Why has Porsche made no 991s available for road test?

[Ian_UK1]

I would have thought any manufacturer with a whizz-bang, super-shiny, all-conquering new product would want to create (even more) demand by having rave reviews appear in the press in advance of the launch. Does anyone else think it's strange that Porsche hasn't done this with the 991? (Or does Porsche never do this? - I can't remember if there were advance tests of previous models prior to launch).

Maybe this is a little cynical, but when I've seen manufacturers in other industries fail to make their new uber-product available for testing until after launch, it's often meant that the product didn't perform as anticipated and they didn't want to kill demand by getting rubbish reviews prior to launch.

Is Porsche hiding something...?

[Phooey]

Porsche were worried Manks would cancel his deposit

[wtdoom]

The majors have all driven it . The next bunch of mags all feature the 991 .

[cragswinter]

First drive in next months evo, they're usually a couple of weeks out of sync with the other monthly's so expect it in the usual suspects in the next few weeks.

[Manks]

Can someone please give me the heads up when they come across the first 991 review? If it's shocking I'll sell my place on the list to Phooey. OPC Leicester tells me he'll buy absolutely anything.

[Dr S]

Manks said:

Can someone please give me the heads up when they come across the first 991 review? If it's shocking I'll sell my place on the list to Phooey. OPC Leicester tells me he'll buy absolutely anything.

[Phooey]

Manks said:

OPC Leicester tells me he'll buy absolutely anything.

I'm hanging on for your 991 in 6 months time @ £70k

[NAS]

wtdoom said:

The majors have all driven it . The next bunch of mags all feature the 991 .

Yup. Same in Germany. Have seen already a few on the streets & Autobahns here.

[the hack]

I think the reason is that on the whole, 911's sell themselves and the Dealers don't really have to do much work.

A lot of people buying this all-new 911 have already made up their mind to buy one and a test-drive is unlikely to sway them one way or another, unless they were hoping for either a 964RS or Mercedes Maybach experience.

True 911 enthusiasts who have the money will want the newest incarnation. Wide-boy bankers spending their bonuses wouldn't really care how it drives. They're happy to step into a Porsche, Maserati or Ferrari depending on the size of their bonus.

[ttdan]

the hack said:

I think the reason is that on the whole, 911's sell themselves and the Dealers don't really have to do much work.

A lot of people buying this all-new 911 have already made up their mind to buy one and a test-drive is unlikely to sway them one way or another, unless they were hoping for either a 964RS or Mercedes Maybach experience.

True 911 enthusiasts who have the money will want the newest incarnation. Wide-boy bankers spending their bonuses wouldn't really care how it drives. They're happy to step into a Porsche, Maserati or Ferrari depending on the size of their bonus.

bitter, moi?

[the hack]

ttdan said:

the hack said:

I think the reason is that on the whole, 911's sell themselves and the Dealers don't really have to do much work.

A lot of people buying this all-new 911 have already made up their mind to buy one and a test-drive is unlikely to sway them one way or another, unless they were hoping for either a 964RS or Mercedes Maybach experience.

True 911 enthusiasts who have the money will want the newest incarnation. Wide-boy bankers spending their bonuses wouldn't really care how it drives. They're happy to step into a Porsche, Maserati or Ferrari depending on the size of their bonus.

bitter, moi?

Are you?? I'm just telling it like it is, with not a hint of judgement or envy. If I were paid a banker's bonus I'd be first in the queue for a new 991 Turbo!

[isuk]

The press launch drives are under way in California.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgLo3xggh1I&sns...

http://www.excellence-mag.com/of-note/first-drive-...

http://www.insideline.com/porsche/911/2012/2012-po...

[Ian_UK1]

From Insideline:

".... you'll find yourself wondering what Porsche did to the 911's once-sublime steering. Don't get us wrong: There's enough steering feel and weight to prudently guide the 911 at insane velocities. But this isn't the same feeling we're used to. Nor is it one we'd prefer".

NOT good news

[Tony 1234]

isuk said:

The press launch drives are under way in California.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgLo3xggh1I&sns...

http://www.excellence-mag.com/of-note/first-drive-...

http://www.insideline.com/porsche/911/2012/2012-po...

Thanks for that

[isuk]

And another..... http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111109/CARREVIEW...

[GuillaumeB]

Ian_UK1 said:

From Insideline:

".... you'll find yourself wondering what Porsche did to the 911's once-sublime steering. Don't get us wrong: There's enough steering feel and weight to prudently guide the 911 at insane velocities. But this isn't the same feeling we're used to. Nor is it one we'd prefer".

NOT good news

Why am I not surprised by this???!!!

[nickfrog]

the hack said:

True 911 enthusiasts who have the money will want the newest incarnation. Wide-boy bankers spending their bonuses wouldn't really care how it drives. They're happy to step into a Porsche, Maserati or Ferrari depending on the size of their bonus.

That's an extreme view. There might an entire population of enthusiasts in between who judge a car for its merits and also consider other worthy cars.
I've extremely rarely seen a modern 911 driven at more than 6/10th on the road anyway so it's largely irrelevant how it drives. It's essentially a lifestyle accessory for many buyers, whether it's bought by a "true enthusiast" or else. Which is a real shame but we leave in a world of high consumption where things need to be replaced frequently for no apparent reason.

Edited by nickfrog on Thursday 10th November 15:38

[s2000db]

Hmmm, the word 'numb' crops up a lot...

[wtdoom]

I dont need reviews to know what it will be like to be fair . It has ever been thus .
It will be faster from a to b and more competent an all rounder . Some will complain that it has lost some character , is too comfortable and the steering has lost some feel . There will be slightly more space inside .
I am just repeating every review from 911 to 964 to 993 to 996 to 997 . Why should this variant be any different ?

Edited by wtdoom on Thursday 10th November 15:54

[GuillaumeB]

wtdoom said:

I dont need reviews to know what it will be like . It has ever been thus .
It will be faster from a to b and more competent an all rounder . Some will complain that it has lost some character , is too comfortable and the steering has lost some feel .
I am just repeating every review from 911 to 964 to 993 to 996 to 997 . Why should this variant be any different ?

I intend to test drive it properly first. Having said that I believe that the steering is perhaps one of the most important elements in a 911 (in my opinion!) - it's why I went from a C2S 997.2 to a GTS.