Elegant car hire: Porsche Carrera 997 S

Rent an excellent car: Porsche Carrera 997 S

Porsche stands for dynamism, agility and flexibility; as well as speed, elegance and safety. And, of course, quality. Our philosophy is to develop compact, high-performance engines that produce outstanding power. We then create performance cars that are able to transfer this power to the road effectively, in the process applying all the knowledge and experience we have gained from motorsport. Because that is precisely what our customers expect. The fact that our specifications for new and ongoing developments include clear objectives relating to the environment is no contradiction. Quite the opposite. At Porsche, increasing performance goes hand in hand with reducing fuel consumption. We are continually optimising vehicle aerodynamics, which has a positive impact on both fuel consumption and performance. For the same reason, we put a great deal of effort into reducing vehicle weight. What is more, we regularly optimise fuel consumption by way of technical innovation – all part of delivering pure performance. This is how, with our existing vehicle range – in relation to engine power output – we are already among those manufacturers achieving the lowest CO2 emissions.

The latest 911 has a new generation of engines with direct fuel injection (DFI), and significantly more power. 345 hp is generated by the 3.6-liter boxer (horizontally-opposed cylinder) engine and 385 hp by the 3.8-liter power unit. The results are outstanding performance and increased fuel efficiency and emission values. All made possible thanks to DFI, VarioCam Plus, an improved lightweight construction, reduced friction and a number of detailed technical solutions.

The optional Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK), with both manual gearshift and an automatic mode, enables smooth gear changes with no interruption in the flow of power. This results in significantly faster acceleration without having to sacrifice the ease of automatic transmission. In total, PDK has seven gears at its disposal. Gears 1 to 6 have a sports ratio, and top speed is reached in 6th gear. The 7th gear has a long ratio, which helps with fuel efficiency. PDK is essentially two gearboxes in one and thus requires two clutches—designed as a double wet clutch transmission. This double clutch provides an alternating, non-positive connection between the two semi-gearboxes and the engine by means of two separate input shafts (input shaft 1 is nested inside the hollowed-out input shaft 2). The flow of power from the engine is only transmitted through one semi- gearbox and one clutch at a time, while the next gear is preselected in the second semi-gearbox. During a gear change, therefore, a conventional shift no longer takes place. Instead, one clutch simply opens and the other closes at the same time. Gear changes therefore take place within hundredths of a second. Clutch 1 controls the first semigearbox, which contains the odd gears (1, 3, 5, 7) and reverse. Clutch 2 controls the second, which contains the even gears (2, 4, 6). The crankshaft transmits engine torque to the flywheel, which is then channelled through the clutch housing and onto the multiplate clutches or, to be more precise, the outer disc carrier. Under oil pressure, clutch 1 closes and forms a frictional connection with input shaft 1. The torque is now transmitted through the differential to the rear axle or, in the all-wheel drive variants of the 911, the front and rear axles. At this stage, PDK has already preselected the next gear. Engine torque is already acting on the other outer disc carrier and, in response to a gear change signal, the overlap shift is initiated; i.e., as clutch 1 opens, clutch 2 closes. The non-positive connection with input shaft 2 is established, and power is transmitted to the wheels. The gear that is engaged is displayed on the instrument cluster for convenient reference. PDK has distinct benefits. The very rapid gearshifts, with no interruption in the flow of power, produce faster acceleration. Driving feels even sportier and more dynamic, and agility is increased. Depending on the gearshift program, the gear change is optimized for comfort or for performance driving. The compact dimensions of the gearbox reduce rotational masses, which means a more direct engine response, and the system is more lightweight. With the optional Sport Chrono Package Plus, Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) is enhanced by the Launch Control and motorsport-derived gearshift strategy functions. In essence, PDK combines sportiness with efficiency and comfort. What could be more appropriate to a Porsche 911? This new, distinctively designed three-spoke sports steering wheel for PDK has two ergonomic paddle shifters. One press with the thumb and the PDK shifts up. One pull with the index finger and the PDK shifts down. Either the right or left hand can be used. On request, the sports steering wheel for PDK is also available as a multifunction steering wheel (in smooth-finish leather, Aluminum-Look, Carbon Fiber or Makassar). Steering wheel heating is available as an option in conjunction with PDK. The gear selector for PDK is ergonomic and designed for high functionality, enabling you to change gears manually. The control concept mirrors the logic of the paddles on the sports steering wheel for PDK—press forward to shift up, pull backward to shift down.

