Simply Abu Dhabi XXXV

“We never considered a mid-engined road car because one of the biggest advantages of the 911 is the extra interior space over our rivals. We have a more usable interior as well as excellent traction from the engine’s weight being placed directly above the rear wheels,” he said at the time. Having now sampled it, I can only agree. With overnight bags for two in the front boot and still an empty rear seat, we set off for the Autobahn and without the traction benefits of all-wheel drive, or the added weight that system carries, the engine over the rear wheels ensured all of its 445bhp went to the road smoothly. With 30bhp more than the previous model, the 992 Carrera S hauled through to 282km/h without white knuckles gripping a twitching steering wheel or wind gusts buffeting the car. It was as comfortable there as it was at 90km/h. Much of this has to do with a mass of new technology squeezed under its haunches such as the rear axle steering and active anti-roll bars which come at extra cost, as does the Sports Chrono package identified by black exhaust tips and carbon ceramic brakes that were fitted to the cars used for our track session in Leipzig. Aside from being the factory where Porsche’s Macan and Cayenne SUVs are made, Leipzig also has one of the best test tracks in the world that includes a wet handling course, off-road tracks and a 3.7km race track, which features famous corners from race tracks around the world. One lap includes the famous Karussell from the Nürburgring, Loews Hairpin at Monaco, the Bus Stop from Spa- Francorchamps, Monza’s historic Parabolica and the frightening Corkscrew from Laguna Seca in California, to name a few. While the Autobahn gave us the opportunity to unsuccessfully challenge its 308km/h top speed in the Cabriolet, this location allowed us to verify its 0- 100km/h time of 3.7 seconds and 3.5 seconds with the Sports Chrono package in the Coupe. It was here where we really noticed the extra grip in the front end from the wider track. It pointed like a go-kart and simply wouldn’t let go. I found that selecting the softer suspension mode allowed the tail to move around a bit so that on lift-off of the throttle, the weight change through fast corners set it up beautifully for the exit. Its balance and poise on the limit were absolutely superb, no doubt aided by a lot of electronic suspension gadgetry going on behind the scenes as well as its clever rear- wheel steering. Everyone deserves to drive a Porsche 911 at least once and they better get in quick as the extra 50kg placed on this car is there to support a future hybrid addition when the 911 will go electric to suit some markets.