Porsche 991 Cabrio Spied Again with Little Less Camouflage

2011 Porsche 998 Cabriolet spy photo / Copyright: SB-Medien

By Thami Masemola
December 7, 2009 3:07 pm
Filed Under: German, Porsche, Spy Photos

Our spies took these pictures of the upcoming Porsche 911 Cabriolet (rumoured model code 998 or 991) testing on the street. The exclusive model features an adjustable rear wing that forms part of the bodywork.

For the first time we can see the slightly different headlights which will be accompanied by the visible LED daytime running lights. Do not be fooled by those Turbo-style side air intake vents in the quarter panels because they are bogus. The rear lights seen through the big camo bum are the real deal. It seems Porsche will stick to the traditional soft top philosophy for the Cabrio instead of the relatively heavier tin-top others are employing.

Engine details are scarce but there is some hushed talk of a 390kW (530hp) to 400kW (544hp) Turbo model, meaning 419kW (570hp) for the more potent GT2 and Turbo S. All four wheels would be driven either by a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed PDK depending on how much torque is available.

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Tags: Porsche 991 Cabrio, Porsche 911 spy photos, Porsche 911, Porsche 991, 2011 Porsche 911 Cabriolet, Porsche 911 Cabriolet, Porsche 911, Porsche 998, 998, Porsche 911 988 Cabriolet, 2011 Porsche 911 Convertible, Porsche 911 Convertible

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Comments (page 1 of 2)

Bojassem

December 7, 2009 9:50 pm

I like how porsche doesnt miss with the 911 to keep its heritage. And they just keep getting better!

TheSpartan

December 7, 2009 10:02 pm

Looks good but resembles cayman

fialidio

December 7, 2009 10:26 pm

i'm really curious to see for how many more years porsche is going to keep on making the 911. I absolutely adore these cars but when the oil eventually runs out will porsche still pursue perfecting the 911?

fatrichard

December 8, 2009 4:52 am

i don't think u will live long enough to see porsche not making any 911... ferrari, lambo and aston martin will disappear completely much earlier than that happens...

shahran

December 7, 2009 10:41 pm

"little less" Is it me or does that not seem right?

Dragos_DreS

December 7, 2009 11:46 pm

i really like the 997 but for some reason the turbo model, as well as the GT2 never grew on me.

tootall

December 8, 2009 12:52 am

Did I read that right? "well over 400kW (544hp) for the more potent GT2 and 570hp for a Turbo S". Since when did the turbo S had more HP than the GT2?

BrianWCF

December 8, 2009 4:39 am

Sorry about that. It was an editing mistake, where the numbers got a little mixed. It's been corrected.

CDspeed

December 8, 2009 1:07 am

It looks like a hardtop convertible. Look at the line that runs from the corner of the side rear window down and towards the back. Most hardtops have this same line so when opening it can accommodate the width of the roof this may explain some of the dimensions. And the roof looks rigid it seems to have a smooth shape unlike canvas.

awhk

December 8, 2009 2:01 am

Definitely a hardtop convertable.

Bristol411S3

December 8, 2009 6:04 am

Not sure about that. Hardyop convertibles always have miniscule rear windows, at least in terms of the glass you can actually see through -- they need to retain a rigid frame within the glass panel that folds away.

I can't confirm this car has that feature.

scratchy996

December 8, 2009 6:41 am

i don't think they want even more weight at the back of the 911 for a hardtop convertible. i think this car has the removable hard top underneath the cover, that's why it looks so smooth.

CDspeed

December 8, 2009 12:53 pm

Scratchy ...Ferrari has hardtop convertible why not Porsche? You know Porsche would work out the weight issues may be thats why it appears to be longer. Maybe they've moved a few things maybe the engine has been moved back slightly.

scratchy996

December 9, 2009 12:43 pm

Ferrari built a special model just for that roof, they didn't mess with the F430. i don't think there is enough room in the back of a 911 for a folding metal roof and i don't think they will compromise the whole car by messing with the positioning of the engine just for a gimmick. a lighter car also helps with fuel economy and emissions besides the obvious better handling and performance.

nederina

December 8, 2009 3:54 am

I quite like the shape, especially the low nose. Guess that car has grown in every dimension and hope it uses more aluminum parts to make it lighter.

I don't think they should install a fold-able hardtop but a fabric top - the Panamera coupe-cabriolet is a better bet since it is a front engined GT cruiser rival to the Ferrari California, Bentley Conti GTC and the DB9 Cabrio, also the Merc SL.

Porsche can't afford to shift its 911 more upmarket, since they do not want Audi to steal its 911 sales or make their Panamera coupe not profitable.

Expect it to be an evolution than a revolution. Sigh.

Edited by user on December 8, 2009 at 3:57 am

scratchy996

December 8, 2009 6:44 am

it's longer and wider , but lower , can't wait to see it in action , a wider 911 with a lower center of gravity will be a beast on the track. ...but on the other hand it will lose it's trademark handling. oh , well , there are always second hand older models for the hardcore fans.

Edited by user on December 9, 2009 at 12:43 pm

bILLIONAIRE

December 8, 2009 6:39 am

I've always loved the 911 very much, but it always take a little while before i love the next generation. for instance when the 911 997 came I thought the 996 was much much more pretty. But then I got used to the 997, and then It was way better than the 996. The 997 facelift wasn't that big of a deal.

BUT WHATS UP WITH the camera side mirrors? There were an article a few years back where an porsche CEO or CDO or something promised that the newer 911 would get cameras instead of rear view mirrors before 2012 or something like that..

Edited by user on December 8, 2009 at 6:39 am

scratchy996

December 8, 2009 6:49 am

same here when i fist saw the pictures of the 997 , i was disappointed and then i saw a 997 in real life and i thought it was gorgeous. i'm sure the 998 will be great, it will look a bit like the 959.

it's true about the cameras, but Porsche listens to feedback from clients, maybe there wasn't enough support for those things.

nederina

December 8, 2009 8:11 am

I thought I was the only one who thinks that it looked like the 959. I hope they create a special edition with a 959 rear. The ducktail found in the 997 Classic is worth considering too.