APRIL 2012 (ISSUE 217)

Another big launch issue. This time it’s the 991 generation of the mighty 911 and with that comes something of a reponsibilty for a magazine that takes at least part of its name from Porsche’s legendary sports car.

Being hardcore motoring journo types, we of course took a base Carrrera 2, perched on passive suspension, for an extended three-day jaunt on some fave roads, before a compare and contrast with the 996 and 997 generation of 911s. The new car won our praise, but looking back at what we said then there was an underlying reserve that has, as time has progressed, come to dominate the view of the 991. After nearly 50-years of trying, Porsche had just about managed to iron out most of the rear-engined machine’s flaws and foibles. The 911 DNA was still there, but you had to dig mighty deep to access it. Progress of sorts, I guess.

We’re a broad church here at 911&PW, but even so a V8 engined 914 might have tested the faith of some on the mag. In those days it was ‘only a 914’ and fair game. Wouldn’t happen now, I don’t suppose.