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The Porsche 911 is without doubt one of the most iconic sports cars of all time.
Never straying from its unique rear-engined philosophy, the 911 has spawned innumerable versions over the last 50 years. Initially powered by an air-cooled 'flat' six-cylinder engine that gradually grew in capacity and sophistication, it controversially switched to water-cooling in the late 1990s.
Along the way, the 911 never lost sight of its primary function; a nimble, agile and beautifully engineered sports car designed for the enthusiast - despite its reputation as a toy of the rich and vacuous. The two-plus-two, two-door coupe bodystyle is still offered in numerous styles, including a drop-top and a targa top version. It’s also offered in performance-orientated versions that can now top half a million dollars on the showroom floor.
Current prices range from $277,800 to $660,500 for the 911 Carrera and 911 S/T.
A new (or at least, massively altered) 3.6-litre petrol engine has been developed for the 911 Carrera GTS, t-hybrid, which combines with two electric motors to produce a total 398kW and 610Nm. It’s only available with Porsche’s eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) automatic.
The 911 Coupe still features a 3.0-litre boxer engine with twin turbocharging, delivering 290kW and 450Nm.
Porsche has focused most of the 911 updates in the cabin. In here, you’ll find a new digital instrument panel, they’ve changed some of the levers and the steering wheel, and there’s now push-button start.
In true Porsche fashion, though, this new 911 mimics the older versions in that is one of the more intuitive cabins you’ll ever sit in. Everything feels as though it’s exactly where it should be, and all feels entirely centred on the driver.
You're in pretty safe territory with the Porsche, they're soundly engineered and well built. They give little trouble if they're properly serviced, although the cost of servicing can be high. It's a good idea to cosy up to a Porsche specialist for repairs and servicing to save a few bucks. Go for a car that might be a little older but in good condition rather than a later one that has been round the block a few times.
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The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS will go from zero to 100km/h in 3.0secs. The new 911 Carrera Coupe will hit 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds (3.9 seconds with the Sport Chrono package).
There's seating for four in the Porsche 911, should you not like the people you’re squeezing back there very much, but really the 911 is best enjoyed as a two-seat proposition – which is why you can also delete the backseat, should you wish.
The biggest updates (apart from the driving stuff, of course), occur in the cabin, where the 911 is now push-button start, and introduces a new digital dashboard, which defaults as a digital version of the old analogue setup. The screen is 12.6 inches, and there’s a second 10.9-inch screen in the centre cabin which does your phone streaming.
The new 911 is really no more practical then the model it replaces, with luggage space a paltry 135 litres under the bonnet, plus whatever else you can fit in your pockets.
The Porsche 911 is fitted with a 63-litre fuel tank, which should deliver a driving range of around 600kms per tank.