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How the 2016 Porsche 911 Carrera S falls short of perfection

We know Harry Metcalfe loves a good Porsche 911. After all, he's shown off his personal 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo and 993 GT2 replica in previous videos. However, he can't seem to muster so much passion for the forced induction engine in the 2016 911 Carrera S. The chassis impresses him, but in Metcalfe's latest clip, he explains why he's not a huge fan of the new powerplant. Before any actual driving, Metcalfe takes a thorough walk around the new car where he goes to the unusual trouble of using a magnet to show which parts are steel and which are aluminum. Remember, though, this is a 911. So, this latest refreshed model, just like all previous remodels, isn't all that aesthetically different from the previous version. So, Metcalfe's real focus here is on how it drives. He comes away with mixed impressions. Metcalfe loves the 2016 911's handling, especially the directness from the rear-wheel steering, but he isn't in love with the new engine. At least with the seven-speed manual, he complains of turbo lag below 3,000 rpm. He also misses the direct throttle response from the previous naturally aspirated unit and doesn't think the turbocharged mill's fuel economy is very impressive. Take a ride with Metcalfe to get the full experience and intriguing take about the biggest change in more than a decade for the iconic 911. If you can't get enough Porsche-flavored goodness, click here for our own First Drive report on the quintessential sportscar. Related Video:

FCA Apple Partnership, Geneva Motor Show Recap | Autoblog Minute

Greg Migliore recaps the week in automotive news, including a recap of the Best in Show from the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. Geneva Motor Show Porsche Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video FCA 2016 geneva motor show porsche 911 r 911 r

Porsche 911 Aerodynamic prototype cheated the wind ahead of its time

You might think that sports cars would have the lowest drag coefficient of all cars. And yes, they do tend to be more slippery than, say, SUVs or convertibles, but the sleekest vehicles on the road tend to be EVs, hybrids and luxury sedans. Sports cars, on the other hand, have aerodynamically detrimental needs for downforce and additional engine cooling. Still, the Porsche 911 is better than most, and has only gotten more so over the years. Its relatively narrow track and compact form mean it has a smaller frontal area than some other sports cars, and the gradual sweeping back of its headlights and windshield have only augmented its capacity for cheating the wind.
This 911 prototype, however, is even more aerodynamic than most. It's based on a "G model" 911 from 1984, but employed such features as covered wheels, a new rear spoiler and a reprofiled front end to drop its drag coefficient from 0.40 to 0.27, making it as slippery as a modern sedan and better at cheating the wind than just about anything built up to that point, save for maybe the Tatra 77, Citroën SM or Tucker Torpedo.
Elements of this prototype ended up gradually making it into production Porsches for years to come, and you can clearly see early influences on the second-generation 964 and even on the 959. It's featured here as the latest installment in a video series on rare historic Porsches unearthed from the company archives, following previous clips that featured a rare V8-powered 911 and a mid-engined 911 prototype. Scope out the latest episode in the video below.