German Car Forum

..as does the fact that the wing used is a semi-clad retractable unit, as seen on the Carrera models.

More: worldcarfans

Ooh, the sides look pretty bloated and fat there.... I hope Porsche don't give into the trend BMW started with bloated cars too much. I always liked their lean looks.

I think the proportions look extremely well balanced while still maintaining the iconic 911 look.

Looks great.

I agree, looks reall sleek in those shots, but still instantly 911. A little Boxster and Carrera GT in there too.

M

No worries, it's just the cammo with padding that's tricking your eyes.

Nice.

Looks great though, really retains the 997 look, but beefs it up a bit, and is even sleeker. I wouldn't expect anything less from Porsche, as I consider them to be masters of evolution, with the 911's.

Their mastery over evolution makes Darwin proud.

This car from the previous page is a Sport Classic 997, in retrospect

It has been a while since I have read or seen any news on the 998?

Any news out there?

No news recently as the focus is on the new Cayenne due to be presented around new years eve. The 998 won't hit the dealers until spring/summer 2011.

I think VAG have just answered one of my biggest unanswered question regarding the 998 -- side-mirror setup. We all know that the 998 will not feature traditional side mirrors but will come equipped with cameras instead. I've been thinking about where they would put the screens and here is the hint:

No mirrors will look ugly

It will have a camera housing instead, which with out stupid laws could be made much more sleeker.

..or they would have to be made to break so easily that no one could ever get hurt in the doing.

it will be interesting to see how Porsche is going to maintain the classic 911 look with a hard top convertible. Most tintop convertibles seems to develop peculiar shapes.

I think that the SL has the best body shape out of all cars with a folding metal roof. The Ferrari California doesn't look too bad either, though it has a tall rear end. I've seen Porsche's patent applications for their metal folding roof and apparently it's a four section roof which can be folded and tucked neatly into a very small space.











The California uses a less practical two piece roof.

You're kidding, right ? With all things mechanical, the simpler the construction the more reliable it is. Four-section roof has twice more components than the two-section solution. Not to mention all the visible shutlines especially on light color cars ?

I believe that when Centurion's referenced practical, he meant that the Porsche system will fold up into a smaller space than the Ferrari. In terms of reliability, weight, and appearance I agree with your comments.

How so?


Best regards,
south

^^
Porsche's chief R&D wizard, Christian Dau, said some months ago that the 998 will come without side mirrors.

Currentley the cameras are tested on the rear bumper, but will be placed on the doors where the A-pillar meet the doors.



Valid arguments and the E93 is an example of how dreadful shutlines can look. But the aestetic penalties for not using a compact roof is greater. Just look at the huge ass of the California, not very pretty from some angles. Most importantly the 911 is a delicate matter, currently the 911 cabrio has the same top speed as the coupe and Porsche have done all in their power in making the convertible as good of a performer as the coupe.

The nightmare would be a 911 cabrio with metal roof that resembles a dysfunctional 911 coupe. Put so far it looks pretty and should stand up well against the Calfornia which is designed to steal 911TT customers from Porsche.

I think that's going to rely heavily on the rules and regulations of your local road/highway safety administration. I'm sure there isn't a clause in there about the use of cameras instead of physical mirrors, so we're going to have to wait and see if this really does come to fruition or just another fantasy of the R&D department.

The car hits dealerships in 14-18 months and testing is now in full swing. By the time production ready cars are being tested, papers have already been signed sealed and delivered. The EU and governments around the world would be consulted even before the idea of cameras instead of side mirrors was presented to the cheif engineers.

More so I can see great applications for cameras, such as night vision.

LOL, tuner's have been using cameras instead of mirrors since early 2000s. The thing was, it was always deemed illegal for street use, and the last time I saw anyone use camera for mirrors was a few concept cars in '08. Since then I haven't heard anything since...until now with you saying that Porsche is gonna use them. Wouldn't they need to do real world testing with the camera? So far we haven't seen one mule without mirrors.

I'm not doubting you, just saying that I haven't heard this anywhere except from you.

The traditional side mirrors are just a disguise. Take a look at the photograph below, I've encircled the cameras for you, the location of them will off course be moved to where the side mirrors are normally positioned.



As far as testing goes VAG, have loads of private testing grounds where new technology get put through the paces and scrutinized. Take the Mulsanne as an example. Prior to the launch we hardly saw more than 1-3 photos of the car in prototype form and the same applies to the A4 and Audi R8.

Tuners cannot be compared with manufacturers, the former do things for show and the later for pragmatism. The reasons why the use of cameras by tuners have been turned down is because they have technology that has not been thoroughly tested and approved. VAG/PAG do not have this issue because they have the resources to test and develop reliable technology. So it's not an issue about whether something is advanced or not, but more about whether its has passed been tested and approved. Unlike the cameras used by tuners, the ones on the 998 are tested through the most extreme temperatures imaginable.

Need more assurance?


'There is no more need for old-fashioned protruding door mirrors, the pending pedpro [pedestrian protection] requirements will force us to make relatively obvious alterations to the nose of the car, and for aerodynamic reasons we are also going to reshape the rear end.'

Porsche R&D chief Wolfgang Dürheimer


Porsche's new 911 coupe and cabriolet (2011) spyshots | Secret New Cars | Car Magazine Online