Evolution 911 experience at PEC Silverstone
Discussion
As I'm on holiday for a couple of weeks I thought I'd treat myself to the Evolution 911 experience at Porsche's Silverstone Experience Centre. It was far from a cheap afternoon at c.£345 for 90 mins drive time but unfortunately I don't know anyone with a selection of 911s they'd like to let me drive. The cars, which I spent c.30 mins in each, were a Carrera 3.2, 993 Carrera and a new 991.2 Carrera S with the 3L turbo engine. All of them manual. Each session saw me driving an instructor round Porsche's small test track and also having a go on their 'ice hill' and kick plate. My reference point for all of this is my 996.2 Carrera 4.
First up was the Carrera 3.2. I'd say the first thing I noticed was the layout of the dash and pedals but it wasn't. The car had been sat in the sun all day so the first thing was how bloody hot it was inside! I hoped it had working aircon. It didn't. I started it up and let it settle for a minute while I acclimatised / started sweating. Off we set with me trying to find a gear somewhere in the box. I don't know what these (915 box?) are like when in tip top condition, which I'd suggest this wasn't, but this example was awfully vague. I was surprised every time I managed to change down from 3rd to 2nd. The engine lacked the torque I was used to in my 996 but as a package it was still fun.
Next up the move to the 993. Thankfully this did have some sort of working aircon. I was expecting the interior to be very similar to 3.2 but while everything was in the same place it felt much more like my 996. The similarities didn't end there. At idle it sounded much like the 3.2 but with your foot down it again reminded me more of my 996 but with more 'mechanical noise' than my water cooled flat 6. It also had the sort of torque that felt more familiar.
To steer the 993 was in a different league to the 3.2. In part I suspect the 3.2 was more than a bit tired rather this simply being the significant evolution of the underpinnings in the decade between the two cars. While the steering itself was lighter due to PAS (I presume) the feedback still felt very good. The brakes were also a huge upgrade, which was no bad thing given how much quicker I could drive it.
Finally moved on to the 991.2. When I booked I expected a 991.1 but was hoping it would be the new car so I could see what the turbocharged engine is like. First impression of the cockpit was 'buttons'. So many buttons. Thankfully amongst the many buttons it had cooling function for the seats. The interior, in comparison to 3.2, 993 and 996, is unsurprisingly a different world. A nice place to sit though.
To drive the 991 felt so much more disconnected than the other cars. On the tight little circuit it felt it's size but had surprising agility (instructor thinks it may have had rear wheel steering) and you could really chuck it around with confidence (and in my case all the driver AIDS on). It was quick too. Really quick. Foot down in second it would murder my 996 with ease and no hesitation. The car had the sports exhaust, which I'd say was entertaining for 5 mins but nothing more. I got a little fed up with the pops and crackles by the end.
Overall if I had to take a car home to drive for fun at the weekend it would be the 993. I'd love to drive it more and see if I prefer it to my 996.
Some other points I thought I'd add: I'm no great driver. I used to keep a reasonable pace on a track day but I haven't been on one for several years so I'm distinctly rusty. Porsche's 'driver consultant' passed on some very useful (and somewhat obvious in hindsight) tips that made me a much better driver during the session. Some extra time to build up confidence would really help too. The skid plate and ice hill were also eye opening. I was a classic case of overreacting and actually causing a bigger loss of control than would otherwise have occurred. Thankfully I did keep the 991 out of the gravel and barriers when I did get it badly wrong but they looked awfully close! Even at 20mph on the skid plate the difference between a steady throttle and small steering input vs lift off / floor the throttle and throw a ton of lock at it is something that will hopefully stick in the mind.
At the end of each session I was also give a passenger ride in each car. It's great to see how they drive with someone competent behind the wheel. I noticed in the 993 in particular it rolled a reasonable amount but could take the corners so much faster than I thought it could. The instructor turned all the driver AIDS off in the 991 and was really hanging it out in places. The pace of the img really was surprising. His only remake on the matter was that I should see the GT3 RS. Sadly that wasn't an offer
First up was the Carrera 3.2. I'd say the first thing I noticed was the layout of the dash and pedals but it wasn't. The car had been sat in the sun all day so the first thing was how bloody hot it was inside! I hoped it had working aircon. It didn't. I started it up and let it settle for a minute while I acclimatised / started sweating. Off we set with me trying to find a gear somewhere in the box. I don't know what these (915 box?) are like when in tip top condition, which I'd suggest this wasn't, but this example was awfully vague. I was surprised every time I managed to change down from 3rd to 2nd. The engine lacked the torque I was used to in my 996 but as a package it was still fun.
Next up the move to the 993. Thankfully this did have some sort of working aircon. I was expecting the interior to be very similar to 3.2 but while everything was in the same place it felt much more like my 996. The similarities didn't end there. At idle it sounded much like the 3.2 but with your foot down it again reminded me more of my 996 but with more 'mechanical noise' than my water cooled flat 6. It also had the sort of torque that felt more familiar.
