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June 25, 2008 http://www.thecarconnection.com/fullreview/porsche_911-carrera_2007

  TCC Team
TCC Team

Rare are the icons one can call to mind with a single word. For those pop fans, there are the likes of Madonna and Elvis (not Costello, sorry), and of course, Sinatra.

In the automotive world, the list is equally select, but certainly, Porsche is one that immediately paints a mental picture. Now, add a second word: Turbo, and the image becomes clear and vivid. Few cars are more iconic and more deeply desired, and the German automaker’s latest incarnation is likely only to enhance that reputation.

The car we took delivery of during a several-day stay up in northern New Yorkstarted out much like the basic 911 sports car, known to aficionados and insiders as the 997. But it didn’t take long to recognize the changes, some subtle, some bold, designed to deliver the maximum acceleration and grip possible from the latest 911 platform.

 

The body is wider, something most obvious around the flaring rear fenders. There are larger wheels and tires, the better to plant all that power. The Turbo gets a modified front spoiler, a split rear wing, an underfloor cover, and other wind-cheating touches. And there are positively massive air intakes designed to feed the hungry beast within. The Turbo maintains the normally-aspirated 911’s slick 0.31 coefficient of drag, even though there’s significantly more downforce, something very useful when you’re pushing the limits on track or Autobahn.

 

Track and street

 

To see what that means, we started out at the legendary Watkins Glen raceway, a track where Porsche posted some of its most glorious victories over the years. We had the chance to trace the original, 6.6-mile street route, where the first race was held in October 1948. But the real test came on the modern, closed course, a tough and demanding circuit made all the more difficult as the leaden sky began to spit a little rain.

Rare are the icons one can call to mind with a single word. For those pop fans, there are the likes of Madonna and Elvis (not Costello, sorry), and of course, Sinatra. In the automotive world, the list is equally select, but certainly, Porsche is one that immediately paints a mental picture. Now, add a second word: Turbo, and the image becomes clear and vivid. Few cars are more iconic and more deeply desired, and the German automaker’s latest incarnation is likely only to enhance that reputation. The car we took delivery of during a several-day stay up in northern New Yorkstarted out much like the basic 911 sports car, known to aficionados and insiders as the 997. But it didn’t take long to recognize the changes, some subtle, some bold, designed to deliver the maximum acceleration and grip possible from the latest 911 platform.   The body is wider, something most obvious around the flaring rear fenders. There are larger wheels and tires, the better to plant all that power. The Turbo gets a modified front spoiler, a split rear wing, an underfloor cover, and other wind-cheating touches. And there are positively massive air intakes designed to feed the hungry beast within. The Turbo maintains the normally-aspirated 911’s slick 0.31 coefficient of drag, even though there’s significantly more downforce, something very useful when you’re pushing the limits on track or Autobahn.   Track and street   To see what that means, we started out at the legendary Watkins Glen raceway, a track where Porsche posted some of its most glorious victories over the years. We had the chance to trace the original, 6.6-mile street route, where the first race was held in October 1948. But the real test came on the modern, closed course, a tough and demanding circuit made all the more difficult as the leaden sky began to spit a little rain. Rare are the icons one can call to mind with a single word. For those pop fans, there are the likes of Madonna and Elvis (not Costello, sorry), and of course, Sinatra. In the automotive world, the list is equally select, but certainly, Porsche is one that immediately paints a mental ...