An Icon Reborn

by Nate Chapnick | Miami magazine | January 26, 2012

In 1963 Porsche debuted its revolutionary rear-engined 911. Fast-forward nearly 50 years and the engine remains in the rear, the body is still defined by a gradually sloping roofline and those signature oval headlamps dominate the front end. But that’s where the similarities blur.

The 911 has never been a bastion of luxury, but this latest model is highly refined. The longer wheelbase adds a precious inch of extra legroom for the driver. The new interior design borrows heavily from the hugely popular Panamera sedan, including the high-rising center console and an advanced 7-inch touch-screen navigation system.

The heart of this Porsche remains the melodious 3.8-liter, six-cylinder Boxer engine. Take a few deep stabs at the accelerator pedal and the follicles on the back of your neck will stand at attention while the engine summons all 400 horsepower in a full-on symphony of revs. Opt for the Sports Exhaust and the concert becomes even louder, as flaps in the exhaust system open as a function of engine speed to deliver optimal pitch and tone.

Unlike most vehicle redesigns, which add hundreds of pounds to a vehicle’s weight, the new Carrera S is actually some 100 pounds lighter than its predecessor, weighing in at a modest 3,075 pounds. Its light weight pays dividends: 0 to 60 mph whizzes by in just 3.9 seconds, two-tenths of a second faster than the previous model. Handling is also markedly improved with the addition of an active roll bar system to keep the car flat even in tight back-to-back cornering. Sadly, though, since most of your time in the 911 will be spent running errands and making trips to the office, there won’t be regular opportunities to legally enjoy these handling improvements, save for the active suspension system, which noticeably smooths out potholes along your commute.

As with any Porsche, expect plenty of 911 variants to satisfy its devout fan base. An all-wheel-drive version will satiate racer boys; ladies who lunch will get a Cabriolet. Porsche purists, however, won’t be waiting for anything, as they know the base version is always Stuttgart’s finest.