Photography by Cordero Studios
Driver's Notebook: Porshe 911 Carrera 4
April 1, 2006
Phyllis Diller once claimed that if she had any more face-lifts, she’d be
wearing a Vandyke. Like that seasoned comedienne, the venerable Porsche 911 has
seen decades of continued tucks and lifts, with the only Vandyke in evidence
being the one worn by the 911’s original designer, Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche.
Since then, the artistes from Stuttgart have improved–with surgical
precision–the world’s most recognized sports car, and it looks as good today as
it did 40 years ago. And like Ms. Diller, the 911 remains as unpretentious and
fun as ever.
From the comfortable seat behind the wheel, no other car on the planet
“feels” like a 911. The original 911, grossly underpowered by today’s standards
but weighing in at less than 2,400 pounds, was light, flickable, and fast.
Today’sP 911, technically known as the 997, is heavier–at almost 3,200
pounds–but more flickable and a whole lot faster. What continues to amaze is
how, over the course of four decades, the handling and performance have been
made exponentially better, yet the essential character of the 911 has been kept
intact.
All members of the latest Porsche 911 lineup are called Carrera, with a
bewildering number of iterations. The Carrera and the sportier, higher-powered
Carrera S are both available as a coupe or cabriolet, and all are rear-wheel
drive. The Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S, offered in both body styles, employ the
four-wheel-drive system that has converted many a 911 diehard into a Carrera 4
believer. The minor penalties of added weight and complexity are offset by
the handling and safety benefits accrued when all four wheels do the job of
driving, and a Carrera 4 destined for inclement weather will quickly demonstrate
its inherent advantages.
The newest family of Carreras offers the most luxurious interior
ever to trim a 911. Five-spoke wheels are elegant and lightweight. (Click images
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It works great in dry weather, too. Malibu, Calif., and the surrounding roads
and freeways played host to our red Carrera 4, which proved to be a pleasant
respite from some of the more finicky and exotic machines we have driven lately,
in which fundamental maneuvers involving driveways and lane changes were
white-knuckled experiences. The intuitive interior layout, ample front-end
clearance (unadorned Carreras are not equipped with a vulnerable front Aerokit),
and vast rear view through the giant backlight create a car that is a
stress-free joy to drive.
The engine in the Carrera 4 is the 3.6-liter, 325 hp version, down .2 liter
and 30 hp from the more potent Carrera S. Although the Porsche has never been
regarded as “overpowered,” performance has never been compromised either. But
times are changing, and with 400 hp as the baseline for most modern performance
cars–and 500-plus commonly on tap–the flat six powering the 911 is merely
adequate. The modest torque–273 ft lbs at 4,250 rpm–begs one to exploit the
gearbox, which theoretically is half the fun, but for the first time ever, I
find myself thinking that the upcoming Turbo with its extra juice may be just
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The wide rear fenders of the new 997–à la the 993–are back in style
and in full flare, after trimming down a bit in the previous 996 series. (Click
image to enlarge)
Two transmissions are offered in the Carrera world: a 6-speed manual and the
clutchless Tiptronic that has won the hearts of many Porsche drivers. Ours was a
standard six, which, unlike the butter-smooth box in the Carrera S we tested in
the past, was a bit rubbery and recalcitrant when shifted quickly and
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Really, any horsepower shortfall is compensated for by the Carrera’s
sparkling handling, suspension, and braking, attributes that can be appreciated
all the time–precisely those features that make 911 fanciers the most devoted of
all car nuts. But one does not need to be among the lunatic fringe to fall in
love, and folks who have eschewed the Carrera as a quirky footnote in the sports
car world really should test-drive a new 997. (Click image to enlarge)
I actually had an opportunity to relive my youth, when I was a lot smaller
and would ride in the provisional backseat of Dad’s 912. While taking three
friends to dinner in the Carrera 4, I graciously shoehorned myself into the back
and let a longtime 356 owner and his wife enjoy front row. I was grateful that
it was a short journey, as the seats barely qualify as such for an average-sized
adult male. Children and skinny little pole dancers should have no problem,
however, so the Carrera can legitimately be considered a four-seater, albeit a
selective one. Family men take note.
Although the base price for the Carrera 4 is $77,100, it is easy to turn one
into a six-figure, bespoke automobile. The doctors at Porsche will customize in
ways most other upscale manufacturers simply will not–from custom exterior
colors to wild interiors trimmed in leather with wood, carbon fiber, or
aluminum. Just don’t ask them to give the front end a cat face or do a hip
reduction on those beautiful, wide rear fenders. After all, the Carrera is still
a beauty after all these years. Successful plastic surgery, indeed.
Porsche
www.porsche.com
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