When you think of Porsche, what is the image that automatically pops into your head? Most of us have visions of the 911. Sleek, powerful, strong and purrs like a big cat on the tarmac, this car has permeated our collective psyches when it comes to setting the standard for sports cars.
It’s the most iconic model in the automobile maker’s portfolio of designs. And the eighth generation was just premiered to the world on the eve of this year’s L.A. Auto Show. Two models were unveiled, the 911 Carrera S and 4S Coupé to an excited crowd of car lovers and enthusiasts.
The new eighth generation 911 Carrera on the road. Images courtesy of Porsche
It’s tough when your biggest competition is yourself and your own heritage in the industry, but it’s a challenge that Porsche has managed to rise to with every passing generation of 911s. This one boasts more power, speed, control and a redesign of what matters without straying away from the legacy.
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The 911 is a star in its own right and has starred in many American series and movies over the years like Hawaii Five-O, MacGyver, Bad Boys, No Man’s Land and The Freshman. Celebrities have always loved them, Jerry Seinfeld, Keanu Reeves, Hillary Duff and Miley Cyrus are obsessive about their 911s. But our favorite is Janis Joplin’s popping psychedelic model.
True to its DNA, it is a timeless sports car, but with more muscle on the outside and an updated modern interior. With great power, comes the need for more intelligent control, which Porsche have added to the new models. The chassis has also been improved and the assistance systems enhanced for an uncompromising dynamism that the car is renowned for.
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The engine performance has been dramatically revved up, producing a mighty 450 horsepower. That’s an added 30 hp to what the previous generation could do. Hit the gas of the turbocharged flat-six engine of the 911 Carrera S and you can go from zero to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds. The 4S, with its all- wheel drive can do it in 3.6 seconds. Shaving off 0.4 seconds from their older siblings’ records. And if you really are a speed freak, the Sport Chrono Package is even 0.2 seconds faster.
A newer more dynamic chassis. Images courtesy of Porsche
With a top speed of 308 km/h for the 911 Carrera S and 306 km/h for the all-wheel-drive version you need a more efficient engine. Porsche has not overlooked that either, the 911 Carrera S needs 8.9 l/100 km, while the 911 Carrera 4S uses 9.0 l/100 km. Efficiency comes from the new improved injection process and a new layout for the turbochargers and air-cooling system.
The newly developed and obsessively engineered eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (dual- clutch transmission) delivers the extra power. The assistance systems have been updated to offer more control and safety. Porsche Wet mode is now a standard feature in all the models. The car automatically detects water on the road.
The driver is warned, and the control system is automatically adjusted to handle the change in conditions. The person behind the wheel just needs to press a button to let the car do all the work. The standard warning and brake assist system not only detects the risk of colliding with another moving object, it can initiate emergency braking.
The dashboard is beautiful and functional. Images courtesy of Porsche
For the first time, Night Vision Assist is available as an option. The thermal imaging camera added to comprehensive connectivity uses swarm intelligence to ensure a smoother and safer drive. And if you love to go cruising, adaptive cruise control includes automatic distance control, stop-and-go function, reversible occupant protection and an innovative autonomous Emergency Assist function.
The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed the new exterior design changes which help improve performance without sacrificing the aesthetic identity of the 911. Wheel housings are now wider and arch over the 20-inch front wheels and 21-inch rear wheels. All of the models have the same width in the rear highlighting the slimline center. The front is almost 5cm wider with electrical pop-out handles that make the sides like smoother and more tapered.
The rear end now has a wider spoiler that can be positioned in several ways was with the seamless light strip that makes sure even people seeing the 911 from behind know that is the boss. And the bonnet, which is always instantly recognizable has been given more pronounced recesses that are a nod to the very first generations of the 911.
Improved, updated but still true to the Porsche aesthetic. Images courtesy of Porsche
And you can’t update the exterior without giving the interior a makeover. And the 1970s models inspired the changes in the dashboard. Porsche went back to the clear straight lines with recessed instruments. The rev counter is still in the center, but now two thin frameless displays give the driver more information.
The new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system center screen is now 10.9 inches for better visibility. The system is designed for ease of use and a distraction free drive. Porsche have a respect for their long legacy, but they design for the future in mind. And the 911 models now come digital connected with new functions and services like navigation and Porsche Connect Plus.
The 911 Carrera S and 4S are beautiful iconic cars that have proven their merit in the speed, power, control and design departments. But they are also futuristic in their vision, features and capabilities. It is a car that you wanted to drive in the past, the present and definitely in the future.
The 911 Carrera S and 4S models are available for order now. Contact the Porsche Centre Kuwait – Behbehani Motors Company, for more details call 1870 870 or visit www.porschekuwait.com. For the latest updates on social media, follow Porsche Centre Kuwait on Instagram @PorscheCentreKuwait and Facebook:PorscheCentreKuwait.
Featured image courtesy of Porsche.
