Porsche 911 Carrera S

As updates go, Porsche's new 911 Carrera S represents a significant improvement over previous variants. The styling might be all too familiar, but the fresh mechanicals mean this machine is a worthy tribute to a true classic.

As many Hollywood movie legends have discovered, remaking a classic is no mean feat. The same can be said about cars - which might explain why Porsche has taken no chances with the latest incarnation of its celebrated 911.

But despite looking very similar to its predecessor, there have been some significant visual modifications. Returning to the classic 911 design, Porsche has ditched the Boxster-style, one-piece 'runny egg' headlights, replacing them with traditional rounded units featuring separate indicators and side lamps.

The new car's waistline is more accentuated, and the wheelarches have been given added muscle. What's more, the Carrera S driven here gets extra exhaust pipes and larger 19-inch alloys to distinguish it from the standard Carrera. The overall effect is a sharper finish, without detracting from the iconic shape.

However, the biggest visual changes are inside, where a new, neatly laid-out dashboard offers the driver an easy view of all five dials. The three-spoke steering wheel adjusts for both height and reach, while all-new, higher-quality materials have also been used.

The seats have greater side support and are more adjustable, boosting comfort for taller motorists. With more flat surfaces and Audi TT-style round air vents, the cabin won't be to everyone's taste, but it does have a more modern finish. Under the bonnet, there's a new, more powerful 3.8-litre engine, delivering 355bhp and 400Nm of torque - the standard model comes with a 3.6. All this means the Carrera S goes from 0-62mph in only 4.8 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 182mph.

The six-speed manual gearbox fitted to our car is new, too. The throw of the lever has been reduced by 15 per cent over the previous 911, providing easier, faster changes. A Tiptronic transmission is offered as an option, but buyers who want to get the full 911 experience will be better off sticking with the manual.

However, the most breathtaking part of this new Porsche is the way it handles. The 911 has a reworked chassis and is stiffer than its predecessor, with a firmer ride, which adds to the sporty feel. It features the firm's Active Suspension Management system, which lets the driver switch between 'normal' and 'sport' modes at the touch of a button.

Turn-in is remarkably direct and the rear-drive chassis is immensely communicative - it always feels very safe and well planted. Yet the 911 is just as happy pottering around town as it is being driven hard on the test track. We look forward to pitching it against its rivals in a group test, but first impressions are that Porsche has created a virtually unbeatable driver's car.

Think of the new 911 not as a legend that's been badly remade, but as a classic original sympathetically remastered using the latest technology. The Porsche's evolution has reached another level - and it's better than ever.