There've been times when Porsche was nothing more than the 911 company. No longer. Sources inside Weissach confirm Porsche is working on up to 10 new models for launch by the end of the decade. Some are variants of the existing 997-series 911. But others will take the company into new and possibly controversial market niches.
• 911 Turbo Cabriolet: Seen here with very little disguise--just some tape on the front air dam and silver around the headlamps--this is the convertible version of the just-launched Turbo. The current 3.6-liter flat-six turbo coupe is rated 473 horses and 457 pound-feet and is good for a mid-three-second 0-to-60-mph time. The slightly heavier ragtop should take a few tenths longer to get to 60, but should exceed the 996 Turbo Cabrio's 191-mph top speed, a number now rivaled by the bigger Bentley Continental GTC.
• 911 Targa: Porsche long ago gave up on cutting the 911's roof from A- to B-pillar to create the Targa. Like the 996 version, the 997 will have a large glass panel that retains the car's roof rails between the pillars for better structural rigidity .
• 911 GT3 RS: This is the limited-edition homologation of the 2007 GT3 RSR race car, built to meet FIA GT rules. Rumors are the race car and the RS will get the 3.8-liter flat-six, instead of the 3.6-liter engine. The RS is a lightweight car with the Carrera 4's wide rear fenders, a wider rear track, more aggressive wing, and modified front spoiler lip. Weight savings include a carbon-fiber wingtop, lots of composite bodywork, and lightweight glass.
• 911 GT2: The mother of all 911s arrives just in time to put ol' 997 over the top. The 996 version of the GT2 got an 11-percent-horsepower boost over quotidian 911 Turbos via modified turbos and intercooler for more boost. Add 11 percent to the 997 Turbo's 473 horsepower, and you get a Z06-topping 525 horses. Note the rear-fender intercooler inlets. With no sunroof and other weight savings, the new Turbo's 0-to-60-mph time will seem like a walk in the park when this limited-edition car arrives.
• Panamera: It looks like a Cayenne, but it's a mule for the four-seat, four-door Panamera, as both cars share the front-mounted 4.5-liter V-8, rated 340 horsepower naturally aspirated and 520 horses in the Cayenne's new twin-turbo S form. The Panamera also is tipped to share a version of the Cayenne's all-wheel-drive system and its proposed hybrid powertrain. The Panamera will be assembled in Leipzig where the Cayenne is built, and production of the Carrera GT is just ending. The Panamera is expected in 2009 as a 2010 model.
Source : www.motortrend.com
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