Back to the present review + pics inside
Last Sunday I was invited for a test drive of the 997TT in the CERAM track, France.
It was a very nice event in a very nice complex. When we arrived we were picked up by a P. cayenne ; to drive us to the area cause the complex is big. There were several turbo waiting ;... The event was organized to form the staff of 4 dealership and for some customers.
My background:
First of all it is the first time I will buy such a supercar. So I do not have much experience with supercars. However, I had the chance to drive and to sit in some real nice supercars and other nice cars...
Last year I had Audi A3 3.2 (nice car BTW) I exchanged it for a Subaru Legacy wagon Spec B. (family car). I also own a Porsche 1973 2.7 RS see below (matching numbers) this is my first Porsche! Got it early 2005. And now the 997TT will join soon my garage.
Never had much track time but that will change w/the 997 TT.
The event:
The event took place in huge flat area where were disposed several workshop to show the potential of the car. The event lasted an hour my wife had the chance to do all work shop but without driving and also did the oval.
The car was a six speed with sport chrono and PCCB.
After the courteous greetings I sited in the passenger sit and the instructor drove off to the first workshop. He does it and then it was my turn to do it. This one was to show the stability of the car and how the electronics were affecting the behaviour of the car on an icy surface (it was special tiles soaked with water to simulate it.
All I can say very impressive with PSM on but when it is off you better know what you are doing. The car as tendency to over steer and the 4wd is discreet; the car drifts easily, easy to control too.
The second work shop was to test the stability at 120 km/h or 70 mph.
Staggering! He first does it and I remember saying to my self I have to do that that. At last it was easy to do it. This car gives so much confidence what a pleasure. Feel nimble.
The last thing we did the instructor took us on the ring a 3 km oval banked at the highest at 43*. It is 15 meters large. It is one of the nicest one in Europe. The instructor took me to 260 km/h around 160 mph. Never been in oval like this very impressive the car feel very stable we took 1.5 g -- wow! For info the carrera GT did 330 km/h and 2.0 g-force...
Guys it is a very nice car to drive, to look at. The car look stunning, pictures don't do justice to the car. The car feels light easy to control.
I hadn't had the time to make a judgement on the PASM not enough time.
The comfort is excellent.
PCCB the feel is awesome.
I liked the sound - Nice deep growl until turbines start to whisltle.
The Power is wow. Under full load there is very little lag. The storm starts really at 3000 RPM until redline. Quite impressive.
The handling stunning. Easy to control, feel light, razor sharp steering, amazing stability...
Gear box without short shifter is excellent. I can't imagine with the S.shifter.
All in all it is hell of a car don't listen naysayer -- this is a real supercar that it is easy to drive as well as a real beast - if you turn the electronics aid off. However, I have test driven the first turbo and I can tell you that this one come from a long way P. managed to improve so much the handling, even with Elec. aid off. I can tell you that my 2.7 RS is way harder to drive.
I must admit that the 2.7 RS distil more emotion because of noise, vibration, road noise, etc...But the 997 turbo distil way enough sensation for me (it not replace my old one), the engine sound is not as bad as I thought, the car transmits precise information to the driver and react very good to driver input. The car has a tendency to over steer, however, what cars with over 400 HP will not over steer if you press the gas pedal too early? With 2.7 RS you better watch out!
I love this car it fulfilled my (very high) expectations easily :):):);. Mr Jekyll and Mr Hide.
When is October why it isn't now???
PS: I didn't have the chance to drive a tip car; however, my sales guy told me I MUST go with manual tranny. Anyway I would have gone for a manual one!!