The 2019 Porsche 911’s performance is perfect regardless of how much you spend.
That applies to base cars, turbo cars, GTS cars—whatever. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
The outgoing 911 offers more variants than the incoming car, which arrives in the summer. That’s typical Porsche, but Carrera and Carrera S shoppers should know that an updated powertrain is on the way soon.
The 2019 911 is available in base, S, GTS, Turbo, Turbo S, GT3, and GT2 power configurations that range from 370 to 690 hp. The common thread: They’re all flat-6 engines placed rearward of the back tires. Most configurations offer a 7-speed manual transmission and all offer a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. All-wheel drive is available on most cars.
The base Carrera and Carrera T offers 370 hp and 331 pound-feet of torque from their turbocharged flat-6 engines that propels the cars up to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds. From there Carrera S models boast 420 hp and sprint up to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds when equipped with the automatic transmission, which Porsche calls PDK. (Don’t ask us what it stands for, it’s 21 letters long.)
The Carrera GTS offers 450 hp and active exhaust (among other goodies) that pipes in Porsche’s six-piece orchestra well.
From there, the Porsche Turbo and Turbo S send the power output to the troposphere with 540 and 580 hp, respectively, from their 3.8-liter turbocharged flat-6s. Those versions are PDK only, but no less fun. They sprint up to 60 mph in around three seconds, but it’s their long-legged speed and comfort that makes them superlative grand touring cars.
Harder, quicker Porsches are available, too.
The GT3 is a race-ready, naturally aspirated champion with its 3.8-liter flat-6. (GT3 Touring models skip the rear wing, if that’s your thing.) The GT2’s turbocharged, 690-hp flat-6 gets all the honorifics: it’s a relative bargain at roughly $300,000 compared to the million-dollar hypercars it can compete with.
Predictably, all 911s are a thrill to drive, and despite the recent move toward turbochargers for most of the range (there are turbo Porsches and Porsche Turbos), there’s no hint of lag.
The 911s superb steering is carried throughout, too. Every car can tuck into a corner, regardless of who’s driving, and carry speed all the way to the next one. It’s thrilling and intoxicating. Active roll bars keep the 911 flat through the worst we’ve thrown at the sports cars.
Despite the 911’s capability on the track or in the twisties, it’s also comfortable and quiet on long-distance drives. (Well, most of them without “GT” affixed to their names.)
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