New 2005 911 Returns to Classic Porsche Styling Roots

While the current 911 is already one of the best handling cars in the world, Porsche has nevertheless reworked the

To further enhance the new 911's 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)

chassis for improvements in ride quality and at-the-limit adhesion. As part of the upgrades, a new active suspension system is available - standard on the S model.

Having come under scrutiny for its interior quality, Porsche has upgraded the new 911's cabin as well. Gone is the Boxster-style "floating" instrument cluster, replaced by a gauge package fully integrated into the dash. Plastics quality looks to be improved as well, necessary since the Cayenne came on the scene, upstaging its more expensive sibling in this particular category.

The new Carrera also features a more fully-featured navigation system with large LCD display, appearing much like that in the Cayenne. It integrates harmoniously into a revised center stack, which features an aluminum surface treatment. More metal brightwork can be seen throughout the rest of the cabin, including the vent surrounds, bezel of the circular analog

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

clock at dash central, spokes of the completely revised steering wheel, which incidentally now incorporates multi-function controls, and the trim around the base of the shift lever.

Expect 2005 911 models to arrive in Porsche showrooms across the country in Q3 of this year, with an MSRP of $101,400 (USD$69,300) for the Carrera and $115,650 (USD$79,100) for the Carrera S.

Will it bolster Porsche's sports car sales figures? Not as much as a more stable global economy would, but the new model should win back disenfranchised 911 owners who never bought into the Boxster inspired styling of the current 996 in the first place. Porsche's return to more classic proportions and improvements to driving dynamics should make the 997 extremely popular.