Porsche 911 992 Review: A Clear Step-up from the 991
At least that’s the opinion of the folks at Carfection, who see the 991 as the stepping stone towards the more refined 992 Porsche 911.
The new 911 is currently available in one engine configuration only, badged the Carrera S (or the 4S, if you go for all-wheel drive). This model packs a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine that produces 444 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. The power is sent to the wheels via an 8-speed PDK automatic gearbox.
Admittedly, when we compare the performance specifications of the 992 Carrera S with that of the 991 Carrera S, there is not much to choose between the two cars. However, as Henry Catchpole of Carfection observes, the 992 911 is better engineered vehicle and hence, a superior driver’s car.
“It’s so direct. With the rear-wheel steering on it, it feels like such a small car. It feels so agile. We know that this has got a little bit heavier … but it doesn’t feel like [that],” he says. “It feels involving at any speed, so there’s a real sense of connection when you’re just puttering slowly, as well as, when you’re pounding on the track.”
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Catchpole also notes that even though the all-drive Carrera 4S offers more outright performance, it lags behind the rear-drive Carrera S in terms of steering-feel and engagement. “I did have a brief go in the (911 Carrera) 4S and the steering wasn’t as nice,” he says. “It was still precise but it just lacked that lovely … feel of the rear-wheel drive car. So unless you absolutely must have the extra traction … the cheaper, simpler Carrera S is the pick of the range for now.”
All said, despite Catchpole’s cheerful remarks, we’d like to remind you that Porsche will be adding many more variants to the 992 range in the not-so-distant future, so if you’re a patient, deep-pocketed enthusiast, it might be worth waiting till the the launch of the GTS and the Turbo models before making any final decision.