Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Porsche
Spy Shots: 998 Porsche 911
by Jonathon Ramsey on Nov 27th 2008 at 11:28AM 
The next Porsche 911, the 998, is doing the rounds on German public roads. By the looks of it, the headlights are more vertical than the current model, and based on what's covered, the front and rear bumpers and valances will see the majority of the work. Intriguingly, the side mirrors on the car are from the 993, which we imagine are for testing purposes only. If the lower rear valance is any indication, the exhaust outlets could come in for revision, as well.[Source: Global Motors]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mazda FTW! 11:36AM (11/27/2008)
In before "it's the SAME" comments
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Craig 4:30PM (11/27/2008)
Porsche keeps their cars the same between models and gets praise, in general.
Ford keeps the Mustang the same, a couple of small detail changes, but gets canned by the public.
I do not get this at all.
Porsche needs to head towards the Cayman shape for the 911, it looks much nicer. They also need to move to a mid-engine as well.
Smeagle 6:44PM (11/27/2008)
Craig, they have the Cayman for people who want a mid-engine Porsche and the 911 for people who want a rear-engine Porsche. Then there is the Carrera GT for people who want a mid-engine Porsche and have a lot of money to burn. But if you want a mid-engine supercar, you have plenty of choices: Ferrari, Koenigsegg, Pagani, Ascari, Lamborghini, Audi, Ford, etc. etc. There is only one car that behaves like a 911 and that is a 911. Sure some people buy them in silver simply to match their espresso machine but there are many who buy them for the unique driving experience. Why would anybody in their right mind want to change that?
Hike15 11:42AM (11/27/2008)
WOW
what a difference!(sarcasm)
i don't see how much better it can be after the refresh of the current model.
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IOMTT 11:58AM (11/27/2008)
One thing I love about the evolution of the 911 series is an older car is easily mistaken for brand new to the untrained eye. Porsche definitely does things their own way, much like Harley Davidson. Funny, they are two very profitable companies. Is there a lesson for others here???
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Assass1n 12:09PM (11/27/2008)
I think Porsche is so profitable partly because their cars are overpriced, but also because its not that hard, nor costly, to just rehash a 50 year old design every few years. Just look at what happens when they try something different- you end up with the Panamera and Cayenne. Porsche's "designers" are some of the most over paid in the business IMHO.
IOMTT 12:16PM (11/27/2008)
@ assasin, I do see your point, but Porsche has always been able to command a premium, much like Harley Davidson. They provide something beyond numbers and statistics called an experience. Once the unique experience is diluted or disappears, then you could say it is overpriced.
TORONTO 12:20PM (11/27/2008)
Yes... Porsche is stupid for making a profit, for designing if the not the most recognized car on the planet, for creating an everyday supercar that can be tracked and taken to the ball in the same day,... I can go on about how so "STUPID" Porsche is.
The passion for Porsche will never go away.... the 911 will NEVER go away if that's what you expect.
Mazda FTW! 12:49PM (11/27/2008)
TORONTO - I agree. However...you have to wonder what Porsche could be capable of if they decide a design a vehcile from scratch without any 911 influence.
Sergey 1:02PM (11/27/2008)
@Mazda FTW!
I know the answer to that - Carrera GT
One of the best mid-engine supercars :) and it comes with a proper 6-speed manual!!!
TORONTO 1:07PM (11/27/2008)
@ Mazda.... the funny thing is.... everything Porsche does is 911 influenced. It's been around for so long, everything the engineers have learned... is the 911.
It begs to ask the question... is it harder to start from scratch... or harder to keep on improving the same thing.
arturo 2:14PM (11/27/2008)
@ Assasins
You are forgetting the porsche carrera GT. an exotic porsche. Also the porsche Boxter a midengine car that has win a lot of awards. The cayenne is a good SUV, its just that with gas prices people tend to hate on gas thirsty SUVs. Porsche deserves all they have. plus you can easily differentiate a porsche from ten years ago to a new porsche. yeah its hard to tell between 5 or so years but in a decade its hard to tell. To me this is good, it means that your porsche stays new for a longer time.
fR00r 7:55PM (11/27/2008)
@Assass1n:
" Just look at what happens when they try something different- you end up with the Panamera and Cayenne."
And the Cayenne became their best-selling model ..
Mobius_1 12:22PM (11/27/2008)
I love the 911, it is now a real modern classic, despite the fact it is still in production and constantly evolving, and spawning amazing variants.
Just wondering, what happens when they reach 999?
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SPF 12:32PM (11/27/2008)
999.1?
ropeburn 1:25PM (11/27/2008)
I never thought about the 999 dilemma
but now that we're getting close it's a funny question
that P car lovers would love to know the answer to.
Yago Bal 12:30PM (11/27/2008)
It's a mule.
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act1 12:41PM (11/27/2008)
Actually I think it's a donkey - the ears are too long for a mule.
JIm 12:43PM (11/27/2008)
A point of irony when H-D is compared to Porsche. Porsche Engineering designed H-D's Evolution engine and about the same time also designed another water cooled V-4 for H-D that never made it to production.
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JT 12:54PM (11/27/2008)
I guess when you want to liquid cool your engine, you find a person whos done the conversion!
Porsche made a smooth transition, and the evolution motor (sorry I mean engine, motors are electric) is amazing.
Do you know if Porsche co developed the new liquid engine used in the Buell 1125CR?
JT