Kumiko Shimizu's Preconceptions of the 911

When you think of the sports car brand 'Porsche,' the '911,' with its long history, is its representative. My image of the 911 was that of an aspirational status symbol. While it's a sporty coupe that can be driven daily, I didn't see it as a car for pursuing serious performance.

Yes, I pictured a scenario where a wealthy man in Tokyo might arrive at a date rendezvous in a 911...

However, the passion with which the car-loving guys at OPENERS talk about the 911 when they test various cars is something different from mere admiration for a status symbol.

'What exactly is the appeal of the 911?'

So, this time, I'm channeling the spirit of the manga 'Wangan Midnight'!

I'll become 'Blackbird,' not Reina-chan, the R driver, and uncover the secret to its charm!

You Can Concentrate on Driving!

Mr. Aoki, who test drove with me, tried the new 991 model first, so I started my test drive with the previous generation, the 997. From a glance, I nicknamed it 'Froggy.' Its round eyes are endearing. The body size didn't feel particularly large, and it felt more cute than cool. It also has a slightly retro feel. Yes. I'd give its looks about a 65 out of 100.

Climbing into the cockpit of that 'Froggy,' I noticed something that has become quite rare in today's car culture... yes, the combination of a clutch pedal and a shift knob. Isn't this a manual transmission car!
Having driven the GT-R, which was only available with a manual transmission, for over 10 years, I've always felt that 'true driving pleasure lies in a manual!' So, I'm looking forward to this.

Even for a manual, the operation is easy. I previously drove a Cayman R which required precise clutch work, so I thought this might be similar, but it's a standard model. It's easy to operate not only for women but also for men who aren't very confident driving a manual.

What surprised me was the sense of compactness when sitting in the driver's seat. As I started driving, that compact feeling extended to the entire driving experience. The car's width is easy to gauge, and the controls are intuitive, creating a sense of unity that allows for focused driving.

As I picked up speed, the engine's revving felt satisfying. In corners, even when pushing it a bit, the damper's damping force was subtly and automatically controlled to be higher, with no noticeable body roll. I named it 'cute Froggy,' but once it starts moving, it's like a completely different creature. The compact feel provides a sense of security, as if being enveloped. And should the tires slip, the computer detects it and controls the brakes and engine speed, preventing spins, or so I'm told.

Reliable and gentlemanly. In that regard, it might be a bit like my GT-R?

And with this, I've come to understand that Porsches are fundamentally 'driving cars.'

Is the 991 More Urban?

After swapping cars with Mr. Aoki, I moved on to the new 991 model. When placed side-by-side, at first glance, you might wonder which is which, as they look so similar, but upon closer inspection, they are entirely different. The 991 model has a more modern, sharper face. Its luxurious appearance is reminiscent of the 'Panamera.' The space between the narrower taillights, compared to the 997, features a two-tiered 'PORSCHE' and '911 Carrera S' designation, exuding a much more mature atmosphere. Although it's said to be larger, the increase in overall length is only 56mm, making it almost indistinguishable from the 997.

Perhaps due to the wheelbase, which has been extended by 100mm, its cornering performance is superior, and the ride comfort is also better. The engine sound is also quieter. Furthermore, this applies to the 997 as well, but the bonnet (since the 911 is rear-engined, this is actually the trunk!) offers considerable luggage space. It seems large shopping bags from a department store could fit side-by-side, suggesting you could do a fair bit of shopping.



And the key is cute! It's shaped like a 911. Such a small detail is a big plus for women.

Despite all this, with the 991 model, if you switch on the optional 'Sound Composer,' the exhaust note, essential for a sporty car, resonates within the previously quiet cabin. Selecting the 'SPORT' mode, which allows the 3.8-liter flat-six engine to rev higher, offers an exceptional sense of fulfillment. It doesn't quite become deafening, but you can experience the Porsche sound more fully. As someone who loves tuned cars, with this sound, I might not need a Bose audio system!?

What's Wrong with Electronic Control!

With my beloved R35 GT-R, there are sometimes complaints from car enthusiasts about the intervention of electronic controls. The 991 model, even more so than the 997, incorporates a wider range of electronic control technologies, so I imagine similar complaints might arise. I myself experienced a tremendous sense of dissonance when I switched from the R32 GT-R, the 'Skyline GT-R,' to the R35 GT-R, the 'NISSAN GT-R.' The announcement of the third-generation GT-R was welcome news, but I couldn't hide my bewilderment.

The transition from a car packed with many analog elements to a digital one felt like a change from something I had loved... I felt a sense of resistance. However, after owning both GT-Rs, I realized that each has its own brilliance. Moreover, as expected of a new model, the new one has improvements and refinements, and it is undeniably a superior product.

In this test drive as well, comparing the 997 and 991 models, the 991 is so easy to drive that it can be recommended to anyone, it's exceptionally fast, and fashionable to boot. Yet, even car enthusiasts like myself can fully enjoy the 'driving' experience. The entry point has widened, and the depth has increased further. I hope that women, who are said to be fewer in number among car enthusiasts, as well as male Porsche fans, will increasingly take on the challenge of 'driving' with this new 911, which has become even more gentlemanly than the 997.