Porsche 911 Carrera S.DANIEL ROLAND/AFP / Getty Images
What is it?
While Porsche has been forcefully inducing its engines in turbo models for a long time, the new 911 still represents a sea change – the days of the naturally aspirated 911 are over. The 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S are equipped with turbochargers.
Signature feature
A new "Sport Response" button automatically builds pressure in the turbochargers, cues the most aggressive throttle mapping, and selects the optimal gear (PDK-equipped versions only) to trigger maximum acceleration for 20 seconds.
What else is new?
A seven-inch capacitive touchscreen incorporates Apple Carplay for the first time. On the Carrera S, an active rear-wheel steering system is now an option. All the many mechanical changes are covered by a mildly revised exterior design with new headlights, new air intakes, a redesigned rear deck lid and new taillights.
Under the hood
In the new 911 Carrera, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre flat-six replaces the old, un-boosted 3.4-litre flat-six. Despite its smaller volumetric displacement, the new engine delivers a 20-horsepower boost to 370 hp. The 911 Carrera S utilizes the same twin-turbo engine, but larger compressors, a different exhaust system and other internal changes combine to deliver 420 hp; this car's previous 3.8-litre flat-six generated a measly 400 markers. Torque for both turbo engines is up even more dramatically.
When can we buy it, and for how much?
The 2016 Porsche 911 arrives on Canadian soil in the first quarter of 2016. The Carrera Coupe will start at $102,200, while the Carrera S Coupe strikes the balance sheet at $118,200.
Cool quotient
4 stars (out of five)
When was the last time a new 911 wasn't cool?