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Improving the near-perfectThe sixth-generation 911 takes another conservative, evolutionary step in what seems like a story with no end. The latest car carries over just 20 percent of the previous model's componentry, and most of that is in the engine bay. And even though you could mistake the new 911 for the previous model at a glance, every body panel is new apart from the roof. The biggest clue to the new car is in the separate round headlights, which hark back to 911s of old and further distinguish the 911 from its Boxster sibling - the previous 911 had shared the less expensive Boxster's nose. Elsewhere, you'll find a wider track and a more slender waistline, which gives the 911 a more muscular, powerful stance on the road. No question, the new car is much better looking than the car it replaces. The other significant news is that two engine variants are on offer, a 3.6-litre flat-six with 325bhp for the regular Carrera, or a hotter 3.8-litre 355bhp engine for the Carrera S.
Porsche's strategy, much as it was with the previous model, will be to roll out different variants of the new 911 over the course of its model life. So from launch, the only models available will be the two-wheel drive Carreras, but by springtime 2005, the range will be joined by a cabriolet model. A four-wheel drive Carrera 4 will follow, as will a Turbo model. Until 997 versions arrive, though, Porsche will continue to build previous-generation 996 variants of these models to satisfy demand.
Expect prices to increase by slightly less than one percent, although Porsche claims standard equipment levels will be higher than before.
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