2012 Porsche 911: Leaner, faster, smarter

A bit faster, a bit lighter, a bit more fuel efficient... new generation 911 Porsches have always been about subtle evolution rather than radical revolution, and so it is with the latest development of  Stuttgart's stalwart sports car unveiled at the Frankfurt Motorshow this week.

While many of the changes are best measured in millimetres, milliseconds and milligrams, they're still significant for a car that has consistently set the benchmark in so many areas of sports car development during its 48 year history.

Of course, all these changes don't come cheap, with the new 911 Carrera to be priced from $229,900 and the Carrera S from $263,100 when they go on sale in Australia in March 2012 (that's a rise of approximately $6000 and $10,000 respectively).

Remarkably, for a car that at first glance seems little changed, Porsche claims "almost 90 per cent of all components have been redesigned or redeveloped", including almost half the coupe body shell, with the doors, engine compartment covers, wings and roof, now made from aluminium.

The result is that all Carrera and Carrera S 911s are lighter, with the now 1400kg Carrera (with PDK transmission) shedding the most weight (45kg).

Porsche has 'downsized' the Carrera flat six engine, from 3.6-litres to 3.4, thanks to a 4mm reduction in piston stroke. Apart from the fuel economy benefits of a smaller displacement engine, the Carrera (with PDK) is now better for the environment, going below the 200g/km CO2 emissions threshold for the first time (194 CO2).

Overall, the new models are up to 16 per cent more economical and up to 11 kW more powerful. Direct injection in both 3.4 and 3.8-litre (Carrera S) engines is now provided by multi-hole injectors, which improves mixture formation and allows them to rev higher for more power.

Vital statistics tell a tale of higher revs for both engines, adopting a motorsport ethos of sorts. The 911 Carrera now produces 261kW at 7400rpm and 390Nm at 5600rpm (previously 257kW at 6500rpm and 390Nm at 4400rpm) while Carrera S produces 298kW at 7400rpm and 440Nm at 5600rpm (previously 287kW at 6500rpm and 420Nm at 4400rpm).

Visually, Porsche has made plenty of tweaks to the design but hasn't really changed the recipe, so to speak. The new "flat, stretched silhouette" is partly a result of a 100mm longer wheelbase, but due to the overhangs being shortened by 32mm at the front and 12mm at the rear, the body has gained just 56mm. While the base Carrera's roofline is 7mm lower, interior headroom has not been affected.

Externally, there's a range of new look, larger alloy wheels, including new 20-inch gloss silver wheels for the Carrera S, a more convex windscreen, and wider front end featuring new headlights and larger side intakes.

The side mirrors are now positioned on the upper edge of the door to reduce wind noise, and the wider, variably extending rear spoiler provides greater downforce. There are also  redesigned, narrower LED rear lights.

The new optional electric slide/tilt sunroof on the Carrera opens by sliding over rather than under the outer skin so as not to restrict headroom as much.

Other 'firsts' on the next-gen 911 include a seven-speed manual transmission. Based on the optional seven-speed PDK, Porsche says the first six, close ratio gears aid acceleration (top speed of 289km/h is achieved in sixth), while the seventh acts as an 'overdrive' for improved fuel economy on the freeway.

Porsche, for the first time, has also equipped the 911 Carrera with an auto start/stop function, saving up to 0.6L/100km based on the new European NEDC fuel economy formula. And there's a further 0.35L/100km reduction thanks to a new "joint thermal management system for engine and transmission and on-board electrical system recuperation".

There's a new "sailing" function (available with optional PDK transmission) which Porsche says can save an additional 1L/100km. It works by the engine disengaging from the transmission when the driver takes his foot off the accelerator; the car continuing to move with the engine idling.

Fuel consumption of the 911 Carrera has been reduced from 10.3 to 9.0L/100km (manual) and 9.8 to 8.2L/100km (PDK), while the Carrera S sees a drop from 10.6 to 9.5L/100km (manual) and 10.2 to 8.7 (PDK).

The 911 Carrera, at 4.8sec, is 0.2sec faster to 100km/h (manual) and 0.1sec faster with the PDK (4.6sec). The 911 Carrera S manual now races to 100km/h in 4.5secs (previously 4.7) and 4.3sec (0.2sec quicker) with PDK.

The 911 Carrera's chassis, including a new rear axle, has been completely redesigned, resulting in "improved sportiness and comfort". The wider front track width -- 46mm for the Carrera and 52mm for the Carrera S -- enhances driving stability and agility when cornering, according to Porsche.

Porsche has also added two new electronic handling and safety systems to the mix: Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV).

PTV is part of a completely revamped electro-mechanical power steering system, which provides "active self-alignment" so that the steering wheel is automatically returned to the straight-ahead position in a range of driving situations.

Porsche says that "optimal steering feedback" is ensured via a vehicle status sensor within the steering system that calculates the force currently applied to the rack and pinion. This is then used to vary the appropriate steering torque as well improve steering comfort by eliminating 'jolts' in the steering.

Two PTV systems are available: one with a mechanical differential lock when twinned with manual transmission, and the other with an electronically controlled, fully variable differential lock with the PDK.

The new 911 also debuts PDCC active roll stabilisation, which according to Porsche, "largely resolves the conflicting goals of extreme sportiness with the least possible tendency to roll in dynamic driving situations".

Brakes, traditionally a Porsche strongpoint, have also come in for attention, with better cooling, a lighter tandem brake booster, and lighter and bigger front brake discs on the Carrera.

And a new electrically activated parking brake, operated by a button near the steering wheel, will mean 911 drivers no longer have to worry about pulling on the handbrake lever.

The new 911 Carrera also now features a Sport button as standard, which enables the driver to choose between 'comfort' or 'sports' settings.

Taking inspiration from the Carrera GT supercar, the 911's interior has been revamped with a new centre console that rises up to the front, and features a high-mounted gear change.

A new 4.8-inch, high-resolution, TFT colour screen displays all on-board functions including the G-force display (part of the optional Sport Chrono Package).

Other interior enhancements include new electrically adjustable sports seats, and redesigned rear seats with seat backs that are separately foldable, enabling the rear luggage space to be increased by up to 55 litres.

Porsche is also catering for audiophiles with a new top shelf, optional Burmester sound system with individually adjustable speakers - 12 of them - including a body shell-mounted subwoofer claimed to be louder but more power efficient.

In terms of buyer popularity, by the end of August Porsche 911 sales in Australia for 2011 were down 30 per cent year-to-date (to 161 sales) while Ferrari sales were up by 41 per cent, to 96 sales (off the back of the new 458 Italia). In 2010, though, Porsche sold 301 911s, which was 46 per cent more than in 2009. Despite the drop in 911 sales this year, the 2+2 German coupe remains the clear leader in the $200,000-plus sports car segment (which accounted for just over 1000 sales in Australia last year), with around 25 per cent of that market.

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