NelsonF:
Wondering if there is a smaller gap in driving feel compared to the 996 and 997 variants of the cars. Granted awd turbo engine will feel different from rwd hi-rev n/a but given the very close track times, I'm wondering if the dynamics have changed significantly? I don't think that the new PDK, RWS and electronic steering would change the comparison. I realize that the TT/S on similar tires as the GT3 would likely be faster around the ring- or was this the same in the previous versions? It appears the TT/S is more track capable than with the previous versions.
I can only tell you about the difference between a 997 Turbo S and a 991 Turbo S: Wow, you cannot even compare these cars, the driving feel is completely different.
Where do I start?
1. The 997 Turbo S felt heavier (which is quite surprising, considering that it is actually lighter)
2. The 997 Turbo S steering felt less direct (less "connected", which is probably due to the AWD...Porsche adapted the steering feel on all 991 to be the same, 2WD or AWD).
3. The 997 Turbo S shows heavy understeer at the limit and you have to force the car into tight turns, the 991 Turbo S doesn't show a bit of understeer, the rear comes a little bit and this actually helps the car to turn in and achieve amazing curve speeds which were impossible with the 997 Turbo S (the rear axle steering makes a HUGE difference).
4. The 997 Turbo S is pretty tricky to drive with PSM turned off, the 991 Turbo S just keeps going, the rear "comes" easily (no surprises here) and the steering is extremely precise, the 991 Turbo S actually goes exactly where you want it to go, which was quite tricky with the 997 Turbo S at the limit.
5. The 997 Turbo S feels less comfortable (OK, this is something you don't want to hear but wait, there is more...), it actually shakes up and down in Sport Plus mode (sportiest PASM setting). The 991 Turbo S is different: You have the feeling of a very stiff setup, the steering is precise and very direct but the car doesn't actually move much up and down, the comfort, even in the stiffest PASM setting, is quite impressive. Don't get me wrong: The chassis feel is stiff, not soft at all but the car just doesn't move much up and down, it is difficult to explain but it really makes you faster because the "shaking" in the 997 Turbo S actually makes you slower because you have a more safe drive feel when driving in the 991 Turbo S.
According to "somebody" I talked, the new chassis/PDCC/PTM/rear axle steering setup is actually a "next generation setup", everything has been newly developed, this is not just an improvement. Everything is new and it feels that way, pretty impressive.
6. The new PCCB brake is also unbelievable, the setup is so good (larger discs, cooling improvements, etc.), if you think the 997 Turbo S PCCB brake was good, the 991 Turbo S PCCB is out of this world. The breaking power is just breathtaking, literally.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S (Sept. 2013), Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2013)