To steer the 993 was in a different league to the 3.2. In part I suspect the 3.2 was more than a bit tired rather this simply being the significant evolution of the underpinnings in the decade between the two cars. While the steering itself was lighter due to PAS (I presume) the feedback still felt very good. The brakes were also a huge upgrade, which was no bad thing given how much quicker I could drive it.
Finally moved on to the 991.2. When I booked I expected a 991.1 but was hoping it would be the new car so I could see what the turbocharged engine is like. First impression of the cockpit was 'buttons'. So many buttons. Thankfully amongst the many buttons it had cooling function for the seats. The interior, in comparison to 3.2, 993 and 996, is unsurprisingly a different world. A nice place to sit though.
To drive the 991 felt so much more disconnected than the other cars. On the tight little circuit it felt it's size but had surprising agility (instructor thinks it may have had rear wheel steering) and you could really chuck it around with confidence (and in my case all the driver AIDS on). It was quick too. Really quick. Foot down in second it would murder my 996 with ease and no hesitation. The car had the sports exhaust, which I'd say was entertaining for 5 mins but nothing more. I got a little fed up with the pops and crackles by the end.
Overall if I had to take a car home to drive for fun at the weekend it would be the 993. I'd love to drive it more and see if I prefer it to my 996.
Some other points I thought I'd add: I'm no great driver. I used to keep a reasonable pace on a track day but I haven't been on one for several years so I'm distinctly rusty. Porsche's 'driver consultant' passed on some very useful (and somewhat obvious in hindsight) tips that made me a much better driver during the session. Some extra time to build up confidence would really help too. The skid plate and ice hill were also eye opening. I was a classic case of overreacting and actually causing a bigger loss of control than would otherwise have occurred. Thankfully I did keep the 991 out of the gravel and barriers when I did get it badly wrong but they looked awfully close! Even at 20mph on the skid plate the difference between a steady throttle and small steering input vs lift off / floor the throttle and throw a ton of lock at it is something that will hopefully stick in the mind.
At the end of each session I was also give a passenger ride in each car. It's great to see how they drive with someone competent behind the wheel. I noticed in the 993 in particular it rolled a reasonable amount but could take the corners so much faster than I thought it could. The instructor turned all the driver AIDS off in the 991 and was really hanging it out in places. The pace of the img really was surprising. His only remake on the matter was that I should see the GT3 RS. Sadly that wasn't an offer
10 yrs time everyone will eulogise the 996 as the sweet spot in 911s from a drivers perspective. Nice blend of power and handling. Did any of them apart from the GT and turbo models have more robust trouble free engines. I've seen lots of threads owners have started about their engines failing.
That's a real shame that they provide such a duff example...I'd drop them a line and see what they say.
I am off to the PEC with my car in a couple of weeks on a PCGB 997 register day...I did one earlier in the year. £180 (ish) for 90 mins in your own car. I think it's pretty decent value given 1 one 1 instruction the whole time. I asked the instructor to drive a couple of laps which was great (and an eye opener!).
I am off to the PEC with my car in a couple of weeks on a PCGB 997 register day...I did one earlier in the year. £180 (ish) for 90 mins in your own car. I think it's pretty decent value given 1 one 1 instruction the whole time. I asked the instructor to drive a couple of laps which was great (and an eye opener!).
What do 993 Carreras go for these days? Whatever it is I don't think you're getting good value for money vs a 996 in a similar condition. Looks, the air cooled heritage, availability etc are a different matter and in fairness the real price driver.
The problem for me now is I want to drive a really early car, a 964 and a 997.2 to fill in the gaps! Then GT cars and Turbos. Slippery slop. I really want to see what a 991.2 Turbo S PDK is like for acceleration too. Must be eye popping.
The problem for me now is I want to drive a really early car, a 964 and a 997.2 to fill in the gaps! Then GT cars and Turbos. Slippery slop. I really want to see what a 991.2 Turbo S PDK is like for acceleration too. Must be eye popping.
Interesting comparisons. I spent a morning there, earlier this year, driving the exact same 991.2 which I really enjoyed. The kick plate, ice hill and low friction circuit were tremendous fun. On the track, I wasn't getting the thing anywhere near the limits the instructor did, but it was still enjoyable.
Getting back into the 996 was sort of a relief; the new dash is too busy for my tastes and reminded me or Mrs Digga's Evoque more than a sports car.
Getting back into the 996 was sort of a relief; the new dash is too busy for my tastes and reminded me or Mrs Digga's Evoque more than a sports car.
My instructor had all the cars, but the 991 in particular, hanging out round half the circuit! I was very impressed.
The ice hill and kick plate were really useful. As with many people my automatic reactions were to waaay over compensate for the back end kicking out and cause a bigger spin. Still got it spectacularly wrong in all the cars though.
The ice hill and kick plate were really useful. As with many people my automatic reactions were to waaay over compensate for the back end kicking out and cause a bigger spin. Still got it spectacularly wrong in all the cars though.
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