Nine-Nine-Two

​Nine-Nine-Two
By Michael Tashjian
Technical Chair
 
Antoine de Saint Exupery said it best, “perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”  
 
The new 911, chassis designation 992, could not be further from this truth of function over form, this does not, however, hurt its overall score against its competitors.  The 992 delivers in its Carrera S configuration a proper Grand Touring experience with extravagant electrics and comfort features, which I am based solely on photos and marketing literature, and a promise to be money well spent.  Many purists including I adore the minimalist environment the Porsche 911 once had or at least up until the 996.  However, as with everything in life, there must be progression.   The 992 is, without doubt, the most advanced and best performing Porsche 911 to date, notwithstanding limited production models such as GT’s and so forth.  The new 911 S with its 443 horses and eight-speed PDK transmission, seamlessly ingrates a luxurious sedan and lightweight long wheelbase sportscar should be that the sort of thing you are striving for.  Whole keep a little space for an electric motor down the line. When entering this spaceship themed interior with tiny buttons and big screens, the customization opportunities become apparent as well as its intuitive design.  The ergonomically correct interior, unlike that of the 996/997, has welcoming finishings but limited practicality.  You the reader know where I am going with this.  Yes, the gear selector looks ridiculous.  One of those ideas that were great in theory but did not translate into a practical part.   A good analogy would probably be the sportomatic selector of yesteryear. Barring this minor lapse in judgment within the design teams ranks, the remainder looks appropriate for its new class, being Luxury GT and in my eyes comparable to the Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Bentley.  I still find Ferrari to be the only brand sticking with the minimal but beautifully appointed interior space. A follow-up article on the interior to come after I can sit in a 992.  The exterior, well, what can I say expect it looks like a 991 which looks like a 911. A big welcoming is a fact that all 992’s will now be widebody format.  I believe the rear end will receive a welcome facelift with 992.2, but otherwise, it is the technology the car is now offering that you are paying for. Automatic transfer into a wet mode when the vehicle detects water, neat door handles that pop out of the door (drag resistant ;-), non-operational/functional exhaust tips, perhaps most importantly the rear engine mount now fitted to the cylinder heads for optimum weight transfer and larger intercooler fed through the rear spoiler.  
 
It is safe to say this generation 911 will be the most reliable, performance-driven, and comfortable Porsche 911 to date.  The next car to watch out for is going to be the GT4 to be initially outfitted with a manual gearbox, and all the bells and whistles Leipzig has on the shelf.  
 
If you have the itch visit one of our Metro NY PCA sponsor dealerships for a test drive of the 992.