TT Surgeon

I would call it a strong rumor from rennteam, I think itc knows for sure, but can't say.

TT Gasman

Was there not a small story in one of the main stream car magazines about a year ago on Porsche coming out with a new engine block design for the 911? Perhaps Porsche has solved the various issues with the m96/7 design and having two different designs is redundant. More likely the move is driven by the need to maintain a healthy profit margin in a weak US market.
I hope this is only a rumor...

whyb2nd

disappointing news if true, I told friends I'm keeping this eleven a long time which they are taking bets on. If this news is true I won't buy a future model TT and make some cash....

jcb-memphis

If they do that...I'll likely move to the Nissan Skyline thingy....this just really dissapoints me.

Porsche, if you are reading this....your founder would be very upset with your inability to strive for the best. You are making money....by doing the right thing historically, not by cheapening your cars.


If they do this....it will be hard for me to get another turbo...I want AWD and a dry sump block....

JB

whyb2nd

They do need the money, they want to buy bigger blocks of VW stock. They already have enough to have equal board of directors on employee issues, two on each side. Plus VW makes the Cayenne body for Porsche, that must save a few bucks. What next a 911 body by VW and a m97 by Porsche for the whole line. Some tease that the Porsche is an up scale VW, granted there are some roots but we may be getting closer then you think in the future.

C.J. Ichiban

this is a huge bummer to me unless it's paralleled with a new design- flat 8 anyone?

TT Surgeon

Forget the flat 8, remember they are hedged against a weak USD until 2010-11, they have to streamline, so the gt1 is done. It's all dollars and cents now, tradition is long gone.

khaosai

Hi,

interesting rumours.

i initially had a delivery date of May 08, but postponed it till Sept 08 to get the possible benefits of the facelift.

With this latest info, i have now gone for June 08 delivery, and by then will hopefully know what the 09 model will be powered by, and what it will look like.

If the 09 model is powered by the M97 then i will take the June 08 car, regardless of facelift. If it retains the GT1 bloc and is facelifted then i will be ordering an 09 car.

Don't like to go down this road, but have discussed it with the sales guy and he agrees with my decision.

Rgds.

2thfixr

I was a little bummed out by the 09 DSG rumors but now I feel a little better.

JohnnyBahamas

Does not pass the logic test.

I don't buy it.

Alex (UK)

I wouldn't buy it either!

manny_g

some companies just dont learn. wait until these motors start having problems and crapping out on people and porsche needs to spend money on replacing them...hopefully they will realize what a mistake that was...i for one will not buy another.

B-Line

You guys are out of your minds if you think 5% of the Porsche enthusiast population knows the difference between the M97 and the GT1.
I own two Porsche's, a 993 C2S and a 997 Turbo. I also race cars, open wheel, open cockpit, Formula 2000.
- Until this thread, I had no idea about the differences in the model engine designations other than, pre 1999, air cooled, post 1998, NOT AIR COOLED. But then, I'm also not a wrench, gear head. I don't own my Porsche's for show, I own em for the track and for performance.

I would say, 5% of Porsche owners know the difference between a 993, 996, 997, model designations, and maybe about 5% of those people, actually know or care about the engine designations or how they work.

B

500

If Porsche has decided to take this route I'd have to imagine the M97engine for the turbo will be strengthened/upgraded in many ways vs. the non turbo engine. Who knows maybe even the base/S M97 engines will have some nice internal improvements along with the DFI it's supposed to receive for MY2009

I have owned many aircooled turbos over the years and I dearly miss them all and unfortunately since Porsche changed direction for a more cost effective way to produce all 911's back in the late 90's, we'll never see cars built to the standard of the aircooled cars again...how sad.

Ray S

An interesting opinion considering you used to own a 996 and according to your sig you had "zero problems".

Not bad for a "junkpile" that you formerly took to the track....

You may have the opinion (now) that the M96/M97 is unsuitable for turbocharging, but IMHO it's far from a "junkpile".