When Porsche invited us to push back the 2017 911 Carrera , there could be only one allowable response : yes . Rare is the car that exalt the grade of devotion that 911 worshiper have for their idol . It ’s why the car has remain fundamentally unchanged for a half - century ; when something bear witness to bethisgood , andthisiconic , you plainly do n’t mess with tradition .
Porsche has made three major exceptions to this rule over the years : theswitch to a water - cooled railway locomotive , the addition ofall wheel - driveto the batting order , and now this . You ca n’t enjoin by take care at it , but the 2017 911 has arguably one of the most of import change the lineup has faced in its world .
Under the cowl , you ’ll find Porsche has ditched its theme song of course aspirated flat - six locomotive for a twin - turbocharged one . Gasp!Yeah , there are turbos now . Can a turbocharged Porsche 911 Carrera stillbea 911 Carrera ? Will it sound the same ? palpate the same ? Change is hard , guy wire , so I went to Napa Valley to drive it myself and see what the difference might be .
Jeff Jablansky
So, let’s talk about these turbos…
Porsche enthusiasts have long sworn by the 911 ’s monotonic - six boxer engine . No changes there . But historically ( going back to theSteve McQueen epoch , and the legendary “ Widowmaker ” 930 ) the flying 911s wear down a “ Turbo ” nameplate on the back , like a badge of exclusivity that set them aside . You ’ll find no such badge on the 2017 911 – it ’s therefore a fleck of a milestone that thedefault911 engines will now be turbocharged , and the naturally suck out engine are formally out the windowpane .
Why , you ask ? Simply , this railway locomotive gain for a more environmentally favorable and fuel efficient 911 . And yes , it ’s also faster . If the locomotive change - up means nothing to you , you ’ll appreciate that this fresh 911 is , indeed , rattling than its predecessor . If you ’re a diehard fan who grew up indoctrinate on a tenacious line of naturally aspirate 911s , then pick discharge and fuel economy standard , if you must , but it is n’t promiscuous to increase mightiness output without augmenting engine sizing ( which veil fuel economy ) or using force induction ( i.e. , turbos ) .
A faster,whoosh-ier911 is “just more fun” to drive
pace firmly on the accelerator , and the turbocharged 911 reacts with the same acumen as its predecessor , albeit with significantwhooshingnoise in the background from the turbos . In theory , the 3.0 - cubic decimetre turbo flavourless - six delivers more punch than the outgoing 3.4 without a via media to power – 370hp for the Carrera and 420hp for the Carrera S tell you that much . In practice , you really feel it : the engine turn in peak torsion by 5000rpm and proceed on screaming up to a redline of 7500rpm . Why ? Like so many of the institution to the ' 17 simulation , Porsche ’s engineer defend it as , " just more playfulness . "
Choosing a 911 with a clutch is rewarding in its own right , but the transmission to have is the lightning quick , seven - upper PDK dual - clutch robotic . It ’s a joyousness to use , execute shift after shift in milliseconds . There ’s almost no turbo lag in everyday drive , and the robustness of Porsche ’s powertrain endures . If you ’re coolheaded knowing your 911 is using encouragement to go quicker , you ’ll have no problem living with – appreciating – the technology of this engine .
direction feel is just short of magically accurate , specially when compared to the numbed and excessively boost systems offered by the rival . The ride is stiff , but to call it “ harsh ” is to all misunderstand the 911 ’s deputation : transmit just enough road selective information to be jazzy , without overburden passengers or physique .
Yes, it still looks like a 911
Like I said , if you were n’t aware of the locomotive engine substitution in the back , you ’d scarcely know this 911 was change at all . A discriminating centre will be able to spot revise headlights and rear lamp , but the best elbow room to distinguish these newer models is from behind : upward - slanted grille spline replace horizontal 1 , giving what designers like to callvisual heightto the lowly - slung 911 . There ’s still something resistless about the 911 ’s buxom proportions , particularly from behind , which will preserve to rag fellow motorist .
The view from inside is great… especially for spotting traffic cops
Sitting inside a 911 remains a slightly cramped amour , thanks to the low roofline and tightly positioned front bottom – do n’t even get me start up on the rear “ rump . ” The revised touchscreen infotainment system choose me about two hour to learn . Porsche ’s own sailing organisation is sharp , or you could swear on your own gadget and stop up in with Apple CarPlay . The controls adhere to Teutonic ergonomic convention – no more than an arm ’s stretch away if you ’re in a comfortable driving position – and are clearer and soft to use than ever .
The estimable part is that you’re able to pay less attending to the tech and spend more time enjoying the drive … until you realize just how serious the rear profile is . I ’d even call it " slate - avoidingly " good . On the otherwise gorgeous highways of NorCal , the aspect tend to be filled with officer justbeggingyou to do one mi over the posted 65 mph demarcation line . badly , I had a CHP on my bum for 15 miles while the Subarus of the reality flew past us at 85 - 90 mph . But , that ’s the burden you behave when you ’re beat back a automobile like this . Miraculously , I cover almost 300 miles that mean solar day and came away totally devoid of speeding tickets .
Conclusion: you owe it to yourself to at least test drive one. Now.
So is the addition of a duo of turbos a heap - breaker that negates the desire to own a 911 ? Not unless you ’re an ultra - orthodox member of the Church of the Holy Porsche . Will you still need to drive one across country , taking only the fastest back roadstead ? utterly .
The organic evolution of the 911 Carrera presages further enhancement to the eternal rest of the Porsche family , and it represents a raw value proposition , integrating efficiency with the same precision and performance the 911 has long been have it away for . slip in point : thebaseCarrera now score 60 mph in 3.9 seconds , about as quickly as the legendaryPorsche 959 , which today would cost you atleast10 Carreras .
A trial ride is a must , but since it starts at $ 90,450 , it might be judicious to ingratiate yourself with aPorsche owner clubmember who will let you receive it before you take out a second mortgage , and without a monger pass off down your neck .
Jeff Jablanksy
The turbocharged 911 is the real good deal , not some sort of substitute . Get used to it . And watch over out for bull .
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Jeff Jablanskyis a contributor to Thrillist Cars , and he swears he was perfectly in the current of dealings when a CHP officer decided to stick with him for 15 second at close compass . That was unwelcome , but you ’re more than welcome to keep an eye on him@unclewithcars .
Jeff Jablansky
Jeff Jablansky
Jeff Jablansky
Jeff Jablansky
Jeff Jablansky
