Now for some first driving impressions: I did close to 650 km over the weekend, mostly twisty country roads while the balance on the Autobahn to cover some ground to the twisties more rapid.
Engine: as the small turbos spool up a bit faster as in the bigger turboed GTS (my reference point for the 991.2), the engine's responsiveness feels even more "NA" as in the GTS - very nice Same goes if you lift your right foot (which of course you should never do anyway in the first place ) Though as I am still breaking in the car I can't yet tell what happens > 4k rpm or > 0.7 bar boost. Having said that I am already sure that I do not need more engine on any twisty country road (I prefer a flow there rather than a point & shoot driving style). For Autobahn driving I reserve my opinion for after break-in - anyway it was kind of funny that you can break in the car with a cruising speed of 235 km/h still complying with the break-in rules thanks to the long geared 7th gear
Gearbox: As low end torque pushes the car nicely forward at country road speed I actually have to hurry up with upshifting (at least as long as I don't push beyond 4k rpm) so that I do actually grab the shifter more often as in the 3.8 NA Spyder - sounds strange, doesn't it ? And here comes the 7 manual gear box into play: I absolutely love it It does not feel as mechanical as in the 997 GT3 or in the 981 Spyder but nontheless super precise
It took me 200 km or so to get familiar with 5-6-7 and retour but once you've got the hack of it it works like a charm
Steering: compared to the very first version of the electronically assisted steering (991.1 and 981) the actual version is much better providing much more feel and information on what the front axle is doing (not as telepathic as in the 997 GT3 but still very fine)
SPASM: also here the system actually feels more "analogue" or natural compared to the early PASM versions (SPASM in the T actually reminds me a bit of the -20mm analogue sport suspension in the 997.1): the car does not show any understeering at turn-in at spirited yet not overdoing speed and really zooms quite neutral through corners. As my memory of a prolonged test drive in a 991.2 GTS Cab (RWD, PDK) is rather fresh yet I'd definitely say the T corners better and more planted (probably due to both SPASM - which is not available for the Cab and due to lower weight - which is also not available for the Cab ). As I am still in break in mode familiarising myself with the car I didn't try any crazy thing in the corners, and the dog stayed relaxed at 0.8 g Highspeed cornering at the Autobahn (well, only for those regarding 235 km/h as highspeed already..) is superb as the car is so super planted and provides tons of confidence - maybe the T will even make me regain a little bit the fun in Autobahn driving which I lost somewhat over the last couple of years...
Engine Sound/Exhaust Sound: coming from a 997 GT3 and 981 Spyder I may skip this chapter.....nooo, just kidding of course Actually no big surprises here after having driven the 991.2 GTS cars - good for me that I can open the Pano roof letting in a bit more sound (in Sport mode the burbles, in Sport+ more of the turbo twitter ) Anyway the sound is so much nicer compared to the 4-pot noise and the Mrs. already stated that she'll prefer the T to any other car for weekend trips or long distance trips.
Fuel Economy: exactly 11 l/100 km seems o.k. to me and should be 3-4 L less as with the 981Spyder at similar speed.
Pano Roof/Sound System+: the roof works like a charm and adds nicely to the experience up to about 130 km/h (must have for the Mrs who hates aircon on longer trips but also does not like to lower the side windos).The sound system actually is better than the BOSE in the Boxster but I don't care much of music in a car anyway.
Racing Yellow and T-Interior: we have been a bit hesitant to order a P in Racing Yellow as we already have a Porsche with pop paint, but I must say the RY together with the somwhat retro T interior in yellow is just very very nice - looks much better IRL compared to pics though
Love the view of the Racing Yellow reflecting in the Agate mirror cap Car needs a wash now
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Daily Driver 991 Carrera T (June 2018), Canyon Carver 981 Spyder, Track Machine 997 GT3