The 997 Returns Porsche to Classic Styling Roots

Porsche has loaned me quite a few cars over the years, from Boxsters in both entry and S trim, to Cayenne S and Turbo models, and finally 911s, in all guises. Theyre all great vehicles in their respective classes, truly among the top of their field.

It was only a few weeks ago that a silver Carrera was parked in my driveway, an amazingly good car despite its 5-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. The 6-speed manual shifting C4S Cabriolet I had a few weeks before that was much more to my liking.

Still, as good as each car is theres plenty of room for improvement. Not in power delivery or driving dynamics

Flush with cash from Cayenne sales, Porsche is releasing a completely updated 911 for 2005. (Photo: Porsche Cars North America)

Thankfully a major focus of the 911s update centers around the cars interior. (Photo: Porsche Cars North America)

The current 911, just doesnt look, feel or even smell anywhere near as delectably enticing as the Cayenne, due to second rate interior plastics that would make a VW Golf buyer cringe. When covered in the full leather package, well its much more bearable, but thats an expensive option that buyers should have to buck up for considering the 2004 911s base $69,300 price. When moving up to the $118,400 Turbo its

The new Carrera sports redesigned front and rear fascias, while maintaining classic 911 styling. (Photo: Porsche Cars North America)

Such may be reason enough that, while Porsches new Cayenne sport utility vehicle is burning up the sales charts its Boxster and 911 models have been a little stagnant. This, of course, has much to do with the Cayennes new role, to offer an altogether different kind of family-functional Porsche to the sports car brands loyal client base, as equally capable of work as it is play, but the problem also reflects a general downturn in the sports car market.

Not to worry, with profits high from SUV sales Porsche is reinvesting in its core 911 for 2005. Completely

To further enhance the 2005 911s performance, Porsche will offer a new Carrera S with 30 additional horsepower and a standard active suspension system - optional on the regular Carrera. (Photo: Porsche Cars North America)

Under that trunklid the new model, which is internally referred to as the 997, will also feature a more powerful 3.8-liter equipped Carrera S version

Having taken criticism in the past for its interiors, Porsche has upgraded the new 911s cabin. (Photo: Porsche Cars North America)

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