Published on June 17th, 2016 | by Subhash Nair
0New Porsche 911 Launched, Here’s What’s Changed
The new 911 brings about many great performance improvements in addition to the aesthetic upgrades. Here’s a rundown of what to expect.
New turbocharged engines: 20 hp power increase coupled with lower fuel consumption
The completely new generation of engines with bi-turbo charging raises the emotional driving pleasure in the 911 Carrera to an even more intensive experience: 370 hp (272 kW) of power for 911 Carrera is waiting to be unleashed and converted into sporty propulsion. The engine in both 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4S now deliver 420 hp (309 kW). In these cases, this represents a power increase of 20 hp (15 kW). Both engines have a displacement of three litres but the greater power of the 911 Carrera S results from turbochargers with modified compressors, a specific exhaust system and tuned engine management.
The new Porsche engines are characterised by significantly increased torque (60 Nm in each case) with maximum torque of 450 Nm and 500 Nm respectively delivered constantly from a low 1,700 rpm up to 5,000 rpm in both cases, thus ensuring excellent driving performance. At the same time with a maximum speed of 7,500 rpm the new engine generation clearly exceeds the top speeds of conventional turbo engines – underscored by the typical sonorous Porsche engine sound.
Every new 911 generation boasts enhanced performance and efficiency compared with the predecessor. For example, depending on the model variant, the new engine generation is almost twelve percent more efficient: fuel consumption is reduced by up to a litre per 100 kilometres. The 911 Carrera with PDK transmission now consumes just 7.4 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (a reduction of 0.8 l per 100 km), the 911 Carrera S with PDK consumes 7.7 l/100 km (1.0 l less per 100 km), while the 911 Carrera 4S with PDK consumes 7.9 l/100 km (1.2 l less per 100km).
The new 911 also boasts impressive performance: the 911 Carrera Coupé with Porsche- Doppelkupplung (PDK) and Sport Chrono Package sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds – making it two tenths of a second faster than its predecessor. The 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4S with PDK and Sport Chrono Package performs its showcase discipline in just 3.9 seconds (0.2 s faster) and 3.8 seconds (0.3 s faster). This means both 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4S undercut the magic four second mark.
On the other hand, the top speeds of all models have also increased further: the 911 Carrera now has a top speed of 293 km/h (an increase of six km/h), the 911 Carrera S now reaches 306 km/h (an increase of four km/h), and the 911 Carrera 4S achieves 303 km/h (an increase of six km/h). In conjunction with the optional Sport Chrono Package the 911 Carrera now has a mode switch on the steering wheel for the first time, derived from the hybrid mode switch of the 918 Spyder. The mode switch consists of a rotary ring with four positions for the driving modes “Normal”, “Sport”, “Sport Plus” and “Individual”. Depending on the equipment, the latter setting enables drivers to configure their own individual vehicle set-up, for example the PASM, active engine mounts, PDK shifting strategy and sports exhaust system.
In combination with PDK transmission the mode switch has an additional button, the “Sport Response Button”. When this button is pressed the drivetrain is pre-conditioned for maximum acceleration for 20 seconds, for example before overtaking manoeuvres. For this, the optimum gear is engaged and the engine management adjusted to an even more spontaneous response for a short time.
A standard feature: reengineered PASM chassis lowers the ride height by ten millimetres
The 911 Carrera is the benchmark for driving dynamics of all-round sports cars. With every new generation Porsche further increases the spread between everyday comfort and circuit performance. The new PASM chassis (Porsche Active Suspension Management), which lowers the ride height by ten millimetres, is a standard feature on board all Carrera models.
It further improves stability during fast cornering. At the same time the new shock absorber generation with its wider spread characteristics enhance comfort thanks to an even more precise response characteristic and also improve the body connection during dynamic driving. New standard wheels with five slim twin spokes carry tyres with reduced rolling resistance and enhanced performance. Furthermore, on all variants the width of the rear rims has increased by 0.5 to 11.5 inches and the rear tyres of the 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4S now measure 305 instead of 295 millimetres.
The active rear-axle steering that is available as an option for the 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4S marks the adoption of chassis technology from the 911 Turbo and 911 GT3. It further enhances the turn-in behaviour of the 911. In addition, it makes for high driving stability when changing lanes at high speeds. At the same time it ensures greater manoeuvrability in city traffic thanks to the turning circle reduced by 0.4 metres.
The improved handling is transmitted to the driver via the new steering wheel generation with a design based on the steering wheel of the 918 Spyder. The basic steering wheel has a diameter of 375 millimetres; the optional GT sports steering wheel measures 360 millimetres. For unlimited everyday practicality Porsche offers a hydraulic lift system with integrated lifting cylinders in the struts of the front axle. Pressing a button increases the ground clearance at the front by 40 millimetres within 5 seconds and thus prevents the vehicle underbody from hitting the ground, for example on steep garage exits.
Porsche Traction Management for Carrera Models
The essential feature of the 911 Carrera 4S is the enhanced Porsche Traction Management (PTM). The PTM drive system ensures excellent traction in all driving conditions. In order to handle the higher performance and torque of the new turbo engines, nearly all components of the all-wheel drive have been strengthened or adopted from the 911 turbo.
New Porsche Communication Management including online navigation
A standard feature of the new 911 Carrera models is the newly developed Porsche Communication Management System (PCM) including online navigation module and voice control. The PCM can be operated by performing multi-touch gestures on the seven-inch display, similar to operating a smartphone. User inputs by handwriting are possible, for instance.
New and extended optional assistance systems
The 911 can now be customised even more precisely according to personal preferences with further new and improved assistance systems: the optional automatic speed control can now also brake moderately when the pre-set speed is exceeded, for example when driving downhill.
The Adaptive Cruise Control ACC (option) now has a coasting function in conjunction with a PDK transmission. When driving in a queue the clutches are disengaged, thus saving fuel with unpowered coasting. In addition, Porsche increases the active safety of the sports car with the post-collision braking system as a standard feature.
Here’s what the new 911 costs in Malaysia:
911 Carrera – RM870,000
911 Carrera S – RM970,000
911 Carrera 4S – RM1,040,000