2019 Porsche 911 Carrera Review: Still For The Purists

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. Well, the 911 is back, baby, and I think we鈥檙e (I鈥檓) going to stick with calling it 鈥渢he small-t turbo.鈥?Or maybe lil鈥?turbo. By now you鈥檝e heard: the entire 911 lineup is turbocharged, and the Carrera and Carrera S use two of them with the company鈥檚 new 3.0-liter flat six. We first drove the 2017 911 back in November on the international launch, and our man J.P. Vettraino broke down all the bits and pieces. Today we鈥檒l just quickly go over the big chunks. Visually, the small t Carrera gets bigger front grilles, black longitudinal strakes on the spoiler (instead of body-color transverse ones) and redesigned dimensional taillights with standard LEDs all around. The daytime running lights now have the four-dot signature in both front and back, though personally I don鈥檛 think I鈥檓 on board. I鈥檇 rather see dim projectors or something else entirely. It is distinctive, though.

Fresh out of the box with a revised look ealier this year, the new Porsche Macan is being assembled at the Leipzig facility ever since August. Four months after the new range was entered production, a new S version joins the range. Porsche announced on Tuesday the introduction of the S model for the facelift Macan, an S model which will come equipped with a new 3.0-liter 6 turbocharged gasoline engine. The new powerplant is tad punchier than the one available until now. It has a power output rated at 354 ps and a maximum torque of 480 Nm. These specifications account for an increase of 14 ps and 20 Nm compared with the previous model. Porsche says that fitting the optional Sport Chrono Package on this SUV brings the zero to 100 kph (62 mph) acceleration time down to 5.1 seconds, an improvement of 0.1 seconds compared to the model it replaces. The top speed of the car in this configuration is rated at 254 kph (158 mph). When compared to the outgoing Macan S, this new version also comes with newly tuned chassis, new spring forks on the front chassis and tuned sway bars. Braking power has been improved as well, with Porsche engineers working on every component of the system, from discs to brake pedal feel. At the interior, the Macan S benefits from all the changes made when the facelift was introduced, starting with the 10.9-inch full-HD touchscreen and ending with the Wi-Fi hotspot. The options list for the model is also extensive and includes the GT sports steering wheel of the 911, Traffic Jam Assist, and a heated windshield.

Maserati launched its first ever SUV last year, with the type of splendour normally reserved for a new Pope. Since then it has shifted 25,000 Levantes around the world - making it the best-selling Maserati for some time. But its appeal was always hamstrung by its confusing trim packages, so-so handling, limited safety equipment and just one engine option. However, for 2018, the Italians have given their SUV a fine going over, and the results should make the upmarket off-roader a little more tempting to buyers. You鈥檒l struggle to tell the revised Levante apart from its predecessor. Maserati hasn鈥檛 taken this opportunity to give the big SUV any tweaks in the styling department, so park a 2016 car next to a new one and it鈥檚 a tough game of spot the difference. The only real clue is a small chrome badge on the lower half of the front wing: it reads either 鈥楪ranLusso鈥?or 鈥楪ranSport鈥?depending on trim - and here we鈥檙e testing the new petrol-powered Levante S in GranLusso guise.

GranSport, as the name suggests, is the more sporting of the two, and can be recognised by gloss black trim, 20-inch wheels and red brake calipers. On the inside there鈥檚 lashings of carbon fibre and a sports steering wheel with paddle shifters. GranLusso is the more luxurious version, with body-coloured trim, 19-inch wheels, wood trinkets and the choice of full leather or part-Ermenegildo Zegna silk upholstery. Maserati has added a wealth of extra safety kit, too. There鈥檚 now adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, blindspot alert, highway assist, and traffic sign recognition bundled in as well. It鈥檚 a package that costs 拢1,500 - or 拢2,525 with an around view camera thrown in. Elsewhere, Maserati has ditched the Levante鈥檚 hydraulic steering for an electric set-up, which apparently makes the car more comfortable to drive around town without ruining the model鈥檚 sporting characteristics. But the old car鈥檚 hydraulic set-up was one of the Levante鈥檚 treats and delivered pleasing feel and consistent weighting. Now, though, the steering feels rubbery in the car鈥檚 Normal model, while in Sport it鈥檚 heavier but disappointingly numb.

