The new 911: Stunning evolution of the quintessential sports car
By The Prodigal Fool, published on 25 August 2011
It’s here and it’s stunning.
What’s that you say? The ‘all new’ 911 doesn’t look that new to you? You’re tired of Porsche rehashing a 48-year old design time after time? You long for the boys and girls in Stuttgart to man up and do something truly innovative. Well, you’re wrong and here’s why.
Porsche understands all too well that you don’t mess with a classic design. There’s simply no need. Hell ,just ask Rolex: when you get it right, stick with it. Improve the innards by all means but don’t change the exterior.
We’re firmly in the ‘evolution not revolution’ camp when it comes to almost any good piece of design and the 911 is perhaps the most perfectly succesful example of that philosophy.
Having said that, by the standards of the 911′s glacial evolution, the latest iteration – known internally as the 991 – is almost revolutionary. It’s certainly the biggest change to the model for at least a decade.
The underpinning architecture is all new if you care about that sort of thing but what caught our eye was the styling: a truly glorious new branch in the 911 family tree.
The wheelbase is 100 mm longer than the current car, it has shorter overhangs and a lower roof. The result? A sleek, purposeful, more curvaceous and – crucially – almost modern look that really, really works.
We love the overall effect and have been drooling over some of the styling touches in particular. The sleek LED tailights are fantastic and we love the looks of the new, wider pop-up rear spoiler.
There’s something of the Aston Martin DB9 around the rear haunches and tail light. And that’s no bad thing. The big Porsche is certainly veering more towards the Grand Tourer mould than ever before (a quick look at the new Panamera-inspired cabin will tell you that) but, honestly, we rather like that. Like us, the 911 has grown a little older and a little wiser. It’s settled down a bit and got a little more respectable. Nowdays, if raucous track-day fun is what you’re after, its younger brother, the Cayman R is waiting in the wings, chomping at the bit.
It’s not all perfect, we confess. The fussy front end – particularly the bumper – don’t do the 991 justice but, all things considered, we’re more than happy to overlook it.
The new 911 debuts at the at the Frankfurt motor show next month and comes to the UK before year end. We can’t wait for these sleeks beasts to start prowling our neighbourhood.
The new 911: Stunning evolution of the quintessential sports car
We’re positively drooling over the latest iteration of what is in our view the quintessential sports car: the 911.
9 Responses to “The new 911: Stunning evolution of the quintessential sports car”
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Stuart
25 August 2011
The interior is short a pedal, but I do fancy the outsides.
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Dave
27 August 2011
First, nice site and watch videos. I check here every week or so.
The classic design and comparison to Rolex is interesting. However, the problem is a Porsche is a car meant to be driven fast. There is a problem when you know for a fact that the next model will not only be faster but more refined. Thus, better than whatever current version of the 911. You can’t really say that about a current Rolex Submariner versus one from the past since all a watch does is tell time. Now the coming Jaguar might be something special.
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dom
28 August 2011
Looks like a neat evolution to me – I’m slightly concerned about the increased width when tanking down the Gavia pass and the electronic rather than hydralic steering but I’m sure Porsche know what they’re doing – after all the best RS is reputed by many who’ve driven it, to be the 4.0.
Not sure the Rolex comparison Dave – they’re supposed to be more accurate and waterproof.
6 – looking forward to the cheaper Cayman – although I’m really looking forward to the rumoured smaller/llighter sub-Boxster model.
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Dave
29 August 2011
Dom – But aren’t a lot of people going after older Rolex’s these days? Especially since newer Rolex’s are very showy with all that writing everywhere. Even one of the writers on this site picked up a few older models. With proper servicing it should keep time well enough. If water is a concern just remove the watch before swimming. Some newer companies are even using older watch movements too. Don’t get me wrong, I like the 911. But they just aren’t special enough compared to other cars in the same price category. If I had to pick a Porsche model it would be the Studio Torino RK Coupe or Spyder with some interior modifications.
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dom
29 August 2011
True and I’m a big fan of vintage Rolex myself although my daily wear is a 39mm Explorer.
Thing about Porsche for me, is that they are so useable 24/7 – bit hard on brakes and tyres for trackdays/touring but like a Rolex, they take a lot of abuse – an Evora would be nice if they were built and assembled by Honda and I like the R8 but the 911 has a lot of charm, not least the rear engined handling – makes driving one a constant learning curve if you switch off all the electronics.
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Stuart
2 September 2011
Here’s a question discerning readers: 2009 Carrera S or 2011 Cayman R?
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If, like Straight-Six, you care most about the thrill of driving and value for money, you’ll go for the Cayman.
If, like me, styling, pedigree and a smidgen of practicality come into the mix too, you’ll opt for the Carrera.
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dom
2 September 2011
Carrera S: presumably more exciting handling (with the electronics switched off) that has to be managed as long as I can spec the sports suspension and diff and assuming that the steering still works properly!
But the R’s a cracking drive by all accounts and the S is getting more expensive.
Straight-Six
25 August 2011
YAAAAAAAWN!
Give me the new Cayman. That’s the best-handling platform they have and in dire need of some butching up.
Or, if you force me to accept a 911, then gimme a GT3 RS 4.0. In fact, any GT3 they ever made. I’ll shut up then.