Review: Porsche Carrera 4S 992
Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
When Porsche reveals a new 911 model, car enthusiasts around the world hold their breath. You may not be fond of the Panamera or dislike the Cayenne, but the 911? Everyone wants a 911. It’s an object of cult status, which is why, despite seemingly subtle changes, each time the flagship Porsche model gains a slightly different character. However, one thing always remains unchanged—the engine is mounted on the wrong side. This solution intrigues me a lot. It results in mass distribution that forces a completely different driving technique compared to other sports cars, and when handled with a steady hand, it reveals its advantages.
In the 992 generation, the front track width was widened in every version to eliminate the understeer that had previously occurred due to the unloaded front axle. The problem hasn’t been completely eliminated (in the 4S version), but it is noticeably reduced compared to the 997 generation, which I had the opportunity to drive on the track.
Interior
Upon taking the driver's seat, I immediately noticed the excellent driving position, which isn’t easy to find in many sports cars—especially for tall people. While the seat is very comfortable, unfortunately, it doesn’t provide lateral support adequate for the power and G-forces generated by the car. If you plan to take full advantage of the power lurking in the 911, it’s worth configuring it with the optional deeper seat.
The second thing that stands out is the mediocre quality of the materials used for the interior finish. While driving on rougher roads, to my surprise, I heard squeaking plastic noises coming from the dashboard—something that, in my opinion, is unacceptable in a car of this class.
When I was looking through the onboard computer for options to connect my phone or personalize the driving mode, I found it to be not very intuitive and requiring some adjustment to operate efficiently. Although some of the knobs and buttons have disappeared from the interior, Porsche replaced them with displays and touch-sensitive elements. Fortunately, the interior hasn’t lost the typical 911 character.
Handling
After turning the "ignition" placed on the left side of the steering wheel, the brilliant 6-cylinder boxer engine comes to life. The Carrera S is equipped with an extremely competent powertrain. The best all-wheel drive system I've ever experienced and a gearbox that knows no hesitation, reacting to commands in a fraction of a second, are just the beginning of its advantages.
The turbocharged engine features a complete absence of turbo lag—its response to the throttle is almost identical to that of a naturally aspirated engine. This is undoubtedly the best-tuned turbo system I’ve ever encountered. The engine revs high and provides a constant, linearly increasing power across the entire rev range.
The brutal acceleration shifts your perception, and you start looking much further ahead than usual—as if on a racetrack. After all, the new 4S has 450 horsepower and 530 Nm of torque. This allows the car to catapult to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds.
The engine sound is iconic, resembling the tone of the GT3 Cup inside, but with the added whistle of the turbochargers and, when easing off the throttle, the sound of the wastegate valves releasing the excess pressure that’s been rapidly built up.
However, the 4S isn’t only good at accelerating. The fantastic, cast-iron brakes with excellent modulation seem built for hard braking from high speeds. Their effectiveness is only truly felt under heavy loads.
The suspension tuning is also a legendary element of Porsche. Prototype cars complete hundreds of laps on the northern loop of the Nürburgring, and you can definitely feel that in the driving experience. The dampers confidently absorb bumps while maintaining maximum traction and stability on the driving line, making the 911 not only a very capable but also a very safe sports car.
Summary
Porsche has once again created the perfect car for enthusiasts, one that performs excellently in everyday use. The comfort of driving and the incredible efficiency of the car contribute to what the 911 has always done best. It will provide immense driving pleasure not only on the track but also on a journey to southern Europe. By choosing the 4S, you get a design that has been refined over 60 years, but most importantly, a true sports car packed with the latest technological advancements. All of this is wrapped in the iconic body, which will forever remain a motoring legend.
