Porsche 911 review - interior and tech

As with the exterior design, 911 cabins have been a largely evolutionary affair, yet the new 992 cleans up its distinctive elements in a sleek and minimalist new form. Amongst a few classic details like the five-ring dial pack (four of which are now digital), the 992’s interior is well appointed, solidly built and luxuriously trimmed, and can of course be enhanced even further with an almost endless list of optional finishes and accessories.

The basic design has certainly matured. Its centrepiece is a three-spoke, 918-style steering wheel just like before, but also notable is the new instrument cluster, which comprises a traditional analogue tachometer (albeit quite different in appearance to that of previous 911 clusters), flanked by a pair of digital screens.

Porsche tradition continues in that the outer edges of these two screens are obscured by the steering wheel, but the information they present (from conventional trip computers to satnav mapping) is as clear and concise as in any other Porsche.

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The rest of the interior takes several cues that were introduced with the current Panamera, from a flat centre console adorned with touch-sensitive switches to the wide touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard. The environment is certainly more traditional than the Panamera’s high-tech approach, but quite different from the 991’s. Different, too, is the gear selector for the PDK, which is one of the few areas to let the side down, both visually and in terms of tactility – the small lever is nothing like as satisfying as the old pistol-grip affair.

The driving position is excellent, and as a 2+2 with a surprisingly large luggage area under the front cover, the 911 continues to offer more practicality than many cars you’d consider rivals. It’s a shame, though, that in the move towards a more GT-like feel, the old 911 bugbear of excessive road noise hasn’t been banished – it’s one of very few things that spoil the cabin ambience.