2020 Porsche 911 Carrera Downplays Its Performance Evolution

Car and Driver says that “the familiar look of the new 992-generation Carrera S and 4S masks significant re-engineering.”

“All 911s have been suitable for daily use, but Porsche continues to widen the appeal of the 911, and this new car is its fiercest attempt yet to make it a user-friendly, supremely comfortable long-distance car. But Porsche wouldn’t be doing its job if it didn’t also improve the 911’s track prowess.”

“What strikes us first is the eagerness of the front end to turn in toward apexes, and the grip and ease with which the 992 nears its very high cornering limits. The S’s front track increases 1.9 inches, and its rear tires move outward 1.5 inches. That wider stance aids stability and seemingly helps the nose bite harder into corners. Not that the old 911 lacked stick. Nearly every 991.2 we tested put up 1.00 g or more on the skidpad, but even these daily-driver versions of the new car feel as if they have GT3 levels of grip.”

“Fans of the brand will recognize that the Carrera S’s 443-hp engine is only one horse short of the output of the legendary Porsche 959. We expect the quickest rear-drive Carrera S to hit 60 mph in 3.1 seconds, while the all-wheel-drive 4S should hit the mark a tenth quicker. Those numbers are for the eight-speed dual-clutch PDK automatic, which now comes stand­ard and is closely related to the dual-clutch auto introduced on the 2017 Panamera. Porsche promises that a seven-speed manual will become available after the initial on-sale date.”

Read all of what Car and Driver thinks about the 2020 Porsche 911.