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May 18, 2015
Porsche 911 Test Drive—Toshifumi Watanabe Edition
Porsche 911
First Drive Report──By Satoshi Watanabe
Eliminating Negatives, Reaching a New Benchmark (1)
A model change for the 911 is a major event that influences the future ofPorscheitself, according to Satoshi Watanabe. He participated in the international press drive of the new Porsche 911 in Santa Barbara. This third installment of our Porsche feature brings you his driving impressions. By Yasuhisa ShimashitaHis report is also available, so please take a look.
Text by Satoshi WatanabePhotos by Yoshifumi Ogawa
A Wealth of Topics Befitting a Full Model Change
For Porsche, a full model change of the 911 series is a critical event that can determine the company's fate thereafter. While models like theCayenneandPanameraare undoubtedly the better performers commercially, the 911 serves not only as their spiritual pillar but also shoulders the role of competing with numerous rivals for the title of the world's fastest car.
If the brand's ethos is to continuously provide the ultimate sports driving experience with exquisite precision and appropriate emotion, then the 911 absolutely cannot fail. In other words, it is no exaggeration to say that this model change was undertaken with that level of resolve.
In 1997, responding to the era's demands for improved environmental performance and comfort, the 911 underwent a complete overhaul, including the adoption of water-cooled engines. The internal designation, the 996, was followed seven years later by the 997, which featured a refreshed interior and exterior without altering the basic body dimensions, and incorporated numerous detailed enhancements.
Furthermore, the 997, without changing its internal designation, evolved further with the adoption of direct fuel injection and the 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. This was in 2008.
The 996 generation
And now, the new 911 has arrived. As the internal designation, the 991, suggests, the completely revamped chassis has led to entirely new interior and exterior designs. In terms of content, it features partial engine downsizing, enhanced electronic management systems, and the adoption of an unprecedented 7-speed manual transmission aimed at improving fuel efficiency. These numerous topics are befitting of a full model change.
Porsche 911
First Drive Report──By Satoshi Watanabe
Eliminating Negatives, Reaching a New Benchmark (2)
Engine Sound with a Hint of Air-Cooled Era Charm
The first surprise upon getting in is the significantly elevated sense of quality. Previously, Porsche's sports car line was considered lacking in refinement for its price, but it has now surged ahead of its rivals. This is a testament to the extensive know-how gained from enhancing product appeal in different categories with the Panamera and Cayenne.
A symbolic design element is the center console, modeled after the Carrera GT's, which aims to improve operability by shortening the travel between the steering wheel and shift lever. Alongside these refinements, practical enhancements have not been neglected, such as a 2kg weight reduction in the electrical system compared to the previous model.
Previous 997 generation GT3
Settling into the highly rigid seats that accommodate various body types despite their compact size, and turning the ignition key – a fob-type key that, while shaped like the car, deliberately retains a slot to the left of the steering wheel – the five gauges before me light up. For those familiar with it, the scene unfolding before my eyes is unmistakably that of a 911, even with all the newness. The sound it emits is rougher than the immediately preceding 997 facelift model, which also adopted direct injection; in simple terms, it sounds like it has acquired the character of the air-cooled era.
Meanwhile, the engine's feel itself has become even sharper than in the recent models. The sensation of movement is exceptionally light, and it revs effortlessly to the increased redline of 7,600 rpm. Its responsiveness is now close to that of the GT3. Yet, the torque is flat and the power band is wide, giving the illusion that it's slower than the previous model. This is also a testament to its smoothness.
Porsche 911
First Drive Report──By Satoshi Watanabe
Eliminating Negatives, Reaching a New Benchmark (3)
7-Speed Manual or PDK: Which to Choose!?
What further enhances this smoothness is the excellence of the completely revamped chassis. When cruising at moderate speeds with partial throttle, the ride comfort rivals that of the Panamera, clearly benefiting from the longer wheelbase and wider track. The test car was equipped with PASM, which particularly highlighted its flat ride, but even with the standard suspension, the minor pitching and wandering that were characteristic of the 911 are likely almost eliminated. Furthermore, the suppression of low-frequency noise and road noise from suspension input is so effective that the cabin remains as calm as a sports sedan during normal driving.
Despite possessing such flexibility, even when applying full power with 400ps, the chassis shows no signs of flexing. When cornering over uneven surfaces with power applied, the rear wheels firmly grip the road and propel the car forward. What's particularly impressive is the consistent front-wheel grip, regardless of the car's condition, which, combined with the longer wheelbase, effectively tames the nervous handling that was a characteristic trait of the 911. On the other hand, it might seem to move away from the enjoyment of finding the perfect line and coaxing the car through, but this is likely an illusion born from how effortlessly it can be driven.
While the new 911 has successfully eliminated previous drawbacks and established a new benchmark both statically and dynamically, I personally have one concern: the much-touted 7-speed manual transmission. Although measures have been taken to maintain operability, such as a mechanism preventing skips from lower gears (1-4) to 7th, one must still be mindful of the lateral resistance between 5th and 7th gears. Naturally, the gear ratios between 3rd and 6th are also close, requiring frequent shifting to utilize them individually. Compared to the PDK, which handles all these shifts instantly and intelligently, constantly engaging with this shifting process in daily use feels somewhat cumbersome.
Personally, I used to believe that driving a 911 with a manual transmission was always preferable, but I now have the impression that the automatic is superior. And I'm already curious about what kind of transmission the next GT3 will feature.
Porsche 911
First Drive Report──By Satoshi Watanabe
Eliminating Negatives, Reaching a New Benchmark (4)
A Car Whose Entire History is Connected by a Strong Thread
Indeed, the 911 has dramatically expanded its model range with the water-cooled generation. Based on the combination of coupe, convertible, and Targa body styles with either rear-engine or all-wheel drive, and further incorporating three basic engine types, its variations now extend to over 20. For those seeking the refined 911 directly linked to Porsche's circuit image, the GT3 model has also been available since the water-cooled era. While choosing a model that fits one's preferences and lifestyle can be challenging, it is also an enjoyable process.
Incidentally, shortly after finishing my test drive of the 991, I had the opportunity to compare and test drive four generations of 911, from the 930 onwards, for a magazine interview. What I realized anew then was that there are few cars whose entire history is connected by such a strong thread as the 911.
The 991 generation 911, while brilliantly eliminating the drawbacks of its immediate predecessor, maintains a strong connection with the 911s from nearly 30 years ago, both in appearance and driving experience. This is undeniable proof that the unique rear-engine layout and the optimal packaging that envelops it have been passed down without compromise.
The 930 generation
It's akin to an elderly person who used to drive a 911 and a young person who recently acquired one being able to immediately share a common appreciation for its intrinsic value. With its debut nearly 50 years ago, the enduring value of the 911 marque, which has spanned nearly half of automotive history, will likely be maintained for as long as I live. I feel fortunate to have encountered such a product.