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The advantages of an alloy engine are its low weight and reduced fuel consumption. Thanks to intelligent design down to the finest detail, it has been possible to reduce the weight of the new generation of engines even further, e.g. by fully integrating the camshaft bearings into the cylinder heads. Fuel economy has been further improved by the optimally designed oil supply system and a reduction in the mechanical friction of the engine.

The electronic adjustment of the suspension system actively and continuously regulates the damping force for each wheel according to the road conditions and driving style. In addition, the suspension is 10 mm lower. PASM is fitted as standard in the S models and is optional for models with the 3.6-liter engine. The driver can select between two different modes: ‘Normal’ which is a blend of performance and comfort, and ‘Sport’ where the setup is much firmer. The two setup modes overlap slightly and so the balance between comfortable and uncompromisingly sporty is struck more effectively than with a conventional chassis. Depending on the mode selected, therefore, PASM is sportier or more comfortable than the standard chassis of models with the 3.6-liter engine. The PASM control unit evaluates the driving conditions and modifies the damping force on each of the wheels in accordance with the selected mode. Sensors monitor the movement of the vehicle body, for example, under heavy acceleration and braking or on uneven roads. The control unit tunes the dampers to the optimum hardness for the selected mode to reduce roll and pitch, and increase contact between each individual wheel and the road. In ‘Sport’ mode, the suspension is set to a harder damper rating. On uneven roads, PASM immediately switches to a softer rating within the ‘Sport’ setup range, thereby improving contact between the wheels and the road. When the road surface improves, PASM automatically reverts to the original, harder rating. If ‘Normal’ mode is selected and the driver’s style becomes more assertive, PASM automatically switches to a harder rating within the ‘Normal’ setup range. Damping becomes harder, and driving stability and road safety are increased. The PASM sports chassis is available as an option for Coupé models and only in conjunction with 19-inch wheels. The suspension is 20 mm lower in comparison to the standard suspension of the 911 Carrera, and 10 mm lower compared with the PASM suspension of the S models. The springs are harder and shorter, and the lateral stabilizers on the front and rear axle are stiffer. In combination with PASM, it offers greater comfort than that of the conventional sports suspension. The mechanically locking rear differential further enhances the traction of the driven rear wheels on uneven roads and, for example, when accelerating out of tight bends. Road holding at the limits of performance is even more predictable. The car holds its course better and so PSM intervenes less often.

PSM is an automatic control system for providing stability at the limits of dynamic driving performance, and is a standard feature of every 911. Sensors work continuously to monitor the driving direction, speed, yaw velocity and lateral acceleration of the car. Using this information, PSM computes the actual direction of motion. If this direction deviates from the desired course, PSM initiates braking interventions targeted at individual wheels – recognisable by the flashing indicator light in the cockpit – in order to stabilise the vehicle. Under acceleration on wet or low-grip road surfaces, PSM improves traction using the ABD (automatic brake differential) and ASR (anti-slip regulation) functions. The control interventions are smooth and precise, giving an agile response. When ‘Sport’ mode is selected on the optional Sport Chrono Package Plus, the PSM intervention threshold is raised to enable greater driver involvement – particularly at speeds of up to approximately 70 km/h (45 mph). The integrated ABS shortens the braking distance even further and the braking inputs are smooth and precise, thereby enhancing comfort. An enhanced PSM system, now also available in rear-drive models, is characterised by two additional functions: the precharging of the brake system, and brake assist. If the driver suddenly releases the accelerator pedal, the PSM automatically readies the braking system. With the braking system having been precharged, the brake pads are already in light contact with the brake discs. Maximum braking power is therefore achieved much sooner. When sudden braking is detected – i.e. if the pressure on the brake pedal exceeds a predefined level – the brake assist function uses the PSM hydraulics to apply maximum brake pressure to all four wheels. If you want a purely active driving experience, you always have the option to deactivate PSM. It is automatically reactivated, for your safety, only if either of the front wheels (in sport mode, both of the front wheels) requires ABS assistance. The ABD function, however, remains active at all times. In conclusion, PSM offers a high level of driving stability and safety – and typical Porsche agility at the same time.

Tehnical characteristics - Carrera 997 S