Sport Auto Supertest: Porsche 997 Carrera S

[st-anger]

NS:

the 997S is nearly capable to reach lap times of the 996TT or GT3 due to its outstanding sport suspension kit.
superiour agility and engine paired with perfect handling and driving safety with no understeering in slow bends and evil oversteering in faster corners are resulting in a 8:05 lap time - TOP!!!


HHR:

extremely neutral handling only at the very last limit the rear needs a quick hand good reactions but everything remains very smooth and controllable. with the optional sport suspension kit the "S" is 1.3 sec faster than with the PASM suspension - mainly due to the useage of a diff-lock that comes standard with the sport kit - so perfect traction is ensured, the steering is very light but provides a very good feel.


accl./braking:

main reason for the good times is the optional and reworked PCCB and the diff-lock


aerodynamics:

extremely low cw value with only 0.27...
very big step forward, only at autobahn when speed exceeds 250kmh the steering is getting a bit too light and straight running behaviour could be better...


max. lat. g´s:

the special Michelin with the Porsche designation N1 is one of the best tyres ever on a 911 with an outstanding performance although beeing a street tyre and no semi slick as Pilot Sport Cup or Dunlop Super Sport...


36m slalom:

unbelievable result beating the GT and CSL and beeing equally fast as a CLK DTM - and all this with street tires. this shows the enourmous potential of the 997´s suspension and steering. HvS only noticed that these speeds are only possible under load so that no load cycle changes can irritate the line...


110m evasion test:

turn-in behaviour is again superb, absolutely no worries at the back end when turning in fast and hard, when driven too fast one can easily catch the rear, the car´s limit is again pushed up a bit but is now also definitely wider so that the driver could react better and won´t loose the car - so definitely an improvement to the 996...


wet handling:

beeing that good in the dry one could expect the 997 to do worse in the wet but also on slippery pavement the performance is outstanding, again the tires, the diff lock and reworked brakes are helping a lot here with traction and wet-braking behaviour on top level. nevertheless the limit in the wet is a bit different than in the dry, the very high grip limit is resulting in a kinda sharp traction loss - but again - everything very controllable due to the perfect setup of the suspension...


conclusion:

for the performance orientated owner the 1500euros for the sport suspension is a definite MUST HAVE option...
for HvS truly the best modern 911...





...haven´t had much time for a better translation but did my best, sorry...

[twboy1999]

thanx for the translation

[|Nuno|]

Already seen the numbers, but not the text. Thanks alot for the scan and the translation st-anger.

Impressive performance both on the NS and Hockenheim, but it's the braking and the slalom speeds that impress me the most, even tough you can't really compare it to the other cars, since the test wasn't made under the same circumstances...

I have to say tough that I was actualy expecting a better time round the NS (not that this wasn't good, very far from it in fact) since Rhorl already achieved a 7:59 with this setup if I'm not mistaken... Round Hockenheim, on the other hand, it was better than I tought it would be.

Oh...only if it was prettier... Anyway, another great Porsche.

And I agree with Horst von Sauma, the -20mm and LSD option is definitely a must, if you don't mind a little less confort.

[yg60m]

Thanks a lot st-anger , for both the scan and the translation that's enough to understand the article. The sport suspension was judged too hard for road use by a french magazine (Flat 6) but they said the same : it is for those who wants to use their 997 on the track ...

[SPEEDKILLAR]

Thanks, great article, and what a machine, the most amazing was the slalom part :shock:

That shows the great potential of this cars, it does exactly what the driver wants, quite amazing, this is a real grippy monster, can't imagine how it will be with even better tyres :shock: :shock: :shock:

[Just_me]

Thanks St-anger


What car next time?

[st-anger]

Originally Posted by Just_me Thanks St-anger What car next time?

no info yet in the mag...

[crayzayjay]

Thanks for the article & translation mate

[st-anger]

Originally Posted by st-anger Originally Posted by Just_me Thanks St-anger What car next time? no info yet in the mag...

it´ll be the Renault Megane Sport Trophy - "Sport Auto" edition....

[komotar]

Any news on the enzo test?!?

Thx for the article 8)

[st-anger]

Originally Posted by komotar Any news on the enzo test?!? Thx for the article 8)

no problem....

about the Enzo test - well i think this´ll be the best kept secret this summer at SA and i sestimate that we´ll see it in late summer - but again IF we´ll see it because it´s not sure that HvS will actually get an Enzo from Ferrari... :roll:

time´ll tell...

