My new-car test drives’ portion of Porsches rolled forth in double-time the past two weeks.
The new Porsche 911 Carrera S treated Jan and me to excellent grip on Sugarloaf Road enroute to Colo. 72 last Saturday. There was little other traffic on Sugarloaf, which allowed the Carrera to exhibit its amazing balance and stability on the twists and curves up and down the mountain.
The week previously, we were assessing the capabilities of the 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS, the four-door. As impressive as is the power of the Panamera, with its V-8 strength, the Carrera S and its flat-6 engine is quicker and faster. The Carrera is 1,200 pounds lighter than the Panamera.
Wheelbase of the ’12 Carrera has been stretched 4 inches, its overall length is 1.2 inches longer and, through the use of more aluminum in the body, it has shed more than 100 pounds overall. The fact the wheelbase gained more inches than did the overall length means less overhang at front and rear, with fewer scrapes in backing off driveway curbings.
The added wheelbase also gives it a bit smoother ride. The behavior on the curves, though, is what sets this car apart, along with its overall performance. The new dimensions opened up a little more room in the so-called rear seat. Still, there is lack of headroom and legroom, and an adult can’t ride back there.
The Carrera’s new engine is a direct-injection 3.8-liter flat-6-cylinder, naturally aspirated, developing 400 horsepower (an increase of 15) and 325 lbs.-ft. of torque. It is tied to Porsche’s 7-speed PDK (Doppel-Kupplunggetriebe) dual-clutch automated manual transmission, like that of the Panamera. Power is breathtaking, especially in Sport or Sport Plus mode, which increases throttle response and quickens shifts. It has posted a 0 to 60 time near 4 seconds and claims a top speed of 188 miles per hour. Sport Plus shifts are smooth and instantaneous, and a launch control feature offers unbelievable thrust.
A high-mounted shifter is within close touch of the driver; the ignition lock is to the left of the steering post.
An improvement in fuel mileage is helped by a stop/start feature, which shuts down the engine at stoplights; the moment brake pressure is eased, it’s running again.
Braking is outstanding, with six-piston brake calipers and 13.4-inch rotors in front; four-piston calipers and 13-inch rotors at the rear.
A wing spoiler, for more rear downforce at higher speeds, automatically rises at about 60 miles per hour beneath the engine cover at the rear, and can be manually raised or lowered from a button on the center console.
Our sprint through the hills continued north along Colo. 72 to 7, then on in to Estes Park, where fire trucks and equipment made their way through the packed downtown streets and helicopters were back-and-forth overhead fighting the Woodland Heights fire, which burned 22 homes.
The Carrera S carried us home via U.S. 34 in BigThompson Canyon. The sports car ended the week with an overall average of 23.2 mpg.
The dynamic chassis control active roll stabilization system, which reduces lateral roll in cornering, and the high-tech PDK transmission were part of huge option packages which boosted price of the Carrera S to $122,935. The wheels carried Pirelli 245/35ZR20 tires.
The Porsche 911 has been a favorite of sports car followers and performance enthusiasts since its introduction in 1963.
Notes from e-mail
Q: Bud, I have a 1972 Buick Riviera (boattail) I would like to sell. It has not been driven in 25 years. When I parked it, it ran fine but the heater core had gone out. At the time, we were moving to Kansas, so it has been parked at my folks’ place ever since. Please pass on my contact info to anyone interested. Thanks. – S.G.
A: I’ll do so, Stanton. That boattail is 40 years old in this model year.
Q: There you go again, Bud, talking about a $135,000 Porsche none of us can afford. How long has it been since a cheap car was featured? – W.R.
A: It was the week previously, Walt, when I reviewed the Ford Fiesta SE five-door, with sticker price of $19,025. I like to refer to cars such as the Fiesta as “inexpensive,” rather than “cheap.” If you can find no interest in reading of the Porsche Panamera with its technological marvels, you might be fairly dull, automotively speaking.
Q: What is the status, Bud, of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, due to the fire concern in the Colorado Springs region? – L.S.
A: The event, Lyle, has been postponed from July 8 to a later date in the summer, depending on control of the fires.
2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S
$122,935
(price as tested)
MPG City 20 Highway 27
Vehicle type: Super luxury sports car
Wheelbase: 96.5 inches
Length/Width/Height: 176.8/71.2/51
Weight: 3,086 pounds
Engine: 3.8-liter flat-6
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Fuel mileage: 23.2 mpg
Fuel tank: 16.9 gallons
Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles basic
Competitors: Audi R8, Aston Martin V-8 Vantage, Nissan GT-R, Mercedes-Benz SL550, BMW M3
Built at: Stuttgart, Germany
Parts content: Germany 85 percent, U.S./Canadian 4 percent
THE STICKER
$96,400 base
$4,650 Premium package with adaptive sport seats
$4,080 PDK transmission
$3,160 Dynamic chassis control
$2,460 Leather package
$1,850 Sport chrono package
$1,530 Heated and ventilated seats
$995 Aluminum brushed interior
$990 Park assist front and rear
$950 Destination
PLUSES
Cornering grip
Flat-6 engine
PDK transmission
MINUSES
Costly options
Rear-seat space
Cargo space
