To the ordinary eye, the 2020 Porsche 911 992 may look like any other 911, but to the purist, there’s a whole world of difference.
There’s the usual scepticism that follows every time Porsche announce a new version of the iconic 911, as fans do not want any changes in this timeless classic. The gen-992 still has the basic ingredients of a 911 like the simple silhouette, which is only marginally larger, by 20 millimetres in length, and still comes with a boxer flat-six mounted on the rear of the car. But Porsche are trying hard to make the sports car attract a wider audience by making it easier to use and comfortable even for longer drives. And since it’s a 911, the performance on the racetrack has also been turned up.
So, here we are where it all begins, at Porsche’s car manufacturing facility in Leipzig, to drive on the FIA-certified track which is modelled on famous sections from racetracks around the world. Later we get to drive it on the German autobahn all the way to Stuttgart to sample the changes in the Porsche 911 992 both on the circuit and on the road.
The design of the new Porsche 911 992 looks quite nice with a familiar but a much wider stance. Larger it is, but the two-door still manages to set your pulse racing at the very first glance. Compared to the outgoing model, the creases on the bonnet are more prominent and so are the front air ducts. Elements such as a more angular hood stretching all the way to the front bumper and the exaggerated gap between the base of the windscreen and bonnet are reminiscent of icons of the past.
One of the new attractions of the Porsche 911 992 is the lighting system. Our test car sported the Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus which boasts of a unique set-up of four LED DRLs surrounding the main LED headlight. What a sight it would be for unsuspecting motorists to see these Matrix lights approaching in their rear-view mirrors!
Step towards the side and the profile is distinctly 911. In fact, for the inexperienced eye, it’s difficult to tell it apart from its predecessor. Look closer, though, and you notice bulging wheel-arches that give away the wider front and rear tracks and which have been moved outwards by 46 mm and 39 mm respectively. The wider tracks were earlier reserved for the four-wheel-drive version but now even the Carrera S we drove sits squarer now. And for the first time, the entire range gets 20-inch front wheels and larger 21-inch wheels at the rear to improve the dynamics. The door-handles, too, are new and are now electrically operated.
And, finally, to my favourite part of the Porsche 911 992’s design: the rear. The smooth curves with the bulging rear wheel-arches look extremely attractive. There’s a sleek strip of light that connects the two tail-lamps which sets this model apart in a crowd. Another interesting element is the rear grille which not only draws inspiration from its forebears, but, with two tall slats flanked by nine smaller ones on either side, signifies that it’s a “992”. Truly interesting.
As you slide into the low driver’s seat, you’re greeted by a modern Porsche cabin. The layout is minimalistic with a sense of retro-coolness about it. A large 10.9-inch touchscreen dominates the dashboard which made its début in the Panamera and Macan. Following the 911 tradition, the driver’s information gets five dials cocooned by the signature dashboard arc. Of these five, just the tachometer dial sitting in the centre is mechanical while the rest have gone digital. Similarly, many of the buttons have been replaced by touch-sensitive pads which make the cabin look neater now.
You still get five toggle switches on the dashboard to manage things like stability control, hazard lights, and a few other equipment-specific features. But what really stands out on the centre console is the new stub gear shift which reminds many of my colleagues of an electric razor and I have to agree. But since it works without fuss, I have no complaints. Talking of which, some plastic bits could have been better and more premium considering the asking price. You can always get the cabin customized to your liking for a little extra money.
Although the cabin size has increased, the rear seats still can’t accommodate grown-ups. Thankfully, the driver’s seat is comfortable and snug. Our test car came with the optional Sports Seat package which made finding a perfect driving position easier still.
