Meet the 2012 Porsche 911. Confused? You're not alone...
Despite sharing an uncanny resemblance to the previous generation Porsche, and those that came before it, this is an all-new model that looks set to deliver minor improvements in both performance and efficiency.
As the leaked photos show, the 2012 Porsche 911 appears very similar to the current 997 Series 2 models, but has a slightly sleeker profile thanks to a lower roofline and increased length.
While details are sketchy at this stage, ahead of its ‘official’ public debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, all new variants are expected to develop more power.
The entry-level 911 Carrera will be powered by a new 3.4-litre horizontally opposed, direct injection six-cylinder engine. Power is rumoured to be up from 254kW to261kW, while torque is expected to drop by 10Nm to 380Nm.
The new Porsche 911 Carrera S will pack a larger 3.8-litre flat six that’s expected to crank out 294kW. All models will be offered with a new seven-speed manual transmission, while drivers who prefer automatic gearboxes will be able to opt for a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission.
Porsche spotters will note a few changes to the 911’s exterior, such as reworked front fog lights and more aggressively styled front air dams.
The door-mounted mirrors are new and the window line appears slightly narrower, adding to the car's ground-hugging profile.
At the rear Porsche's design team has continued the streamlined theme, with slimmer LED brake light clusters. The rear wheel arches have also been flared slightly to allow for wider rear wheels.
Two of the leaked photos also show the interior. Taking a leaf from the Porsche Panamera, the new 911 takes things upmarket, with a fancier stereo, an improved satnav and touch screen infotainment system, and a restyled centre console.
There's also a Volkswagen Passat-like gear shifter on the automatic PDK models.
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