Porsche · 2004–2013

Porsche 997

The Porsche 997 is the sixth generation of the Porsche 911 sports car manufactured and sold by the German automobile manufacturer Porsche. It was sold between 2004 (for the 2005 model year) and 2013. Production of the Carrera and Carrera S coupé began in early 2004, and the all-wheel drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S began to be delivered to customers in November 2005. Deliveries of the Turbo and GT3 derivatives were carried out in late 2006, along with the GT2 in 2007. In addition to the coupé and cabriolet versions, Targa versions of the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S were also available, which continued the trend of the "glass canopy" roof design utilized during the 993 and 996 generations. This was later reverted to the classic targa top layout used in earlier models of the 911 Targa with the introduction of the 991 generation. The 997 was an evolution of the preceding 996, with significant changes being made to the interior and exterior styling (the most notable of these being the replacement of the "fried egg" headlamps used in the 996 with the classic "bug eye" units). Larger 18-inch wheels were fitted as standard, and other engineering changes include slightly increased power; however, the car is technically very similar to its predecessor despite many revisions. A new S version was offered, with additional power from a slightly larger engine, a sports suspension, and sports exhaust. During 2009, Porsche refreshed the 997 lineup, making styling changes, incorporating a new engine with direct injection instead of the "Mezger" engine, and introducing the company's new "PDK" dual clutch transmission instead of the 5-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission sourced from Mercedes-Benz. As a result, the refreshed 997 models were faster, lighter, and more fuel efficient than the outgoing versions, with improved handling. In the case of the 997 Turbo, a comprehensively re-tuned all wheel drive system with ”torque vectoring" as an option was also a part of the upgrades package; in an October 2009 preliminary review, Car and Driver magazine estimated that when equipped with the PDK transmission, the updated Turbo should be capable of accelerating from 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in three seconds. The 997 received mostly positive reviews from the worldwide motoring press; even British motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson, a known detractor of Porsche cars, remarked that the 997 will "make love to your fingertips and stir your soul."

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Porsche 996 · Successor: Porsche 991

All Porsche 997 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

First phase (997.1; 2004–2008)

=== History and development === By February 1999, just a few months into the 997 development programme that began in the fourth quarter of 1998, designers were already at work on the 997's body design. After numerous reviews during the rest of 1999 and full size clay models that were built from 2000 into 2001, a final design by designer Grant Larson was approved. Early prototypes were built in late 2001 for testing, based on newly set parameters. While the exterior styling was revised, it was very similar to what was observed in the 996. The rear bodywork was 88 mm (3.5 in) wider than its predecessor. However, the most notable aesthetic difference between the 997 and the 996 was the return to oval headlights like those of pre-996 Carreras, with separate indicator units. The interior was re-designed with new controls; however, it was more reminiscent of classic 911 interiors than of the outgoing 996. The body in general remained low profile with a drag coefficient of 0.28 for the Carrera and 0.29 for the Carrera S. Cabriolet. For the first time, development of the cabriolet version of the 997 led the design and engineering effort at Porsche, with the coupé following. Porsche applied the logic that if you started with engineering challenges more unique to the cabriolet (for example, chassis stiffness), the coupé version would simply be more rigid. Despite additional weight, the cabriolet versions attain nearly the same performance figures as their coupé counterparts. Even the rear wing rises slightly higher on the cabriolets to compensate for differences in drag over the canvas top versus the smoother coupé shape. The 997 cabriolet had factory optional hard tops that provided better protection from unexpected weather conditions than the conventional canvas top. It is int

Second phase (997.2; 2009–2013)

The 997 received a mid-cycle refresh in 2008 for the 2009 model year. The updated model range was unveiled at the Paris Auto Show in September 2008. The updated Porsche 911 (called 997 Gen II internally at Porsche and 997.2 informally by enthusiasts) included the following changes: New engine with direct fuel injection. The engine is mounted 0.4 inches (10 mm) lower in the tail section Revised suspension system Revised front bumper with larger air intakes Headlamps with LED daytime running lights and newly optional dual HID projectors Revised rear bumper with a new LED tail light design; AWD models included a reflective stripe between the tail lights Enlarged exterior mirrors Redesigned Porsche Sports Exhaust (PSE) Redesigned PCM system with touch-screen and optional hard-drive navigation and Bluetooth. New Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission replacing the optional Tiptronic S. Production of the 997 Gen II model began in late 2008. Initially available models included coupé and cabriolet versions of the Carrera, Carrera 4, Carrera S and Carrera 4S. Pricing was increased from the 997 Gen I; the base Carrera model was set to start at US$76,300 for North American buyers. On 6 June 2008, these changes to the Porsche 911 were revealed on the Porsche website. The Turbo was not revealed until the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, thereafter the Turbo-based GT2 received the updated changes. In 2009, Porsche introduced 997.2 Carrera 4S Pon Edition as a tribute of 60 years of partnership between Porsche and Pon's Automobielhandel. The car was available only in Netherlands as coupé and Cabriolet. The body was painted in Diamond Black color. On the back, there's no Carrera 4S badging, just a big Porsche lettering. The car also has Dark grey rims and Sport exhaust sy

Marketing

In June 2009, Porsche Cars North America partnered with five New York City street artists to unveil five graffiti-decorated Porsche 911 hoods in the Helenbeck Gallery. The hoods were sold to raise funds for CITYarts, a New York City-based organization whose mission is to bring children in contact with public artists.

Mechanical issues

Porsche 997.1 and 997.2 models can suffer from cylinder bore scoring which occurs when there is a breakdown of the Al-Si Cylinder system. This results in wide areas of the cylinder walls having deep scratches or gouges with similar damage to the pistons. Engines with cylinder bore scoring will have poor piston ring seal and increased piston noise coupled with increased oil consumption. 997.1 models with the Lokasil engine block are more susceptible to this issue, however 997.2 models can also suffer from cylinder bore scoring, albeit at a much lower rate than its predecessor. Although the 996 had issues with the intermediate shaft bearing and rear main seal, the 997.1 addressed these problem areas. IMS and RMS failures with the 997 are uncommon. Porsche used a larger, non-serviceable IMS bearing and these engines also received an updated PTFE rear main seal.

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Specifications

name: Porsche 997
Manufacturer: Porsche AG
aka: Porsche 911, Porsche Carrera
Production: July 2004–2013
Assembly: Germany: Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart
Related: Porsche 987 Cayman, Porsche 987 Boxster, Ruf R Kompressor, Ruf RGT, Ruf Rt 12
Predecessor: Porsche 996
Successor: Porsche 991
Class: Sports car (S)
Body style: 2-door coupé, 2-door convertible, 2-door targa top, 2-door speedster
Layout: Rear engine, rear wheel drive / all wheel drive
Engine: 3.6 L naturally aspirated/twin-turbocharged Flat-6, 3.8 L naturally aspirated/twin-turbocharged Flat-6, 4.0 L naturally aspirated Flat-6
Transmission: 5-speed Mercedes-Benz 5G-Tronic (722.6) automatic, 6-speed Aisin manual, 7-speed ZF 7DT-series PDK
Wheelbase: 2350 –
Length: 4430–4496 mm
Width: 1808–1852 mm
Height: 1270–1325 mm
Designer: Grant Larson (2001)