It’s not easy to recreate an icon. Especially one that bears the Porsche emblem for seven-generations. So, when Porsche Designer, Peter Varga was tasked to draw the exterior design of the 992-generation Porsche 911, his approach was to avoid overdrawing the models and retain the uncomplicated quality of the first 911.
As a result, the exterior of the eight-generation Porsche 911 (model code 992) is not a big departure from its predecessor but a little here and there gives the new car unmistakable presence on the road. Emphasis has been placed on introducing new intelligent technologies, uprated performance and modernly advanced driver assistance systems.
For starters, the front of the car is now 45 mm wider than before to clear the large wheels that measure up to 20-inches in diameter. The rear width is now the same across all models to highlight the slimline centre section of the car.
At the front, the new 911 dons a restyled bumper with a horizontal profile on the intakes, new LED headlamps and a new bonnet with pronounced body lines that reminiscence the first 911. The door handles are now electronically pop-out units that hide away when not in use to create a tapered and smooth side profile.
But the most prominent change is over to the rear with a stripe of lightbar connecting the taillamps that sits below the adaptive rear spoiler – a design cue already on the new Panamera and Cayenne models. Other elements such as the license plate, tailpipe trim and auxiliary lights have been moved down to give the new car a lower stance.
Porsche is most proud of the new 911’s interior characterised by a clutter free and highly connected cabin. Dominating the dashboard is a new 10.9-inch Porsche Communication Management (PCM) touchscreen infotainment system as well as the five-dial design instrument cluster with an analogue central rev counter. Porsche says the new digital architecture is more legible and less distracting to use than before.
The 992 also gets the new-generation multifunctional steering wheel with a drive mode selector swivel wheel located on the steering wheel (for cars with Sports Chrono Package equipped). Sitting below the PCM screen are five buttons that give direct access to main vehicle functions and the climate control display is now located on the centre console. Although Porsche needs to explain themselves for the tiny electronic gear selector.
At launch the new 911 is available in two flavours, the Carrera S and Carerra 4S, both spotting the same 3.0-litre turbocharged flat-six engine that now pushes 450 hp – 30 hp more than the outgoing model. A new eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission is tasked with the power transfer.
The rear-wheel-drive Carrera S will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds while the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4S will get there in 3.6 seconds (3.4 seconds with the optional Sports Chrono Package installed). Top speed on the former is 308 km/h while the Carrera 4S has a slightly lower 306 km/h top speed.
Available driver assistance systems on the new 911 include Warning and Brake Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Night Vision Assist with thermal imaging camera and a Porsche Wet mode that preconditions the car and warns the driver of a slippery surface coming up ahead.
IMAGE GALLERY
992 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 & 4S
