© Copyright 2024 - All Rights Reserved - SK Car Lounge Pvt. Ltd.
Designed & Developed by www.aivah.com
Designed & Developed by www.aivah.com
You'll know it by its shape and the familiar, hairdryer rasp of that whirring flat-six. The ignition switch remains just to the left of the steering column. And for the 2005 model year, Porsche 911 Carrera S will greet you with a modern rendition of the friendly face that made you love it in the beginning.Like it or not,
You’ll know it by its shape and the familiar, hairdryer rasp of that whirring flat-six. The ignition switch remains just to the left of the steering column. And for the 2005 model year, Porsche 911 Carrera S will greet you with a modern rendition of the friendly face that made you love it in the beginning.Like it or not, Porsche 911 Carrera S had to get past an air/oil-cooled powerplant.
The current 996-platformed cars, introduced for the 1999 model year with proper liquid cooling, accomplished that. More than 160,000 have been sold. We’ve tested every iteration and generally praised them. But that praise always came with a To-Do list attached: “Too much road rumble from the rear suspension.” “The front sheetmetal and interior designs resemble the Boxster’s.” “This Tiptronic sucks.” “Wish it looked more like the old one.”
The driving experience was memorable. What a way to close out the 2005 model year – driving a Porsche that is the essence of the German automaker’s high-performance art.
There are plenty of cars that have more horsepower than the tested Carrera S Cabriolet’s 355, but few make better use of them. Response from the 3.8-liter, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine was instantaneous. The Porsche easily breezed up the steepest inclines and made quick work of other autos in the short, Highway 50 passing zones between here and Lake Tahoe.
There’s a satisfying growl from the power plant, and its favorite tune came forth during hard accelerations. The engine seemed to hate slow start-ups, emitting an angry “whuputa, whuputa, whuputa” sound. You could almost hear it begging, “C’mon, let’s get moving!”
The sport-tuned, independent suspension was so finely tweaked that I was able to do things with the Porsche that I would never try on a sporty $50,000 coupe. The Porsche was monorail-solid on high-speed corners … not even a hint of a wiggle.
The Porsche 911 Carrera S downside of such fine tuning is feeling every bump and imperfection in the road. The nearly two-hour run up to Stateline felt like four hours on my tailbone and lower back.
Getting out of the low-slung car is interesting as well. At 6-feet-4-inches tall, I had to swing both legs up and over the side, then sit waiting for two arms to lift me up, like a quarterback expecting a little help from the linebacker who just flattened him.
Two models for 2005: 3.6-liter, 325-horsepower 911 Carrera and new 3.8-liter, 355-horsepower 911 Carrera S. Offered at launch in coupe body style only• All body panels except the roof are redesigned. Sharper lines, wider rear fenders, return to traditional ovoid headlights, aluminum front decklid, Porsche 911 Carrera S.
• Active damping system standard (PASM) on Carrera S, optional on Carrera.
• 18-inch wheels/tires now standard on Carrera; 19-inch on Carrera S
• Ceramic brake discs optional on both models
• Variable-ratio power rack-and-pinion steering standard on all Carreras
• Tire sealant and pump system replace spare tire and jack
Updated chassis is structurally stiffer; packs revised suspension, wider track, updated brakes, more use of high tech materials
For a car that broadcasts performance, the tested Porsche 911 Carrera S was nicely equipped inside. A high-end Bose audio system projected impressively above the engine noise and exterior sounds. And the climate-control system – sometimes undependable in the small confines of a convertible – worked admirably. It quickly cooled or heated – and maintained temperatures – as desired.
As for the two back seats, don’t go there. Unless you’re transporting miniature circus clowns who get out of those tiny cars in the center ring, the back seats are more suited for a small suitcase than two human beings.
This Porsche 911 Carrera S is what it is: a guilty pleasure. It’s an immensely enjoyable road-burner for those who can afford the fare.