Porsche 911

In typical Porsche (and, to be honest, German) facelift style, the mods are quite minor. It affects all 997’s except the still-fresh GT2, GT3 and Turbo.

The big news is the optional seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, with obligatory paddles fitted to the steering wheel. It goes by the name of Porsche Double Clutch (PDK). A limited slip diff is fitted on AWD models and there are some enhancements to the stability management programme (PSM).

In the engine bay, the news is all good: the Carrera’s 3.6-litre leaps from 321 to 340bhp while the 3.8-litre in the Carrera S is upped from 350 to 380bhp. Torque wise, the figures are 288 and 310lb ft respectively – a rise of 15lb ft apiece. Despite Porsche’s protesting of carbon-based taxing, expect emissions to be down and fuel consumption to improve a tad, too.

So what of the looks? If you aren’t a fan of Porsche’s designers, then mock away. There are several small tweaks – restyled bumpers, bigger mirrors, new LED lights at the back and the addition of daytime running lights at the front. Audi R8, anyone? There’s a handful of new colours too, including a nice cream white and Porsche racing green. Otherwise, it’s business as usual – anyone who isn’t a car buff won’t know the difference.

Inside, the centre console is finished in black and has lost a few buttons and switches in the process, to give it a cleaner look. It has gained one, though: there’s a new ‘Sport Plus’ button, fitted alongside Launch Control and race-track gearshift strategy if you opt for the sports chrono pack as well as the new gearbox. The sat-nav gets a hard drive to keep it in line with more advanced systems.

Sales are set to start late in the summer as the 997 lives out the second half of its life in preparation for the all-new 991 incarnation at the beginning of the next decade.