There are two things we should note immediately about these spy shots of the 2012 Porsche 911. The first is that, despite this car literally falling into my lap (it was testing directly in front of my house), I am the worst spy photographer in the world. The second thing is that prototype engineers -- despite using public roads and parking in very public Burger Kings -- DO NOT like when you try to take pictures of their project. (And no, I didn't blur his face-- public place = no reasonable right to privacy. Plus, journalist.-- it was dark and he was dancing around the camera.)

The next thing you should know is that this 911 prototype, which may not have production exhaust / emissions equipment, sounded like no Porsche I've ever heard. It was deeper, less frantic and had a bit of a burble instead of the Porsche rasp (EDIT: if I just heard it without seeing a Porsche, I would have guessed small displacement V8. For whatever that's worth.).....it also had a pronounced flutter off-throttle. No whine or blow-off noises, but when traffic slowed from our max of 27 to a stop, there it was. Not a surprise that a new 911 would breed a new 911 Turbo and this certainly has the stance for it.

I heard it before I saw it. Like most of us, I can usually identify things by sound, not this. I heard it behind me and had to look. I saw the camo, saw the frog-like shape and slotted behind it. The Porsche saw what I was up to and bolted down a side street -- FAST -- it sounded great and was way faster than I could go. At that point I gave up and turned back home. Luckily, LA traffic saved me and the Porsche was stuck a block ahead and turning right. Another half block and the 911 prototype turned into the BK parking lot where the engineers (you can tell by the dorky sneakers) were ready.

The second they saw the camera it was all over-- they weren't going to get out of the way. I'll save you from the pictures where they're taking pictures of me and I'll save you from the story where the call me a stalker and the lawyer I had riding shotgun laughs out loud.