New 911 is better than ever

The new 911 goes on sale next week and it has been subjected to the usual extensive design overhaul from Porsche.

Only joking - the latest 911 looks pretty much the same as the last one, save for slightly different lights and larger rear view mirrors.

Well you didn’t think Porsche was going to tinker with a design that’s been a great success for 45 years did you?

Oh - and it also now comes with LEDs along the bottom of the front headlamps which looks great, albeit in an Audi kind of way.

But there have been some important technological advances and, unusually for a car manufacturer, these are being introduced on the cheaper Carrera variants of the 911 - if you can call £70,000 cheap.

The biggest technical innovation is the arrival of the long-awaited double-clutch automatic gearbox - the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe - based on the system the Germans pioneered for their race cars way back in the 1980s.

It’s even more complicated in operation than it is to pronounce but essentially PDK comprises two transmission units which operate side by side.

Each has a wet, continuously-lubricated clutch: one controlling the uneven gear ratios (1,3,5,7 and reverse) and the other for the even gears (2,4,6). The top gear is an overdrive used for more economical motorway cruising.

When the clutch on one transmission opens, the other closes to enable a seamless, faster shift. Not only is the unit quicker than the old Porsche Tiptronic system, it’s also 10kg lighter.

Unlike rival manufacturers Porsche uses thumbshifter buttons set into the front of the steering wheel, instead of paddle shifters, to control gear changes.

You’ll need to factor in time to get used to the way these buttons work as it’s not completely intuitive - but once you get the hang of it you’ll experience searingly swift shifts and benefit from a car that is more economical as well as quicker than the manual version.

The new Carrera comes with a choice of six-cylinder power plant - each being around 6kg lighter than its predecessor. Both have direct fuel injection which sharpens throttle response.

The standard Carrera is equipped with 3.6 litre engine developing 345hp, while the Carrera S has a 3.8, putting out 385hp. The latter is good for nearly 190mph on a track.

Fuel consumption is better by 15 per cent and emissions by 17 per cent, meaning that the 911 no longer falls into the highest band for tax.

PDK is a £2,338 option and keen drivers may wish to complete the dynamic package with Sport Chrono Package Plus, featuring the excellent Launch Control feature, for £729.

This is every bit as exhilarating as it sounds and enables you to accelerate from rest to 62mph in 4.3 seconds -free from wheel spin. You have to floor the accelerator to engage it and the car does the rest.

Another option worth considering is race seats. They are supremely comfortable and supportive, if more difficult to get in and out of.

Other than that it’s your ‘usual’ 911: razor-sharp steering, phenomenal levels of grip and generally outstanding road manners.

It only seats two, of course, and will never be the most practical of choices - but few cars feel as light and nimble on the road as this.

At this price point in the market you can go down the Grand Tourer route (Maserati GranTurismo, Jag XK, Merc SL etc) or opt for something sharper and more driver-focused.

And they don’t come much sharper or more driver-focused than the new Porsche 911 Carrera.

Four new Porsche 911 Carrera models, two coupe’s and two cabriolets, are now on sale. The Carrera costs from £63,070. The Carrera S is from £70,360. Four-wheel drive cars will not be available until October.