TechArt Tweaks Porsche Carrera 911

By Motoring Channel Staff - 23/11/2004

Making its debut at the 2004 Essen Motor Show in Germany, one of the first aftermarket tune-up kits for the new Porsche 911 Carrera (997-series) lends the already attractive German coupe an even sexier set of clothes.

Sitting on 20-inch alloy wheels engulfed by a slightly exaggerated bodykit, the TechArt 911 Carrera is just a taste of things to come for the more powerful 2005 model Porsche.

TechArt Automobildesign, a German Tuning House specialising in Porsche modifications, started business in 1987, and today offers a wide range of upgrades, from bodykits to wheels, and interiors to engines.

The TechArt team took to the new 997 model 911 Carrera with care, making sure not to just take away any of the subtleties that make the new model Porsche one of the most timeless and attractive Porsche's ever built.

So with subtle adjustments to the car's looks by way of an elegant but purposeful bodykit, TechArt has given the 911 Carrera even more class, creating a lower, long looking German sports coupe.

A new front apron is quite conservative in traditional German car tuning style, where the lower section is slightly pronounced to match the sculpted side skirts.

TechArt is also quick to point out that the front spoiler "reduces aerodynamic lift, thus further improving directional stability at high speeds."

At the rear TechArt has included an almost undetectable roof spoiler at the top of the rear windscreen, which it says "visually stretches the roofline", while a rear diffuser situated between the customised exhaust pipes helps reduce the turbulent airflow flowing underneath the car.

If the new TechArt bodykit is the suit, then the 20-inch wheels must be the shoes.

And just like the styling exercise carried out on the body, the wheels simply enhance the 911 Carrera's overall style, giving it more menace, but in a strangely elegant and sophisticated way.

Together with a range of suspension options, which span dropping the car 25mm lower with sport springs, all the way up to a rather clever Vario sport suspension rig that was developed in co-operation with Bilstein and allows for manual adjustment of ride height and shock absorber settings, the classic 5-spoke alloy wheels incorporate terrifically into the new 911 shape.

TechArt offers 18, 19 and 20-inch diameter wheel rims in the 'Formula' 5-spoke style shown in the photos.

At their largest size (20-inch), TechArt recommends serious rubber in the form of ContiSportContact 2 Vmax tyres, with an aspect ratio of 235/30 ZR20 up front and an absolutely whopping 305/25 ZR20 at the rear. Indeed, the 11-inch wide rear wheels are rather large, but they certainly look the goods.

Inside such cavernous alloy wheels, TechArt offers a "high-performance brake system" that makes use of 365 and 380mm disc brakes, which are clamped by 8-piston fixed aluminium calipers for rapid deceleration. Other chassis options for the new 911 Carrera include sport sway bars and a dome cross-brace.

At this early stage in development, TechArt is still working on squeezing more power out of the 997 model engines in the Carrera and Carrera S, but exhaust tuning has already been completed. The TechArt 911 Carrera shown is fitted with oval-shaped dual tailpipes, while a throttle-controlled sport system and a complete high-performance exhaust system with high-performance manifold, sport catalysts and rear muffler can also be ordered.

TechArt is also well equipped to transform vehicle interiors, from adding new leather upholstery to installing ergonomically shaped sport steering wheels with in-built airbags.

For the full report on the new 911 Carrera (997), including engine, gearbox and 0-100 stats, click here.