Spy Shots: Next-gen Porsche 911 sporting double-bubble roof
by Damon Lavrinc on Jul 3rd 2009 at 7:44PM 
2011 Porsche 911 - Click above for a high-res image gallery of spy shots
With every iteration of the 911, Porsche makes incremental improvements to its iconic sports car and naturally, the next generation will be no exception.
This latest 911 prototype was caught at the Nurburgring sporting 997 sheetmetal, but it's what's on top and out back that deserves note. A double-bubble roof panel has been fitted, while underneath the rear camouflage is a sizeable wing and additional ducting. Look closely and you'll see a small sill at the base of the rear windscreen that's assumed to be feeding the rear-mounted flat-six – likely necessary keep the boxer cool while Porsche engineers figure out how the new contoured roof affects aerodynamics. If previous reports are to be believed, we can expect the next 911 to debut sometime in 2010, but we wouldn't rule out an appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
carlbolt 7:51PM (7/03/2009)
Next gen? Can't tell the difference from current gen. No wonder this car doesn't need camo.
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HotRodzNKustoms 8:23PM (7/03/2009)
I was about to say the same thing.
Underling: Boss shouldn't we cover the new 998 up?
Boss: Why? It will take the spy photographers 2 years to figure out it's a 998 anyways!
F-22 8:51PM (7/03/2009)
It's a mule guys...it's a mule...
AM2 10:51PM (7/03/2009)
Thats not a 998, and why make a mule using the 997 body when we've already seen the 998 prototypes already?
Notice the real 998 is lower, longer and has door mounted side mirrors like the new Panamera.
998 Spy photos:
http://www.globalmotors.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/porsche-911-003-copy.jpg
http://www.globalmotors.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/porsche-911-1.jpg
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/27/spy-shots-998-porsche-911/
rocco 10:57PM (7/03/2009)
im with AM2
This is likely a 997 CS
naggs 5:13AM (7/04/2009)
my guess is a powertrain mule for some form of 998 bassery
AMcA 2:49PM (7/04/2009)
Will this rule out a sunroof? 911s ALWAYS have sunroofs.
Roadkill 2:44AM (7/06/2009)
What a refreshing comment ! Brilliant !
J 7:59PM (7/03/2009)
Well, at least we know what it will look like. A great car in need of a new style.
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Johnnie 8:32AM (7/05/2009)
It won't change style. Don't you all get that?
I saw a 10-15 year old Corvette on the road the other day and it looked like a piece of crap. I saw a early 90's 994 and a mid 90's 993 and they looked beautiful.
yosh 7:59PM (7/03/2009)
Is that... the Stig?
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Dustin 8:06PM (7/03/2009)
Eh, a couple of lines on the roof hardly make it a "double bubble" design, IMO. I also think it's silly to believe the engineers aren't aware of "how the contoured roof affects aerodynamics."
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naggs 5:11AM (7/04/2009)
that is all it ever is, a vette is the classic double bubble and look at that, the prius rocks one also. all very aerodynamic cars
Bird 2:14PM (7/05/2009)
The effect is probably negative, but totally negligible.
Trent 8:16PM (7/03/2009)
Why change a great car?
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? 8:42PM (7/03/2009)
I hope you don't mean "great" as in its design.
Trent 2:09AM (7/04/2009)
I love the design of the 911 but I was referring to the track performace. There areso many that are catching up that they need to get better.
tankd0g 9:49AM (7/04/2009)
I think you've hit on something there. It took them 40 years to get the thing to work, they don't dare change anything now.
Tdogg 9:28PM (7/03/2009)
Its still good. I'd rather have Porsche not change much than risk the possibility of them doing something along the lines of chopping 2 doors off the Panamera.
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rocco 10:16PM (7/03/2009)
1) Why even bother taping up the Porsche emblem on the hood?
2) Forget the roof... is that an adjustable front splitter?
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