Very strict traffic laws, speed cameras at every junction and on every highway, land transport authority (LTA) officers cruising the streets itchy to issue summons, this is Singapore. Home to many supercars and specialist sports car, it seems a waste to buy, own and drive a really fast car in Singapore. However there is saving grace, the many Malaysian open highways and village roads under less watchful eyes of the law. So, we are in Singapore to get to know the latest Porsche supercar, the 911, on the streets of Singapore.
At Porsche, innovations and developments that have proved themselves under extreme racing conditions always benefit production models, too. Testing in motorsport in particular ensures the performance and resilience of new engines for production sports cars. In the development of charged six-cylinder flat engines Porsche can therefore look back on more than 40 years’ experience. For example, turbocharging with a bypass valve was first used in 1972 in the 917/10 racing car before entering series production two years later in 1974 in the first 911 Turbo. In 1974 charge air cooling was also first introduced in the 917/10. In 1977 this technology then celebrated its premiere in the 911 Turbo 3.3. Further milestones in the development of turbo engines include sequential turbocharging with two consecutive chargers (for the first time in the super car 959), bi-turbo charging with two parallel chargers (for the first time in the 911 Turbo, type 993) and adjustable intake valves (for the first time in the 911 Turbo, type 996).
The 911 has been the world’s best-selling sports car for decades. Now this new generation 911 has arrived to further extend this lead. With innovative turbo flat engines, an advanced chassis with an even greater spread between performance and comfort and a new infotainment system it is exceedingly well-equipped for this. Thanks to more than four decades of experience with turbo engines, in both motor racing and production sports cars, the new engines in the new 911 Carrera set benchmarks in terms of performance, driving pleasure and efficiency. The rear-axle steering available as an option for the Carrera models for the first time further greatly extends the range of driving dynamics.
Many exterior features of the 911 Carrera have been visually refined: these range from new headlights with four-point daytime running lights to door handles without recess covers, a redesigned rear lid with vertical louvres and new rear lights, including the characteristic four-point brake lights. In the interior the new standard Porsche Communication Management with a multi-touch display offers a considerably expanded range of functions and greatly simplified operation.
New turbocharged engines
The completely new engine generation with bi-turbo charging raises the emotional driving pleasure in the 911 Carrera to an even more intensive experience: 370hp of power at the rear of the 911 Carrera is waiting to be unleashed and converted into sporty propulsion. The engine in the 911 Carrera S now delivers 420hp. In both cases this represents a power increase of 20hp. Both engines have a displacement of just three liters lower yearly road tax and lower fuel consumption. But let’s be real here, which Porsche buyer is concerned about road tax and fuel sipping. You buy a Perodua for that!
The greater power of the 911 Carrera S results from turbochargers with modified compressors, a specific exhaust system and tuned engine management.
The new Porsche engines are characterised by significantly increased torque (60Nm in each case) with maximum torque of 450Nm and 500Nm respectively delivered constantly from a low 1,700 rpm up to 5,000 rpm in both cases, thus ensuring excellent driving performance. At the same time with a maximum speed of 7,500 rpm the new engine generation clearly exceeds the top speeds of conventional turbo engines underscored by the typical sonorous Porsche engine sound.
City feel and function
Singapore has very well maintained roads and highways with no potholes, well defined speed bumps and tree lined neighborhood streets. All just great for driving a supercar with ultra-low profile tires and a sporty front lip. Driving this 911 around the CBD area got hardly any attention from the pedestrians even with its bright paint work as there are so many supercars already on the road. Still we managed to pull some high revs on the highway before hitting the speed limit and did some traffic light 0-50km/h runs to feel the surge of power from the new engine and its turbocharger. But the best experience came from the well-executed cabin and very comfortable drive in heavy CBD traffic conditions.
Everyday supercar
Yes, this all new 911 will remain the best everyday supercar and the only supercar that you will be able to drive to the race track, do some fun fast laps and drive back home without your dashboard cluster lighting up like a Christmas tree.
Porsche 911 Carrera Specifications
Engine: Flat-6 Vario-Cam bi-turbo
Capacity: 2981cc
Gearbox: 7-speed Semi-automatic PDK
Max power: 370bhp @ 6500rpm
Max torque: 450Nm @ 1700-5000rpm
Top Speed: 295km/h
0-100 km/h: 4.6 secs – 4.2 with Sport Plus & PDK
Price: From RM870,000.00
Porsche 911 Carrera ‘S’ Specifications
Engine: Flat-6 Vario-Cam
Capacity: 2981cc
Gearbox: 7-speed Semi-automatic PDK
Max power: 420bhp @ 6500rpm
Max torque: 500Nm @ 1700-5000rpm
Top Speed: 308km/h
0-100 km/h: 4.1 secs – 3.9 secs with Sport Plus & PDK
Price: From RM970,000.00
