Originally Posted by Polesitter

A few of you are saying that they will switch cup engines next year. They can't for practical reasons. Consider the fact that a '13 car, a '14 car and a '15 car will all have different engines under that scenario.

That means to get to two classes, they have to dump all 997 based cups. The problem then will become insufficient car count in various series because there aren't sufficient buyers in just the '14s and '15s.

Consider that the car count for IMSA Platinum cup will probably be low 20s this year. That is with 4 full years of identical spec (997 wide body ) cup cars being produced.

The math doesn't work, it creates paddock and support chaos and it will infuriate the customers/competitors.

The only plausible scenario for a short term switch is to only run the Mezger in Supercup in 2013, then switch to the new motor in 14 for mainstream deliveries. But that is equally unlikely.

Originally Posted by Mike in CA

The 997 shared few if any body panels with and had many significant changes from the 996. Some may consider it the same platform (the engine is obviously still water-cooled and in the rear) but Porsche felt it was different enough to give it a new series number. They've never gone 14 years before with the same model series. Maybe we're splitting hairs about this, but I just don't see a model called 991 lasting that long. Time will tell. I just hope we still have high performance sports cars 14 years from now.

Originally Posted by Guest89

I think only the roof was the same; regardless, it's a very similar car wearing different clothes (inside and out). The all-new 991/981 cars will have nearly 15 years of evolution (facelift, "new" car, facelift, then truly new car - cycle begins again), as did the 996/997 and 986/987 (1998 up to the RS 4.0). Giving the car a new series number doesn't necessarily mean it's a "new" car; the biggest enhancements on the 997.1 over the 996.2 were a return to 993-esque looks and an improved interior.

Originally Posted by Mike in CA

aybe we're splitting hairs about this, but I just don't see a model called 991 lasting that long.

Originally Posted by Macca

Sunnyr. Fair points but its probably stretching it a bit far to expect them to throw in a 6000 PDK-S transmission and wider body for free.

Iv been led to expect from those in Europe a 15%+ increase over the outgoing 997.2 GT3 in base spec. Given the weak Euro I personally cant see this vehicle coming in at 125k or less USD but Im hoping you are right and Im wrong.

I guess well know in T minus 6 days....

Originally Posted by mike2727

I still think we should not forget that the Mezger (which was expensive for Porsche) is no longer in the car so instead of only adding additional features/$$$ to the base car, what about substracting some for the Mezger not being there ?

My thinking is Base at $ 125k ~ $ 130k (incl PDK-S)

But as you stated, we will know in less than 2 weeks for sure

Mike

Originally Posted by Macca

Mike2727, That price is much more like what I predicted (unfortunately). However its still the lower side of the range they were considering to launch at in NA (135-140k USD) from what i understand.

So it looks like 136,400 (the most credible number Ive heard yet) and we will know for sure next week....

I think you will all be surprised to find that if this model run is restricted to 900 units globally it may well be sold out shortly after the Geneva show is finished. I understand from a Porsche insider that Asian interest in the 991 GT3 is very very strong (could it be the PDK-S transmission) and now with dealerships popping up all through China and Russia I think you will see the demand for this flagshiip model now spreading further and faster than ever before especially given some of the headline figures they will post for this car.

Originally Posted by TRAKCAR

I doubt they will start at $125K Champion guy is wrong. Go spec out a C4S with go fast stuff only and post the total here.