Porsche 911 review

Revised turbochargers and a host of other revisions mean even the entry-level Carrera now produces 385hp. It’ll get from 0-60mph in just 4.0 seconds and crack 182mph, while it’s wide power band means you always have oomph when you put your foot down. Really, you won’t feel short-changed opting for the base model.

The Carrera S and 4S get the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre flat-six but produce 450hp, 530Nm of torque and an earthy howl that’ll get the hair standing up on a petrol head’s neck.

In raw performance terms, the Carrera 2S gets from 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds, while the 4S’s extra grip off the line means it hits 60 fractionally quicker – in 3.2 seconds. Both cars scythe from 0-120mph in under 14 seconds and with enough room can hit 190mph flat out.

It’s not just about the raw numbers with these, though. Porsche’s engineering excellence mean the engines are docile and smooth when you want them to be, and exciting when you’re in the mood.

Beyond these lies the Turbo S, which produces a monstrous 650hp and is so good at transferring it to the road via its automatic gearbox and all-wheel-drive that it’ll hit 60mph from a standstill in just 2.5 seconds. Top speed? 205mph no less.

Then there’s the track-ready GT3 model. It’s larger 4.0-litre flat-six goes without turbochargers, and with 510hp on tap it isn’t quite as ballistically quick as the Turbo S. But as everything about this car has been derived directly from motorsport, it’s the most focussed, hardcore model in the range. At least for now. This rear-wheel-drive sports car will complete the 0-60mph dash in just 3.4 seconds, before maxing out at 198mph.

The GT3’s lack of turbos means it performs differently to other 911s, though: You don’t get the same level of torque from low revs, meaning you need to rev it out to get the best out of it. That’s no hardship, though: the engine makes a fantastic, raw sound and revs so quickly up to its astonishing 9,000rpm redline.

That contrasts to turbo 911s which offer great get up and go from low revs with bags of acceleration, no matter which gear you’re in or what speed you’re travelling at. That usable performance comes about thanks to turbochargers that deliver full torque from not much more than tick over.

You can also thank the turbos for the 911’s admirable official combined fuel economy of just under 32mpg. Very few true sports cars can get close to that figure.

The Porsche’s standard eight-speed automatic gearbox also makes it more usable. Its higher top gear (the old 911 only had seven speeds) means the car cruises more quietly on the motorway and doesn’t burn so much fuel while doing so.

However, most 911s can be specced with manual gearboxes too. The more everyday 911s come with a seven – yes, seven – speed manual gearbox, which has relatively long gearing for better fuel economy but a nice action, making the car feel more engaging for driving purists. Seventh gear will only be needed at high speeds, so it doesn’t feel all that unusual.

The GT3 gets a six-speed manual gearbox with closer ratios for better acceleration and driver enjoyment. It’s a lovely gearbox that pairs well with the motorsport-derived engine. Both ‘normal’ 911 and GT3 manuals have a clever ‘auto-blip’ function which revs the engine just as your slotting home a downshift to make it super smooth.

The Porsche 911 isn’t just a usable sports car, it’s one of the most fun-to-drive sports cars you can buy – which makes its easy-to-live-with nature even more surprising.

Communication is what the 911 is all about. Head down the road in the Porsche and its controls make it feel like you’ve been driving alternatives – such as the BMW 8 Series – by remote control.

You can steam up to corners using the firm pedal to modulate the powerful brakes perfectly, turn in quickly as the front tyres grip the Tarmac hard then power out using the immense traction created by having the engine sitting over the back wheels. It’s so good that you only need the four-wheel-drive Carrera 4S if you live somewhere where the roads are always slippy. In terms of involvement, it’s hard to think of a normal car – or anything that’s vaguely practical – that offers more.

And the more you drive it the more you learn to trust it, knowing that the car’s electronic safety net will come to your rescue even if you do push beyond your abilities.

That safeguard’s bolstered further by a new feature called Wet Mode. Acoustic sensors in the front wheels detect the pitter patter of moisture sprayed up by the tyres and warn you when the ground’s getting slippy. You can then switch to Wet mode – which raises the rear spoiler for more downforce and puts the car’s stability programmes on red alert. Set up as such, you’ll have a far harder time getting the 911 out of shape.

You don’t have to drive like a loon to enjoy the Porsche, though. Pootling about town you can revel in the car’s excellent forward visibility and short nose that makes it easy to thread down tight streets. The ride is firm but nicely controlled, too: lesser 911s with smaller wheels are more comfortable than higher-end models, but none are jarring.

Just be aware that the GT3 model, with its race car-derived suspension set up, is a slightly different story. It’s not unbearably harsh, but you certainly notice bumps in the road surface more than the standard 911, while there’s plenty of road and tyre noise. It’s likely you’ll be having too much fun to care, though, because the GT3’s razor-sharp steering and super-tight feel makes it a riot on the right road.

There’s a whole suite of optional electronics that can also take the monotony out of motorway driving. Specify adaptive cruise control, along with lane-assist with traffic-sign recognition and you’ll end up with a 911 that can adjust its speed automatically if it detects a car in front or a change in speed limit, and make small corrections to the steering to keep it within its lane on the motorway. It can even bring the car to a complete halt and make off again automatically when the traffic starts moving again. It has automatic emergency braking too, which should help to prevent any collisions.