Speed and Serenity: Driving the Ultimate Sports Cars
By Greg Rubenstein
Porsche puts a lot of emphasis on “sport” in marketing its Cayenne sport-utility vehicle, and the recently introduced 2008 model is definitely sporty. It is not a sports car, however, though Porsche purists and enthusiasts can thank Cayenne sales for helping to keep this relatively small-volume automaker independent—and producing the sports cars we really love.
To remind potential car buyers that Porsche is above all a sports-car company, they sent out a call to members of the automotive press to drive five of its sports cars, inviting them to sample the Cayman, Boxster S, 911 Targa 4S, 911 Turbo, and 911 GT3 on track at the Barber Motorsports Complex in Birmingham, Alabama.
The program was simple enough. After a brief introduction to each of the cars, the guests slid in behind the wheel while a professional Porsche driver occupied the passenger seat, offering hints, tips, and tricks to going fast around the 16-turn 2.38-mile road racecourse. With the difficulty increasing exponentially, not only was this circuit new to most of the participants, but each writer was also given only a handful of laps before switching to the next ride.
Still, this was an opportunity no enthusiast can turn down, and a more comprehensive version is available to the motoring public in the form of the Porsche Driving Experience, which is conducted at the same facility. When the caliber of instruction includes legendary Porsche pilots Hurley Haywood and David Murry, plus current factory driver Patrick Long, you listen to what they have to say if you want to learn to go really fast.
While the GT3 and Turbo are truly in their element when pushed on track, the inherent balance in each of the five models is readily apparent. You quickly appreciate just how much engineering talent goes into creating these fine sporting machines. Though all but the GT3 offer advanced stability and traction-control management systems, even while driving fast on a racetrack, these features rarely kick in, and when they do, they’re unobtrusive and welcome—just a little help tucking in here, just a little bit of stabilization there. These features can also be turned off.
The models had a wide disparity of thrust—as little as 245-hp in the base Cayman to 480-hp in the Turbo—and different drive configurations, from midengine rear-drive to rear-engine AWD and rear-engine rear-drive. Two even had Porsche’s incredible ceramic brake setup—an option that will set you back $8,840—and one that is most useful when put to full use on a race circuit. While jumping from car to car presented challenges from changing braking points and widely varying top-end speed, they all offered very similar cornering speeds, except for the GT3, which had noticeably higher grip, thanks to its being shod with racing-quality rubber.
Of the quintet, the 355-hp Targa 4S was easiest to drive quickly and most practical for the street. The Targa’s roof slides back with the flick of a switch; and when in the closed position, the rear glass opens as a hatch, allowing easy access to the rear-seat area. Very handy for carrying groceries or storing packages from a day’s shopping.
The Boxster-based Cayman, priced at $49,400 in base trim, was fun to drive, thanks to its exceptionally balanced handling. The 295-hp Boxster S, priced beginning at $55,500, was equally well composed, and the additional 50-hp over its hardtop sibling provided a substantial kick coming out of the corners.
At a base of $95,900, the Targa 4S is hard to call a bargain, but it certainly does offer a substantial value in terms of performance, as well as year-round practicality. The Turbo and GT3, starting at $122,900 and $106,000 respectively, don’t make a great deal of sense for vehicles that will see nothing but street duty. Take them to one of the many track day events available in Arizona, and you’ll experience awesome machinery in their proper environment.
Squeeze the throttle on the Turbo, and power comes on—right now. In the 415-hp normally aspirated GT3, you’ll find speed only if you keep the engine in its peak torque band that comes on strong at 4,500 rpm and hits a crescendo around 7,600 rpm, about 800 rpm down from its 8,400-rpm redline.
Those lucky enough to own a Porsche sports car understand why its combination of dynamic performance makes it the quintessential driver’s car. Sure, they’re expensive, but Porsche is a small company producing a tiny fraction of cars, compared to any major automaker. That exclusivity equates to both independence for the company and a high price for the consumer. With some manufacturers, their claims of ultimate performance are mostly hype. Not so with Porsche—they deliver, and they’re worth the price.
For details about the Porsche Driving Experience, visit porschedriving.com.