As a previous owner of quite a few Porsche 911's, it always amazes me how they always find a way to take a perennial classic and improve it just enough, so you have to sell your old one and jump on the newest model.
I stopped by my buddy and ace sales guy Chris Huck at my favorite San Diego Porsche dealer (Pioneer Centres) after getting the tipoff that they had a nice selection of 09's on the ground.
The car doesn't LOOK that different but it has been improved in just about every way possible outside of a full redesign.
We've also got the first detailed photos of the new PCM nav system, MP3 and bluetooth integration in the gallery.
Here are just some of the notable details shared to me by Chris Huck:
True to Porsches’ “form follows function” and “evolution not revolution” concepts, at first glance the changes to the second generation, 2009 Porsche 911 don’t appear to be overwhelming. Once you start looking closer though, they really start to pop out at you – new tail lights and corner lights incorporated into subtly new, more aggressive bumper skins, taller side mirrors with more noticeable grooving and then the little XM antenna that is common now on so many other cars today. There are even new wheels and a couple of new colors – Aqua Blue and Racing Green. The Carrera 4 adds a horizontal light bar connecting the two tail lights.
What’s really exciting though is what you can’t see - the 100% new engine, suspension, transmission, exhaust, and touch screen entertainment system. More power, improved fuel efficiency and oil management, lower emissions, smoother ride and even better handling.
New factory entertainment and comfort options include a new Bose stereo featuring true 5.1 surround sound and DVD audio compatibility, XM Radio, XM Nav-Traffic to route you around slow moving traffic, Bluetooth / iPod integration, ventilated seats and even a heated steering wheel.
The all new engine uses 40% fewer parts, is 11 lbs lighter, is more compact, more durable, more efficient and has a 10mm lower center of gravity of 800 lbs of weight! With its’ larger bore and shorter stroke it revs quicker to its’ higher 7500 rpm red line and develops 345 and 385 hp in Carrera and Carrera S respectively, taking them to Porsches’ published 0-60 times of 5.2 (6 spd Carrera) 4.3 (PDK Carrera) 5.0 (6 spd Carrera S) and 4.1 (PDK Carrera S.)
Optimized oil circulation uses 2 extraction points per cylinder head now, 5 oil pumps v/s 3 on early 997, further developed integrated dry sump and lower horizontal oil separators allowed a lower engine height and significantly improved oil management and reduced consumption especially in aggressive driving conditions.
The Porsche Doppelkupplung (double clutch) transmission is an electronically controlled dual manual transmission gear box that shifts with the feel of being shifted by a professional race car driver. This transmission was originally developed for the 1984 Porsche racing program but recent developments in electronics allowed it to be brought to the street. In full electronic operation it is well suited to traffic while in its’ SPORT/SPORT PLUS mode it has an extreme race track bias. With LAUNCH CONTROL even an inexperienced driver should be able to enjoy the cars’ fastest possible acceleration potential!
Working with the new Direct Fuel Injection, drivers can expect as high as 27 miles per gallon (Carrera) and 26 mpg (Carrera S) making the new Porsche 911 more fuel efficient than current BMW 650i, Jaguar XKR coupe, MB SL550, Maserati Gran Turismo and Aston Martin Vantage while enjoying an extra 20hp, 15 more lb.-ft torque in the Carrera and an extra 30hp, 15 lb.-ft torque for the Carrera S.
The all new PASM and PASM Sport adjustable suspensions excited me the most. The standard Carrera suspension uses linear springs with 43nm stiffness (46 in PDK cars). The PASM equipped Carrera and Carrera S sit 10mm lower than standard ride height and feature new progressive rate springs with 56nm stiffness. With the new PASM Sport Suspension Package drivers have a much more aggressive handling potential while retaining their street comfort – 20mm lower than standard Carrera and spring rates electronically adjustable from 65-95 newton meters of stiffness. This v/s the GT3 at 112nm. What’s all this mean? Very nearly as aggressive handling as the GT3 but a car much more suited to commuting to work or driving cross country!
Although a lot has been said above, there’s still a lot more not mentioned. Visit Porsche.com to learn about the new Limited Slip Rear Differential Lock, larger brakes with Closed Calipers, Drive Off Assistant, Dynamic Cornering Lights, Enhanced PSM and much more.
Of course a visit to your local Porsche dealer for a test drive is the best way to enjoy the new 997!
Chris Huck
Pioneer Porsche Sales since 1997
2008 SEMA Auto Show Photo Gallery