Porsche 911 review - performance and 0-60 time

Just like the range structure, establishing performance figures for the 911 is a complicated process, with variables in the chosen transmission and an optional Sports Chrono Plus varying the times. As a general rule, Sport Chrono reduces the acceleration time by 0.2sec, the other being a 0.2sec penalty for both the convertible and Targa models.

At its most basic, the base Carrera and Carrera 4 as fitted with their sole PDK transmissions reach 62mph in 4.2sec. The Carrera T is actually the slowest of all 911s to 62mph, taking 4.5sec when fitted with the six-speed manual; this drops to 4.0sec with the PDK. Top speed is 182mph for the base car, and 181mph for the 4 and T.

The Carrera S drops this to 3.7sec, (3.5 with Sport Chrono), and it rises to 4.2sec with the manual. All have a top speed of 191mph. The 4S sheds a tenth from the sprint but goes 1mph slower, while the weightier, less aerodynamic convertibles are all two-tenths slower to 62mph but only 1-2mph down at the top end.

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The GTS (Sport Chrono is standard) drops this down to 3.4sec, dropping to 3.3sec when fitted with all-wheel drive. Top speed is 193mph for the standard GTS, with the 4 GTS 1mph slower. The limited-run Dakar model is worth mentioning as it shares the GTS’s powertrain, but despite the off-road additions fares no worse with a 3.4sec acceleration time. Top speed is limited to 149mph. Sport Classic models do the deed in 4.1sec, a time largely constrained by the six-speed manual. Its top speed is a much more serious 196mph.

If these times seem quick enough to worry the full-fat Turbo models, they don’t, as the Turbo hits 62mph in 2.8sec, and the Turbo S 0.1sec quicker still at 2.7sec. Top speeds are 199mph and 205mph respectively.

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So the new 911 is very quick, and feels it on the road, too. Truth be told, even the regular Carrera is so quick these days that it’s difficult to imagine wanting any more performance from a road car. The PDK shifts so quickly and seamlessly that going fast is little more than the process of pushing the right-hand pedal down as hard and as long as you dare.

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With long gearing you might be inclined to take control of the gears yourself, though, just to enjoy some kind of interaction with the drivetrain, and these turbocharged 911s are so potent in the mid-range that you don’t miss too much by not venturing higher up the rev counter. There are some familiar flat-six sounds if you do, though, and so quiet is the engine at lower revs it’s worth exploiting now and then just to remind you what you’re driving.

We’re not so keen on Porsche’s sports exhaust this time around, however. Perhaps it’s the acoustics of a powertrain that now includes petrol particulate filters, but there’s a loud resonance from the system through the mid-range that skips sporty and goes straight to unpleasant.