The Porsche 911 R has gone back to basics with a reassuringly traditional model that offers value, comfort and safety.
This sleek beauty has a naturally aspirated 4.0 litre engine, the same as the GT3 RS giving 493 bhp. Acceleration is marginally lower from 0-62mph at 3.7 seconds which is still fast enough to give you that wonderful lurch in your belly! The fixed rear wing has been swapped with Carrer’s retractable spoiler so allows for top speeds of 201mph.
It’s pretty lightweight at 1,1445kg and in fact the lightest in the range. All due to it’s carbon bonnet and plastic rear windows. It also has no rear seats or roll cage to weigh it down. It’s a very practical 911 for everyday drivers.
Both the body and the chassis are from the Gt3 although it’s been given a new rear diffuser and front lip spoiler as well as some stunning carbon fibre bucket seats – from the Spyder 918. These are trimmed with tartan which pays homage to the first 911 of the 1960’s.
The standard model comes with carbon ceramic brakes and aluminium wheels plus four wheel streeting. You can add sone some appealing extras however and treat yourself to a single mass flywheel for £2024 which seems a little steep but a nice addition.
This is definitely more an every day road car, albeit a a rather indulgent and tempting one. The dash is simple and caters for your basic needs. There are no wheel controls, satnav or stereo although of course you can opt to have these as extras. There are a couple of buttons to switch between modes or activate the sports exhaust and that is about as complicated as it gets. If you like simplicity this will be a breathe of fresh air for you.
Cruising in this is a pleasure. You can feel the tyres grip the road but won’t suffer any turbulence or an excess of noise or joltiness.
Porsche have done well with this new model and have realised the need for a practical road car that is not weighed down by overly complicated tech and unnecessary appendages!
