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Details on Next Generation 911, Boxster and Cayman
September 30, 2008
UK’s Car magazine has an interview with Porsche R&D chief Wolfgang Dürheimer. In the interview, Dürheimer dishes on some details on the next Boxster/Cayman (981) and the next 911 (991).
Dürheimer says the 981 Boxster/Cayman will (as expected) share many parts with the 991 911, and goes into more details about the 911 itself. The design will be evolutionary, as is common with Porsche, and when pressed, he gives some specifics:
There is no more need for old-fashioned protruding door mirrors, the pending pedpro [pedestrian protection] requirements will force us to make relatively obvious alterations to the nose of the car, and for aerodynamic reasons we are also going to reshape the rear end. But apart from these must-dos, we won’t tamper with the proportions of a true classic.
But it sounds like the biggest changes will be under the skin. Dürheimer mentions active aerodynamics, chassis improvements focusing on active safety, CO2 reductions, and more.
After reading this article, though, the big worry I have is that the 991 (and possibly the 981?) might lose some of their sportiness and further drift into the luxury zone. This quote was particularly troubling to me:
On the one hand, I still want purism like the feel of every loose chipping through the rim of the steering wheel. But on the other hand, marketing urges me to fit a parking aid complete with rear-mounted camera and beeper.
I really think Porsche needs to get back to lightweight and sporty, but that’s just me.
To read the interview, click here.
[source: Car]
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