New 911 is the Porsche 4 all conditions

What is it?

The clue is in the name, Porsche's Carrera 4 representing the four-wheel drive version of the company's iconic 911 model. It'll take a committed Porsche-phile to spot the cosmetic differences between the new Carrera 4 and the model that it supersedes. Like its Carrera 2 sibling, the four-wheel drive model features new lights front and rear (bi-xenon headlights now standard), restyled bumpers and door mirrors and reshaped air intakes at the front, capped in a distinctive strip of white LEDs acting as daytime running lights. Fresh colours and wheels also mark out the new car aesthetically.

Additionally, the Carrera 4 gains a 44mm wider body than the two-wheel drive variants and a distinctive red reflector panel joining the rear lights, but it's what's underneath the skin of the new Carrera 4 that should be of most interest to buyers. No longer does Porsche refer to its four-wheel drive system as that; instead it's called Porsche Traction Management - PTM for short. It's not just a rebranding exercise either, as the Carrera 4's torque distribution between all four wheels is now managed by an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, which until now was reserved for the 911 Turbo. PTM also utilises an automatic brake differential and anti-slip regulation to control traction, while the rear axle receives a mechanical limited slip differential as standard - it's an option on Carrera 2 models.

Is it any good?

I think you probably know the answer to that. The 911 has consistently been a favourite among sportscar drivers for decades now and each new iteration moves the game on further. Headlining the list of changes to the new model is a line-up of direct injection engines that are more powerful and lighter than before yet also more efficient, with lower fuel consumption and lower CO₂ emissions. Those changes carry over to the Carrera 4 models.

Where buyers will benefit most from the Carrera 4's particular talents is in changing weather and surface conditions. The quick-acting four-wheel drive endows the 911 with even greater levels of grip and surefootedness. When the road is dry, the all-wheel drive models drive in a very similar way to the rear-wheel drive only versions, which means eye-opening levels of traction and superb body control. Despite the car's commendable road holding capabilities, it rides surprisingly well when the road surface roughens up.

Should I call the bank manager?

With prices starting at a little over £67,000 for the Carrera 4 model, it's unlikely you'll have the cash to hand. It might be worth negotiating with your bank manager for a slightly larger loan, as about £7,000 more gets you into the higher performance Carrera 4S. Not that the entry-level model is slow, as a 0-62mph time of 5.0 seconds and a top speed of 176mph indicate, but the S feels distinctly more urgent, as it should with a larger capacity engine and 40bhp more resulting in 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and 185mph all-out. Those figures can be improved upon even further if you opt for Porsche's new PDK dual-clutch gearbox and it'll also be difficult not to tick the Sport Chrono Plus box on the options list...

Summary

Porsche's tradition of gentle evolution continues to work wonders, with the latest edition of the four-wheel drive 911 the best ever. The 911 Turbo's sophisticated all-wheel drive system has been employed and together with the 911's new range of engines and the option of a dual-clutch gearbox, buyers have never had it so good. Our only proviso is that the Carrera 2 does as good a job 98% of the time, for a little less money.

Shane O' Donoghue