Porsche: 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera S First Drive: Polishing a Diamond

The Porsche 911 has been gracing us with its presence for just over 60 years. The model was introduced in September 1964, and since then, the company has done nothing but improve it to the point where today, the product borders on perfection. So, when Porsche introduces a new 911, we can always expect an evolution of the model, but it would be more accurate to speak of a polishing operation. The last Carrera S was excellent in every respect; the new one delivers on all counts, enough to seduce its target clientele. The work done on this model is all the more important given that, worldwide, the S variant accounts for 30% to 35% of sales of the entire 911 family-an important model among others. Let's look at what's been done for 2025. The 911 still looks the same-that's part of its charm-but stylists have already achieved near-perfection with this model. As a result, we're not improving it by transforming its signature style but by refining it with tweaks to bumpers, exhaust tips, wheels, and so on. Speaking of the latter, they respect tradition, with a staggered presentation: 20 inches at the front, 21 inches at the rear. They are offered in nine colours, with five distinct designs. Distinctiveness is also the order of the day, as 14 body colours are available, with 122 additional hues accessible via the Personalization program, where you choose the colour of your 911 by providing a sample. Even the convertible top is available in nine shades, so you can create your own unique combination with the rest of the body. As you can see, the 911 Carrera S is available with a soft top or a hard top. Porsche also offers several interior options, including 18 different leather tones if the standard black leather does not suit you. Chalk-colored stitching is also available to add a touch of luxury and nobility to the interior. What's most memorable is that once inside, you'll quickly find a perfect driving position with all the controls you need at your fingertips. It's hard not to miss the old-fashioned analog dials of the 911, even if the quality of the information and multimedia screens is top-notch. With the coupé, you can choose to have rear seats or not, for the same price. With the cabriolet, they're included. If we appreciate that we're enjoying a car with magnificent lines and its inner sanctum moulds perfectly to one's body, all this would be nothing without perfectly tuned mechanics, chassis, and adjustments that allow us to play driver at any time of day. The Carrera 911 S is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre 6-cylinder mill that serves up 473 horsepower on a silver platter. That's 30 more than when this variant last entered the range. This is also the same power offered by the GTS variant before it was upgraded. Torque is now 390 lb-ft. The gain enables the model to beat the 0-100 km/h mark in just 3.3 seconds, compared with 3.9 seconds before. An eight-speed PDK automatic transmission links the rear wheels. And beyond all that, there's the emotion we feel: the one when we're thrown against the back of our seat, the throttle is mashed, the other that puts a smile on our face when we take a bend too quickly, and the car takes it as though on rails, or the one that makes the hairs on our arms stand up when the music emanating from the exhaust starts to play. Speaking of the latter, it's the result of the model's sport exhaust system, which now comes as standard. Porsche told us that 75% of buyers selected it as an option, so we might as well keep them happy from the outset. If the 911 Carrera S can move its driver in this way, we have to look at the work done by the engineers. They're the ones who make it possible. We'd like to pay tribute to the engineers who perfected the current model and to all those who have contributed to the evolution of the product over the past 61 years. And what has been done this time? A whole host of little things, in fact. - Revisions to the hydraulic dampers to make the model more agile, precise and easy to control. - GTS brakes (408 mm front, 380 mm rear) - Carbon ceramic brakes (available) - Revised hydraulic shock absorber technologies - New turbochargers - Improved cooling - Revised front axle for enhanced manoeuvrability - Rear-wheel steering (available) - PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) suspension as standard (- 10 mm) With power like this, a finely tuned chassis and all the electronic aids you could wish for, you'll understand that the driving experience is up to scratch. In fact, it's more than up to the task; every ride with the car is enchanting, whether tackling a winding road or driving to and from work. Moving the car into the driveway is a sensory experience; we're hardly exaggerating. In concrete terms, the 911 Carrera S sticks to the pavement when you step on the go pedal and does the same in corners even when you're too reckless. Gripping the steering wheel offers an uncommon symbiosis with the road, as every correction you make translates into an immediate response from the drivetrain. At a time when automobiles have become more boring than ever, the Porsche 911 continues to amaze-but above all, to inspire-because unfortunately, it is not within everyone's reach. The 911 Carrera S coupe costs $159,700, and the convertible costs $174,000. At this price, the fun has only just begun, as you can dip into the options catalogue, a game that the buyer with the means to match his ambitions will gladly play. In fact, the two versions we tested totalled $234,196 CAD and $239,971 CAD, including all taxes, fees, and options. Clearly, we're somewhere else, but the model also takes us somewhere else. Porsche continues to do what it always does with a revised 911: push its own limits regarding power and refinement. With its increased level of performance, this 911 Carrera S is now the most balanced model in the range, along with the GTS, which has always claimed this title. It's flawless.