Power is available everywhere. From off-boost idling to afterburner thrust, this engine doesn’t blow up. It also doesn’t have to touch the redline to guarantee that it is at its best. No matter where the needle starts, it simply pulls. Okay, there’s a tiny bit of latency in the range below 3,000 rpm, just enough to make you remember why the nat-asp forebears were so compelling. But even so, it’s unquestionably an improvement over the previous turbocharged vehicle.
The delivery hides the power of its presence since it never truly disappears. But it moves along quickly. Although not in a crazy or alarming way, correctly fast is nevertheless swift. In a world where an M3 has 500 horsepower and costs not far off as much as a 911, the Carrera is little undervalued. However, if you use the lower ratios intelligently, it will propel you out of bends, make frequent overtakes, and haul in a straight line like the horizon is moving. It’s misleading in a way that the quicker ones aren’t because of how brutal and blatant their deliveries are.
In This Article...
Increasing the Level of It
The cabin of the 911 has also slowly gotten bigger over the years, even though it still feels like a sports car and is appropriately cozy. Although Porsche has improved the cockpit amenities and finishing to new levels of style, comfort, and advancement, there are still enough touches, such as the resolutely analog central tachometer in the otherwise totally digital instrument binnacle, to make those familiar with earlier models feel completely at home in the new car. The architecture of what resembles a vintage dashboard is skillfully incorporated to house the most recent entertainment system, which not only looks fantastic but also performs admirably. The driving position is terrific, the seats are fantastic (albeit those in the back remain at best hypothetical despite the additional space), and I’m particularly captivated by the little console-mounted shifter, a tactile and gorgeous piece of cabin jewelry that screams to be, well, shifted.
Few other vehicles can equal the 911’s blend of docility and raw performance, which contributes to its legendary appeal. The 911 may be driven to the office or shops one day and then brought to the racing circuit the next. Furthermore, compared to previous stock 911 iterations, this current Carrera 4S version raises the goalposts closer to the realm of true supercars. It’s not as insanely speedy as some more extreme Ferraris and Lamborghinis can be—surfing the Niagara Falls in a rowing boat—but it is still a very quick car.
The super-flexible boxer engine’s capacity to crank up the grunt from above 3,000 rpm—and its ability to spin to 7,500 rpm—as well as the gearbox’s inclination in auto mode to instantly locate the optimal ratio, one that lands you exactly in the sweet spot of the power band, are the main reasons for this. It also sounds exactly like a 911 should, so wonderful that you hardly ever find yourself lamenting the loss of natural ambition in the great majority of modern Porsches.
The all-wheel-drive 4S also never makes you yearn for the “purity” of the Carrera 2’s rear-wheel-only design. This car never feels anything less than a razor-sharp instrument that is most at home while slicing through the countryside. Yes, it is heavier, but not significantly so, and I’d assume the handling is slightly mushier, but not enough for you to notice. After several hours behind the wheel, you’re still craving more and wondering why you’d ever consider any other sportscar because it turns flawlessly, grips like a limpet, and is incredibly comfy.
When discussing automobiles, we frequently draw Venn diagrams, but if there is one automobile that has consistently occupied the ideal intersection of dependability, everyday usage, and pure driving fun, it is the Porsche 911. According to the most recent Carrera 4S, it simply got better.
Amber
Growing up, my only desire was to one day buy a Porsche. My friend’s father had one while I was in high school, and we might have had a day a la “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” there. I got to drive a real performance automobile for the first time with this one. Since then, I’ve owned a lot of Porsches and have had the pleasure of driving a lot more, from the majority of the RS models through the Carrera GT and 918, all while running an exotic performance store in Los Angeles for 17 years.
“A Porsche seems like an extension of me when I step inside. It is swift, light, and superbly balanced. I feel as though the car and I are one entity. The most versatile vehicle is a Porsche. If you’re feeling daring, I can drive on the racetrack, through canyons, and off-road, and then look great while taking it to dinner in a city setting. My treatment has always been driving.
always moving forward
One of the most admired and respected sports vehicles in the world is the 911. The 911 reflects the original Sportscar concept with its over 50 years of innovation, purity of design, lightweight design, maximum performance, and best traction and grip.
Drive the most recent Porsche 911 Carrera* for 90 minutes while receiving personalized instruction from your Porsche Driving Consultant on the Porsche Experience Test Tracks. To get the most out of your experience, pick precisely which Porsche Tracks sections you want to drive on.
The Porsche way from birth
I’ve wanted a Porsche 911 for as long as I can remember. I believe I was born a fan of 911. When I was younger, I would have been drawn in by the incredible performance and gorgeous design. But as I grew older, I quickly understood that Porsche was much more than a car manufacturer. It is a way of life. Then, one day, those childhood dreams became a reality. At that time, I purchased a 997 Carrera, my very first 911. A vehicle that would accompany me on the ultimate 911 cross-country road trip. My life was radically altered by an automobile.
