Is no another competitor for 911 than 911. The only "threat" to the next generation can only come from ancestors that aficionados consider them more direct, simpler, closer to the original story. We brought together a 1996 Porsche 911 model and the newer model Porsche in 2012 to experiment with the authentic feeling of the most popular sports cars of all time.

There is a silhouette in the automotive industry that can not be confused: lines drawn by Ferdinand Porsche almost five decades have proudly kept far without excessive changes.
Even after 49 years after the first 911, changes in the seven generations are felt more than are seen.

The legendary story of design began in 1959. Searching for a replacement for the Porsche 356 model that came to the end its career, German designer create a car with an elongated silhouette offering stability due to engine located in the back. Auto market has evolved greatly since then, but regardless of trends, technology or structural changes, no other generation of designers and technicians did not dare to alter the original proportions of the car.


Comparisons

Differences exist, however. By comparison to the model, a 911 in the past seems more fragile. The first notable change came with the third generation, codenamed 964. Front bar was embedded in the body line and the list of innovations also included Tiptronic speed gearbox and four-wheel drive.
Representative of the past in our the test is part of the fourth generation car, the latest version of 911 with air-cooled engine, a technique inherited from the first model. Placed side by side, old and new car shows an evolution of comfort, performance, even an increase in size, but not a significant modification of the contour.

As "scenic presence", 911 is not and never was a spectacle. There is not present, in any case, the effect of a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, although the performance is recommended in the same league of street supercars. Rather, always 911 lines post for exclusivity, temperate, mature style, regardless of year of manufacture. Resistance to obsolescence of the car is so powerful that allows you to look at a 1996 Porsche with the same sense of wonder and novelty with which you look at the latest edition.

For the first 911 to the latest, the idea of building a car with a sporty touch remains current. In the historical past of Porsche, the car reliability test was given on the racing circuit of Le Mans. By the '70s, the competition procedure began outside the car. Pilots had to run to the car, start engine while handle the gear. So, the contact was positioned on the left side of the steering wheel, a detail that remained unchanged until today. Further, the 911 puts you to reconsider your reflex to want to start the car with right hand.

Including driving is an "alert" position. Passengers have to sit down in the cabin, feeling that you are very close to the asphalt. Beyond that, although both cars offer a comfortable seating position, because of seat location requires drivers to get close to the steering-wheel that you can grasp with both hands. Instinctively, you push yourself in the back of the seat and stay vertical as to have a good view of traffic.


Inside

Inside the 911 is a revolution compared to the car history. Fourth generation already enjoyed electrically adjustable seats, automatic climate control and audio system, but over every detail dominates the Spartan air and, without exception, the first voice is of functionality.

Years ago, voices within the company refused the installation of luxury equipment, because it adds unnecessary weight. Today, contrary to statements, the new 911 shows in detail the benefits of the premium segment.
Multimedia system is controlled through a touch-screen display, depending on ventilation faeces, are adaptive headlights and massive console dominates the entire cabin. Meanwhile, the first new body made almost entirely of aluminum, is light as 50 kg over the previous generation.

Driving behaviour

Do not understand that 911 is a car that stagnate. Direction, stability and braking are chapters in the model that obtain the maximum score in 1996 and in 2012.

But evolution is reflected in the relationship between driver and car. Feedback of current version is smoother and pilot's abilities (innate or not) are increasingly offset by an advanced technology package. In the case of the classical model, the sporty feel that is more "tough".

A seventh generation interposed between car and driver technology to a level where nothing is left to follow the pure physics. Including the engine benefits from electronic set of shock absorbers so that its position did not change during cornering.

Then there's the sound ... It's a Porsche specific engine noise, a feeling associated with a genuine sports car that just left the track. Vibration, calmer or stronger due to the intensity of acceleration, is present always in the back of the seat. Evacuation of the 2012 model was designed to specifically announce a Porsche, but the sound ranges from a drive style to another.

There are few cars, even with generously offers of sports programs, unable to duplicate as does the new 911. At the push of button "Sport Plus" sound changes dramatically in direct relation with faster acceleration, like other commands.

Gearbox with twin clutch PDK, one of the best in the industry, shocked by how aggressive it is and how stubborn enough is to keep the gear until the rev counter reaches the red zone. Even during a quiet walk, no particular stake, Sport program "hangs" the first speed until after 70 km / h. Meanwhile, in the back, hearing the show is incredible, for passengers but also for those outside the car.


Conclusion

Porsche 911 seventh generation offers the most advanced interior in history and made an appointment to meet technical vocation of uncompromisingly sporty.

It is much easier to drive the new 911 than driving a 911 from 1996, but is far from being an "everyday supercar" as was often called. At least not if you have to drive many miles through a crowded city. A model like Porsche actively implicates you from when you arch because of the ceiling angle to get inside the car, until you reverse the manoeuvres to relatively difficult exit the car.

More and more concerns are now a "work day" for dozens of computers, but even so, more technical, more calculated, Porsche delivers you the amount of emotion that you can not ignore. At the same time, no matter how much you are used to the feeling of 911, still can not reach the point where sound, suspension and throttle response not wake up any reaction ... whether you are in 1996 or that you're back in 2012.


Driven models:

2012 Carrera S with PDK automatic transmission and Sport Chrono package, 0-100 km / h - 4 s, maximum speed - 304 km / h, price from 112,800 euros. Average consumption recorded in the test - 16.5 l/100 km.

1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6 - 286 hp - exterior RS kit

via:stylereport.ro