Text By Rich Fatuzzo
Hoehn Porsche could not have picked a more perfect day than Saturday, February 4th, for the unveiling of the 2012 Porsche 911, called the 991. Under bright skies, over 200 Porsche-loving people, including 120 PCA-SDR Club members, with some families and friends, were able to thoroughly enjoy and take full advantage of an excellent, catered tech session provided by Hoehn Porsche at their Carlsbad facility. Matt O’Berry, Hoehn Porsche’s Service Manager, presented the all-new design of the 991, with expert assistance from Tony Pichardo, a Master Service Technician. Shortly after the session, Club members could view the undercarriage of the new 991 and see “up close and personal” Porsche’s engineering excellence, and how this vehicle’s construction differs from its predecessors.
However, before the tech session began, upon arrival, Hoehn Porsche attendees were able to view six club member cars that showed the evolution of the 911. The line-up included: Al Schlegel’s 1970 911T; Dennis Pugliese’s 1986 911 Carrera; Hamid Bahramzadeh’s 1991 C2; Gabriel Simion’s 1998 993 C2S; Michael and Karen Arleo’s 1999 996, and Randy Pickering’s 2007 997S. For displaying their vehicles, Hoehn Porsche’s General Manager, Tom Browne, Sales Manager Sean Conner, and Service Manager, Matt O’Berry, gave each of these PCA-SDR members a collectors item 1:43 scale chromed 991. Next to these club members cars was the all new 911 Carrera S, beautifully displayed by Ceri and Sabrina, two Porsche Cars of North America (PCNA) associates. In addition, many other Club member cars were also available for viewing on the Hoehn Porsche site and on the adjacent street.
So what makes this new 911, so special? Well, since the 911’s debut in 1963, this Porsche model has gone through extensive re-engineering, but has always retained its 911 character and Porsche’s sport car tradition over six previous generations. It is the first completely new 911 in 15 years. This 991 is not only more fuel efficient, with a cleaner burning 3.4L boxer six-cylinder engine, but lighter by almost 130 lbs. over last year’s 997 base model. This is mainly due to bigger and better use of aluminum alloys that are incorporated into a stronger, higher strength steel frame achieving 25% better torsion rigidity. For Porsche driving and racing enthusiasts, it’s faster. The base 991 Carrera generates 350hp with 288 lb.-ft. torque at 5,600rpm, and can go from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds (4.6 sec. with PDK option), while achieving a top track speed of 180mph. The 991 CarreraS with its 3.8L engine is stronger yet, yielding 400hp with 325 lb.-ft. at 5,600rpm, goes 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds (4.3 sec. w/ PDK), with a top speed of 189mph, or about the same time it takes to say doppelkupplungsgetriebe, the German word for PDK.
Matt’s PowerPoint presentation stressed a number of additional unique innovations for these 991 models such as: the availability of a speed-sensitive electromagnetic power steering with no hydraulic components; an engine drive belt system with an idler mode; and an auto start/stop system which eliminates unnecessary idling, thus saving fuel consumption and lowering emissions and noise levels at stops. Mr. O’Berry also highlighted such other 991 improvements as dynamic engine mounts in the Sport Chrono package option, enhanced Porsche vehicle torque vectoring for improved turn-in ability and increased agility on sharp curves, and better thermal energy management. The latter allows the engine and transmission to achieve optimum operating temperatures quicker, using less fuel with lower friction coefficients. This increases overall performance and even eliminates the extra weight and need for underbody air intakes.
All 991 models have been more effectively aerodynamically designed with a slightly lower roofline, but more importantly, a wider front and rear wheel track (46mm to 52mm, Carrera to Carrera S, respectively). The wheelbase is also now 100mm longer (about 4 inches). This gives passengers greater rear legroom. With the improved wheelbase, track width, and roofline, the center of gravity of these 991 models are also lower, so there is better stability at higher than normal speeds, especially during severe cornering.
A new seven-speed manual transmission is standard, but you can order the seven-speed dual clutch automated manual (PDK), which is slightly faster in its overall speed and shift changes, as previously referenced in this article. To raise the level of driving excitement and racing efficiency even further, many prospective Porsche owners will probably order their 991s with the upgraded Sport Chrono Plus package.
The rear spoiler has also increased in size from 898mm to 1137mm, and is now engineered as a completely separate component and not part of the engine lid.
With respect to the interior, it’s roomer and the new, well-organized center console has design similarities to both the new Panamera and Cayenne models. The center console position is ergonomically mounted higher, thereby reducing the distance from the steer- Tech Session Showcases 991 ing wheel to the shifter, more like contemporary racecars, or even the 2004-5 Carrera GT models. The console also sports a high-resolution 4.6” full-color LCD display monitor, and a phenomenal Burmester Surround Sound System is available for the most discriminating audiophile.
As far as lighting, all of the 991s are equipped with Bi-Xenon headlights as standard equipment, and include LED daytime running lights, as well as LED turn signals. An optional lighting choice is the Porsche Dynamic Light System that includes special cornering lights with multiple lighting mode functions for outback country road conditions, poorly lit roadways, and adverse weather situations. In addition, all rear light functions have LED lights giving quicker braking response times. Brake lights also flash automatically under hard braking and emergency flash lights will come on at hard stops.
Starting base price for the Carrera is around $83,000 and the Carrera S, $98,000. There are a few more standard options on both models this year, but with many additional popular sport and custom features, you could look at adding $5,000 and up to $20,000.
But this tech session wasn’t just all about statistics. The pure enjoyment of appreciating this new 911 came to those that test-drove the 991. Over 100 public attendees, including 60 PCA-SDR members eagerly took advantage of this offer. My opportunity came a few days later on Monday, February 6, when I was allowed some additional quality seat time with Roger Wood, Hoehn Porsche Sales Associate, to put an all black 2012 991 Carrera S to the test. And, to put it mildly, I was thoroughly impressed.
First, I noticed how quiet this 991 seems upon startups and at stops, but don’t be fooled. The 991 had cheetah-like acceleration in the PDK mode, even without the Sport Chrono function engaged, and a sweet throaty sound different than what I was used to, but that throatier sound and lower bass-like tone increased when engaging Sport Chrono. I also experienced very tight and responsive shift movements throughout the seven-speed PDK mode. I also love the tight steering and overall handling of this 991 at low, moderate and high speeds, especially on tighter curves, which to me felt more like a well-balanced mid-engine vehicle and not a rear engine 3.8L 911. I believe that this feeling was probably more due to this 911 model’s wider track and longer wheelbase than anything else. As always, I think the braking on all Porsche models is the best in the industry, and this 991 is no exception. Well, I could go on and on about this 991 and I am sure that many of our Club members who test-drove the 991 have their own superlative comments. If you didn’t get a chance to test-drive the 991 at Hoehn, go soon to their dealership or other local California dealerships near you, because these 991s won’t remain on the showroom floors for long.
A very gracious thank you goes to PCA-SDR members Jim Binford and Martin Lipp for helping to set up this tech session; to all those Club members displaying their 911s; to John Bell, manning the membership table to recruit new members; to all the Board members and the general PCA-SDR membership who attended; but especially to all the Hoehn Porsche staff who made this event an overwhelming success!
