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Porsche's next-gen 911 and Cayman: the full story
By
Georg Kacher
Spy shots
10 September 2008 07:21
These are the first pictures of the 2012 Porsche Cayman prototype, an all-new model set to take the fight to Audi’s proposed R3, the next-gen BMW Z4 and the surprisingly good Artega GT.
We’ve also got pictures of the next 911 (photos bottom row), a car that must beat the Nissan GT-R and Audi R8 if Stuttgart is to hold its head up high. Both cars in our exclusive pictures are prototypes, using current generation bodywork, but each mule clearly features widened front and rear tracks.
To find out how Porsche plans to best its rivals CAR Online has sat down with Porsche R&D chief Wolfgang Dürheimer. He’s spilled the beans on everything from active aerodynamics, composite complex chassis and future tie-ups within the VW Group.
So is it evolution or revolution for the new Porsche 911, Boxster and Cayman?
It is evolution for the facelifted Boxster and Cayman, both of which are due within the next six months. The revised Boxster will be unveiled at the LA motor show in November 2008, while the tweaked Cayman will appear early in 2009. Both models will receive direct-injection engine technology, seven-speed PDK gearboxes and minor interior and exterior tweaks in line with the new second-generation 997 911.
And the next-gen Porsche sports cars?
This is where things get interesting. Dubbed 981, the new Boxster (and its Cayman hard-top sibling) will share parts with the all-new 911, due in late 2011 and known internally as 991.
'It [the new 911] will be even more competent, even sexier, even more unique,’ says Dürheimer. ‘The design can of course only be evolutionary, but beneath the skin, almost anything is possible.’
Click 'Next' below to read about the styling changes for Porsche's next 911
