cars in production. It is capable of similar top speeds and acceleration to the standard Porsche 997 turbo coupé, a notable feat due to the typical problems associated with convertible variants of hardtop coupés, such as the poor aerodynamics of a soft top, a lack of torsional rigidity, and the consequential weight increase from structural members. GT2 The 996 GT2 was superseded by the 997 GT2, which went on sale in November 2007. At its release, the 997-generation Porsche 911 GT2 was the most powerful and fastest road-going 911 ever to have been sold to the public. Unlike the 997 Turbo, the 997 GT2 uses a rear wheel drive layout for reduced weight (primarily for competing in GT2 class racing as with its predecessors), and has a power increase from a newly designed expansion intake manifold, and shorter turbo intake manifolds. Further, a full titanium exhaust system was fitted to the 997 GT2 contributing to reduced weight as compared to the turbo. Despite the power hike, Porsche claims fuel consumption at full throttle is improved by 15 percent compared with the 997 Turbo. It has an 8,400 rpm redline matching that of the Carrera GT flagship. The 3.6 L dry-sump engine does not suffer from the rear main seal problems of the earlier 3.6 L/3.8 L integrated dry-sump engines. The GT3's body work includes a special front bumper which increases cooling for the front-mounted radiators as well as a split spoiler at the rear. The GT3 also includes a special rear bumper and center tailpipes which draw heat away from the engine. The suspension system is lowered and the car utilises 30-series tyres and wheels. The car weighs . The 997 GT3 is more driver-friendly than its predecessor, with "comfort" seats and the Porsche Communication Management system installed. The special GT3 RS model came without many of the luxuries typically found in a Carrera to focus more on track-orientated driving (although the car is still road-legal). The RS trim was also available with a full roll cage and carbon fibre seats along with a large fixed rear wing to add to the race-car-for-the-road feel. The RS trim was introduced in Europe in October 2006; the North American release was in March 2007. A racing version of the GT3 RS debuted in 2007, called the 997 GT3 RSR. The ratios on the six-speed transmission are closer, allowing the GT3 to reach in 4.1 seconds, while the RS accomplishes the same in exactly 4 seconds. The GT3 will continue to in 9.2 seconds and has a maximum top speed of . Engines "*" Models with turbocharged engines include Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) turbochargers. General performance The base Carrera has essentially the same flat-6 (Boxer) engine from 996 Carrera. The Carrera S however uses a new flat-6 engine. The X51 Powerkit is available for S, 4S, Targa models, which increases engine power. According to testing carried out by several American automotive publications, the Turbo model can accelerate from 0 to in about 3.3 seconds with an automatic transmission and 3.5 seconds with the manual transmission. The Carrera S model is capable of accelerating from in 4.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of , while the base Carrera model can accelerate from in 4.8 seconds, and can attain a top speed of . The viscous clutch all wheel drive system sends between 5% and 40% of engine torque to the front wheels as per need. The Porsche 997 GT3 RS and Porsche 997 Carrera 4S are tied for second fastest car in history, at , in the infamous moose test maneuver, beaten only by the Citroën Xantia Activa V6 record of . The test is conducted by the magazine ''Teknikens Värld's'' in Sweden, as a test of avoiding a moose in the road. ==Second phase (997.2; 2009–2013)==