fbroen

After looking at first pics, and then the real thing of the 991 for some time now, some of the design elements that at first seemed a bit of a departure from the previous models are starting to become, well, the 911.

First, let me say that I LOVE the design and look of the 997. It's got so many visual clues to the ur-911 that are very nicely updated.

But I was watching Chris Harris' GT3 RS 4.0 v M3 GTS v C63 AMG Black video and when the camera panned over the interior of the 4.0 it just hit me hard how dated the center portion of the dash looks.

It was sort of a watershed moment for me. Since, then I have been looking at 997s in the street, and noticed their shorter wheelbase, the longer overhangs, and the rucksack rear... IMHO, the design is starting to show its age as something still very desirable, but clearly from a different era.

In my mind the 997 is still a fantastic looking car, but it has started its transtion to something more of a classic Porsche. Not a bad thing, as I have never met a 911 I didn't appreciate (although I believe the 996 is a bit more of an acquired taste).

'Current' is no longer a word I would use to describe design of any 997.

Thoughts?

911SLOW

Great post from a BMW forum, a year after the first Chris Bangle-ed bimmer.

fbroen

I am not sure I understand your response. Are you saying the 997 still looks current, or that the 991 is a dislikeable design, or...?

Alan Smithee

Older? Sure; bigger wheels, longer wheelbase, and smaller greenhouse are more current design trends.

Targa Tim

Any 997 still looks way better than the BMW or Mercedes in the video. Don't know what OP is talking about. To >90% of public, 997 looks exactly the same as 991.

fbroen

OP does not disagree, but also thinks that readership here is not >90% of the public.

fbroen

I also think that it will be a long time before we get see any version of a 911 with the total awesomeness of the presence of the 4.0.

Selo

The one design element of the 991 that I clearly like better than the 997 is the shorter rear overhang.
The interior of the new model is cleaner, but somehow seems lacking to me.

Mike in CA

Spending $200K+ on a car can do that.....

SSST

I think the OP was saying that the center console made the 997 look dated. I'd hate to have him critique my 996 center console.

I do agree with Selo that the rear overhang is the most dated part of the 996/997 platform. This is part of the classic 911 look though, so we are back to "beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

FWIW. Mrs. SSST and I just got back from dinner. When I gave the 996tt to the valet he put it between a Gallardo Superlegerra, and a Continental GTC Speed. There were only three spots right in front of the restaurant.

My old beater can still turn some heads.

Carcam

Coming from a 911 GTS to the 991S, I like the interior better on the new car but still think the 997 is a better looking car on the outside. Perfect proportions, classic good looks. For my daily driving, the refinement of the 991 just won me over. It's no GT3 RS though.

Franklin229

Talking strictly about visual design ques, the 991 is certainly new but I am far from sold that the 997 looks dated. I think there was way more drama going from 996 to 997 and 964 to 993.
I personally think once the novelty of "new" shortly wears off, the 991 styling will look very incremental/subtle relative to a ten year timeline.

I also think the 991 interior is far from new looking-we all got to see it in the Panamera about 3+ years ago. Just my 2 cents.

Abby Normal

In Canada perhaps.....

The 991 made the 997 look dated as soon as it hit the ground.

speed21

True.

Against the regular 997/S the impact was hardest felt....991 really dates the car. Put 991 alongside the GT3/Turbo models.....not nearly as bad.....but, it can be seen.

10 GT3

Bottom line is Chris Harris owns 1 of the cars in the video. Do you think he is going to change it out anytime soon because the 991 looks fresher? Not a chance. While it may look more modern and ride better, it still doesn't match the driving experience of a 997 GT3. Maybe that will change with the 991 GT3 makes and appearance, but until then this is the honest truth.