BBC TopGear India|August 2016

Beautifully simple, breathtakingly rapid, mind-numbingly precise: the destination for the new 911 carrera cabriolet stays the same, but it now takes a new route to get there

Article Reader

A couple of years ago, I drove a car I never thought I’d get to drive. No, I didn’t snag a drive in a Koenigsegg or a Pagani or any of those fancy, rare hypercars. It was the Porsche 911 Targa 4S. For those of you who don’t know what a Targa is, it’s a type of body style that was developed specifically for America. It’s a unique kind of car that sits somewhere between a hardtop and a convertible. It was the first naturally-aspirated 911 I drove. The power rating mentioned in the Targa 4S’ brochure was nothing I’d never seen before, but the way that engine delivered all that thrust was amazing. It was one crazy experience to have driven a Porsche that was as American as it was German – the only one of its kind.

A few months after that, Porsche handed me the keys to the Turbo S – the most lethal 911 on sale – and that blew my mind. It’s unreal how the Turbo S defies physics and is precise like no other car in the world is. It was an insane experience.

I don’t think cabriolets work in India. Firstly, the climate is not exactly drop-top friendly, and some of the convertibles I’ve driven in the past disappointed me. But with the 911, I just know it will be good. The underpinnings are so solid, that even with the roof missing, it ain’t going to be bad at all. Turbo charged replaces nat-asp? Bring it on, I say.

Porsche knows how important the Indian market is, and has introduced the new 911 here just a few months post its global launch. This is not a generation change, but it would be unfair to call the 991.2 a facelift. It is not only the face that’s got a makeover: the 991.2 is rocking a new motor and a fancier cabin to complement its character.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BBC TOPGEAR INDIAView all
Does It Fly?
BBC TopGear India

Does It Fly?

2024 TVS APACHE RR 310 ₹2.75 Lakh - ₹2.97 Lakh (ex-showroom)

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2024
Is It A Scooter? Is It A Bike? No! It Is The BMW CE 02
BBC TopGear India

Is It A Scooter? Is It A Bike? No! It Is The BMW CE 02

It is rare when you come across a moment where a company brings out a vehicle into the market without knowing who exactly they want to sell it to.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Aston Martin Valkyrie
BBC TopGear India

Aston Martin Valkyrie

The Aston Martin Valkyrie still looks like nothing else on four wheels. Probably because it isn’t.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
ONE-MAN BAND
BBC TopGear India

ONE-MAN BAND

We are a cynical bunch of people as we try our best to narrow down our vision and focus on the things that are lacking.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
CRISIS AVERTED! THE EXISTENTIAL KIND
BBC TopGear India

CRISIS AVERTED! THE EXISTENTIAL KIND

Finally, the Yezdi Adventure won’t be suffering from an existential crisis anymore.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
ROYAL ENFIELD HIMALAYAN
BBC TopGear India

ROYAL ENFIELD HIMALAYAN

ALTHOUGH IT IS A PERENNIAL ORDEAL FOR ANY MOTORCYCLIST to feel sad while parting ways with a motorcycle, it became even sadder for me this time around.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
TVS APACHE RTR 310
BBC TopGear India

TVS APACHE RTR 310

THE FIRST THING I WANT TO SAY IS - “IT IS A MENACE ON WHEELS”.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
ACE OF BASE
BBC TopGear India

ACE OF BASE

What happens when you take Porsche's old school entry level model and give it a very not entry level upgrade? This is a 914 as you've never seen it before

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
MOMS KNOW BEST
BBC TopGear India

MOMS KNOW BEST

Volvo's XC90 was the stereotypical Soccer Mom car. So how will the all-electric EX90 be received among the soccer pitches of Orange County?

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2024
THE THEORYOF EVOLUTION
BBC TopGear India

THE THEORYOF EVOLUTION

Ridged bladder seats, an inflating steering wheel and an AI track day coach... has Lotus hit on the supercar’s future, or gone mad’?

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024