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Porsche 911

We get an exclusive passenger ride in the all-new Porsche 911, ahead of its launch in December

Porsche 911 front cornering

By Iain Curry

October 2011

The new 911 is the most thorough reinvention of Porsche’s classic sports car ever. It benefits from significant structural, dimensional, technological and dynamic changes – and the result, from the passenger’s seat, is great news for fans of the iconic car.

Porsche will let us behind the wheel of the new 991 generation 911 next month, but whet our appetites with a passenger ride around its undulating Weissach test track in Germany. And a Porsche development driver gave us a tantalising glimpse of the car’s incredible performance.

Firstly, let’s put Porsche fans out of their misery. The tech-laden new 911 loses none of its personality. It feels composed, agile and brutally quick with masses of grip.

Our driver explained that the big step forward in ability is down to the 991’s new electronic assistance features, plus its lighter and stiffer body (44 per cent of which is now constructed from aluminium).

Key changes over the old 997 include a 100mm longer wheelbase, wider front track, larger wheels, 20mm lower roofline and a 40kg weight reduction. In terms of technology, the car features a new seven-speed manual gearbox, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) for the Carrera S we rode in and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), with a locking rear differential.

From the passenger seat it all looked so easy: the wheel never squirmed in our driver’s hands, despite the obscene speed and constant direction changes at the Weissach track. The 911’s lack of understeer and minimal tyre squeal are a sign that, unless seriously provoked, each wheel is being taken to the limit of its grip by the electronics, and not beyond.

Through the turns the 991 stayed sublimely neutral, with any hint of body roll eliminated by the PDCC roll stabilisation. But if you’ve got the talent and desire, beautifully controllable and predictable oversteer is available on demand.

We asked our driver about the new electro-mechanical power-steering system. It’s a controversial addition, as some purists fear it may rob the 911 of its character, but he insisted the system took nothing away from the steering feel. And he assured us that fellow Porsche development driver and rallying legend Walter Röhrl concurred.

On the track, the 991 feels even faster than Porsche’s official figures suggest. The entry-level Carrera – with 350bhp from its all-new smaller-displacement 3.4-litre engine – sprints from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds with the dual-clutch PDK automatic gearbox, while the 400bhp 3.8-litre Carrera S manages 4.3 seconds with PDK fitted.

Both times can be reduced by specifying the optional Sport Chrono Pack, which adds launch control. We were told the Carrera S, with all the options ticked, can lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife in seven minutes 40 seconds – that’s 14 seconds quicker than before.

You sit low in the 991, and with the interior inspired by the Panamera, there’s a huge step up in luxury, while refinement at low speeds is improved, too. But on full throttle, it sounds as throaty as ever. Porsche has a dedicated Emotions department focusing on amplifying induction and engine acoustics into the cabin.

There’s nothing artificial about the noise – it’s a pure, unadulterated boxer flat-six sound complete with vibrations through the seat of your trousers. It can be turned down at the touch of a button, too, should you need some quiet time.

Although there’s no substitute for getting behind the wheel, our time in the passenger seat around Weissach showed that the new 991 generation raises the 911 bar again on every level. It’s faster, safer, lighter and better handling than ever before – and in Carrera form with the PDK gearbox, it even returns fuel economy of 34.4mpg. And as for the emotion? It’s still there in spades.

For an alternative review of the latest Porsche 911 visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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18 Comments

Kinda reminds of the old one... AGAIN!

Worlds most boring looking Supercar...

Breaks cover...

Again!

Yawn...

By LegioIXHispana on 24 October, 2011, 4:31pm

Carryover

Is excessive road roar still a feature?

By Mustafa25 on 25 October, 2011, 7:16am

911

The text says it all: 'the new 991 generation 911'. In translation: 'no news from the German front'.

By mitecon on 25 October, 2011, 7:38am

Knowing what to expect...

Sometimes knowing what to expect ("the same but better") borders to waiting for the obvious... equals "boring". TopGear's Jeremy Clarkson is right that Porsche designers are the laziest in the world... Or must be bored to death themselves. And I am not too sure about the 'squinting' taillights.

By voyager on 25 October, 2011, 7:51am

Ditto above !! I'm sorry AutoExpress, it is not an "all-new" car when its a re-hash of an old model. You said as much with "significant structural, dimensional, technological and dynamic changes". Surely it could only be "all-new" if they started with a clean sheet of paper, which they did not. How weird they increased the wheelbase, and it still looks like it has way too much front overhang. And AutoExpress, sing their praises all day long, but the 911 will forever have a major flaw, and that is because the [dumb] makers will never defy the law of physics. As if. The arrogance they even try boggles me. Nope, wont be lining up for a new 911, or any 911 for that matter. If they took out what should be rear seats, and moved the motor to in front of the rear axle......voila, mid-engined. Could be the almost all-new supercar to beat.

By barina47 on 25 October, 2011, 8:00am

PinkyBow

Do the other contributors wonder the why the shape only evolves?
As other shapes show us you can hardly improve on the design of a plate,cup,lawnmowers etc etc (apart from different materials). I guarantee the motoring press, expert drivers and old and new drivers will love it.
As regards to Clarkson et al - following the trip to the Isle of man( 911 V M6 V Aston) Mays and Hammond went and bought Porsches! - at 6'5" Jeremy doesn't fit too well, but if you read his columns he admits the 911 is brilliant. Designers are obliged to follow briefs; it's not lazinees or arrogance but improving an unarguable winning formulae.

