Spy Shots: 998 Porsche 911 test mule

Hahaha! That's the good thing about not changing a car's design much at all. It keeps everyone guessing.

Is it the 997S facelift? The 998? Maybe the 999 mule!? LOL

I might call this the next generation 911 mule. Obviously this is a mule, which why not use the shell of a current facelift to test things under the metal since none of it can be seen from spy pictures. So why to make a mule give competitors insight what the 'all-new' car might look like. Remember not all finished cars look like their older mules that have circulated around the world before them. Several things are for sure: the standard wing has some technologies that have recently been patented; and it will be wider both front and rear as the mule's extended wheel arches point out.

In the topic of this mule, some have thought this mule might be a road going RSR but others argued a larger wing similar to the RS would have been used.

Porshe is a great car but damn they need to put something out with a whole new design that only has a hint of the Porshe look. They probably never will but i can still wish it, dream it.

why change an icon?
That is why the 911 does so well. It has such a following... don't change what works.

It's a timeless design. If they "put something out with a whole new design that only has a hint of the Porsche look" it would no longer be a 911.

Fine, then don't change the 911. But why does the ENTIRE RANGE have to look like a 911??? Look at Ferrari. Timeless beauty in every design but each Ferrari has its own distinct identity while retaining the brand.

At a certain point this becomes just safe and timid design. Porsche designers need to get out more.

Not every Ferrari has been the best looking it's just you're so wound up with the badge "Ferrari" that it blinds you. I know how it feels. I use to be like that too.

I see what you are saying about being more innovative in their design. I think this is where the Panamera should have gone. Perhaps they should bring back the 944 or 928?

What makes you say I'm blind? Because I take Porsche to task. No one is above criticism. I brought up Ferrari because it is a sports car marque with just as much heritage as Porsche.

The things is Ferraris (and others, not just Ferrari) are exploratory in their styling whereas Porsche seems to be slavishly limited to the 911 template. I like the 91i but I no longer care what Porsches look like.

The 911 is a piece of s---? You can't be serious.

its clear that he's jealous at sucess. oh what a wonderful world we live in...

They did put something out that is new, but retains the Porsche look. It's the Cayman S. A lot of people (albeit uninformed) have mistaken it on the streets as a new 911.

The Cayman S is small, compact, and very attractive all around.

yeah and you're only talking about a $200,000 price difference...no big deal.

Don't care for the rear wing. I am glad porsche is evolutionary rather than revolutionary--keeps my 08tt is style for a LONG time

it's not a wing, per se. every 911 is equipped with one of those. it raises at around 70 mph to improve airflow and increase downforce...it retracts once the cars gets back down below 45 or 50.