Mike Murphy

From what I understand, Porsche has never ever changed the bore spacing from the original 2.0 liter flat-6 to the 997. In order to increase it beyond 4 liters, they would have to re-engineer the engine completely again.

There are also numerous technical reasons for keeping the pistons and rods at a certain size. Smokey Yunick once computed the ideal cylinder size for racing engines. Street engines can get by with larger displacement, but too big and you've got too much mass combined with too much vibration. On the other hand, if you have too many cylinders, then you have increased drag and complexity.

Soulteacher

Woaw, did you guys even read that? "There will be no new Porsche models over the next five years." So, no 998 until 2012 anyway. Who knows what developments will have taken place by then.

Anyway, I don't race my car, so I don't care too much about weight and stuff. I just want a retractable hard top. It's probably not even possible because of the rear engine, but I still want it! Oh, and I want live doppler radar pics on my board computer. That and a DSG transmission. That's my wishlist. More hp and torque would be nice, but I'm not even fully using what I have. That will hopefully change after a PDE.

rcg412

Wolfgang: I interpret that as no additional New models... the "Carrera" model would still be improved, wouldnt be a new model. there is no way the 997 will be around in 2012...

Le Chef

998 would not be a new model: it would be a replacement for an existing model, namely 997. Both are 911's or Carrera's so are not a new model. A new model will be Panamerica or the new 928, or baby Cayenne (should they build either).

AVoyvoda

Unlikely but not im-possible.
993 94-98 4 years
996 98-04 6 years
997 04-12 8 years ?
Since "Wunderkind" took over, the years between model changes are getting longer. Also, the 964, 993 or 996 never got a mid-term "face lift". 2012 for the 998 wouldn't surprise me, although I agree it's unlikely.

OCBen

PanAm has long been defunct.

Think you mean Panamera.

Soulteacher

Uh, okay, that makes me feel better. I would really love to see the 998 before then.

So, an engineering/design question: considering that several high-end manufacturers are switching to a retractable hardtop, IF Porsche wanted to do the same, is that even possibile with a rear engine car? Just wondering. I don't see how it could possibly fit, so I don't even want to get excited about it.

OCBen

Not feasible with a rear engine car.

It may well be, however, a feature on the new Panamera.

500

Didn't the 996 receive a facelift in MY 2002.

Soulteacher

Thanks, Ben!

gmoney99

996 got a facelift. New lamp design, new front clip a few years into production.
Not to mention a relatively important engine change!