Ok the 996 wasn't the most sexy successor, but I don't find the 997 to be one either.

Who is doing the design of the 997, or really any of Porsche's cars.
He honestly doesn't seem to be too bright, too intuitive, or have much of an imagination.

He's basically just listening to us rant here on forums like these, about how much more we liked the "waisted" look of the 993 better.

The 997 looks about as "good" as the 996.

 

RR,

I'm a bit disapointed too so far, though I want to wait till the official pics, but not much seems different so far, and the things that are different are not even new, they are retro looking. The only thing I like more is the wider hips. I was counting on substituting my 996 for the 997 since long ago but now if its just a re-styled 996 I may wait for the 998.

 

I'm also curious to see the real car, but it seems that the design is too close to the 996. To upgrade to the 997 from a 996 seems to be quite difficult... but I believe once we see it we'll like it a lot!.

 

I think the 996, especially from the rear on a CAB is incredibly beautiful. The 997 wont be as nice from the rear.

I have gotten used to the front view and think its as nice as my former 993.

 

I think it's going to look good. They seem to have incorporated the desirable styling of the 993 into the 996.

What I don;t get is that the car is going to be even larger. The C6 Corvette is actually going to be a smaller, more agile car; the 911 just keeps getting bigger and heavier.

 

I hate to say it but the competition will catch up.... just a matter of time... look at M3, new NSX, Vette and Aston Martin AMV8... the beginnings of a new generation of refined high performance sports cars to compete with Porsche.

The AMV8 is bloody gorgeous... I don't know about Aston Martin quality though...

 

As everyone knows really, the spyshots of prototypes aren't close to the finished product. The companies will of course disguise the prototypes to make them look close whatever current model is out.

I won't make judgement on the 997 until the unveiling... though I think it will be hard to create a car more beautiful than the 996 GT3 while keeping true to form!