The electric set-up makes the Maserati feel remote - preventing you from carving through tight, twisting corners with confidence like you can in the outgoing Porsche Cayenne. The result is a car that fails to bely its size, always feeling large and a little bit cumbersome. We also drove the car on the dunes of the Dubai desert, where it performed well - thanks to the Q4 all-wheel drive system offering plenty of traction. The Levante would be outclassed by a Range Rover Sport on the toughest off-road terrain, but even though it鈥檚 a road-biased SUV it showed plenty of strength on soft ground. But to add some appeal, Maserati now offers the car with a petrol engine. Up to now, the sole choice has been an off-the-shelf 3.0-litre V6 diesel bought in from VM Motori, but the petrol is more of a family affair. Badged 鈥楽鈥?it鈥檚 a 428bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 built by Ferrari, no less, and promises to offer a tuneful engine note to match the Italian鈥檚 suave character.

2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Spied, PDK Rumors Still Hot

Zuffenhausen's new vehicle development motor is working at full pace these days, with the most recent example of this coming from the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4. Our spy shooters have recently crossed paths with the sharpest mid-engined Porscha around, which is now in its advanced development stages. Unlike the early 718 Cayman GT4 test cars, the one we have here sports dedicated front and rear fascias, with the new aprons showing just how aggressive the aero package of the newcomer will be. Interestingly, the 718 Boxster Spyder, which we spied earlier this week, still comes with the provisional Sport Design bumper, which, by the way, is standard on the freshly-revealed GTS models. When it comes to the tech side of the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, the wildest rumors out there talk about the sportscar packing the new 4.0-liter flat-six introduced by the 2018 GT3. Of course, with the mill, which is based on the flat-six heart of the GT3 Cup racecar, delivering 500 horses on the 911 GT3, we're expecting the motor to be downtuned for the mid-engined animal. Since the now-retired Cayman GT4 packs 385 hp, extracted from the also-retired 991.1 Carrera S' 3.8-liter, the newcomer should deliver at least 400 ponies. Until we get our hands on more info, we can at least jump for joy knowing that the GT4 badge means that the mid-engined animal will maintain its naturally aspirated aura. And while we've already shown you a 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 prototype packing a manual gearbox, forum chat also mentions the possibility of an optional PDK. Alas, we're expecting Porche to stick to the reverse-911-GT3-RS recipe (the recently-spied 991.2 Neunelfer won't follow the GT3 down the manual path) for the 718 GT4, which means the sportscar should only be offered in three-pedal form. Even so, expect the new GT4 to be a serious threat for its rear-engined big brother.

As BMW gears up for the official reveal of the new Z4 Roadster, a series of patent images allegedly showing the full production version of the new open-top two-seater sports car has found its way online. This is the first time we can clearly see what the brand new Z4 will look like. As expected, the production version borrows heavily from last year鈥檚 Z4 Concept which served as a preview. According to these patent images, the new Z4 will retain the classic long nose-short rear proportions and soft top, with the cabin sitting closer to the rear axle and the front end dominated by BMW鈥檚 wide kidney grille. BMW recently revealed a few details about the upcoming new Z4, mentioning that the range-topping version will be the M40i. The fastest derivative of the new Bavarian roadster -at least initially- will be powered by a new 鈥渆xtremely powerful鈥?six-cylinder engine. The most recent reports talk about a twin-turbo 3.0-liter unit making between 360 hp and 380 hp. The upcoming BMW Z4 M40i will also feature a lowered sports suspension with electronically controlled dampers, along with a new front axle and a locking rear differential. BMW promises that the new Z4 will be a 鈥減urebred roadster鈥? It will interesting to see if the new Bavarian Z will finally become a true Porsche Boxster rival, given that the chassis was co-developed with Toyota as it鈥檚 also going to be used in the new Supra.

The report said the next-generation M3 will lead the charge with a 2019 debut, potentially at the Frankfurt motor show. The plan's architect, Frank van Meel, head of BMW鈥檚 performance car division, called the M3 a cornerstone for the M division and cast the car as a guiding light forward for M Performance cars. BMW poached the executive from Audi in 2014, where he ran Audi Sport, formerly Quattro. BMW's next M3 will reportedly not go hybrid as previous reports have suggested. Instead, an upgraded version of BMW M鈥檚 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-6 engine will power the car. Better news: a 6-speed manual is on the table, as is an 8-speed automatic transmission. Power may rise to 472 horsepower with the upgrades, and the M3 will not offer BMW's latest xDrive all-wheel-drive system, per the report's sources. With the M3 holding down the fort, 15 M Performance cars will continue development, including versions of the X2 and forthcoming X7.

