Mikey

This is based on an extremely reliable source that it will be running 335 rears. For reference the GT2 is running 315s and makes 477hp. Let's just hope they ditched the AWD and reduced the weight to something reasonable.

GreggT

Most all the early press leaks on the 996TT before it was launched said it would have 550.
The saving grace was........they still gave us an incredible engine, easily tunable to 600 with minimal downsides.
Say the same of 997 and I'd say bravo.
Or...'under engineer' and make 500 very hard to build on......and that would be disappointing.

Sorry........don't agree on the AWD.
Personally, I want more than 2 tire patches pushing 600 HP around a corner.

If I were a better driver, I'd probably feel different.
However........my track times are not that bad (and I sure have a blast out there ).

PV

Is there any other news around the TT? I'm not sure the HP number on its own is telling the story. My current 325 HP has about 80 HP less than my previous car, but is outperforming it in each area.

Would be great if there is a similar conversion factor as between a PC and a Mac. Something like you need at least 50% more HP in another car to come close to the performance of a Porsche :-))

TT Surgeon

Truth is nobody really knows.

ben in lj

pretty doubtful.

ben in lj

they were (are) smoking crack.

JS

I doubt the stock 997TT will produce 500hp but I dont doubt a 997TT with optional powerkit will, and as for the Awd, I bet they dont lose it.

GreggT

Howdy Ben.......I'm not sure what weed would have been available to those fellas testing early mules out in Arizona......but there were a number of reports that made the 'credible' press back then (and got Porsche's advance orders up).
It was believable with the GT1 basis.
I recall hearing problems in cooling and then safety & liability had a play. How they arrived at 420 is anyone's guess but they left alot on the work bench.
It is a pretty good engine.

cooz

i expect the new 997 turbo will be a wider wide body with AWD with approx 475hp.

Mikey

I am not speculating, consider it a fact ... the 997TT will be running 335s which only means one thing ... more power than GT2. The only other car in the Porsche lineup that uses the 335s is the CGT at 600hp, and that's a RWD.

MKW

335 rear tires are pure bling for an AWD car - the only reason the GT2 and C-GT need that much rubber is because all the power goes to the rear. A much wider than needed tire ( and it's required heavier wheel ) adds unsprung weight farthest from the axle (BAD for acceleration and braking due to rotational inertia not to mention susp control ) and drag that effectively cancels probably 30-50 of the new motor's hp . You know the newer Porsche mgmt is too cheap to use lighter forged wheels like on 1980s 911s .

I expect to see a 315 -30-19 rear tire ( 26.4 " overall diam , about .4" taller than the 997S's 295-30-19 rear tire ) .

A 335-25-19 tire would be a rubber band thin sidewall 25.5 " tall ( massive OEM tire/wheel warranty hassle vs potholes - PAG ain't gonna let that happen ) or if it's 335-30-19 it would be a handling-robbing balloon sidewall 27" tall - Porsche would break all previous convention in a Turbo having a tire way taller than the std car's .A 335 -25-20 rear tire would again be very tall at 26.65 " . Not gonna happen , esp again with the weight/rotational inertia /drag issue.

PDQ PDK CAYMAN S

As to the AWD. It is there for safety. There are too many who buy a turbo and have no idea as to how to drive it. The turbo is too much power for most drivers. One of the fastest cars on our track is a tip turbo. Going into a corner you hit the brakes and then floor it.

MKW

So I guess 911 Turbo drivers must be pretty incompetent and need the AWD vs the rear wheel drive owners of the 490+ hp F430/575/Ford GT/Viper/Corvette Z06/AMG SL 65/SLR/C-GT/Enzo....

TT Surgeon

450hp, AWD, 470hp with power kit.

RR

Whether its AWD, or traction control or some stability management, it doesn't matter. The reason they are present on all cars is b/c with 300 plus HP most people COULD NOT handle the power.
Also:

Number 1: Having no driver's aids on these cars would increase EVERYONE'S insurance rates.
Number 2: Having traction control gives the manufacturer a LARGER target customer base to sell to.

We only make up a tiny percentage of the buying community.