Agree...makes no sense.

I actually think the whole review was BS...i think he wanted to trash the electronic steering but blew it off by saying most drivers wont notice the difference.

 

the new, revised PDK is definitely the best dual clutch tranny available imho, but more involving is bullsh1t to me, agreed. same goes for the new steering system. it is very good and supposedly the best electro mechanical steering on the market but not as responsive as the hydraulic ones that Porsche has used before.

 

Agreed.

 

I admit that I'd love a PDK in my next 911 - a leap forward in technology. But there's no way its more involving than car w/a manual transmission. More involving? Seriously? So is j_ckin' off more involving than sex w/an actual woman?

 

The guy might be full of crap - as with most critics that aren't real drivers - but I doubt Porsche cares which transmission you choose enough to pay someone off. I would lean more towards their wanting the electronic steering heavily praised. He might have lightened up on the steering but he don't give it a positive response. THAT is a DEAL KILLER for potential buyers. Guys might not like PDK so they choose manual. But is the steering is bad guys will walk out the door and choose another car.

I have driven the car but only around the block. As a 2011 997.2 owner I didn't immediately notice a muted-ness but I have yet to thrash the car into hard turns. I was more tuned into the feel of the suspension which is very tight - and quite hard over our crappy civic roads. As a matter of fact I nearly forgot to notice the steering on my test drive. I was almost back to the dealership when I remembered that the steering was a bone of contention and it was something I wanted to pay attention to. So I gave the car a couple right-left-right quick jerks as if I was avoiding a ball that rolled out into that street and the car maneuvered laser quick. Certainly this is no real test so I want to revisit this item. But I didn't notice a difference at 45 mph around the block.

cheers.
(btw - the manual is a 7 speed.)

 

Thanks! I forgot. It still is going to take some getting used to.

But in regards to the rest of your post. I've disregarded the comment, for the most part, about the steering, because I feel the average consumer will not remember these things, nor care enough about it to notice, because of so many other factors (the awe that is the next great 911, etc...). I feel that some consumers are blinded by such things. Enthusiasts will accept the evolution and either move on with it, or select something else.

I think that we, as an enthusiast forum, will highlight any new objective characteristic and glorify it to the point of agreement or disagreement. But when the package is released to the general population and we start seeing all of the 991's on the streets, this issue will fade, and people will once again embrace that which is Porsche.

 

Very well said!!

 

And that, my friend...is the bottom line.

 

Reviews are definitely biased.
They are effective at promoting product.
I wonder how the electronic developments will affect reliability/dependability.

 

I agree - good point.

Here is a review posted by ChuckJ in another forum - he talks to the steering (the guy is a little annoying - an calls it an "electro mechanical steering wheel" instead of the steering system. But he gives some impressions.

Somewhere arena 3:20 minute mark

 

With all due respect...I am pretty sure he is a salesman and would take EVERYTHING he says with a grain of salt. Of course he is going to say the steering is great. What else would he say? If he doesn't, he can potentially lose a sale and/or get fired.

And Jasper hit the name right on the head. I think Jasper being a 3rd party observer gives him immense perspective especially in this scenario. He perfectly describe the entire 991 situation, which I am now going to call the "991 dilemma" . Do I buy the 911 that I think is absolutely perfect except for the electronic steering?

 

I'm still trying to figure out when we decided the new steering was bad and if there even IS a dilemma. I tend to side with the decisions of some of the best sports car engineers in the world when they decided to make the new steering system electronic assist. I'll assume it to be positive until I can can confirm negative beyond a doubt. Why wouldn't we when referring to a 911?

At this time I will reserve opinion on good or bad - and while I have driven the 991, I have not thrashed the car into corners so I'm not a good judge.

There is a wave of malcontent of the new concept by guys who haven't even seen the car in person. There is also vast skepticism afoot - if a reviewer praises something about the car, he has been "paid off". I've now read that 5 reviewers were "in bed with porsche and paid off". This guy is obviously an product ambassador - but maybe he indeed likes the steering. Who knows? ChuckJ simply posted a review - and I cross posted it.

Where is the neutrality?

 

Not sure its perfect but that is a question many will be answering. At least at first.

 

You are right.

I have been an avid supporter of the 991 since day one. Don't get me wrong. I really like the 991. I would actually be picking one up if the dealers weren't trying to bend me over on the price. I have yet to get a full 1% off of the MSRP...

But this video is released by a Porsche dealership. You cannot deny that this guy in that video is definitely in bed with porsche and that his opinion is obviously biased. Where is the neutrality you ask. Well, you are not going to find any in a review released by a dealership...

 

I've now seen it. It looks very good, although the extra width at the front end is very apparent when standing in front of it (not a bad thing, but a noticeable thing). The materials quality does seem to have taken a real step up from the 997, and while the interior is more Panamera than I'd like, it is very nice.

I have not driven it yet, but I remain wary of the EPAS. Even the reviews that are exceedingly positive state reservations about the steering, some slight, some major. It's such an important part of the driving experience.

I'm not at all reassured that the engineers did this for the "right" reasons. I fear they may have done it for marketing to a broader consumer base, not for the enthusiast. As some have said in this thread, the average buyer won't notice. Call me a purist, but I may find that I liked 911s better when they were not intended for the "average buyer," even if that's an average Porsche buyer. I really want to love it. We shall see.

Still a huge shame that the engine can't be seen AT ALL.