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| 2019 Porsche 911 Carrera |
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| 2019 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet |
Truly a timeless machine, the all-new Porsche 911 retains one of the most prolific designs in automotive history while delivering a modern taste that blends the past, present, and the future of Porsche. A fitting birthday present indeed but there's more to talk about the newest Porsche 911.
The coupe version starts at 120,125 Euros (roughly 7.1 million PhP) while the Cabriolet starts at 134,405 Euros (roughly 7.9 million PhP) and while the pricing is near supercar levels, there's so much you can expect from this six-figure pricetag worth noticing.
Starting from the design, the 992 model looks almost the same as the outgoing 991 model but since this is an all-new model, who cares about being the same as the previous model. From its new intelligent LED headlamps, new wheel designs, classic styling, and the dramatically new rear lamps fit for a Daft Punk music video, the new 911's design can be somewhat a love-or-hate affair, an egoist's point of view if you may.
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| 2019 Porsche 911 Carrera interior |
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| 2019 Porsche 911 Carrera interior |
Inside, the new 911 truly blends the past, present, and the future, because while it harks back the golden days of the 911, the five-dial instrumental panel of course, those high-tech stuff loaded on the inside is worth a time-wasting moment. From its Porsche Communication Management, choice of three sound systems, apps and services, online-based navigation, the Porsche Connect app, and the Porsche Track Precision app, there's so much to toy around with the new 911 before setting off, therefore it is difficult to explain your first impressions with this new model but on the practical side, the front boot space is only good for a few groceries, meaning it's no good for taking it on the country club, playing golf. But when you say, "what about the rear seats no one could fit?", it's possible but be warned; easy to put it in, harder to get it out. Bad mark for Porsche there.
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| 2019 Porsche 911 Carrera |
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| 2019 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet |
Onto the performance side is where the 911 matters and for the 992 model, the 3.0L flat-six turbo engine now produces 30PS more than the previous model, giving it up to 450PS of power output. Sadly, the only gearbox offered in the 992 model is the newly improved 8-speed PDK and no manual gearbox on sight. That's bad news for the #SaveTheManuals movement but with this gearbox, the S model at bay and the Sport Chrono package, it's capable of going from 0 to 100kph in three and a half seconds (3.7 for the Cabrio) and onwards to 308kph (306kph for Cabrio). Four-wheel drive models can have slightly better 0-100kph time but slightly slower top speed as they said.
Handling-wise, the new 911 is performing better than ever thanks to its reworked dynamics, direct steering ratio, new rear-axle setting, available lift system on the front axle, and adaptive aerodynamics, not to mention the dramatic brakes that stop with a bit more feel into it. In its rear-wheel drive state, it's somewhat very enjoyable to exploit its capabilities as both a sports car and a grand tourer at the same time but dial in the four-wheel drive models, the results can differ because while it works rather well for sandblasting or singing in the rain, its enhanced front-axle drive on this powertrain made it even milder to drive, therefore it's all about the grip rather than being a balls-out sports car.
Apart from discovering the dynamics of this new model, the all-new 911 introduces the world's first Wet driving programme, allowing it to recognize wetness on the road, letting its stability management, traction management, aerodynamics, torque vectoring, and drive responsiveness adapt to such rainy conditions. Sounds clever and very convincing, I like it.
While the new 911 is basically one of the most enjoyable sportscars to drive this year, word of warning for the speedo boys owning one is that the new model now hosts a wide array of safety features such as Lane Keeping Assist with traffic sign recognition, Lane Change Assist with visual warning, Night Vision Assist with thermal imaging camera, ParkAssist, Surround View, and other safety features worth noticing. Just a reminder, of course.
So, what can I say about the new 911? Well, while the design, the boot space, and the tech is a bit of a let down for some, the improved dynamics and the engine performance really made the 911 a must have if they can afford a six-figue pricetag. That is the bottom line I can end about it but no matter how things get, good or bad, there's so much to fall in love with the new 911 but there is one very good reason why you should fall in love with it; the heritage it carries. Now that really is the ideal bottom line to end it.
Photo: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
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