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Autocar review of the 991 Turbo S is mixed

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Old 08-29-2013, 10:29 AM
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Ronan
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Default Autocar review of the 991 Turbo S is mixed

http://www.germancarforum.com/commun...mp4-12c.49518/


Does not fill me with desire.....
Old 08-29-2013, 11:00 AM
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destro
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Thanks for posting that article, caught the video last night.

Porsche says that North American (USA) is one of its more important markets. When you look at what options people pick on the 997.2s you can see why this car is the way it is. I think for most of the buyers the Turbo is just a status symbol. Yet its discreet, and somewhat usable daily, unlike the McLaren.

When I bought my '10 997.2 S this spring, I only saw 3-5 997.2 (used) C2S' on the market in the US with an LSD and Sport Seats. I would do random 997.1 Turbo searches as well, and an LSD + Sport Seat equipped car was a unicorn. And they all came in gray tones or black.

So I am not surprised that the new turbo is silent, and softer. The 997.2 turbo has no exhaust note either, its all induction (sounds like a vacuum), it can't be the mechanical turbo configuration, it has to be sound tuning for the customer base. Its shame, especially when you hear the McLaren, heck even the Subaru WRX STi has a nice distinct TURBO exhaust note. But luckily there's 50 years of exciting cars to choose from.

Also with our speed limits and straight roads, the 991 turbo is a waste in north america.
Old 08-29-2013, 11:03 AM
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jumper5836
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How do you mess up on a 50 year old classic design, some one found a way too! That car will only every look good in black to hide it's awful hunches and intakes.
It could have been so much more better/lighter had they just taken a 991 tub and slapped in turbos and kept the old 997 intakes.
Old 08-29-2013, 11:22 AM
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P0rsch3F113
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Wow. Always preferred the naturally aspirated Porsches, but those engine specs and performance numbers are impressive - more so in that it compares favorably with the 12C!
Sadly, with the high end 991's, it appears that the technology now rules and they're not the driving experience Porsche is known for.
Old 08-29-2013, 08:18 PM
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pongobaz
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The thing with the 911 range, is that there is a flavour for every taste. The Turbo S offers just another menu choice that may or may not appeal to everyone. 911 Turbo models have always been a little more brash and in your face visually and not too subtle in the power delivery compared to the rest of the range; sledgehammer vs scalpel. The 991 is really no different than its predecessors.
While I can appreciate the sheer brutality of a turbo's power, I still prefer the linear acceleration of a normally aspirated engine.
Old 08-29-2013, 09:26 PM
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TurboS
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Originally Posted by Ronan
After driving the 12C, I feel the same way....
Eventhough it is blazingly fast, with hp numbers that are underrated.
Old 09-03-2013, 10:33 PM
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justinsrx7
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The Turbo has such an important place in the 911 history. The late 70's and 80's model put Porsche on the map and the lust for that car no matter what flaws continues today. Pretty amazing to have the same basic design for 50 years and for it still to be such an icon.
Old 09-04-2013, 12:08 AM
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TurboS
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Originally Posted by justinsrx7
The Turbo has such an important place in the 911 history. The late 70's and 80's model put Porsche on the map and the lust for that car no matter what flaws continues today. Pretty amazing to have the same basic design for 50 years and for it still to be such an icon.
I wonder if the older turbos felt like you were driving a Panamera or a GT?
997 was too plush, lacked excitement, new one is probably more of the same.

996TT Rulz!
Old 09-04-2013, 12:37 AM
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Knight
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With each generation it's quite typical your losing that mechanical, visceral feel, whether it be a Turbo, GT3, C2S etc.

We could see the progression from 930 to 964 to 993 to 996 etc. It is a shame though that the 991T has maybe taken it too far into this playstation generation. It sound like it's literally a luxury sports car now.
Old 09-04-2013, 08:58 AM
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theiceman
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I just dont see any of the modern Porsche Turbos ever reaching the iconic status of the 930.
They are way faster more refined and better in every sense of the word .. but when people conjur up thoughts of a landmark Porsche Turbo it is usually the 930 that comes to mind...
Old 09-04-2013, 09:06 AM
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justinsrx7
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I hear so many times from dealerships when I ask about the target market for a "new" turbo that it's a gentleman's car. Which I translate to mean by the time most people can afford that much money for a car, they are in there 50's and 60's and at that stage of life, they probably want luxury. Many of us on here buy these cars second hand and we will be the ones to have to deal with the less visceral and more luxurious sports cars.

The 930 was an unpredictable animal that was hard to drive at beat under full throttle as you never know when the boost was going to come on. The big joke was to step on the gas and make sure the car was pointed straight when the turbo lag wore off. We also had to deal with lift throttle oversteer which is now handled by computers.



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