Now That The 991 Is NAKED, Is The Interior Going Down The Same Path As The 996?

For those of you who haven't followed Porsche's 911 history, which is now extensive and spans over several decades, the 996 was a bit of a misstep.

Years ago the 911's interior was a spartan collection of dials and switchgear. Then the 996 generation came about and modernized things while also including an interior that was not up to Porschephile standards.

That move made it the red-headed stepchild of 911s, not to mention it was leading off a water-cooled movement.

With the 991 we see its interior is taking a gigantic amount of inspiration from the Panamera -- yeah, we called this a while ago. As you can see the center console is raised, a la the Carrera GT -- which trickled down into the Panamera, then Cayenne --, the steering wheel looks exactly the same as the Panamera's, and its doors, switchgear and gauges all have a similar look.

But will this ENHANCE the 991 or take it down the lonely path of unloved 911s?


2013 Porsche 911 REVEALED Photo Gallery
















[Source: Top Speed]


2013 Porsche 911 REVEALED Photo Gallery

2013 BMW 3-Series Spied In The Flesh For The First Time

BimmerFest East 2011 Photo Gallery

BMW i3 and i8 Concept Photo Gallery

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series Photo Gallery

Full 2011 Comicon Photo Gallery

BondMI6 - 8/18/2011 12:56:10 AM

+5 Boost

Definitely more luxury than sport but a welcome change from the current gen.

993Turbo - 8/18/2011 7:16:35 AM

+5 Boost

Pictures are kind of tough. Need to see the car in the flesh. The Panamera interior theme has been pretty well received in general.

PUGPROUD - 8/18/2011 7:45:56 AM

+1 Boost

Soft interior fits the new Porsche customers (hedge fund guys, lawyers,
doctors, poseurs) but the brand would do itself some good to produce
a simplier, hard core model that says "I'm a machine and will take all you've got and more!" that appealed to past customer base (engineers,
self made men, pilots, car enthusiasts). Porsche, however, cannot do it now because the new group has all the money and don't want to be shown up by not having the best of the best though many of them have no clue what an apex is. The answer is that the new entry model aka 356 should
be a super light, balls out, simple hard core machine...a super MX-5 type with a hard edge including the interior. Time for Porsche to revisit its roots.

pcar4evr - 8/18/2011 11:02:52 AM

+2 Boost

Fine by me - just want to make sure that the manual shifter feels as good in this one as in my 997 C2S.

investor27 - 8/18/2011 9:44:17 AM

+1 Boost

What? Still no paddle shifters? The have it in the Spyder and Cayman R, so why not in the 911?

Porsche already has a "super MX-5 type" car. The Boxster has always been referred to as "the MX-5 on steroids."

JRobUSC - 8/18/2011 11:05:22 AM

0 Boost

aren't those aluminum tabs on the steering wheel face shift buttons/paddles?

vogeygolf - 8/18/2011 1:23:46 PM

+3 Boost

I think the standard wheel for the PDK transmission has buttons on the wheel. You can get the upgraded wheel with the true paddle shifters. Or at least that's what I recall. I decided on a traditional 6-speed manual for my 2011 Carerra. And I don't regret in one minute.

Not sure how I feel about the interior. It might feel out of place, a super lux interior on a hard core sports car.

audi3800 - 8/18/2011 1:00:00 PM

+3 Boost

yea it def is more luxurious but still light years ahead, especially when compared to the 996. This is by far a nicely updated version of the 911 and shouldnt recieve harsh criticisms with the 996.

Agent63 - 8/18/2011 1:33:44 PM

+1 Boost

I will be trading in my 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo for the next one. The interior is so much nicer than mine and the rear lights look much improved, especially for 2012 and beyond. While the body hasn't changed in shape, the size and overall appeal is still there. The 911 is an iconic car that's why I don't care too much about the rest of the line up, well maybe the 918 Spyder, they need an expensive super car again. the Carrera was awesome.

mini22 - 8/18/2011 2:05:41 PM

+3 Boost

Honestly the interior of this new 911 looks more luxury sedan then sports car.If you want an example of a luxury sports car interior look to Ferrari,Maserati,Lamborghini,Aston Martin and even the Audi R8. Their interiors do not look like they were taken out of a luxury sedan and shrunk to fit a sports car. Even the Carrera GT has a great luxury but sportscar interior. I don't like the square air vents. They remind me of Audi/VW vents in their cars. Also the Gauges in the original 911 had a rawness to them.I don't know if it was more aircraft inspired or what but I prefer them to these new ones. The only thing of interest is the different colored tach. That appears to be a homage to Ferrari.True the interior is more upmarket but also looks more sedan ordinary then in previous 911's.There is nothing exotic looking in this interior. A shame really.

freeagent - 8/18/2011 5:32:54 PM

+2 Boost

my question on the interior is whether or not the Burmeister stereo will be an option. Rest is OK with me so long as the manual shifter placement works well with the raised center consol. Looks like it might not.

irishmike - 8/18/2011 7:48:52 PM

+1 Boost

Ideal interior would be high quality materials, yet more simple. 991 interior looks over done.

PUGPROUD - 8/19/2011 12:23:44 PM

+1 Boost

To investor 27...

Its not that I disagree with your point on the Boxster (a great car) but
having owned both a Boxster S and two Miata/MX-5's they are not the same in more ways than they are similar. The boxster has a much greater performance envelope but you really have to drive it way past legal speed limits to get your mojo going...like the man said, at legal speeds its like driving an Audi thru a school zone. Its also plush and
luxury leaning in the interior. The Miata/MX-5 is much lighter and makes a trip to the grocery store to buy bread a kick. Lately however
it too is leaning more toward comfort than sport. I'm just saying Porsche should make a light, mean machine that comes alive in your hands from the get go with a no frills interior at a reasonable cost.
The next Miata for example is shooting to reduce its weight by 800lbs.