![\"Road](\"http:\/\/www.gtspiritmedia.com\/gtspirit\/uploads\/2011\/12\/road_test_2012_porsche_911_991_carrera_s_01.jpg\" "\\"Road")
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One of the most anticipated sports cars of 2011 left our garage last week. The all-new 2012 Porsche 911 (991) Carrera S showcased its abilities to our team and it is time for us to report on our findings. Since its debut in 1963, the 911 has been one of the benchmarks in the world of sport cars and the vehicle has often been referred to as a dream for many petrol heads across the globe. After decades of development and six different generations the Germans have finally revealed the new 991, the seventh generation.<\/p>\n
Following the era of air-cooled models before 1998 and the liquid-cooled models – the 996 and 997 – Porsche developed a brand new platform, fourteen years after the release of the 996. The all-new 991 platform represents a complete redesign of Porsche\u2019s rear-engined sports car focusing on greater performance and lower emissions, as well as finely resolved handling. The combination of aluminum and steel make an ideal mix of strength and lightweight construction, which will also be used in the upcoming Boxster and Cayman models.<\/p>\n
At first glance it may be difficult to spot the differences with the previous 911, which raises the running joke that the design department is one of the laziest in the industry. For Porsche-lovers this may feel a little offensive as they know that this particular brand favours refinement; following the traditions of a decades-old shape while trying to move the overall design forward. For those people not capable of seeing the differences, we are happy to point them out.<\/p>\n
First of all, just five percent of the parts from the previous-generation 997 were re-used. The 991 is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor. The wheelbase is close to four inches longer with a little more than two inches added to the width. The wheels have been pushed further out too, which makes a great-handling car perform even better. The rear wheels are closer to the engine, improving the balance and further reducing the effect of the rear-biased weight distribution. The front bumper received larger air-inlets, LED running lights and the remodeled exterior mirrors are now attached to the side panels again. The easiest way to recognize the new 991 is at the back, where thin LED rear lights are found below an automatic or manually-operated rear wing.<\/p>\n
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![\"Road](\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/road_test_2012_porsche_911_991_carrera_s_01\/road_test_2012_porsche_911_991_carrera_s_007.jpg\" "\\"Road")
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The engine is hardly visible when you open the engine hood at the back. The Germans placed a cover on top which kills the fun of being able to show your friends what engine you are running. The combination between any of the two gearboxes and the engine is a positive experience while driving, but there are one or two remarks! The new PDK-gearbox offers ultrafast shifts and launch control which propels you forward easily from standstill. The manual transmission offers seven gears, of which two gears are simply overdrive gears to reach the higher economy figures. Still, it’s the world\u2019s first seven-speed manual gearbox to be fitted to a production car.<\/p>\n
The choice between the two systems is a personal one. Personally, the manual transmission offers one gear too many. You simply won’t use the final gear when you hit the road. Only people on long journeys or on an economy run will shift upwards, but when overtaking is required downshifts to the 5th gear are definitely needed. The amount of rpm in 6th and especially 7th gear is so low, there’s simply not enough pace to overtake at highway speeds up to 130km\/h. As you travel faster and increase the speedo speeds, 6th gear becomes useful and 7th may perhaps become useful as well, but many drivers will never get there due to traffic or local speed regulations. Even though the system works precisely and fluently, a short shifter would come in handy as you are changing gear so frequently.<\/p>\n
The automatic gearbox suffers a similar fate when the sport or sport plus button is not engaged. The immediate up-shifts to 6th and 7th are annoying at first and constantly ask for a decent amount of throttle response to get pace or a downshift via the buttons or paddle shifters behind the steering. Yes, those idiotic buttons on the steering wheel are still available on the 991. Paddle shifters are only available as an option. <\/p>\n
A start\/stop mode and sailing options are available as well. Sailing means that at cruising speed when you release the throttle the gearbox goes to neutral to save on gas. The \u201cgreen\u201d characteristic of the gearbox luckily changes when one of the two sport modes is selected. The gear changes feel faster, the gearbox is paying attention and is not aiming for 7th gear constantly. The ultrafast down shifts help you when you need power for overtaking or sprints. Finally, the 911 wakes up! <\/p>\n
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