While Porsche is open to experiments (the Mission E and even the original Panamera easily demonstrate that), when it comes to the 911, Zuffenhausen won't take any risks, since the result has to be perfect. But, we dare ask, is it?
So far, the 991.2 911, with its downsized turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six, has received tons of praising reviews. However, with a 2016 Carrera S recently landing in Harry Metcalfe's Garage, the former Evo Magazine owner is not exactly happy about the forced induction's side effects.
In a 17-minute video, the experienced car aficionado takes the time to get into the details of the Carrera S. For the sake of fetish-level attention to detail, the man goes as far as turning to a magnet to check out which body panels are made of steel and which rely on aluminum!
With the visual aspects out of the way (it's a 911 after all), Metcalfe gets down to the driving bits. He doesn't hide the unpleasant effect the turbo lag, at least below 3,000 rpm, has on him. The connoisseur also lets us know he's missing the uber-sharp throttle response of the atmospheric mills that used to occupy the engine compartments of the Carrera and Carrera S.
And since real world driving is not quite the same as what happens during the current emission testing procedures, the fuel efficiency this driver gets doesn't quite justify the downsizing.
Metcalfe's impressions are all bad, though. For one thing, the man highlights the fact that the new 3.0-liter mills sound better than the variable geometry 3.8-liter mill motivating the Turbo and Turbo S.
He also praises the feel of the rear steering and this new option reminds us of the Carrera S' 7:30 Nurburgring time. A Carrera S that can lap the 'Ring just 1.3 seconds behind the Carrera GT? Yes, that's true, but we're inviting you to check out Metcalfe's review before letting the numbers take over.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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