Jesus Christ Almighty Would You Look At That Bastard Go.
For the full article click here http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,12529-2280019_1,00.html
As a technical exercise, then, the 997 Turbo is hugely impressive. And yet I wouldn't buy one any more than I'd go on holiday this year to Baden-Baden.
Some of this is down to the styling. The Porsche Turbos from the late Seventies were pretty, almost dainty little things. And they were simple. The 997 is none of that. It is small compared with most supercars, but it doesn't look it, and it's been blunderbussed with trinketry.
Every panel, every small corner, every nook and every cranny is fussy and overdone. And on my test car the brake callipers were yellow. I'm sorry, but how complete does your life have to be for you to worry about the colour of your brake callipers? I know of no one apart from David Bowie who wakes every morning to think: "Hmm, I'm good-looking, rich, a rock star and crikey, I'm also married to a supermodel."
Inside there was a problem too. My car had the optional sports seats, which have electrically adjustable side supports. Fine, but even on their widest setting they're still too small for those who haven't seen their feet in a while. If you're not David Bowie, stick with the standard seats. They're fine.
The seats, however, and the brake callipers are only small reasons why I wouldn't have the 997 Turbo. It isn't even the Onanist City Boy image that still clings to the car. No, for me, I would steer clear for exactly the same reason you will not be taking your holidays in Dortmund. There's no passion.
Just last week I drove the new Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. It was, of course, a preposterous car, loud and shouty where the Porsche is smooth and unruffled. Jarring and stiff where the Porsche is comfortable and controlled. It isn't as fast as the Porsche either, despite being £33,000 more expensive. And yet the Lambo grabs you by the heart and the Porsche just doesn't.
Even though the 911 is the better car, by hundreds of miles, I'd buy the Gallardo. But then I'm a man who's having two holidays this summer. One in the Isle of Man. And one in Botswana.
Model
Porsche 911 Turbo
Engine type
3600cc, six cylinders
Power
473bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque
457 lb ft @ 1950rpm
Transmission
Six-speed manual
Fuel
22.1mpg (combined cycle)
CO²
307g/km
Acceleration
0-62mph: 3.9sec
Top speed
193mph
Price
£97,840
Rating
Verdict
Brilliant, efficient, German and dull
For the full article click here http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,12529-2280019_1,00.html
As a technical exercise, then, the 997 Turbo is hugely impressive. And yet I wouldn't buy one any more than I'd go on holiday this year to Baden-Baden.
Some of this is down to the styling. The Porsche Turbos from the late Seventies were pretty, almost dainty little things. And they were simple. The 997 is none of that. It is small compared with most supercars, but it doesn't look it, and it's been blunderbussed with trinketry.
Every panel, every small corner, every nook and every cranny is fussy and overdone. And on my test car the brake callipers were yellow. I'm sorry, but how complete does your life have to be for you to worry about the colour of your brake callipers? I know of no one apart from David Bowie who wakes every morning to think: "Hmm, I'm good-looking, rich, a rock star and crikey, I'm also married to a supermodel."
Inside there was a problem too. My car had the optional sports seats, which have electrically adjustable side supports. Fine, but even on their widest setting they're still too small for those who haven't seen their feet in a while. If you're not David Bowie, stick with the standard seats. They're fine.
The seats, however, and the brake callipers are only small reasons why I wouldn't have the 997 Turbo. It isn't even the Onanist City Boy image that still clings to the car. No, for me, I would steer clear for exactly the same reason you will not be taking your holidays in Dortmund. There's no passion.
Just last week I drove the new Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. It was, of course, a preposterous car, loud and shouty where the Porsche is smooth and unruffled. Jarring and stiff where the Porsche is comfortable and controlled. It isn't as fast as the Porsche either, despite being £33,000 more expensive. And yet the Lambo grabs you by the heart and the Porsche just doesn't.
Even though the 911 is the better car, by hundreds of miles, I'd buy the Gallardo. But then I'm a man who's having two holidays this summer. One in the Isle of Man. And one in Botswana.
Model
Porsche 911 Turbo
Engine type
3600cc, six cylinders
Power
473bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque
457 lb ft @ 1950rpm
Six-speed manual
Fuel
22.1mpg (combined cycle)
CO²
307g/km
Acceleration
0-62mph: 3.9sec
Top speed
193mph
Price
£97,840
Rating
Verdict
Brilliant, efficient, German and dull
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