Highlights
- The sharpest in the Carrera range
- Iconic 911 looks
- Cutting-edge technology in abundance
- A driving experience to savour
Introduction
Now in its eighth generation, the iconic Porsche 911 is more powerful, faster, and more ‘digital’.
But it remains the ultimate driving machine – an incredible fusion of engineering and historic style.
The model tested here was the Porsche 911 in Carrera 4S form, which comes with over 440bhp and a 0 to 62mph time of just 3.6 seconds.
Design and Practicality
It has a more muscular look, wider and more assertive, plus a high-quality interior featuring a 10.9-inch touchscreen monitor, but you can literally feel that original 911 DNA coursing through its veins.
Its body is lighter and stiffer due to a doubling of its aluminium content and there is a new, quick-shifting 8-speed PDK auto gearbox, redesigned suspension, even better brakes and – for the first time – different-sized wheels at the front and back. Its wider wings arch over 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear.
The dashboard now flows in an unbroken span across the entire width of the interior, bringing a modern and stylish feel to the cockpit. The centre touchscreen is fairly easy to operate, and below it there is a control panel of five buttons – styled to look like classic toggle switches.
The revamped, fully adjustable seats are comfortable and supportive and are positioned a tiny bit lower. Despite this, visibility remains good.
In the rear there are two seats suitable only for small children (or more luggage) and under the bonnet, there is a small 132-litre boot for those weekend essentials.
Equipment and Technology
There is also a lot more technology, including a clever new 'Wet Mode' which adapts the drive dynamics to suit slippery conditions. Also standard is adaptive damping, four-wheel drive with an electronically controlled diff and an emergency braking system.
The optional 'Sport Chrono' pack gives you Launch Control and a 'Sport Response Button' that preconditions the drivetrain for maximum acceleration over 20 seconds for swift overtaking. To be honest, I preferred flicking down the gears and punching the accelerator myself. Much more satisfying.
Powertrains and Driving Experience
The Porsche’s flat-six turbocharged engine has also been tweaked, making it more powerful than ever before, with 444bhp in the S models. There is also an extra 22lb ft of torque giving it 391lb ft in total. Thrillingly, this is available within a wide range of speeds, from 2,300rpm to 5,000rpm.
Driving an icon is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face, but the new 911 is a truly remarkable machine.
Steve Grant
It is properly fast in a straight line and around corners, where huge amounts of grip is provided by all that technology, all-wheel drive and those wider tyres. It feels natural.
But, even in more sporting modes, it remains very comfortable. On a motorway cruise, the engine quietens down – unless you want to provoke a howl from over your shoulder – and there is less road noise than you would expect from those larger tyres. Despite redesigned door mirrors, there is still a fair amount of wind noise, though.
Summary
Everyone is familiar with the iconic 911 moniker, and the fourth generation is just as special as its ancestors. In Carrera 4S specification, it offers enhanced performance and an exquisite design language to produce a supercar experience like no other.
The 911 is maturing into a very special machine indeed.
