 |
"The Y2K 911 Turbo will even suffer fools gladly," noted 4car's then editor Richard Bremner. "A bunch of boffins in Germany have somehow managed to engineer a car that can outwit nature. You can really see what miracles the car is performing on your behalf. These days, it works with you, not against you." Just as well then, given that the Turbo now produced 420bhp and 413lb ft of torque - even experienced sports car drivers could do with a bit of electronic trickery to help keep that on the road, let alone fools. 0-60mph now took just over four seconds; Bremner concluded that "sometimes, even legends have to grow up, but at least the 911 Turbo proves they don't have to become boring too."
 |
More old-school Porsche thrills came with the new-generation GT2; the fastest 911 to date, its (water-cooled) bi-turbo flat-six 3.6 gave 462bhp - and 457lb ft. A little less compromised for road use than its distinctly uncomfortable predecessor, it was nonetheless not for the faint-hearted. "Despite the ease with which the GT2 can be driven in certain circumstances, its rear-wheel drive format (which eschews traction control or any other type of electronic driver aid) means great care is needed to prevent the rear end from shooting all over the place under power, especially in the wet. It can be a very scary car", said Bremner. The GT2 certainly countered criticisms that the 911 have gone soft.
Revisions again in late 2001; the four normally-aspirated Carrera models gained the same headlights as the Turbo, a reshaped front end, an extended rear end panel and two oval exhaust tailpipes; the Cabriolets received a heated glass rear window to replace the plastic pane. Engine size was increased from 3.4 to 3.6 litres, power rising from 320bhp from 300bhp - the Carrera coupe now did 0-60mph in 5 seconds, with the cabriolet just 0.2 seconds slower. The Carrera 4S combined the 320bhp with the wider Turbo body again, incorporating lower suspension and, for the first time in a four-wheel drive 911, the Tiptronic S semi-auto transmission. A Targa model followed in spring 2002, with, for the first time, an opening rear window, effectively turning it into a hatchback. Very convenient for those golf bags.
2003 911 GT3
2003 911 Turbo Cabriolet
|
