Porsche 911
OUR PICK 745Le xDrive (£83,690)
THE enormous grille that characterises the facelifted 7 Series won’t be to all tastes, but the 745Le plug-in hybrid will appeal if you’re looking for an eco-focused limo.
This electrified Seven uses a 3.0-litre petrol straight six in place of the 2.0-litre in its predecessor and, combined with the electric motor, makes 389bhp, while the EV range is roughly 32 miles. There’s tech to match the S-Class, but it’s the powertrain and eco credentials that make this car worthwhile.
FOR Excellent efficiency combined with a peach of a petrol engine
AGAINST
A diesel will be more frugal if you don’t keep the battery topped up
AWARD WINNER
THE 911 is a performance icon, now into its eighth generation and 57th year. And this 992 model is the most sophisticated ever.
With every successive iteration the 911 has lost a little tactility and feel, gained a bit of weight, and sacrificed some delicacy, but what you can’t argue with is the tech now on offer.
The latest driver-assistance and infotainment systems make it more advanced than ever, but the car’s revised chassis (which uses aluminium more extensively) and 3.0-litre twin-turbo flatsix engine that kicks out 380bhp mean even the base-spec Carrera is very quick.
The eight-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic is the only transmission for now, yet the rearwheel-drive Carrera will do 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds. Go for the sports exhaust to unleash a little more growl from the engine, though.
The interior really is a step on, with a more cohesive layout. Quality is superb and, with a 2+2 layout and 132 litres of space in the nose, the Porsche is even quite practical for a sports car. Allied to a chassis that pairs ride quality and comfort with superb grip and agility, it’s easily the best performance car on sale today.
FOR Still the best performance car on sale, and now with even more comfort and tech; it’s a car that can be driven day in, day out
AGAINST Such a roster of talents doesn’t come cheap, while some of the delicacy of previous versions has been lost