Panoply of Porsche
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Some days, of course, were never meant to end.
Like this one. A clear-blue spring gem in the rolling, wooded surroundings of Barber Motorsports Park.
On the menu, five of Porsche’s finest: for the appetizer (but far more than what a French restaurant would term an amuse bouche), a base Cayman in red. Next, a zesty al fresco Boxster S of startling yellow.
Then the real meat – a red 911 Targa 4S and a titanium grey 911 Turbo; and for the kind of dessert that creates instant addiction, a white 911 GT3.
The occasion: reacquainting members of the motoring media with key elements of the current lineup.
Could I attend? Well sir, yes, I could probably find the time!
When Porsche introduced the Cayenne five years ago there were purists who were horrified that an SUV would now wear the famous badge.
I was at that launch, at this same superb facility (which was just nearing completion), and had no reservations that the Cayenne was indeed a worthy Porsche. It has been a roaring sales success and recently benefited from a makeover.
I don’t know if any Porschephiles still feel hurt, but the current sports car crop should leave no doubts about what business the company is in.
The Barber track is a tight, challenging 2.38 miles (about 3.8 kilometres) with 16 turns.
Each of these cars deserves more space (and more laps!), and all are either new or updated for 2007, but here we go ...
The mid-engine Cayman is based closely on the Boxster, and similarly comes in base and S versions. Our car today has a 2.7-litre ‘boxer’ six-cylinder of 245 hp and 201 lb.-ft. of torque peaking between 4,600 and 6,000 rpm, with a five-speed manual transmission. The specs for a Cayman S mirror those of the Boxster S we’ll address next.
The engine now has Porsche’s VarioCam Plus for freer revving, lower emissions, fatter torque curve and better fuel numbers. Zero to 100 km/h takes 6.1 seconds, with a top speed of 258 km/h and a remarkable highway mileage rating of 6.8 L/100 km or 42 mpg.
The coupe body imbues the Cayman with stiffness that the open-top Boxster cannot attain.
Coupled with the mid-engine, the result is rare balance and poise. It can be driven quickly and easily, and instills enormous confidence.
Step up to the Boxster S and the newly specced 3.4-litre engine is quickly evident. Power is now 295 hp with 251 lb.-ft. of torque in the same rev band as the smaller unit. Brakes are larger, and there’s a sixth gear to play with, though mostly this track needs third and fourth.
The turns come up faster, there is ample oomph out of the dips and hollows, and that ’Bama sunshine feels sooo good. I would sing Oh Suzanna but: a) she certainly is not crying for me today; and b) racer/instructor Kees Nierop would tell me to pull over.
The 100 km/h sprint takes just 5.1 seconds and it feels like it.
Settle into any 911 and you enter the icon. This is what people think of when they hear “Porsche.” The Targa 4S is the first targa-top all-wheel drive Porsche, and is just about the Porsche for all seasons.
The unique roof is made of glass panels for a panoramic view, slides open for that wind-in-your-hair thing, and repels heat and UV rays.
Further, there is hatchback-style access to a decent cargo compartment behind the rear seats. The back perches aren’t large, but they are there.
Power? Plenty, thanks. The 4S has a 3.8-litre boxer unit of 355 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. Our car has the six-speed manual, but this package works very well with the optional Tiptronic system.
Zero to 100 km/h is 4.7 seconds and 160 races up in 11.1.
Quick indeed, and it eats up the track as if on rails. Response is excellent, as is the traction level, comfort, and ambience.
Still grinning, we climb into the 911 Turbo and the world starts to warp. Aided by variable turbine geometry and twin turbos, the sixth generation of what the company calls its “everyday supercar” blurts out 480 hp. More importantly there is 460 lb.-ft. of zoom between 1,950 and 5,000 rpm, all figures substantially better than the last version.
This is good for a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 and a top speed of 310 km/h with the six-speed manual transmission. The five-speed Tiptronic will give you 100 klicks 0.2 seconds faster.
Okay, it’s a rocket, but sublimely easy to drive quickly with all that torque so readily available. No drama, no high-winding of the 3.6 flat six, just a stream of power like hot molasses while the Turbo-specific electronic AWD makes me into a hero on the turns.
And finally, the GT3, a road car that’s club-racer ready. The GT3’s specs would fill a small book, but the basics are that it’s rear-wheel drive (not AWD) and has been lightened by the judicious use of alloy and plastic and the omission of some creature comforts. The race-bred, 3.6 engine has a redline of 8,400 rpm and power is a naturally aspirated benchmark of 415 hp.
The terrific six-speed manual has shorter throws, and while there are electronic brake and traction components, it takes a better driver than myself, frankly, to fully explore the possibilities. I treat it with great respect, especially when pouring on the power. But you’ve got to love the howl of that motor.
You could drive it every day, but it’s much more at home on the track. The monster brakes with ceramic pads haul it down like a giant hand. A GT3 will hit 200 km/h in 13.5 seconds. Top speed is 310 km/h.
So – which one? The measure of Porsche is that each car is distinct, and only by driving them back-to-back-to-back do you grasp that beguiling point. The Turbo and GT3 are achingly seductive; the Targa 4S is quite brilliant, and the Boxster pure fun.
For everyday use and a pretty constant smile I’d take the Cayman.
It’s got looks, quality, surprising luggage capacity and is fuel efficient. The much-pricier S model would be a delight, but the base car is an unsung hero and, in this bunch, very good value.
But twist my arm and fatten my wallet and it’s the Targa 4S.
Prices (Can$)
Cayman ($69,600)
Boxster S ($77,300)
911 Targa 4S ($133,200)
911 Turbo ($170,700)
GT3 ($147,300)
Autonet Best Choice 2007 - Sports Cars ($50,000 to $100,000)
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