Evolving Again
by Jim McCauley (07 Jul 04)

Round headlamps are back in style on the 911, as the latest evolution returns to the traditional separate unit layout with auxiliary lamps back in the bumper. Forty years on, careful sculpting of the body shape once again refreshes the car without eroding its unique silhouette - a reminder that when it comes to maintaining perfection, time does not stand still.

And that perfection has also evolved in the car's dynamics, with the choice of two power units and the first-time appearance in the 911 of an electronically controlled suspension system.

The reworked body styling runs wider than before to accommodate a wider track, and with 80% of the car being all-new, only the 3.6-litre engine and supporting frame are retained from the current 996 model. As fitted to the 911 Carrera this engine develops 325bhp and 272lb/ft of torque, while the new 3.8-litre unit in the Carrera S produces 355bhp with 294lb/ft. Both models come with a newly developed six-speed manual transmission, and a five-speed Tiptronic is optional.

A full leather interior will greet UK customers when right-hand drive cars arrive here in September, with improved front seats - electrical adjustment on both - and a steering column adjustable for reach and rake.

Starting from rest, a generous throttle sweep is required in the lower gears to get the car up to speed, but once in the higher gears and into the optimum torque band, the slightest movement is enough for the engine to make an instant response. While the S had the clear edge at high speeds on German autobahn routes, a different story emerges on fast B roads.

Here the gap narrows between the 3.6 and 3.8 S when, with generous use of the standard six-speed transmissions and both models' inherent agility, the 3.6 delivers equal enjoyment. In raw terms the standard Carrera posts a 0-62mph time of 5.0 seconds against the 4.8 seconds of the Carrera S, and even when pushing on to 100mph, the Carrera S has only a 0.3 second advantage at 10.7. However, the gap begins to widen at higher speeds. On crossing 125mph from rest the Carrera S has a full one-second advantage at 16.5 seconds, and it is the in-gear uptake that sets the S apart on the autobahn.

Gearshift movement has been reduced on the latest models, providing a short, precise throw between ratios. Internally the transmission features stronger synchronising rings to deal with higher loads, and the ratios have all been reduced by 5% to take account of the larger wheels.

The five-speed Tiptronic option offers relaxed gear changes in automatic mode but sharper responses in manual. Manual changes are made on the thumb rocker switches on the upper spokes of the steering wheel, which offer a neater solution than behind-the-wheel paddles.

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