Motor Australia – May 2019

38 may 2019 whichcar.com.au/motor

Added security of all-wheel drive doesn’t dampen the fun of the new 992

PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 4S

ENGINE2981ccflat-6,DOHC,24v,twin-turbo

POWER331kW@6500rpm

TORQUE530Nm@2300-5000rpm

0-100KM/H3.4sec(claimed)

5.0 WEIGHT1565kg•PRICE$281,100

Rating

LIKE: Everything. Speed,

noise, steering, dynamics,

involvement, looks, ride

DISLIKE: Pricey, especially

with options; Porker getting

porky;AWDnecessary

OF ALL THE SPORTS carsonsale

today, the one that leastneedsall-

wheel drive is the Porsche911.The

weight of the engine pressingdownon

the rear axle ensures incredibletraction

in all conditions. Nevertheless,since

1989 the Carrera 4 has beena pivotal

part of the 911 range, particularlyin

markets prone to snow andice,and

even in new 992 guise itprovidesa

subtly different driving experiencetoits

more popular rear-drive sibling.

As you’d expect, the Carrera4S

benefits from the many engineering

changes made for the 992generation.

The body is longer (20mm)andwider

(by 45mm front; 44mm rear)though

the wheelbase remains thesame,while

the bodyshell is lighter yetmorerigid

thanks to a much greaterproportionof

aluminium and high-strengthsteelas

well as a huge variety ofconstruction

methods to stick it all together.

The engine remains the2981cctwin-

turbo flat-six introducedfor991.2,but

extensively revised with largerturbos,

a new intake system, repositioned

intercoolers and piezo injectorsfor

finer fuel control. Outputsmatchthe

outgoing GTS at 331kW/530Nm,but

the new engine is both moreefficient

• though does without thepetrol
  particulate filters requiredin Europe–
  and has more headroom.
  It’s a beast, providing massive
  amounts of thrust regardlessofthe
  speed or gear selected. WiththeSport
  Chrono package installed,0-100km/h
  is claimed to take just 3.4secwith
  200km/h arriving nine secondslater.
  The linear nature of the powerdelivery
  disguises its potency, the new hybrid-
  ready eight-speed PDK whipping
  through the gears, but the rate at which
  big numbers appear on the speedo is
  evidence of the 992’s crazy speed.
  Turbo 911s have traditionally had all
  the aural appeal of a kitchen blender,
  but the new one roars and crackles
  and whistles, producing a stirring

soundtrackthat’slikea GT2RSwiththe

volumeturneddown.It addswelcome

characterwhetheryou’redrivingfast

orslow.Intheformerscenario,an

extra46mmoffronttrackgivesthe

992 unprecedentedlevelsoffront-

endgrip.Theweightdistributionstill

makesit feellikea 911andrequiresa

certainmassagingtoextractthebest

fromthecar,butif you’refeelinglazy

a conventionaldrivingstylewon’tbe

punishedlikein earlier911s.

Allmannerofchassistechis

optionallyavailable,includingactive

anti-rollbars,rear-wheelsteeringand

carbon-ceramicbrakes,butnoneofit

is necessarytoenjoyoneofthefinest

drivingexperiencesaround.Keytothe

992’sabilityarethelatest-generation

Bilsteindampers,whichhavea much

widerworkingrange.Stiffenthemup

andthecarremainslockedtotheroad,

butleavethemsoftandyoudon’thave

tobegoingballistictofeeltheweight

shiftaroundin corners.

It’sa sensationalfeeling,but

regardlessofyourapproachthe

quicker-ratiosteeringis laseraccurate

andfeelstotransmita smidgemore

informationthanthe991.2,thebrakes

areindefatigableonroad(andcantake

a fearsomepunishingontrack)and

outrightgriplevelsareincredible.At

1565kg,theCarrera4Sis nota lightcar,

butatnopointdoestheweightforce

a compromise– itsextrawidthis more

likelytobeanissueontighterroads.

Allthisis alsotrueoftherear-wheel

driveCarreraS, butthe4Shasthe

abilitytosenddrivetothefrontwheels

througha water-cooleddiffwith

reinforced clutch discs. Paradoxically, it

makes the all-wheel drive model more

playful than the rear driver, though your

experience may differ depending on

driving style. The comfort of all-wheel

drive tempts you to accelerate harder

and earlier, edging the rear end wide

in tight corners before the front axle

seamlessly steadies the ship.

Nonetheless, as good as it is, the

driving experience isn’t a quantum

leap over a 991.2, which remains a

sensational sports car. Inside is where

Porsche has given the 911 a huge lift,

bringing its connectivity and active

safety systems up to date while

digitising the instruments either side

of the trademark central analogue

tacho and installing a massive 10.9-inch

smartphone-like touchscreen.

As is typical, Porsche has improved

its icon in every area. The 992 is more

comfortable and refined, yet even

quicker and just as involving – it’s

difficult to comprehend that this is

the regular version, with Turbos and

GT models still to come. On one hand

Porsche has played it safe, waiting to

see how the regulatory environment

plays out in years to come; to tide us

over, it’s createda simply incredible

driving machine.

BY • SCOTT NEWMAN

ABOVE

Interior has

been completely

redesigned. Purists

may baulk and some

small touches aren’t

perfect but it brings

the 911 up to date

OPPOSITE TOP

Looks familiar as

always, but body is

longer and wider and

constructed vastly

different to 991

OPPOSITE

All- or rear-wheel

drive, the new 992

delivers a benchmark

sports car experience.

It’s exceedingly

difficult to fault

➜

M