By Brijenbudgies on 25 October, 2011, 8:28am

sales

How many more 991/911s will be bought over it's rival's???? I wonder.
All are entitled to ones opinion. Looks are in the eye of the beholder. Engineering wise the Porsche is one of the better sports car. Buy with the head or heart they are still the better bet(in my opinion).
My deposit went down on a cab (due May) the day the 'leaked' photos were published before the Frankfurt motor Show.
This will be my 4th Porsche, i have owned other sports but keep going back to Porsche because they are simply a great drive.

By bobsnicholson on 25 October, 2011, 8:39am

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! zzzz! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz! zzzzzzz! chkzzzzzzzz!

By CarlyWarly on 25 October, 2011, 9:08am

engineering wise porsche do have the upper hand but it really is a boring car to look at. no doubt its a signature design for the 911 but i think it's time to let it R.I.P and think of somthing else. with VW massive bank balance i'm sure they can be more creative than this.

By corsamani on 25 October, 2011, 10:24am

Drive it and then comment

I apologise in advance to any naysayer who is making their comment from the stand-point of one who has driven a 911 and its rivals. However, I don't believe that anyone who has driven a 911 would be so scathing.

The issue is that you cannot love a 911 until you've driven it. Drive it alongside its "piers" and then you'll really understand it.

Try this. Phone a Porsche dealer and arrange a test drive. A current model 997 will do. Phone Audi and book an R8 test drive then phone Aston and book a Vantage.

It'll cost you nothing and at the end what will be a facinating and enjoyable day, you will be in NO doubt why so many people are such devoted fans of the car that has barely changed in 50 years.

Just try it and come back here and tell us what you thought.

By courtthree on 25 October, 2011, 11:44am

Have driven ....

Absolutely agree with courtthree - you can only make a valid observation after driving the alternatives. I would go a stage further - you have to have owned them for a reasonable period of time.
Having in recent years owned a Boxster, four 911's, and XKR (all convertibles); what do I drive now? A Vantage cab which is just mind blowing compared to the others (the chipped paint on the door pull is really irritating though - ask any AM owner!!). Could never see myself going back to a 911 unless they do something radical. Need to own a R8 though (driven, but not owned as yet. Just too impractical) .... perhaps next year I just might!

By TonyC70 on 25 October, 2011, 4:52pm

I had a dream

I had a dream that porsche would build something differnt ,looks like it didnt come though.zzzzzzzzzz i am with carlywarly on this one.

By jemyd on 25 October, 2011, 5:22pm

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder?

Beautifully made? Yep
Beautiful to drive? For sure
Beautiful to look at? Nope.
Looks like a VW Beetle? Yep.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder? No it isn't.
Why? Because it looks like a VW Beetle (Unless we all agree the VW Beetle is a great looking car?)

By 3kik_com on 25 October, 2011, 5:38pm

What's the weight distribution of this car ? Can't see it published anywhere.

By m444uk on 25 October, 2011, 5:47pm

wow, lots of Haters on here

i wonder how many of you haters have actually driven a 911.

as far as the statement "Porsche designers are the laziest in the world" is concerned:

it´s really a stupid comment by someone who has no clue about design at all. it´s by far more difficult to create a fresh evolutionary design than designing a whole new car, cause the freedom of creativity is much more limited.

my 2 cents: the most iconic sportscar in the world just got better and raises the bar...again!

By catchmyshadow on 25 October, 2011, 10:18pm

Sustainable Design?

I'm a designer and I think what you have here is a classic example of a corporation which is profit driven rather then a desire to create a work of art. You see examples of this this not just in car design but all around you.

As a designer I wonder who has more enjoyment in their work? The designers at Ferrari or the designers at Porsche? When you choose a career in design you don't do it for money, you do it for job satisfaction and in my exprience I can tell you those guys at Ferrari (Pininfarina) will probably go home every evening feeling very happy with themselves.

The philosophy at Pininfarina has always been to allow their designers creative freedom and it reflects in their work as you can see. Porsche I suspect has a different philosphy and that reflects on the products that they produce.

But for any design to be considered an icon it has to be sustainable (I'm not talking about green credentials). So 50 years from now I wonder how many people would remember this latest 911 version as oppose to a Aston Martin V8 Vantage or a Ferrari 458 Italia?

I can't wait to see what Pininfarina designs for the next Ferrari. How many people can honestly say that about Porsche?

By whf2132 on 26 October, 2011, 6:02am

Whats the point?

When a GT-R does it all so much better and doesnt look like a new iteration of a VW Beetle?

Boxster is even more dreary...

By LegioIXHispana on 27 October, 2011, 12:04am

Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond

Can't be the new 911, must be a photo of the old one surely?
German engineering is indisputedly excellent but oh dear God, their designers are very average and are getting worse of late.
Jaguar everytime baby!

By tgw123 on 30 October, 2011, 1:28pm

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Porsche 911 front cornering
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AT A GLANCE

    Price: £81,242
    Engine: 3.8-litre 6cyl, 394bhp
    Transmission: Seven-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
    0-62mph: 4.3 seconds
    Top speed: 189mph
    Economy: 32.4mpg
    CO2: 205g/km
    Equipment: Leather upholstery, sports seats, 20-inch alloys, seven-inch colour touchscreen, iPod connection, launch control
    On sale: December
     
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