Sophistication & Performance

Porsche maintain a long sophisticated and progressive history. They have steadily evolved on the adage of ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’. Each new generation of 911 sees such a subtle shape change. People say they all look the same, maybe but look closer and you see the subtle changes that make the differences to this remarkable car. The 911 to date comes in 21 slightly different forms and all are such a pleasure but it goes to show that people want this car. 

I took a trip into Dubai to collect the keys of the 2015 Porsche Carrera GTS Coupe’ from Porsche Middle East. The key in the form of the car was placed into my pocket; you see the key is not needed to start the car. Simply have it on your person and the car will detect the key for starting. Anyway, the car was sat in its finest Carmine Red suit waiting for its run of the UAE’s roads.

The 911 is a smooth operator. You see a toned, muscular body but unlike those that wish to wear very little in the gym or don a tight vest, puff up their chests and grunt, the GTS like any 911 is seen discreetly getting on with the task of exercising. Wearing a pressed t-shirt and maintaining composure with every rep, making sure that all movement is optimised. The result is well defined shape, without the veins trying to push through the skin. In short every curve has been tailored to optimise the drive and handling without shouting about it. There are no sudden direction changes in the body and all aspects of the car look part of the car. Just gazing at the car you feel mature and you feel quietly confident that you are a somebody.

Getting into the GTS is a pleasure. Doors are long and it’s relatively easy to slide into the seat. Once in again the car is subtle and not shouting at you. Gorgeous Alcantara furnishes the dashboard, the doors, the roof lining and the seats and is brought together with the GTS signature tone Carmine Red thread. Further embroidered GTS marks in red are seen on the headrests and the rev counter that proudly sits centre stage of the dials. Seats are an electrically adjustable option and have kept a similar style to many 911 of the past. A comfortable driving position is very easy to attain and for a GT a journey of any length could even have your gran step out as sprightly as a teenager. 

The distinctive shape of the 911 allows for those 6ft plus to travel and drive in comfort, unless of course trying to get into the rear seats. The interior combines the feeling of business and pleasure. Instinctively you know that you can save it for the weekend track days and simply but casually enjoy the car for your daily commute into work, all while sat in luxury. 

The GTS has been given 430 hp and a 7 speed PDK transmission (Which is German ‘Porsche Doppel Kupplung’ in English ‘Porsche Double Clutch’). The 3.8 litre water cooled six-cylinder flat boxer direct injection engine supply’s you with 440Nm of torque, which is ready at the push of the accelerator to be transferred through the 20 inch Turbo S wheels and finest rubber to the tarmac of choice.
I start the car and the engine purrs its historic soft spoken tone. Evolving images of Ferdinand Porsche’s legendary 993 roadster came into vision. I turned the stereo off reversed from parking and drove casually onto the highways of Dubai enjoying the tone of the engine and the feeling that that alone gave. 

Further driving meant enjoying more of the driver functions and there was one that ensures that track days would be amazing, the ‘Sport Plus’ button. Press it and it increases the rev range, increases the exhaust flow for that little extra music and the suspension firms that little bit more. On the public roads there are limits but find a quiet camel free stretch and you can go some way to feeling the performance and handling of this refined machine. I love to sit in a low position and be at one with the car when I drive and it helped with feeling the GTS. Straight bursts of acceleration are so composed, no dancing when driving over imperfections in the road. Seamless gear changes optimising every rev available and I love the steering button shift. Changing gear has been thought about. Push with the heel of your thumb (front of steering wheel) to go up the gear and push with your fingers (rear of the steering wheel) to drop down. If one hand is busy with another function of the car then with this function placed both left and right of the steering wheel, you have so much more control. The Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control assists the GTS in taking the corners as if rails were laid, with very little if any correction of the steering. What’s amazing is all this is coming from the traditional boxer engine that sits at the back of the car defying logic. Anything your physics teacher ever taught you has been challenged. With an engine behind the rear wheels you would expect some under-steer, maybe a car that would spin if to apply the power hard but no, Porsche have mastered this configuration. The balance of the car is amazing. The 911 installs confidence like that of any great life coach, encouraging you to think and be positive. Push the accelerator and between the sound and the feel in motion the car is telling you there is plenty more, while at the same time saying ‘if you’re happy then cruise’. You are free to be as progressive as you wish; it doesn’t draw the red mist. This is a mature man’s sports car and there is no Road Rage button here.

This is without doubt a car that can be enjoyed every day. Practical for your everyday responsibilities and commuting to work and a dynamic driver’s car when it pleases you. It has a nostalgic ambiance to it, with its historic sound and feel and you must admit it’s handsome. You can see why Ladies and Gents across the world like the unique style, sophistication, performance and presence of the 911.