My first real-life impressions (4 photos)
 

Visiting Porsche factory, I had oportunity to examine new 997.

My first real-life impressions:

1. Not so 993, quite 996, basically only rounded headlights plus some more minor details.
2. Not very muscular.
3. Almost impossible to identify from the back.
4. 18" wheels don't fill big wheel-arcs.

Model we examined was base Carrera. I believe, that Carrera S is more harmonic.

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Jack,

Excellent photo's taken at the Porsche Leipzig plant/track. I agree there's a whole lot more 996 in this model than the 993. The word on the street here in the U.S. (my dealer says), the 997 is a shorter than expected transition to the 998's that should appear for MY2008. For now, I'm glad Porsche introduced the 997, I think I may be in the market for a 997 GT3 or Turbo.

Thanks for the pics!

Wow! That looks good. It looks like a mix between the 928GTS and the 993. Very NICE...

Great pix! Exactly what I need right now as I'm trying to decide if I can afford to trade in my 2001 MB CLK 430 for a 2005 or 2006 997 (non-S). Can't wait to see it in the flesh later this year! Really reminds me of my 1995 993 (sold many years ago! :( ). Makes it look much more like a Porsche 911 than the 996 (Never did like the Boxter head light cluster of the 996).

Am I seeing the pix correctly? The rear wheels don't have that deep dish lip that my 993 (with the 17" option) had. In fact, the 17" AMG rims on my CLK has a deeper rear wheel lip than the 997.

Dished or not, but these wheels are too small for these wheel-arc's. 19" fit better. Rear wheel is look like from japanese U$ 15 000 car. At least need badly 1 inch spacers...

I agree that a bit more rear wheel fill out would be a good thing. But, that aside, I must say those are great pictures and this car is really growing on me!

Thanks,

Allan

Wouldn't be so bad if the car was lowered. That looks like US ride height.