After purchasing the 911, I made a special ski box to house my video equipment, which I drove 7,000 miles and 40 days across the US in with my best friend. Every day of the trip was captured on camera as I chronicled what it was like to spend 40 days living with (and in) a Porsche 911. We spent a total of 27 of the 40 nights sleeping in the car. The front seats really recline rather far when the back seats are raised, allowing for very comfortable sleeping.
However, that was essentially impossible the first night of our ultimate 911 road trip. We started out from home in Seattle, Washington, and traveled east. In Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, we eventually set up camp for the night at a rest area, sandwiched between two enormous 18-wheelers. It was quite unsettling. But by the fourth day, when we camped out in a Missoula, Montana, grocery store parking lot, it was starting to seem like home. What does it matter that it was only 22°F (–6°C) outside?
In the rear is the engine.
Rear-engine layouts frequently appear to be a horrible concept, both on paper and in practice. There is a reason why most automobiles don’t have a significant amount of weight dangling precariously behind the rear axle, with the exception of smart cars, the Renault Twingo, and the 911. Although placing weight over the rear driving wheels improves grip during acceleration, having the engine in the back also means that these cars’ natural habitat has frequently been popping their noses out of ditches at the end of bends.
First off, almost no vehicle will move your spirit as much as the 911. With a heavy, gripping back end and a light front that changes depending on where your right foot is positioned, the handling is a distinct and tactile sensation. The car feels nimble, has a rapid turn-in, and has extraordinary grip, especially in later generations. The chassis is actively communicating as a whole. Driving demands the ultimate commitment in exchange for the ultimate reward because overcooking it frequently reaches the point of no return.
Second, Porsche’s masochistic engineers were compelled to develop the 911 differently than any other vehicle because they insisted on maintaining this unconventional layout. The 911 is now more complete than any other car on the planet thanks to four-wheel drive, rear-axle steering, continuously improved Porsche Active Suspension Management to actively and continuously control the damping force of each individual wheel, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control to reduce body roll, and ceramic brakes.
How does it feel to operate a Porsche 911?
There is plenty of power in every gear, and it revs happily to a redline of 7,500 rpm. It also sounds terrific while doing so, especially when the sport exhaust is set to its louder mode. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds according to Porsche, and there is hardly any turbo lag.
Is it comfy to drive a Porsche 911?
The steering configuration of the most recent 911 makes it far more comfortable than previous models on highways. It feels as though you could whisper to your passenger while driving in seventh gear on a smooth surface because to how refined the comfort-spec versions are. However, lighter variants like the Carrera T have less soundproofing, which results in audible tire roar at highway speeds. The base Carrera model boasts a smooth ride for a sports car, and thanks to the included adaptive dampers, you can adjust the ride stiffness to suit your driving preferences.
Given its outrageous appearance and even more outrageous performance, the GT3 is still amazingly comfortable on lengthy trips. It is true that its strong suspension jars over urban potholes, but this only lasts a short distance before smoothing out and settling down on the freeway. The bucket seats are comfortable even for extended periods of time behind the wheel, as befits a vehicle that has an endurance-racing mentality.
What makes the Porsche 911 unique?
Behind the rear axle is where the engine is located. The Porsche 911 provides a driving experience that is unmatched by any other vehicle because to the placement of its own engine behind the rear axle. A experienced 911 pilot can drop power earlier in a turn than they would be able to fly any other configuration thanks to the weight distribution that results.
Is the Porsche 911 a trustworthy vehicle?
According to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which was just issued, the Porsche 911 is the model with the best ownership experience. The sports car legend won the study’s top prize for the third time in the last four years, making this the second year in a row that it had done so. In the category of Upper Midsize Premium SUVs, the Porsche Cayenne was rated as the most trustworthy vehicle.
As we persistently focus on meeting and, ideally, exceeding the expectations of our consumers, it is pleasant to see the efforts of so many colleagues, both here in the United States and in Germany, said Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, Inc. “The top rankings this year for the Porsche 911 and the Cayenne reflect our commitment to designing and delivering exciting vehicles that their owners can rely on, drive after drive,” the company said.
The 33-year-old study counts the problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) that three-year-old automobiles’ original owners encountered in the previous year. A lower rating indicates greater dependability. The research for this year used automobiles from the 2019 model year.
The Porsche 911 had the fewest PP100 of any model across the whole automobile industry with 94. Porsche finished third overall among luxury brands.
How long are Porsche 911’s good for?
The 911 is one of the world’s most dependable sports cars thanks to years of meticulous engineering. The 911 delivers better long-term dependability than either the Italian Ferraris or the American Mustangs.
Even while repairs are expensive, they are less expensive than a luxury sports car like a Ferrari or Lamborghini.
The typical 911 model can endure up to 200,000 kilometers, according to data from automotive websites and 911 owners. The 911 could live up to 10 years if you drove it every day and put an average of 20k miles on it each year.
It is crucial to be aware that prior 911 model generations experienced issues with the Intermediate Steering Shaft (IMS). Newer models are made to last, and those issues have been resolved.
Want a high-performance sports automobile that won’t malfunction despite all the abuse and rough riding? Your go-to automobile is a 911.