997 S slower than 996 C2 ?

[roshambo]

I read the Autocar roadtest of the 997 S yesterday & was surprised to find while the 0-60 time tested by them is the same as the 996, the 0-100 & most importantly the 30-70 time is somewhat slower.
This is mentioned in the write-up & dismissed as being not enough difference to worry about.
Maybe it wasn't run in properly yet ?

I was surprised as the 996 is faster than the 993 by some margin, & Porsche's usually take a step forward in performance when a model is revised/replaced

Ro.

[Harris_I]

On a purely non-scientific basis, I have a sneaky suspicion that Porsche GB gave Autocar a "special" 996 C2.

(Because I struggled to get anywhere near their quoted times, and I've managed that with all other cars I've owned).

Anyone else felt the same way?

[simont]

not sure, yesterday evening we back to backed my mates 4s with a 997 s (dealer brought one around to play with as i put down my deposit on a june car).....

i reckon the top end of the 997 was slightly quicker to the red line..... but the lack of sports exhaust (997) did make it feel less dramatic... but there again the 4s felt more planted due to its 4wd, but i did enjoy the front end going light when powering out of a corner in the 997....and the steering felt more accurate ..... pasm was a great toy.....

i've gone totally off thread now... they are both different flavours of the best sports car ever, but in a straight line the 997 may have a little edge, but give me a 4s for the confidence to attack twisty country roads anyday....

[roshambo]

I would agree - I went from a C2 to a C4S & part of me was worried that I might lose some acceleration (same power, more weight)
In reality there is nothing in it straight line & as a mate can testify (who owns a C2) when the roads get twisty the C4S just walks away - a combination of more grip & more confidence from the car.

Ro.

[grant3]

Harris_I said:

On a purely non-scientific basis, I have a sneaky suspicion that Porsche GB gave Autocar a "special" 996 C2. (Because I struggled to get anywhere near their quoted times, and I've managed that with all other cars I've owned). Anyone else felt the same way?

Yup, maybe Autocar missed the powerkit on the options list!!

>> Edited by grant3 on Wednesday 13th October 14:11

[james_j]

roshambo said:

...when the roads get twisty the C4S just walks away - a combination of more grip & more confidence from the car... Ro.

That's interesting you say that, however, any performance version of the 911 series has always been a rear wheel drive - e.g. GT2, RS.

[roshambo]

I wouldn't have thought that the Autocar 996 had the powerkit on it....as I remember they had one of the first 996's straight off the production line (think they were the first mag to road test it) & wouldn't have thought the powerkit was developed or available then ? Might be wrong.
Thats not to say they didn't tweak it in some way. I must admit the performance figs on the 996 C2 are very very good.

I am sure the 360 Modena they tested was tweaked in some way - those performance figs (esp the 0-100) seem exceptional & un-repeated by other mags.

[abarber]

The original Autocar test was a german LHD suposedly production model. Seemed more of a first drive, should have been a 1 page report, rather than a proper road test. Not sure if they even used proper timing gear.

Going to book a drive in a 997S soon. I was expecting it to be a bit faster than a cooking 996, just like the 996 was a bit faster than the aircooled 993. I think the main difference in performance between the 996 and 993 is down to much shorter gearing, especially compared to the G20 993s

Alan.

[jjr1]

GT or whatever the Porsche mag is called has just done an article on the 996C4s and 997S in a track comparison and they say the 997 is a vast improvement in this area, particularly with regard to 'fun'