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It is the seventh generation of a sports car that is constantly being further developed. With every generation, the Cast Iron '11 fans cry, moan and curse and keep talking about a break in tradition. No other automobile manufacturer in the world has succeeded in perfecting a vehicle with such a further evolutionary stage. Too perfect. Too little emotion. Too aloof. These are the current criticisms of the 991.
Mr. Perfect under adrenaline.
And indeed - the driver ergonomics are perfect. The workmanship is perfect. The appearance of the material is perfect. The service is perfect. Is the new Porsche 911 too perfect? Are there no points of contact between driver emotions and automobile emotions? Did the former wild dog become a hand-tame lap dog? Has the Porsche 911 lost the racing gene? Still no supercharging, still six cylinders in a boxer arrangement, still behind the rear axle.
Not even close: Never before has a Porsche 911 S model been so greedy. Never before have the 400 HP on the rear axle been moved in such a controlled manner.
With the current Porsche 911 generation, Porsche has created the ultimate balancing act. Tame and almost boring, perfect in city traffic and the Sunday picnic tour. Greedy, aggressive in performance, willing and predictable to the millimeter in active cornering.
I can't make a secret of it, seldom has a car fascinated me as much as this current 911 generation.
[one_half last=”no”] [arrowlist]- Model Name: Porsche Carrera S.
- Equipment: Carrera S
- Test car Price: 129.050€
- Basic price series: 88.500€ (350PS)
- displacement: 3.800 ccm³
- Power: 400PS
- maximum speed: 302 km/h
- Acceleration: 0-100: 4,1 seconds
To the large Porsche 911 gallery
[one_third last=”no”]That's what he wants to be:
The benchmark in the sports car world.
[/one_third] [one_third last=”no”]He can do that:
He is the benchmark in the sports car world.
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He can not do that:
Remain emotionless.
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Design exterior: Evolutionary
The latest generation of the Porsche 911 can also be recognized immediately as a Porsche and a 911. Although the evolutionary development of the design language has provided a gentle redefinition of the classic 911 design. The bi-xenon main headlights are no longer so steep, a vertical orientation was chosen for this. Together with the delicate A-pillars, the boomerang-tapering C-pillar forms a typical 911 passenger cell. At the rear, the LED taillights dominate in an extremely narrow and pointed shape. The S-model beguiles the viewer with the 20-inch aluminum rims that are well placed in the wheel arch.
Rating: 9 of 10 points
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]Design & feel inside: Home sweet home
The ignition lock is still on the left. The fittings are still formed from nested round instruments. The biggest change is a center console adopted from the Panamera and Porsche GT, which clearly separates the driver and front passenger. At first glance, the switch units and buttons along this massive center console are confusing. A short period of familiarization and the operating concept has become second nature and the operation of the “sports exhaust”, “sports buttons” and the multimedia system can be operated blindly.
Rating: 10 of 10 points
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Driving performance & driving experience: "Hard rock & cozy rock"
With 400PS you shrink any distance between start and finish point to entertaining amusement. Tempo 290 on German autobahns is possible without any problems - if you aim for it, the Carrera S flies with a rude roar over the asphalt strips of the republic. But you don't have to. There is another way. The cruise control set up at 120 km / h, the leather seating set comfortably, the sound system fed with the right music and the 6-cylinder boxer can be led from the 7th gear of the double clutch transmission with almost 2.000 revolutions on the long leash. Those who drive in such a relaxed manner achieve consumption values of well under 8 liters per 100 km.
If you leave the autobahn, you raise the seat again, switch to Sport Plus and ignore the long seventh gear - then the athlete's heart awakens in the original Zuffenhausen and the steering immediately speaks the language of the winding country roads. Thanks to the active PASM chassis, which is included as standard in the S model, the Carrera S can be optimally adjusted to the required requirements.
Seldom has a single automobile managed this violent contradiction between the touring GT and the professional athlete more successfully than the current Porsche Carrera S.
Rating: 10 of 10 points
everyday factor: Getaway vehicle
2 boxes of water in the front trunk and the rest of the weekend shopping on top. Possible without any problems. And if it really has to be, then the offspring who are not required to attend school can also be put on the back seat. For everyone over 1.35m, however, it gets a little tight in the small leather niches.
Just go shopping? Goes. To the opera? Goes. Parking garages? Goes! The Porsche Carrera is perfectly suitable for everyday use in the basic settings of engine, transmission and chassis. Primarily, however, for the everyday life of singles. However, the low seating position not only makes you think of the next morning exercise session when you get out, but also ensures the insatiable desire to escape this everyday life immediately in inner-city traffic jams - at the height of a truck tire.
Rating: 6 of 10 points
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]Standard equipment: S'go
In the series, Porsche delivers 4 wheels, a famous six-cylinder boxer engine and that grandiose feeling of "I did it". The interested sports car buyer can look for everything else from an extra list, the scope of which easily exceeds the venerable “Encyclopedia Britannica”.
In contrast to the basic Carrera, the S-model already stands convincingly on the road with fine 20-inch rims and mixed tires in 245 / 35-20 at the front and 295 / 30-20 at the rear. The “Porsche Torque Vectoring” system with mechanical rear differential lock and asymmetrical locking effect is also in series for the S model. If you choose the indispensable dual clutch transmission from the surcharge catalog, the PTV becomes the PTV-Plus with fully electronically controlled, fully variable rear axle lock and dynamic brake interventions. (Lots of strange words, an explanation here)
The S model also has sports seats with electric backrest and height adjustment. The headlining and the A-pillars are clad in Alcantara as standard in the S models. So much style, has to be.
Rating: 4 of 10 points
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Engine: Potency preparation.
