Differences between US Spec 997 and EU Model
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 314
Likes: 141
From: Northern Virginia, USA
Differences between US Spec 997 and EU Model
Is there any differences between the 997 models we buy here in the US and what is for sale in Europe? Does anyone know of any good resources for this info?
Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on the subject.
Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on the subject.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,619
Likes: 780
From: richmond hill
im positive that i head that the eur spec 997 has a lower standard ride height and north american curb laws required the NA cars to be higher.
google would be your best firend on the topic
google would be your best firend on the topic
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Florida
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
May not affect our cars, but there are different bumper strength and structural strength requirements.. or used to be. Eg the radiator support on my 94 car had to be steel vs the plastic ones allowed in Europe (on a VW Golf), because of low speed crash damage standards (likely established in the 70's given its the US). We used to have different headlight patterns but thats been unified for the most part.. I'd imagine the biggest diff would be the maps loaded on the PCM NAV system, and the FM radio tuning step increments.
Agent Orange
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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Headlights are still different. Sharp cut out for ROW cars. Also US cars get painted bumperettes and ROW cars don't. And the key is on the right side of the steering wheel in ROW cars. Kidding!!
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,724
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From: Napa Valley, CA
All cars imported into the U.S. have to pass all 50 states emissions' standards. That is, all cars, regardless of destination in the U.S. have to meet the most stringent standards for emissions established by each state - e.g. for PM it doesn't matter what the standard is in NY, if it's highest in CA then it is the latter standard that must be met, even though NY may not require it to be as stringent - and so on for emissions metrics. (And, being from/in California, I'd just like to take the opportunity to apologize for this
).
).
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,248
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From: Coachella Valley
When did this happen? It used to be that a car manufacturer was welcome to make a 49 state car if they so desired. No one does it as they don't want to be locked out of CA. The last example I recall of a <50 state vehicle was the V10 TDI Touareg.
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Three Wheelin'
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 74
From: Napa Valley, CA
Well, when I moved here 15 years ago from Virginia I was worried that my car wouldn't pass emissions. I think it was CA DMV who told me that all cars have to meet CA emission standards (as they tend to be the most stringent in here U.S.). I thought about it for a moment and it did make sense, otherwise, you'd have cars destined for different markets that met emissions standards that were all over the map. Insofar as it being a "law", well, I didn't mean to imply that (sorry if I did); but it would seem to be one of those invisible economic laws. (Knowing next to nothing about the Commerce Clause, I do wonder if not making a 50 state car is somehow an impediment to interstate commerce - at least among U.S. Automakers and dealers who move/trade sheet metal on a regular basis. Eh, this is too much for my pea brain to dwell upon.)
7th Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Paris, France
We (usually) like it better when the cars are closer to factory specs,
And cheaper for us as well when we import them back to Europe, and have to change them to meet our European standards
Higher ride heights are
