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10 February 2012

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Porsche 911 road test report

Porsche 911

Porsche’s enduring supercar offers everything from plain old rapid to downright amazing. Forty five years of honing the 911’s abilities has resulted in a car that is as near to perfection as you can get for a road car. Buying a 911 is about one of the safest car purchases you can make. Yes, it’s quite expensive to join the club, but once in the running costs of the more affordable models is quite reasonable.

Performance

Porsche’s enduring supercar offers everything from plain old rapid to downright amazing. There’s a wider range of models with the 911 than any other supercar out there, but the engines divide into 3.6- and 3.8-litre sizes, with the S and GT3 models using the larger one. There are also turbocharged models, including the ultra fast and GT2 that boasts 530bhp to make it the most potent roadgoing 911 available. Most versions use non-turbo 3.6- and 3.8-litre motors producing 345- and 385bhp respectively, and these can ordered with Porsche’s six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch ’box with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. The entry-level 911 Carrera covers 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds, or 4.7 with the PDK ’box. The Carrera S with 3.8-litre engine goes from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds (4.5 for the PDK model) and tops out at 188mph, while the 3.6-litre model has a top end of 180mph. After that, performance spirals upwards as the 911 becomes more focused all the way to the GT2’s 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and 207mph top whack. Whichever 911 tickles your fancy, you will not be disappointed by the performance.

Ride & Handling

Forty five years of honing the 911’s abilities has resulted in a car that is as near to perfection as you can get for a road car. As an everyday proposition, the more affordable 911 models are unbeatable as usable supercars thanks to their supple suspension. It lets the Porsche trundle through town unperturbed by potholes, yet it can switch in an instant to a precision tool for cutting a dash down a curving country road. The steering is light yet full of feel, the traction superb out of corners thanks to the engine being slung over the back wheels and the overall balance inspires huge confidence even in those new to the 911 way of doing things. The standard rear-wheel drive models are the best balanced, but Porsche has done wonders to make the four-wheel drive versions of the latest generation of 911 far better to drive. They’ve engineered out the mid tug at the steering caused by the four-wheel drive, leaving the driver free to enjoy the sensational grip. As for refinement, there’s a little road rumble from the fat tyres, but little wind noise troubles the cabin, and engine howl is only heard when the driver pushes the throttle good and hard.

Build Quality & Reliability

Porsche has one of the best track records in the world of any car maker for the strength of its cars’ construction. The latest 911 follows exactly in this tradition and has a quality to it that can only come from years spent perfecting something. From the way the doors thunk shut to the precise click of every button and dial, the 911 is going to last a very long time and put up with a great deal of hard driving. It’s the same with the mechanical parts, which also have a record for bearing up where other supercars simply give up.

Safety & Security

If only everything in life that was this fast was this secure. The 911 has come through security tests with top marks, helped along by a superb alarm, deadlocks in the doors and an immobiliser that refuses to be overridden without the key. There are also twin front, side and curtain airbags, along with anti-lock brakes and Porsche’s PSM electronic stability management system to keep the car on the right track. A five-star Euro NCAP ranking is the icing on the 911’s safety cake.

Space & Practicality

For a supercar, the 911 is very practical thanks to its easy access to the front seats, comfort and space for the pair in the front and a superb driving position. Not as low-slung as some supercars, the 911 is all-day comfortable and affords a good all-round view from the driver’s seat. The dash is also less cluttered and easier to fathom than in some previous 911’s, though the centre console still uses too many small buttons where a simpler configuration would be better. The rear seats are for very small children only and most owners use them as extra storage. A small but well shaped boot up front can hold a couple of soft bags, so a weekend away is do-able in the Porsche. Go for the more extreme models and practicality is sacrificed at the altar of performance and handling.

Ownership & Value

Buying a 911 is about one of the safest car purchases you can make. Yes, it’s quite expensive to join the club, but once in the running costs of the more affordable models is quite reasonable. The Carrera in 3.6- and 3.8-litre guises returns 29.4- and 27.4mpg combined economy respectively. The 3.6-litre engine even manages 225g/km of carbon dioxide emissions, though the 3.8 runs to 240g/km. Porsche provides an unlimited mileage warranty, but it only lasts for two years. When you come to sell, 911s hold their value strongly, so long as the car is in a desirable colour and trim combo. Equipment is generous with every 911 as they include climate control, CD stereo, leather seats and gorgeous alloy wheels, but you will have to pay more for satellite navigation, cruise control or parking sensors.

Submitted: 01/10/2009 11:10:30

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