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| Road Test: Porsche 911 (2004-) |
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| Exotic Sports |
by: Gavin Conway |
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| DRIVING RATING: |
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One of the best driving experiences available at any price just got better. Porsche's evolutionary approach to developing the 911 continues apace - all of the familiar and unique 911 cues are still abundantly present, from the gruff, thrashy rumble of that fabulous engine, to the gentle porpoising action of the car as it transits undulating surfaces, to the steering, which is just about unparalleled for feel, weight and feedback. In fact, this is the first 911 to gain rack and pinion steering, and because it has variable-rate ratio, the steering is tuned to become more direct with steering lock of more than 30 degrees, which makes the 911 more agile on a tight, B-road charge.
The other chassis innovation is the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which makes this the first 911 to gain active suspension. The system can be switched between normal and sporting, with the latter lowering the car's ride height by 10mm and stiffening up the suspension for serious road or track work. The PASM system is also capable of monitoring dynamic driving conditions and adjusting the damper settings accordingly. PASM is optional on the regular Carrera and standard on the Carrera S.
The balance and poise of the new 911 are simply astonishing. Charge into a fast corner a bit too quickly and the Porsche Stability Management system subtly ensures that the car sticks to its cornering line (unless you've been a complete prat in judging your entry speed). And high-speed stability is better than ever, with improved aerodynamics helping out. On a clear stretch of autobahn, 4Car saw a perfectly comfortable 160mph with plenty left in reserve.
The six-speed gearbox, too, is a new unit that boasts improved syncromesh for smoother and faster shifts, and it's a joy to use.
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Introduction The sixth-generation 911 takes another conservative, evolutionary... |
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