casaforte9

I could not detect a discernible difference between steering in 992 s and 992 4s but 4s felt more confidence inspiring when pushing especially in damp and cold conditions and I thought it was more fun than my previous 991.1 c4s cab . Possible that reviewers have higher grasp of these things and regular owners driving on normal roads may not notice the subtlieties

Senna01

Like I said, where are the 4 wheel drive GT3's, GT3RS and GT2RS.........I'll wait.

ipse dixit

Put down the Kool-Aid.

The GT cars are RWD largely because of homologation rules for the GT series.

And in the right hands a stock TTS is faster than a stock GT3.

detansinn

The GT cars are RWD due to racing homologation requirements.
It's not a matter of RWD being somehow superior. For example, the Porsche 959, 918, 919 are all AWD -- there's a lot of history here. For approximately half the time that the 911 has existed, Porsche has offered high performance versions with AWD for literally... decades. Heck, if the class rules changed, Porsche would make the GT cars AWD.

Given the long history of AWD 911s, I am not even sure how it continues to be some kind of purist argument. :P
You want a RWD 911. Porsche will sell you one. You want AWD? They've got you covered there too.

NOSUB2T

where is the 4 wheel drive of the turbo and turbo S?

I’ll wait..... There is a good reason for that. The Germans know what they are doing.

That’s why they call the GT3 RS the “widow maker”

alex2364

If AWD is superior on the track, why was 992’s Nurburgring time done in a 2S?

gcurnew

The RWD versus AWD debate is as pointless (and endless) as PDK versus manual. Get the driveline that works for you and your driving conditions. AWD has its place in the real world where sub-4- second 0-60 times are commonplace and nannies - not driving skill - routinely prevent 911s meeting solid roadside objects. If a driver prefers RWD for whatever reason, fine; ditto AWD. The argument that "purists" only drive RWD 911s with manual gearboxes is tired, and no longer takes into account how application of extremely sophisticated technology has dramatically affected high-performance cars over the past XX years. I've held a pro racing licence and understand the difference in feel through the steering rack and how power gets put down differently on a track in RWD and AWD cars, none of which makes much meaningful difference on the street at less than 8/10ths (which I would argue puts a driver well into "irresponsible" territory).

After 46 sports cars, numerous track cars, and more than a million miles of "enthusiastic" driving in vehicles that have almost exclusively been 2wd with a manual gearbox, I've bought a base car (a C4) with PDK. My car, and it works for me. Get what you like for your car.

jkwb

This seems to be the most well thought out response and answer. I ordered a C2S convertible and I live in New England. I figured many would say why not get a 4S, but I figured I could spend the money on a winter wheel and tire package that I saved on getting the 2 versus 4. Maybe I just won't really drive it in the brutal part of winter too. I ordered a manual because my winter car (a RS5) only comes as an auto now. Point is that everyone usually thinks their choices in depth and picks what works for them.

KCviper

Well said and agree 100%. It's great to have options. Just buy what you want and enjoy the drive!!

detansinn

Because the racing drivers who set these times and know the track have built their professional experience lapping it in RWD, due to class restrictions.

WhipE350

I have a 2017 CSS with SPASM/PDCC. I’ve driven the 992 C2S plenty but only recently the Base. I considered trading for the Base after driving it! My 17 is so fast I can rarely get above 12psi boost without being at crazy speeds. To me the 991.2 and 992 Base are the best kept secret. What I really liked on the 992 is the obvious wider front track and the engine clearly feels further forward. I love all the leather and goodies on my well spect’d 17 but I mainly go on group runs twice a month some after work back roads. A Base is looking looking better and better to me.

Question. The S and Base have the same engine. One has bigger Turbo. At 10psi boost aren’t they pulling the same with the same torque or is the bigger turbo pushing more air at the same PSI.

Thanks.

GratedWasabi

They're also tuned differently. The smaller turbos contribute but much of it is just "hey, let's make the base cars slower please".

alex2364

So professional drivers who’s only job is to get the fastest lap time, can’t get 100% out of a car because it’s AWD? That is the biggest bs I’ve heard in a while.

ipse dixit

I don't think anyone is saying that AWD is superior, merely different than RWD. At least that's what I am saying.

As to why Porsche generally chooses the RWD version of the Carrera to set each generation's 'Ring time, it probably has something to do with weight, or lack of it. It's the same reason, cabs and Targas are not used to set 'Ring times, be they 2WD or AWD.

rk-d

In the hands of a professional driver, the RWD cars are faster. The GT2RS is 300 lbs lighter than the TTS and the lack of AWD is a big part of that advantage. You have some drivetrain loss with AWD, but the tradeoff increase in traction is evidently not worth it. Don't forget, the GT2RS has monster downforce which aids substantially in traction at high speed - almost 1000 lbs of downforce!

I suspect the advantages of AWD are somewhat negated at high speed when you count in downforce, total curb weight, drivetrain, weight distribution and a talented driver that can exploit a pure race car.

The Carrera S steering is better than the 4S. It just is. It's a subtle difference and not enough to negate the advantages of the 4S - if you need AWD. But if AWD is superfluous - then the C2S is probably the better choice from a driver's standpoint. Doubt that translates into objective numbers on a track, but who really cares about that in a Carrera. It's about feel.

If I needed AWD, I'd get a 4S and not spend a second thinking about this. But, otherwise, the C2S is cheaper and feels better. My opinion anyway. Anyone in this place who can afford a $150k car is probably capable enough to form their own judgement.