Many folks who like sports cars wind up owning the iconic Porsche 911, which has been significantly revamped for 2005.
The rear-engine 911 has been redone so many times since its introduction in Germany in 1963 and in America in 1965 that books have been written about its development. However, the 911 has had the same basic shape since its arrival, and Porsche has no intention of changing it.
The sixth generation (997-series) Carrera coupe is the first totally revamped 911 since Porsche gave the (996-series) model a liquid-cooled engine in 1998. Porsche used only air-cooled rear-mounted engines for its road cars until emissions standards forced it to go to liquid engine cooling.
The first Porsches were derived from the Volkswagen Beetle, which was developed by Ferdinand Porsche in the 1930s, and Volks-wagens had air-cooled engines. Porsches arrived in America about 1950, but it wasn't until the mid-1950s that they began to significantly differ from Volkswagens. However, Porsches always were sportier and faster, with better handling. They had the same "inverted bathtub'' shape as the Beetle, but featured smoother styling and more luxurious interiors.
Moreover, Porsche race cars, such as the one bought by actor James Dean, soon made a name for themselves, whereas Beetles never had sufficient power or handling to be raced.
Early Porsches were a lot more costly than the Beetle. For instance, a 1952 Porsche coupe cost $4,200 when a Cadillac convertible was $4,163. The 2005 911 also is costly; the standard Carrera is $69,300, while the higher-horsepower "S'' version is $79,100.
Adding to the Porsche mystique was Max Hoffman, a visionary car importer who introduced Americans to high-line sports cars after World War II. He added Porsche to prestigious European car models at his New York City dealership on ritzy Park Avenue.
"When I attended school in Switzerland in the 1950s, some fellow classmates drove Porsches -- not cars such as Ferraris,'' General Motors product chief Bob Lutz told this reporter.
Porsche is the last small, established, independent automaker, partly because it's big on tradition. Despite more competition, Porsche sales were up this year through October to 26,351 vehicles from 23,080 in the same period last year. It reported that its fiscal 2004 net profit for the year ended July 31 rose significantly to $794.7 million.
Much of Porsche's increased revenue came from its relatively new Cayenne sport-utility vehicle, not its 911 and lower-priced Boxster sports cars. But Porsche probably will sell more sports cars now that the 911 and Boxster have been redone for 2005.
At first glance, the new 911 Carrera and similar Carrera S look much like the 2004 911. All dimensions are virtually the same, but body panels are new, with the only carryover item being the roof.
It annoyed 911 fans that the last-generation 911 headlights resembled the less costly Boxster's teardrop-shaped lights, but they've been replaced by traditional 911 round headlights. The new 911 also has a wider track, sharper lines with more-sculpted sides and wider rear fenders for a more powerful stance. The new 911 looks somewhat like the pre-1998 911 models beloved by Porsche enthusiasts and has regained much visual aggression.
The main difference between the two versions of the new 911 is horsepower, although the S has four round exhaust outlets instead of two oval-shaped ones for the standard Carrera.
The Carrera has a 3.6-liter, 325-horsepower six-cylinder engine, which has gained 10 horsepower. The S is powered by a new 3.8-liter six-cylinder with 355 horsepower and more torque.
The first Porsche to wear the "S'' badge was the 1952 356 model with the 1.5-liter "Super'' four-cylinder engine, and arguably the most famous S model in Porsche history was the 911 S launched in 1967. The Carrera S might also stand out in Porsche history because of its engine, which has the usual 911 compact design with horizontally opposed pistons.
The S version has stronger mid-range punch and does 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, versus 4.8 for the standard Carrera. Top speed is 182 mph for the S and 177 mph for the regular Carrera. Those speeds are academic in America, but it's noteworthy that the improved aerodynamics of the new Carrera make it more stable at high speeds -- and thus more stable at legal ones. The brakes are awesome.
The engine remains behind the rear axle and the 911 thus is tail-heavy, with a 38.3 front/61.7 rear weight distribution. However, front and rear suspensions have been widened for better stability, and Porsche has virtually eliminated handling quirks such weight distribution once invited. The car now handles superbly -- and rides better.
Standard on the Carrera S and optional for the lower-horsepower version is a new Porsche Active Suspension Management system (PASM), which provides two suspension systems in one. It can be put in Normal or Sport modes, although the Sport mode makes the ride very stiff, although it sharpens handling for winding roads or race tracks. Standard for both versions is a new-generation Porsche Stability Management System.
The S has 19-inch wheels, while the standard Carrera has 18-inch wheels for the first time. There's no spare tire; it's replaced with a tire sealant and an electric air compressor for emergency repair if there is a small puncture.
Nobody buys a Porsche for fuel economy, but the 911 Carrera delivers an estimated 18-19 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway.
Both versions of the new 911 are easy to drive during daily commutes, but are tigers if a driver is in the mood for spirited motoring. The updated chassis is stiffer, with a revised suspension, better brakes and more use of high-tech materials. Variable-ratio steering is used for the first time on a 911 to enhance agility on winding roads while retaining exceptional stability at high speeds. It's quick and accurate.
The new six-speed manual transmission is the best manual ever put in a Carrera, with shorter, more precise shifter action. The improved manual/automatic five-speed Tiptronic transmission provides smoother shifts when in fully automatic "drive'' mode, although it's still not the smoothest automatic.
One of the biggest changes is the improved, updated interior, which is quieter and still has two rear seats for tots. It features a redone dashboard with a new steering wheel, larger gauges, improved climate control and a new center stack that contains audio system and climate controls -- although there are too many small control buttons. New seats provide more lateral support, and sport seats with even more such support are available.
The 911 is the first sports car available with a Bose Surround Sound System, with 13 speakers.
The storage area has been increased, and safety features include six air bags.
It's always been refreshing to take almost any kind of drive in a Porsche 911. Despite all the changes, the latest 911 has the same basic feel of revered classic 911 models -- the feel of a thoroughbred.
2005 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA
PRICES
$69,300-$79,100
LIKES
Deftly redesigned. Retro look. Much improved interior. More power. Superb handling and braking.
DISLIKES
Too many small control buttons. No spare tire. Same tail-heavy design.