I just happened to come across this video and watched to kill some time. I must say I was very surprised, very. Yes the track was damp but that does make it a bit more real world.

991 S, PDK, PCCB brakes, SPASM suspension, SD Aero kit
vs
991 4S, Manual, Standard Brakes, Standard PASM, standard aero

The Carrera S is spec'ed to be a killer on the track but.....

 

Not surprising at all to me, I'm on my 3rd 911 C4S. Its got superior traction and drive out of the corners in all-weather conditions.

 

AWD does better in the rain ? Apples and oranges - Yawn.

 

I would have agreed at first, but 6sec is a bit much. BMW did the same with their AWD/RWD and the AWD was 2sec faster on dry.
I'm surprised (that for normal road cars) the AWD is just that much better of a sports car in general.

Of course once you start getting into the 500hp+ with downforce bits the RWD will outperform, hence the RWD GTcars.

 

In rain...yeah.
GT3 and GT2 are ????
The modern AWD systems are amazing, though. The reason the GT-R made such a splash.

 

Right. Like I said "Of course once you start getting into the 500hp+ with downforce bits the RWD will outperform, hence the RWD GTcars."
I have an AWD 911 and it doesn't act or feel like any other AWD I've owned, then again it's only AWD when needed. Porsche engineers are a breed of their own. Most manufacturers still don't understand how the rear-engine even works the way it does, physics wise.

 

If I'm not mistaken, Porsche made the GT2 and GT3 RWD only for the weight savings, as opposed to the benefit of AWD traction.

 

The awd system is likely the benefit of audis quattro. I drive an audi R8 on kershaw and it was so confidence inspiring. Even at blistering speeds with an average bloke behind the wheel there was total confidence. As a track car I think that matches the GT3 for a non trained driver.

 

If Porsche had their way, every 911 would be AWD. It’s superior in all conditions (not just wet and snow). The 991 cars benefit from improved steering feel with the additional weight at the front. The evolution of the system in the 992 improves on the ability to break, slide, and drift the rear of the car. The AWD advantages that come with getting the power to the ground more than offset the minor weight penalty.

The GT3 and GT2 are RWD due to racing rules. The Cup cars don’t have RAS, because of those rules.

All that being said, “superior” isn’t necessary the experience that everyone is looking for. There is much to be said for the driving experience of a modern RWD 911 without RAS.

 

Shennanigans. Almost all of the sportiest Porsches are RWD (sans 918).

You don’t need AWD when you have the engine sitting on top of 305+ width sticky tires. Just extra weight to drag around.

 

BMW’s suffer from traction issues, 911’s don’t.

 

Aside from the Carrera GT, they've all been AWD.
959... AWD
918... AWD
TT/TTS cars... AWD

The fastest cars that Porsche makes, in the modern era, are almost exclusively AWD.

 

Sportiest != fastest

GT2, GT3, GT4, T, all Boxters and Caymans…

959 was designed to be a off road rally car, complete with a “crawling” gear, also it’s not fast at a 4.9 0-60.

Turbo’s are all weather white collar daily drivers.

 

959 was the fastest street legal production car in 1986. Only the F40 managed to eclipse it at the time.

 

What is amazing (and great for us) is that the 991.2 GTS puts down similar numbers to the 959, albeit without the cache (or the cost).

For the record I would gladly take an F40 over my 991.2 GTS, but would still need another car to daily drive.