Porsche 991 Pictures and Information | @FlatSixes

It's not uncommon, nor is it a secret, that auto manufacturers (such as Porsche) will provide the press with certain information ahead of a scheduled release and "embargo" that information until some future date. Car manufacturers do this both as a courtesy to journalists (so that we can prepare things in advance for publication) and to serve their own purposes (as it provides them the ability to control the timing of information and its distribution). Additionally, it allows Porsche (and others) to curry favors with various industry rags by providing them with access to information that no one else will have (aka, an "exclusive").

Porsche 991 Testing in South Africa 7

This idea of an "embargo" is more of a handshake agreement vs. a contractual obligation. However, it should be noted that if you break the agreement of the "embargo" chances are you won't see too much more "exclusive" information.

Why are we telling you all this?

To explain why we're now just posting pictures of the Porsche 991 that have already been on the web since as early as June 28th.

Porsche 991 spy pics testing in south africa

You see, in the not too distant past Porsche invited a few very luck journalists to join them in South Africa on a road test of the new Porsche 991 (the replacement for the current 997). Among those anointed few who were asked along were a few free-lance journalists who then contributed their stories to Car and Driver (C&D) and InsideLine. Most likely, as part of the trip, these journalists agreed to an "embargo" on what and when they could publish. Now, while we don't know this to be a fact (we're only speculating at this point) it's possible, that through a technical glitch or a miscommunication, C&D put out the information via their iPad app a bit earlier than the agreed to embargo date (again, we're only speculating). Then, following closely on the heals of the C&D article, InsideLine published a piece on the test drive along with pictures (but a lot less technical detail) of the new 991. Lastly, Porsche followed up by posting 10 pictures of the South African test on their facebook page.

As I'm sure you can guess, we weren't one of the few asked to travel to South Africa to test the new 911, but we did receive the pictures a little over a week ago and were asked to hold onto them until today. Because we're hoping to get other "embargoed" material in the future from Porsche and perhaps even an "exclusive" at some point, we did. Posted below are the technical specs from the C&D article (Porsche won't confirm or deny them at this point) and below that are the pictures for your enjoyment.

Porsche 991 Technical Specification

Carrera S to have 400 HP
Carrera to have 350 HP, share 3.4l engine w/ Boxster S
2 transmission options: 7-spd manual and 7-spd PDK
Launch Control available on both transmissions
2.5" longer with a 4" longer wheelbase
longer wheel base to accommodate HYBRID drivetrain in 2016 mid-cycle refresh
12-15% improved fuel efficiency (euro cycle)
electronic parking brake
full-length sunroof
19-in wheels standard on Carrera, 20-in on Carrera S (20s optional on Carrera)

Pictures of the Porsche 991

For the best experience viewing these pictures, be sure to visit our site to use our "lightbox" feature. Just click on Pictures of the Porsche 991 and you'll be automatically redirected.