Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S 2012 review

Ten years is a long time to wait for a new generation Porsche 911 but the cycle has started again following the arrival of a new 911 code named 991.

Thing is, it looks the same - well, to the casual observer. And the point to that is that Porsche has a philosophy of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," in terms of 911 styling. Buyers too are hard-core about the styling, they emphatically want their car to "look" like a 911 and the new one most certainly does.

But underneath the familiar looking muscular skin it's all different and the outside is totally new too - bigger, more assertive, wider and stunning to look at.

ENGINES

The entry level Carrera model now runs a 3.4-litre flat six with 257kW/390Nm, up on the previous 3.6-litre model while the Carrera S runs a 3.8-litre flat six with 294kW/440Nm, also up.

The high compression (12.5:1) engines are naturally aspirated and have direct fuel injection and variable cam timing and lift to boost both performance and fuel efficiency which comes down to an incredible 8.2-litres/100km in the Carrera with PDK transmission.

TRANSMISSION

The rear wheel drive Carrera and Carrera S introduce the world's first seven speed manual transmission with a dual mass flywheel for more response. There's also an optional dual clutch PDK seven speed 'auto' complete with paddle shift and multi modes.

A hill hold function is fitted to both models as is auto stop/start for fuel economy gains in city driving. Torque vectoring  is fitted to the PDK S models to aid cornering grip.

CHASSIS

New 911 has a longer wheelbase and wider front  track than before and is on a new, stiffer chassis featuring a strut front/multi-link rear suspension. Porsche's stability management system is standard and the steering moves to electro-mechanical to save weight and offer superior responses. Active roll bars are available on the S model with brakes featuring four piston front calipers on the Carrera and six pistons on the S.

BODY

Two doors, four seats if you have shorties in the front and kids in the back. Or fold down the rear seats and treat it as a two seater, the sensible option. The rear spoiler "self deploys" and the underbody is flat for optimal aerodynamics.

There's greater use of aluminium in the body and some chassis components that reduce weight by 98kg depending on spec'. Exterior mirrors are door mounted. The body is bigger inside than the previous model with benefits for passengers and luggage storage.

INSIDE

Great advances have been made inside in terms of design, function and appearance with a cool stitched leather dash in pride of place. The touch screen info' screen is large and wide and the easy to read five dial instruments are housed in a stylish binnacle facing the driver's cockpit.

The driving position has numerous adjustments and the standard Bose audio system is monumental, upgradable to a top of the range Burmester million watt system. The park assist is handy as are the bixenon headlights. Electrically adjustable sports seats, two zone climate control, leather, multi-function wheel.

THE DRIVE

One word ... sensational. We got to drive the S in manual and PDK on the international launch in Santa Barbara last week on a range of roads including freeways, mountain passes and rural B roads.

It was a treat to hear and feel and there were times when diplomacy was required to extract the keys from other drivers.

It sounds superb, accentuated by pushing the exhaust button which gives a less restricted note. Performance is astonishing from a 3.8-litre "natmo" engine capable of putting away a 0-100kmh sprint in 4.1 seconds. Engine revs to 7800rpm.It corners hard enough to make you queasy and has brakes to pop your eyeballs.

VERDICT

Would have one in a blink, with PDK. Carrera S does the Nurburgring in 7.40. Prices start at $229,900.