This video is now almost exactly two years old, depicting what was likely a relatively early test of the next-generation Porsche 911 (codename:991). Wait for the GTR to come by and a hardtop test mule bearing the Turbo-style side vent decals that identify 991 test mules barrels through the corner before gathering everything up with a well-controlled drift on the exit. It may not break the Clarkson-meter (what do we give it, B&B… maybe 3.5 Clarkson-units?) but it’s not a bad little bit of ass-outery for a test mule. And for comparison, the very latest spy videos of 991 mules (after the jump) show far more poise in fast corners. After all, Porsche doesn’t want to revisit its reputation for tail-happy antics after working so hard (too hard, some might say) to dial out its rear-engine tendencies.
So, it’s not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison, but there does seem to be a fairly comparable corner (albeit, filmed from a different angle) at about the one minute mark… and here, the driver seems to be able to steer the more-refined 991 around the bend with the throttle without any threat of slip or step-out. More experienced drivers are, of course, welcome to share their interpretations.
Sort of interesting that the perceived height of the 997 is just now, and that’s how ironically a developing next generation begins as less than its predecessor.
If that’s what this means. (I didn’t wanch the video)
I think Porsche has done a superb job of making the 911 not feel as tail-happy as the weight distribution makes it, but I still think they’re missing a bet by not putting the big development money into the far superior Cayman chassis, where the engine is where God intended it to go in fast cars. The gold-chainers will still buy 911’s even if they can buy a faster Cayman…