Mike in CA

I think your dealer is wrong. Porsche already has two mid-engine models and they are not going to abandon the rear engine design in any forseeable future. Tweak it a bit maybe but not eliminate it.

alexb76

Most likely you're right... however, from a pure business point of view... they might be thinking about that move. The people who have truly 911 rear-engine experience are more and more a rare breed... and Porsche is totally targeting a new demographic and I wouldn't be suprised as the next car after 991 is even less rear biased!

Slimwear

Your dealer is trying to make the current 911 look more desirable and sell more cars, nothing more.

beowulf

If the new car laps the 'Ring faster than the old one, then I'm game - regardless of wheelbase,
"polar moment" etc etc etc. If you like a rudimentary porsche go pre 1999; if you want modern but "shorter" wheelbase go 996/997 if you want the latest x-bred 911-Panamera then 991 is for you!
voila! Something for everyone

wwest

Mid-engine mean....end of the line for C4..?

texas911

One of the reasons I love the 911 is that it is an everyday sports car. My kids love riding in the back and they'll have a life time of memories of it. Don't discount the rear seats. Its reliable enough to drive everyday and just common enough not to illicit a second look. That's win win in my book.

LastMezger

+1. And the 991 will have a bit more rear seat room to boot. If anything...I hope they make rear seats available on the nest GT3.

WCE

The most shocking thing about the 991 will be how little was actually changed over the 996/997!
Porsche has already confirmed the engine/transmissions have only minor changes (I will still have to see that 7-speed manual shift pattern to believe it!). The four inches of wheelbase increase will be all interior space, most of it likely in the rear seat area, improving on the feature which causes many to choose a 911 in the first place. The new body will probably have a few surprises, in particular the rear spoiler.
Anyone who expects radical changes, especially a mid-engine configuration, is dreaming!

BC-997

Dealers are usually the last to know anything definitive about a new model for obvious reasons.

I've painfully read through this thread and noticed some similarities to other's I've participated in:

1) self proclaimed 'enthusiasts' always decry the launch of a revised model.
2) the manufacturer doesn't understand the market for their cars (according to those in #1).

I've been driving these cars since my first 73 RS. That car hooked me and although I've driven other cars since then, I've had a 911 in the garage ever since. Except for the 996 which is the only time I feel Porsche AG missed it. The move from the 993 to the 996 was the most argued transition in my experience and for good reason. But look at how quickly Porsche AG corrected that experience.

Every manufacturer has had to add weight and girth for reasons we're all familiar with on this forum but the 911 has remained true to it's roots for over 50 years while becoming safer and more reliable. I think Dan is right, the speculation is fun but when the car gets here, most of us won't be disappointed. For now, we just think we know what we know...

alexb76

Just read the LATEST articles around 991... is it NOT mid-engine, however they've shifted the rear wheels further back and there is DEFINITELY less rear-bias... that's is 100% confirmed!

Nugget

Bummer

toovo1985

Simply love this car...was able to see it at his official debut at the IAA

Here is one of the pictures I took during the press days

published at Autoviva.com

JLHendrix

This plus I like a short stubbier car with mid century modern design and fewer computerized features. the 991 is no doubt a great performer for both street and track, but is simply less distinctive feeling and looking for its time than prior generations of the 911 in my opinion.