For All The Car's Performance Bias

For all the car's performance bias, it can also be successfully used on a daily basis. Blurring the line between hyper car and Grand Tourer, the 911 offers excellent levels of cabin refinement plus a wide range of standard and option comfort equipment. It's practical too, with a reasonable amount of space available in the front boot - the engine is in the back. Porsche's iconic 911 model has remained at the pinnacle of the sports car sector for decades, thanks to a sound basic formula and a consistent programme of updates and improvements. There is also a model to suit the most demanding buyers, and this naturally aspirated four-wheel drive 911 fills a gap in the range. The 997-series Porsche 911 is already an exceptional performance car, offering the unmistakable silhouette which has remained a firm favourite with sports car buyers without looking outdated. A series of wheel and exterior styling packages allow further tailoring, but the inherent proportions and details are simple and attractive. Externally, the rear wheel arches are wider on four-wheel drive models, as are the rear wheel widths, distinguishing them subtly from the two-wheel drive models.

The Carrera 4 is available in two versions, Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S. The S is the higher output version, gaining the enlarged 3.8-litre version of the famous Porsche flat-six engine. Rather than having the cylinders arranged in a V-shape or on-line as with most six-cylinder units, the Porsche has the six cylinders horizontally opposed, which offers benefits of compactness and smoothness as well as a unique engine sound. The four-wheel drive system itself is key difference to other 911 models, and it uses a viscous centre coupling within the system. This means that the Carrera 4 has permanent four-wheel drive, with at least five percent of the engine's power being fed to the front wheels. If the system detects rear wheel slip, it can divert more power to the front wheels, up to a maximum of 40 per cent. That gives the 911 C4 variants superb traction, aided by the rear-engined configuration.

For all the car's performance bias, it can also be successfully used on a daily basis. Blurring the line between hyper car and Grand Tourer, the 911 offers excellent levels of cabin refinement plus a wide range of standard and option comfort equipment. It's practical too, with a reasonable amount of space available in the front boot - the engine is in the back. Without any significant penalty, adding four-wheel drive to the 911 makes it even more usable as an everyday supercar. The extra confidence given by the extra grip and traction allows the impressive performance to be used more of the time, as well as making it less intimidating to the inexperienced. At the same time it still delivers the thrills and practicality that makes it one of the most desirable cars money can buy. Running costs for the 911 are likely to be high. Fuel economy is relatively low, while insurance and running costs will be at the higher end of the scale.

Servicing isn't cheap on a car like this, but as this is a thoroughbred performance car that's always going to be one of the downsides. Front seat passengers have plenty of room in all directions, and are unlikely to have any quibbles. In the rear space is more restricted, though the seats are suitable for average sized adults on short journeys. Storage space in the cabin is relatively good, although the front boot is only suitable for carrying a couple of soft bags. The layout of the 911's cabin is impressive. It retains the classic five-dial set-up for the instruments, supplemented by changeable digital displays. As well as being attractive it is informative and easy to use. Some of the smaller buttons on the dashboard are quite small, but otherwise the cabin is faultless. The 911 does a good job of delivering respectable comfort levels. The seats are superb, firm and supportive even over long distances.

Noise levels are quite restrained, the engine subsiding when on a light throttle. The ride is firm, but not uncomfortably so, only the worst potholes causing a disturbance in the cabin. All Porsche 911 vehicles are fitted with a tracking system as standard, making it very difficult for the car to be successfully stolen. In addition it has an immobiliser and alarm as standard. With the added benefit of four-wheel drive, the 911 offers a high level of active and passive safety. The excellent grip and high levels of braking power make it easier to avoid an accident in the first place. The driving appeal of the 911 is the key reason for purchasing one. Although having the engine at the rear is not inherently ideal in terms of dynamics, the Porsche engineers have honed the set-up to the point where it delivers an impeccable degree of balance, grip and enjoyment.