The all-new Porsche 911 has been spied virtually undisguised ahead of its Frankfurt motor show launch in September.
Codenamed 991, the latest 911 again sports evolutionary styling changes rather than a ground-up rethink of its design. Designed under Michael Mauer, the new sports car features a revised front-end to improve aerodynamics and keep the 911 fresh in the face of increasing competition for sports car and supercar rivals.
The changes at the front include a new bumper, bonnet and more sculpted headlight design, as well as new LED light detailing, inspired by the 918 Spyder concept. There’s also a revised indicator design.
On the sides, exterior mirror housings now sit outboard on the doors rather than in the blanked-off quarter panel at the base of the A-pillar.
Perhaps the biggest changes are at the rear, where the electrically operated rear wing is reshaped for added aerodynamic efficiency and to improve downforce above 75mph. The rear bumper is also new, as are the rear lights.
Further aerodynamic additions will appear on the 2013 911 Turbo, including active front air ducts.
All-new Porsche 911 - first ride
The new model retains the classic rear-engined layout of the 997 and every other 911 since the original was introduced way back in 1963, albeit with modifications to the engine mounting points, which have been optimised for improved weight distribution.
As with today’s 911, the front-end structure, complete with its MacPherson strut suspension, has been designed to be shared with the Boxster, a third-generation model of which is due to reach the UK in March 2012. The rear end, with its reworked multi-link suspension, remains largely unique, and the steering uses an electro-mechanical set-up.
The new car is marginally longer and wider than the existing 911 but the basic silhouette, while stretched slightly, remains largely unchanged, including the screen angles and length of the front and rear overhangs.
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