Hmmm, now that IS interesting. Maybe there will be a bump.

 

There's usually a power bump just in the middle of the model cycle (as with the 993, 996 and 986).
Absolute power is just one side of the equation and in terms of power/weight and performance, Porsche is already in the ball-park and above the competition with the Carrera S, and the X51 even more. Almost nothing else 9(stock OEM) other than Z06 can lap a decent track faster than a well driven OEM Carrera S.

Main problem for Porsche is to continue to be the masters in price discrimination and being able to price a Porsche for the size of any upmarket enthusiast without too much cannibaliztion (slotting the Cayman just in between is tough balancing act and might end-up in the end of the base 997).

Porsches will continue to command a premium to everything else, even if Performance is lower (vs. Z06 for example) just becuase they can and they continue to be the Company with the fattest margins in the Industry (i.e. Porsches do cost a lot less than we pay for... )

 

The power jump with the 993 was in its second year of production. It is true that recent Porsches cost much less to produce than the aircooled cars as the Japanese were asked to aid in the design process (to cut costs)for the 996's and Boxsters; Porsche was not in the best financial shape in those planning years 1993-94 for the new "liquid cooled" cars. An interesting fact, if Porsche only knew how successful the 993 was going to be vs. the 964 it may have kept all the glorious design features of the 993 in its replacement, which it is trying so hard to capture today in the 997. With the Cayman S causing so much stir in the magazines about being so very close in performance to the base 997 we can only hope for more of a performance gap between the two.

 

the increase with the 996 was after 3 year of production. I think it will be 08 not 07 for the first increase for the 997 and 997s. i hope i am wrong though.

 

You wanted a "test" between a Z06 and C2S? Well, here ya go!

Z06 vs. Carrera S
With the Z06, Chevrolet has yet again built an exceptional car with an unearthly
amount of power. Unfortunately those pesky Germans are still hanging around with
their perfect little sportscars. Can the Corvette finally thwart Ferdinand’s empire with
its mighty 505-bhp 427?
Porsche does seem to understand that 505 is just one, relatively unimportant number.
They ask over $16K more for their prize fighter, the Carrera S, despite its modest
355-hp spec. The S, you see, has much more than an engine. It has smooth, solid steering
with only the thinnest layer of isolation and a talkative chassis that dances playfully
on the limit while still transmitting intimate details at any pace.
Granted, the Z06 does pack an epic punch. Mashing the long-travel throttle produces stunning acceleration and the previouslysilent
V-8 erupts into an earthquake of sound. The 911’s motor wins the finesse war, however, with a more elastic power delivery
and a wail that is opera to the Vette’s heavy metal. The Carrera also generates a stout pace, but even with a superior shifter, it’s
no match for massive American cubes.
Unfortunately, a massive motor is about all the Corvette has. Though its chassis and steering are competent and supercar-bothering
grip is on tap, by comparison with the Carrera the Z06’s complete lack of feel seems terribly uninvolving. The Z06
is for engine people, the Carrera for chassis people, but in the end, for me, Porsche still makes the more coherent package.
— Tom Martin

This was in "Winding Road issue 7 written by Tom Martin.

This sums it all up!

Regards,
Deanski

 

As I fiqured the vette would win in the performance dept...I think we all knew the 911 is an overall better car BUT it would be very interesting to see what another $15,000.00 in MSRP could do for a Z06 especially if spent in the areas of refinement. The 997 just needs more power (can never have enough of that you know )