A SWEETER 911 (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The improved 992.2-series version of Porsche's eighth generation 911 looks ideally packaged in this updated 480PS Carrera S form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 56

Porsche's 911 Carrera S gets a useful update in this 992.2 form, with a power upgrade to 480PS, an updated interior and a tougher 'Turbo'-like look. There's no engine electrification like you get further up the range, but you may not feel you need that and if you don't, a Carrera S is difficult to ignore.

Backgroundword count: 166

There's great debate about exactly what is the 'sweet spot' in Porsche 911 range. When the original version of the eighth generation 992-series design was first launched back in 2019, most agreed that the optimum buy-in point lay with the mid-range GTS variant. But that's adopted T-Hybrid power and become very expensive. So what about a 992-series 911 that's based on that old GTS, is pretty much as fast but adopts a lower price point? That's the thinking behind this improved 911 Carrera S. As part of the mid-term '992.2' facelift for this eighth generation 911, the Carrera S gets the updated interior and slightly smarter look as we've already seen on the 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera T models that sit just below this Carrera S in the range; and on the 911 Carrera GTS that sits just above it. But the key improvement with this 'S' is a 30PS power hike to 480PS. Is that enough to justify this car's now exalted price point?

Engines and Tech Specword count: 310

There's a 3.0-litre flat six plumbed-in out back - of course there is: this is a 911 after all. But in the Carrera S, it's now got 30PS more than it had before, putting out 480PS, which is enough in this 2WD model (if you've got the 'Sport Chrono Pack' fitted) to get you to 62mph in just 3.3s (0.4s faster than before) on the way to the same 191mph top speed as previously. So yes, it's as fast as you'd want, the power upgrade coming courtesy of new turbochargers and an 'extensively modified' cooling set-up. Crucially, peak pulling power is developed low in the rev range from just 1,700rpm, which should make it easy to tap into performance which is accessed via PDK paddleshift auto gearbox as usual boasting 8 speeds. You can't have a manual gearbox; unfortunately, that's reserved just for the lesser 394PS 911 Carrera T. Those seeking the 911's distinctive noise at high revs are promised a lofty (for a turbo motor) 7,500rpm redline and the 'typical sonorous Porsche flat-six engine sound'. Handling is typically immersive and as with the 394PS 911 Carrera, adaptive damping (or 'Porsche Active Suspension Management') is standard, as part of a now 'optimised' hydraulic damping set-up. Zuffenhausen also claims to have sharpened the steering to make the car even more direct through the turns. And there's an upgraded braking system borrowed from the GTS Hybrid, with 408mm front discs and 380mm discs at the rear, said to offer outstanding rates of stopping power. In addition, Porsche's Torque Vectoring Plus system (not available on the 911 Carrera) comes included for extra cornering traction. As before, there's a 'Wet mode' driving setting that senses the splatter or rain water in the wheel arches and then dials in appropriate settings for the engine, gearbox and safety systems at the same time as alerting you.

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