What’s New in the Porsche 911: A Detailed Overview

In the adrenaline-filled and high-octane world of sports cars, pedigree matters. There are few names that are even capable of toppling the Porsche 911 in this regard. This iconic sports car has been around since the mid-1960s. Since then, the 911 has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona, World Sportscar Championship, etc.

Even amongst automotive enthusiasts and the deep-pocketed car-buying elite, the Porsche 911 is considered as one of the all-time greats! The current 992 generation of the 911 is split between the 992.1 and the newer 992.2 series. In all, buyers in the UAE can choose from over 20 different avatars of the Porsche 911.

Variants & Price

The Porsche 911 in the UAE is available in the following variants and price points (Inc. VAT):

•       Carrera – AED 483,900
•       Carrera Cabriolet – AED 533,800
•       Carrera T – AED 529,300 (new)
•       Carrera T Cabriolet – AED 582,400 (new)
•       Carrera S – AED 604,400 (new)
•       Carrera S Cabriolet – AED 655,700 (new)
•       Carrera GTS – AED 663,900
•       Carrera 4 GTS – AED 695,800
•       Carrera GTS Cabriolet – AED 716,000
•       Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet – AED 747,900
  
•       Targa 4 GTS – AED 747,900
•       Turbo – AED 751,000
•       GT3 – AED 801,800 (new)
•       GT3 w/ Touring Package – AED 801,800 (new)
•       Turbo Cabriolet – AED 802,200
•       Dakar – AED 870,100
•       Turbo S – AED 889,900
•       Turbo S Cabriolet – AED 941,000
•       GT3 RS – AED 944,000
•       Turbo 50 Years – AED 986,800
•       S/T – AED 1,149,600

Exterior

The differences between the 992.1 and 992.2 generations of the Porsche 911 are, by and large, minor. The 992.2 Porsche 911s come with newer headlights & taillights, some new wheel designs, and revised bumpers. This means that the characteristic and iconic silhouette of the 911 has been retained – something that is to be expected.

The 911 comes with staggered wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches, along with flared fenders and optional colored calipers. The exterior is a good blend of modern automotive design and old-school Porsche art – a characteristic doted by many. Most variants feature an electronically-controlled rear spoiler, but the race-ready GT3 models get a large & fixed rear wing.

The 911 GT3 variants can get larger composite brakes, colored wheels, body graphics, a sportier bodykit, and more carbon-fiber panels. The 911 Dakar which, as its name suggests, is more rugged and can be driven on rougher surfaces without causing major damage. Where the new Carrera S and GT3 variants look great, the Turbo models look elegantly sporty and capable.

Interior

The interior of the Porsche 911 uses top-notch materials and is a tech-filled but performance-centric haven. It incorporates the perfect driving position with comfortable seats and tactile controls – this cabin is the envy of many. The 992.2 generation boasts a more comprehensive infotainment system and a customizable 12.65-inch digital instrument cluster – unavailable on the 992.1.

With the 992.2, Porsche has redesigned some aspects of the dashboard and steering wheel. Even the old-school key-style engine starter has been replaced by a modern push-button system. The level of fit & finish remains fantastic, though the gloss black trim on the center console scratches easily. Some 911s can be had with rear seats, but they’re functionally-useless if you have legs.

The updated 10.9-inch infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay, along with Apple Music and Spotify. Customers can opt for a high-end Burmester sound system, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated & cooled seats, wireless charging, etc. As with all Porsches, there’s a bevy of optional extras available with the 911 – the deeper your pockets, the better.

Engine and performance

The base 911 Carrera has enough power – its 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six produces 389 hp and 450 Nm of torque. This is enough to go from 0-100 kmph in 4.1 seconds (3.9 seconds with Sport Chrono Package), and for a top speed of 294 kmph. The same engine in the new Carrera S makes 473 hp and 530 Nm of torque.

The Carrera S has a top speed of 308 kmph and can hit 100 kmph in a mere 3.3 seconds. At the top of the pecking order sits the 911 Turbo S, with its twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six. This unit produces 641 hp and 800 Nm of torque, enough for a top speed of 330 kmph.

The 911 Turbo S will catapult from standstill to 100 kmph in just 2.7 seconds when equipped with the Sport Chrono Package. The Sports Exhaust System sounds pretty raspy once you’re on the go, but the soft-limiter dulls the joy when at standstill. All variants of the 911 come with an 8-speed (PDK) dual-clutch transmission.

The 911 gets other nifty features like Porsche Traction Management and Porsche Active Suspension Management, plus a front axle-lift system and rear-axle steering. These features make the 911 easy to drive in the city as well as on racetracks. It’s a practical sports car that can smother you with its impressive performance or comfort you with its easygoing nature.

The Porsche 911 family really is ‘Top Trumps’ won – a factor applicable for its dizzying array of variants! Combined with its forgiving ride and excellent cornering dynamics, the 911 is nothing short of athletic and comfortable (for a high-performance car). The base Carrera has a WLTP-rated fuel consumption of 9.9 kmpl or 10.1 L/100 km – economical for a sports car.

Safety

The Porsche 911 comes with multiple airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, adaptive Matrix LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, etc. Bundled together with the latter is collision warning, auto-emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Customers can opt for 360-degree cameras, ISOFIX anchors, plus front & rear parking sensors.

Conclusion

Equipped with sports exhaust, LED ambient lighting and adaptive dampers, the Porsche 911 becomes a joy to drive. It’s a masterclass in handling dynamism and technical sophistication. If you want to go fast but also enjoy a comfortable ride in the city, Porsche has you covered. Just keep your wallet wide open.