Porsche 911

A technical tour de force that drives beautifully, yet is also easy to live with, the Porsche 911 is the world's best sports car.

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Rating:
On the road price: £61,620 - £131,070
For : Intoxicating handling, sublime flat-six engine, steering feedback, high engineering standards, price, fuel economy
Against : Firm ride, excessive noise levels, confusing and expensive options list, plain interior

Driving:
Now in its sixth generation, the 911 has hit top form. Stung by criticism that the outgoing 996 model was soft, Porsche has made the latest 997 more exciting than ever. The 3.8-litre engine, for example, is an absolute gem - flexible, tractable, tuneful. The rasping power unit has instant response and is mated to an equally sublime six-speed gearbox, delivering slick, snappy shifts. With low weight, good aerodynamics and incredible traction, the 911 doesn't need pure power to deliver stunning acceleration, and no rival has brakes that come close to the 911's either. And, in tackling corners, the 911 again leads the way. The steering is a key part of this appeal, providing incisive and detailed feedback of what the front wheels are up to. It's well balanced, tautly controlled and, in all, a hugely rewarding driver's car. The Turbo, when it's launched in 2006, is likely to prove a ferocious supercar in disguise!

Marketplace:
The 997 911 is the best version of the iconic sports car there's ever been. Good job - it's up against some fearsome rivals including the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Mercedes SL, plus less mainstream cars like the Maserati Coupe GranSport and Noble M15. The 911 is offered in three guises - Carrera, Carrera S and Turbo - and comes in two bodystyles, coupe or cabriolet. Carrera models offer the choice of rear- or four-wheel-drive, but the Turbo is all-wheel-drive only. Good job, considering it boasts a monumental 450bhp! Lesser variants offer 325bhp as standard or 355bhp in 'S' guise from the 3.8-litre 'flat six'. A six-speed manual gearbox comes as standard but drivers can also select an optional 'Tiptronic' automatic, with manual override. As is usual for Porsche, the options list is enormous, presenting plenty of opportunities for personalisation.

Owning:
The Porsche is so well-built, and the driving position and seats are so good that this is an easy car to use on a daily basis. We're not convinced by the Cayenne-style console layout and switchgear. But with excellent packaging and impressive practicality, the 911 is a strong all-rounder. Prices are high, as you'd perhaps expect, so it's a shame the 911 isn't that well-equipped to compensate. It makes up for this by retaining two-thirds of its value after three years - a sound investment indeed. It's also fuel-efficient given its sensational performance, and servicing requirements are infrequent. Surely, though, the basic warranty should be three years, not two?