Published:
9 July 2024I drove several new 911 variants on both road and track, and while I wouldn’t normally diarise it like this, I’d like to tackle them in the order that I drove them, because while any 911 in isolation is terrific, hopping from one to another shows notable differences.
My day starts on the road in a Targa 4 GTS with rear seats. It's as heavy as a new 911 can be, and you can tell. It has been a long time since I last drove a Targa, and while all of the 911 elements are still there, you’re aware of extra bulk, extra heft, like adding shopping to your bicycle. The new powertrain does a lot to make light of this in a straight line but can’t shake it off when cornering.
I arrive at Circuito Ascari and will have three sessions, and in the order I’d like: first in a Carrera, then a 4 GTS, then a GTS. All will be on track together and there’s a pace car to follow: a current Turbo driven by a hotshoe race driver.
I quickly think I’ve lost whatever little track driving ability I ever had. The new Carrera is expressive and joyful, more adjustable and lithe (it’s only 1520kg) than the Targa felt, but I can barely keep up with the GTSs and Turbo.
Wringing it out is lovely, mind you. You can adjust its attitude to understeer or oversteer with throttle and brake inputs, the steering is communicative and no other car melds rear-steer into the mix so deftly. It reminds me of the time Toyota let us drive a prototype GR Supra but had a GT86 on hand as a support car: brilliant as a way of showing that less is more but not strictly the idea of the exercise.
