The 997 Carrera 2 is still getting its finishing touches and Porsche is already developing the Turbo. Incredible! The car sports a tail that people will remember from past 911s.
The 997 Turbo has an expected sales date towards the end of 2005 as part of a thoroughly revised 911 line-up. At its heart is a reworked version of the current cars twin-turbo 3.6-litre flat six with over 450 HP in standard trim - up by 30 HP from the current 911 Turbo. Exact technical details remain scarce, though Porsche is thought to have side-stepped direct injection - a technology it has already developed - in raising the turbo's output. Instead, the increase is said to come from a series of subtle enhancements to the ECU, coupled with further improvements to the VarioCam variable valve timing system and a moderate increase in boost pressure.
New transmission technology is also claimed to have played its part in pumping the torque rating of the new turbo. Along with a beefed up version of the existing 6-speed manual and a new 6-speed automatic, Porsche is developing the next-generation Turbo to accept an advanced double clutch gearbox similar to that offered by Audi on the TT V6 and pioneered by Porsche itself on the 956/962 sports racing cars of the '80s and '90s.
The new front-end look of the 911 Turbo, with a return to classic round headlamps, can be clearly seen in these pictures. The heavily disguised rear vertical air ducts for the engine and brakes will be replaced by more stylised units similar in shape to those found on the Porsche Carrera GT.