Dennis C

For sure. The 997 turbo cab was quite heavy (relatively speaking).

Although a 991 S is almost 90lbs lighter than a comparably equipped 997 S, according to Porsche.

AHnNC

Nice comparisons. Helps put the size and height in perspective for those of us that do not regularly attend car get togethers and usually only see them in passing.

Dennis C

These threads are always interesting. I don't think the point of the original post was 997 vs. 991 in terms of size, but more 911 vs other cars. He's definitely right about that.

I agree that the 991 appears much larger than the 997 from a visual standpoint, but it's important to look at the data. I think that's one of the reasons these threads are so interesting. Many of the 996 guys think the 997 is huge, and it's clearly the same kind of story.

For comparison, directly from Porsche press releases:

2009 997.2 Carrera S Coupe:

Length: 175.83 inches
Width: 71.2 inches
Height: 51.18 inches
Weight: 3.208 lbs. (with PDK)

2012 991.1 Carrera S Coupe:

Length: 176.81 inches
Width: 71.18 inches
Height: 50.98 inches
Weight: 3,120 lbs. (with PDK)

So, the 991 is longer than the 997 by almost an inch. It's longer by 0.98 inches, to be exact. The 991 is not as wide as the 997. It's narrower by 0.02 inches. The 991 is not as tall as the 997. It's lower by 0.2 inches. The 991 is lighter than the 997, by 88 lbs.

With the only exception being length, the 991 is actually smaller than the 997. It's lighter than the 997.

I think the 991 definitely looks bigger, partly because of the lines, partly because of the larger diameter wheels, partly because of the longer wheelbase, but the facts are the facts. It's not bigger. It's just a tad longer.

ADias

Perception is reality. But a 4"l onger wheelbase is not perception - it just makes the car dynamics different. More balanced (I know).

Dennis C

I know what you mean. It definitely looks bigger. I think the 991 has a higher "waist" than the 997 too, if that makes sense. That adds to the larger look.

I wish I still owned my 997 turbo so I could compare them side by side!

scorcherjf

A lot of the illusion of the 991 being larger is from the fact that the front track is indeed wider than the 997, but it is still no wider than the rear track. I.e. the 991 is more "squared" out over the corners, where as the 997 was wider in the rear than in the front, which makes it look much smaller from this angle.

As per Porsche (997 C2S vs 991 C2S so NB vs NB):
991 front track: 60.31 in
991 rear track: 59.76 in
991 total width: 71.18 in

997 front track: 58.5 in
997 rear track: 60.4 in
997 total width: 71.2 in

So Porsche did quite a good job keeping within the same dimensions, just being slightly longer overall. It gives the illusion it's larger from the front as indicated by the wider front track, but it actually isn't a wider car overall. If you were to take the "area" of the footprint the shadow of the car casts, though, it would be a larger area because it's more square. Obviously they've deemed the wider front track as a net benefit since it helps front grip and turn-in.

For the OP's pic... cameras (wider angle ones more specifically) tend to distort the sides of the image and "stretch" them making the Golf and Audi seem a bit wider than they would in person. But yea, 911's are small compared to "normal" cars.

KNS

Yeah but it still looks like a whale.

Dennis C

Yup.

JCD911S

So you agree with the perception of the 991 looking bigger, and for having a longer wheelbase, yet you criticize folks for being blind and for not having a ruler?

jhbrennan

2009 997.2 Carrera S Coupe:

Length: 175.83 inches
Width: 71.2 inches
Height: 51.18 inches
Weight: 3.208 lbs. (with PDK)

2012 991.1 Carrera S Coupe:

Length: 176.81 inches
Width: 71.18 inches
Height: 50.98 inches
Weight: 3,120 lbs. (with PDK)

I always think of the Corvette as being huge but it's not that much larger than the 991.
2017 Grand Sport coupe specs:
Length: 177.9
Width: 77.4
Height: 48.6
Weight: 3,428

ADias

Sorry but your logic does not compute. Yeah the 991 looks bigger and has a longer WB and In my other post I argued against a post denying it.

SpeedyD

Let's all just get along.

The real measurement that matters is the volume of the car. I suspect that the 991 has more volume, judging by its dimensions and its shape. This makes it look "fatter" because frankly it is. If you judge a person as being "larger" it is usually based on volume, not weight.

The rear of the 991 looks a lot more bloated than a 997. The front windshield is more raked (so it looks more streamlined, but it likely again means more volume (yes, I know the 991 is slightly shorter too).

The length of the cars, well the measurements I've seen (official and unofficial) vary somewhat, but I suspect it is depending on whether they include the 997 bumperettes. If so, the 997 is getting about an inch or so added to its length that doesn't really count for how we are discussing the size difference. Kind of like those radio antennas on tall buildings.

Also, having a wider front track almost certainly means the 991 has more volume. Again, it is the larger vehicle.

Our eyes can play tricks on us but given the 997 and 991 have very similar overall looks and we can easily compare the same color cars, it isn't some visual illusion that causes people to say the 991 is bigger. It is bigger. It is just that bigger is really a volume measurement, and not the simplified length/weight/height measures that some are fixated on.

carmanah1965

Compared to what's driving around you, it's a pretty small car.

Marvinta

It's true, 911's have definitely been getting bigger the last couple generations. But it's ok, Porsche does make a smaller , tighter, better handling coupe. It's called a cayman.

SpeedyD

What am I making up, precisely?

Am I making up the "fact" (alternative or otherwise) that volume is what really matters here?

Am I making up the rake of the windshield and how that would impact volume?

The 991 has a high beltline too in the rear -- is that made up?

Are bumperettes made up?

Help me here.