Current M Performance models include the M240i, M550i xDrive, M760i, and X4 M40i xDrive. These models aren't as sporting as true M cars, but they do have additional power, sporty suspensions, and upgraded brakes. These models should not be confused with BMW's M Sport models, which have M design cues but no extra power. For instance, the M Sport components on a 330i include an M sport suspension, unique 18-inch wheels, Shadowline exterior trim, an aero kit, a sunroof, satellite radio, an M steering wheel, keyless access and starting, and lumbar support adjustments. That'll improve performance, but only a bit. Have no fear, though, because BMW has 11 new true M cars cooking as well. While M Performance handles more mid-range cars, M will also take its talents to the top with more track-focused models. It began with the M4 CS, but an M3 CS will soon join the range. Next year, the report's sources added an M2 CS will arrive as well.

Still Insane But Better

A Lamborghini used to have three driving modes to chose from. Strada, for the street; Sport, for when you want to have fun on the street; and Corsa for track driving. The new Lamborghini Aventador S adds another mode: Ego. Yes, it's really called that. It's an almost hilariously appropriate mode for a Lamborghini, the sort of car that caters to those who crave attention. In reality, Ego mode just means you can individually set the transmission, steering and suspension behavior to suit your individual tastes. Maybe you want a softer ride but tighter steering. Aside from that, the new Aventador S is much more than just another way to get people to look at you with that special Lamborghini-inspired mixture of envy and disdain. 420,000, has a number of improvements over the "regular," Lamborghini Aventador that it's replacing. Four-wheel-steering allows the car to feel smaller and even more agile. When driving slowly, as the front wheels turn toward one side, the back wheels will turn slightly toward the other, creating a teeny tiny turning circle.

At higher speeds, the front and back wheels will turn together for silky smooth lane changes. There is also an improved, variable four-wheel-drive system. It allows more power to go to the back wheels in the sport and track modes than in the normal street-driving mode. That lets a skilled driver deliberately slide the back end of the car around. It also gives the driver a better feel for the road, and what the car is doing on it, through the steering wheel. Another big improvement is to the transmission. It's still the single-clutch automatic transmission, as before. Mechanically, it works very much like a manual transmission except that it can shift gears on its own. Engineers have made some changes to the transmission's mechanical bits as well as to the software programming that runs it. The transmission had been a deal-killer issue for me in the old version. It worked great when you wanted to drive like you'd sworn not be taken alive.

When driven in a more sane fashion, it heaved and bucked with slow and awkwardly timed gearshifts. The retuned version in the Aventador retains the Lamborghini's aggressive character. In Strada, or street, mode getting going requires a forceful stab at the gas pedal which, after a pause, elicits a lurch forward. From then on, it's fairly smooth going. Even so, on public roads, I never kept this car in Strada mode for long. Sport mode uses more gas, but it's where this car feels most natural. And where its V12 engine sounds the best, belting out great, ripping internal combustion arias. With a zero-to-60 acceleration under three seconds, it is of course blisteringly quick and it feels nice going through a curve, too. It's still a beast but it now has a tamer side. It's a careful balancing act. Lamborghini, part of the Volkswagen Group (VLKPF), is working to make the brand somewhat more accessible with its upcoming Urus crossover SUV.

The revisions to Audi鈥檚 TT coupe are simple but effective. It鈥檚 been an icon for the brand since it arrived in 1998, and changed perceptions of the firm with its tech and driving dynamics. The third-generation model was the most advanced yet, and with this mid-life update Audi has tweaked the TT in key areas. And since the TT was launched, a new competitor has joined the fray; the Alpine A110 in Pure trim is a back-to-basics model that puts driving fun at the forefront of the experience. But as you鈥檒l see, its price is closely matched to the Audi鈥檚, so which is the better sporting coupe for keen drivers? There is a third alternative, too. Now that the 718 Cayman is the entry point to Porsche鈥檚 sports car line-up, you can pick up a manual version for similar money. While it might not be quite as fast with this gearbox, it promises to involve you even more. The Audi TTS was always an impressive all-weather, affordable performance coupe, and this mid-life update won鈥檛 have changed things.