‘Continuity is not stagnation’ was the defiant message of Porsche CEO Oliver Blume at the launch of the latest 911. The lines of the evergreen 911 don’t need reinventing, but in the latest version the rear-end treatment has been tidied and simplified, with vertical slats over the engine compartment, a full-width light strip and a neatly integrated rear bumper. The front end is 45mm wider than before with full-width air intakes, distinctive round LED matrix headlamps and four-point daytime running lights.
PERFORMANCE
The 911 is still powered by a flat six engine mounted behind the rear wheels as every model has been since 1963 (though there was an outwardly similar flat four 912). In the new 911 Carrera S, the first model to be launched, the 3.0-litre six develops 444bhp, with 0-62mph coming up in 3.7 seconds. All models feature a PDK 8-speed transmission.
TECHNOLOGY
The new 911 now has the 10.9-inch infotainment screen familiar from the Panamera, Cayenne and Macan. Swarm data-based live mapping is always connected and will help you avoid the traffic jams that are a bane of modern driving life. All the controls you’ll need on the move are located within reach of the multifunction steering wheel, leaving just a few partially touch-sensitive buttons on the elevated centre console. The familiar Porsche Communication Management (PCM) has been updated and provides a central control centre for audio, navigation and communication as well as for a variety of assistance systems. The Burmester® High-End Surround Sound System is another option for the audiophile.
SAFETY
The new 911 has a full panoply of safety aids, including adaptive cruise control and the option of infrared night vision cameras to help you spot stray animals or pedestrians on unlit roads at night. Other systems include the collision and brake assist system as well as a new WET mode, a system for recognising wet road surfaces vital seconds before you might. Lighting is another area where clarity means safety: the LED main headlights with matrix beam include Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus) and Main Beam Assistant. Thanks to 84 individually controlled LEDs, the light cones are optimally configured for any driving situation yet without dazzling oncoming traffic.