[komotar]

Originally Posted by st-anger Originally Posted by komotar Any news on the enzo test?!? Thx for the article 8) no problem.... about the Enzo test - well i think this´ll be the best kept secret this summer at SA and i sestimate that we´ll see it in late summer - but again IF we´ll see it because it´s not sure that HvS will actually get an Enzo from Ferrari... :roll: time´ll tell...

Thx man.

I enjoy Sport Auto very much. I often buy it, but sometimes I'm only interested in the big tests and that is the time these scans come in very handy. 8)

I hope the Enzo does well and that the thing gets published.

[Just_me]

Originally Posted by st-anger Originally Posted by st-anger Originally Posted by Just_me Thanks St-anger What car next time? no info yet in the mag... it´ll be the Renault Megane Sport Trophy - "Sport Auto" edition....

Its a shame. I want to see Supertest CLS555.
We seen a lot Of Benz lately, why not CLS55? Any info?

[lakatu]

Thanks st-anger for the scan but especially for the translation . It was really nice to be able to get a sense of the test results. I was especially interested in HvS’s summary. So I tried to type the German into two different translation websites. Here are their translations along with the original German. Maybe some that knows German could indicate which translation is more precise or could provide a little better translation based on the website's version.

Also amazing the difference the sport suspension makes on HHR 1.3 seconds is a incredible :shock: .

If there a good compromise is then is called it Carrera s however with sport package. Parallel to standard pasm fahwerk offered, in view of comprehensive packages quite inexpensive alternative open on impressive and very more inspiring the wise window to the engine haven. It is arises the Carrera S, based on the remarkable GT3 or R-S the variants, so reservedly and civilian that nobody must show with the finger. Moderate setting lower and the thick, yellow monobloc saddles behind the 19 Zoellern belonging to the sport package were allowed to signal to the connoisseur however clearly: heir is a specialist at the work. The bezaubernden fahrdyamischen qualities leave stood around nearly forgotten that the travelling comfort pasm the chassis in the appropriate attitude offer in this surrounding field are noticeably reduced however on also with long strreckenbetrieb still acceptable level. The grandiose double-piston engine moves anyhow in this professional surrounding field as impressively as never in consciousness the fascinated crew.

If it a good compromise gives is named then it Carrera s however with sport package. That parallel to the standard pasm fahwerk offered, in view of the comprehensive packages quite low-priced alternative the window to the motoring opens on impressive and very enthusing wise. At the same time that is appears the Carrera S, measured by the noticeable GT3 or RS variants, so reservedly and civilly that no one must show with the finger. The moderate tieferlegung and the thick, yellow monobloc saddles behind the Zöllern belonging 19 to the sport package unambiguously were allowed to signal the connoisseur however: heir is a specialist at the work. The charming fahrdyamischen qualities let almost forgotten offers is the circumstance that the load comfort the pasm load work in the corresponding attitude in this background noticeably reduced to be sure on a level always yet acceptable also in the long strreckenbetrieb to that. The grandiose boxer motor never moves fascinated in any case garrison in this professional background so impressively like into the consciousness of that.

Wenn es einen guten kompromiss gibt dann heißt er Carrera s aber mit sport paket. Die parallel zum serienmäßigen pasm fahwerk angebotene, angesichts des umfassenden packages recht preiswerte alternative eröffnet auf eindrucksvolle und sehr begeisternder weise das fenster zum motorsport.

Dabei ist der auftritt des Carrera S, gemessen an den auffälligen GT3 oder RS varianten, so zurückhaltend und zivil, dass niemand mit dem finger zeigen muss. Die moderate tieferlegung und die dicken, gelben monobloc sättel hinter den zum Sportpaket gehörenden 19 Zöllern durften dem kenner jedoch eindeutig signalisieren: heir ist ein spezialist am werk.

Die bezaubernden fahrdyamischen qualitäten lassen den umstand fast vergessen dass der fahrkomfort den das pasm fahrwerk in der entsprechenden einstellung bietet in diesem umfeld spürbar reduziert ist allerdings auf ein auch beim lang strreckenbetrieb immer noch akzeptables niveau. Der grandiose boxermotor rückt jedenfalls in diesem professionellen umfeld so eindrucksvoll wie nie ins bewusstsein der faszinierten besatzung.