A 3.8 liter six-cylinder boxer engine that knows how to inspire at 7.400 rpm with 400hp. 440Nm which are only present at 5.600 revolutions and a liter output of 105PS. In the beginning, these data already reveal what character you are dealing with here. Aside from the motorsport enthusiasm for performance and speeds, the engine, made entirely of aluminum, can also be driven at low speeds. Strolling around in 7th gear and around 1200 tours? No problem. Ready to jump over the tachometer scales at any time. In conjunction with the dual clutch transmission, the boxer engine impresses with crisp double-declutching bursts during gear changes.
Screeching at the rev limiter. If you let it fly in a sporty way, hold the naturally aspirated engine between 4.800 and 6.800 revolutions on the gas and open the sports exhaust flaps at the push of a button. The Zuffenhausen Trumpet Orchestra plays the best pieces of a heavy metal concert. But beware: The operation of the flap exhaust in connection with high speeds and a active route selection can have the same effects as taking stimulants. Long-lasting insomnia and wild dreams about what happened.
Rating: 10 of 10 points
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]Transmission: "Speedybox"
Ticking the box for the optional 7-speed dual clutch transmission with the abbreviation PDK is one of the really important points when buying a new Porsche. The dual clutch transmission can do everything better than the driver himself. Everything. Just strolled through villages in a very easy and relaxed manner, the next moment the force of a blacksmith's anvil pounded the next gear through the gearbox.
Rating: 10 of 10 points
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Multimedia & Audio: In concert
Even if the music in the Porsche comes from the rear and is composed by the 6-person concert team about engine speed and flap exhaust, those who relax on the long journey will be happy about a sound package in series. The BOSE surround system, which is subject to a surcharge, was installed in the test vehicle. For those who value high-end sounds even more, Porsche also offers a Burmester system.
For me personally, the package consisting of the Porsche Audisystem with 7-inch touchscreen and Bose sound package was an absolute sound revelation. Crisp bass with the necessary sound pressure to get the trouser legs to flutter and, in addition, clear - clear mid-range and high tones.
The entire infotainment system has also been perfected. Especially since there are different solutions for each function. The system can be operated by touchscreen, or by turning and pushing controls in the center console, or, if you use the TFT monitor in the dashboard, by using the steering column lever. Above all, the small TFT with its multifunctional assignment and logical control via the small pitman arm on the right-hand side proves to be particularly informative. Travel data, routes, phone and vehicle information. Everything in one place, clever and intuitive to use.
Rating: 9 out of 10 points
Lifestyle:
Do you still have sex or do you already drive a Porsche? Gone are the days when the envy of others was expressed through stupid sayings like these. The Porsche 911 in particular exerts a special fascination across all social classes. Children's eyes shine and the Porsche is often a real door opener. Small talk and envy-free interest go hand in hand, no matter where you drive the 911.
With the current 911, however, Porsche has also managed to emphasize the “efficiency” factor particularly clearly. With possible consumption values of less than 8 liters on average, the 991 is a particularly environmentally friendly sports car and GT. There have never been such green arguments for buying a Porsche. The neighbor, who sends his children to the Waldorf school in the morning, is happy with that, so that they can learn to clap their own names.
Rating: 8 of 10 points
The cost factor:
The base price of the Carrera S is € 102.436, which is € 14.399 above the normal Porsche 911 Carrera. For this amount you can buy a new Dacia car without negotiating a discount. With that, however, the overlap between the two brands has already been fully mentioned.
In addition to the basic price, which already ensures a simple selection of Porsche buyers, it is the Zuffenhausen-based surcharge policy that will cause painful loss on the overnight money account. You can't criticize this, it's a simple economic process and customers have accepted it. Leather-covered air outlet nozzles are happily ordered and the seat shells painted in the color of the vehicle.
On the other hand, buying a new Porsche is a better investment than investing in Greek bonds. After an initial loss, you can be sure that the Porsche retains a proud residual value.
Rating: 4 of 10 points
Two sentences to:
[one_fourth last=”no”]Tire:
The Carrera S comes in the version with the 20 inch rims Pirelli P Zero delivered. I am not an experienced tire tester, but I dare to judge: These tires are simply great and fit the Carrera S.
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Consumption:
With an absolute minimum consumption of 6.6 liters, the Porsche was just as convincing as with its maximum value of 16.0 liters. In between, however, there are worlds in terms of performance and the driver controls everything with his right foot.
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Envy:
Of course, a Porsche creates the feeling of envy in envious people. On the other hand, however, the many positive contacts and short conversations during one of the numerous refueling stops predominate.
[/one_fourth][one_fourth last=”yes”]
Desire:
Driving a Porsche is the pure and purest form of driving pleasure. If you get out without a smile, you have to control your pulse.
[/one_fourth]
And finally ...
Only those who have not driven a Porsche can accuse a Porsche of lack of emotion, almost boring perfection. The latest Porsche generation is once again the most perfect version of a German sports car. Right down to the smallest details, such as the dashboard chronometer, which sets all pointers to 12 o'clock after the ignition and, after starting, lets the pointers run back to the current time. Loving details, perfect workmanship and a merciless willingness to perform.
Perfect yes. Emotionally 100% - once again we can say: This 911 generation is the best 911 generation of all time!
Edit: And now also with “moving image” 😉 https://autohub.de/video-porsche-911-carrera-s-emotionslos/
Ranking: 80 from 100 points
There is no room for discussion: The points result in an overall ranking and are comparable across all vehicle classes - as they are directly and objectively based on the model class and target group. The more points, the better the vehicle. A sports car cannot achieve 100 points because its everyday use is low. A family van may fail in the “straight performance”. The ranking is of course completely subjective - it is that my-car-blog Ranking. Bjoern Habegger
Links:
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Text / photos: Bjoern Habegger | autohub.de | 2012 | by-nc-nd