[st-anger]

Originally Posted by lakatu Thanks st-anger for the scan but especially for the translation . It was really nice to be able to get a sense of the test results. I was especially interested in HvS’s summary. So I tried to type the German into two different translation websites. Here are their translations along with the original German. Maybe some that knows German could indicate which translation is more precise or could provide a little better translation based on the website's version. Also amazing the difference the sport suspension makes on HHR 1.3 seconds is a incredible :shock: . If there a good compromise is then is called it Carrera s however with sport package. Parallel to standard pasm fahwerk offered, in view of comprehensive packages quite inexpensive alternative open on impressive and very more inspiring the wise window to the engine haven. It is arises the Carrera S, based on the remarkable GT3 or R-S the variants, so reservedly and civilian that nobody must show with the finger. Moderate setting lower and the thick, yellow monobloc saddles behind the 19 Zoellern belonging to the sport package were allowed to signal to the connoisseur however clearly: heir is a specialist at the work. The bezaubernden fahrdyamischen qualities leave stood around nearly forgotten that the travelling comfort pasm the chassis in the appropriate attitude offer in this surrounding field are noticeably reduced however on also with long strreckenbetrieb still acceptable level. The grandiose double-piston engine moves anyhow in this professional surrounding field as impressively as never in consciousness the fascinated crew. If it a good compromise gives is named then it Carrera s however with sport package. That parallel to the standard pasm fahwerk offered, in view of the comprehensive packages quite low-priced alternative the window to the motoring opens on impressive and very enthusing wise. At the same time that is appears the Carrera S, measured by the noticeable GT3 or RS variants, so reservedly and civilly that no one must show with the finger. The moderate tieferlegung and the thick, yellow monobloc saddles behind the Zöllern belonging 19 to the sport package unambiguously were allowed to signal the connoisseur however: heir is a specialist at the work. The charming fahrdyamischen qualities let almost forgotten offers is the circumstance that the load comfort the pasm load work in the corresponding attitude in this background noticeably reduced to be sure on a level always yet acceptable also in the long strreckenbetrieb to that. The grandiose boxer motor never moves fascinated in any case garrison in this professional background so impressively like into the consciousness of that. Wenn es einen guten kompromiss gibt dann heißt er Carrera s aber mit sport paket. Die parallel zum serienmäßigen pasm fahwerk angebotene, angesichts des umfassenden packages recht preiswerte alternative eröffnet auf eindrucksvolle und sehr begeisternder weise das fenster zum motorsport. Dabei ist der auftritt des Carrera S, gemessen an den auffälligen GT3 oder RS varianten, so zurückhaltend und zivil, dass niemand mit dem finger zeigen muss. Die moderate tieferlegung und die dicken, gelben monobloc sättel hinter den zum Sportpaket gehörenden 19 Zöllern durften dem kenner jedoch eindeutig signalisieren: heir ist ein spezialist am werk. Die bezaubernden fahrdyamischen qualitäten lassen den umstand fast vergessen dass der fahrkomfort den das pasm fahrwerk in der entsprechenden einstellung bietet in diesem umfeld spürbar reduziert ist allerdings auf ein auch beim lang strreckenbetrieb immer noch akzeptables niveau. Der grandiose boxermotor rückt jedenfalls in diesem professionellen umfeld so eindrucksvoll wie nie ins bewusstsein der faszinierten besatzung.

had a quick try and translated it with my - sometimes kinda poor - english:

if there´s a good compromise than it has to be the 997 S – however with sport package.
the parallel to the standard PASM suspension offered - in view of the comprehensive package kinda cheap alternative - opens impressively the window to motorsport

but at the same time the overall appearance of the 997S, measured by the eye-catching GT3 or RS variants, is so restraining and civilised, that no one has to point a finger at it…
the moderate lowering and the thick, yellow monoblock callipers behind the, to the sport kit belonging, 19” wheels are however a clear signal to the connoisseur: here´s a specialist at work…

the outstanding handling qualities however oversubscribe the sporty driving comfort of the PASM suspension a bit but nevertheless the driving comfort is definitely acceptable even on longer travels.
the outstanding flat six engine moves in any case as good as never into the consciousness of the fascinated crew in this professional surroundings.

...first translation of u is imo a bit better but choose yourself...