Jason Cammisa tests the base 991.2 Porsche 911 Carrera to examine how turbocharging affects the traditional 911 driving experience. Unlike earlier naturally aspirated Carreras, the 991.2 uses a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six, raising concerns about turbo lag and throttle response.
Despite being the “base” model with minimal performance options, the car retains classic 911 traits such as strong rear traction, balanced handling, and an engaging manual gearbox. The longer wheelbase improves ride quality and stability, though the car feels more like a refined GT than a small sports car.
Cammisa explains that turbo lag is unavoidable and demonstrates it with data comparing throttle response to a naturally aspirated engine. The turbocharged Carrera shows a measurable delay in power delivery, especially at low rpm, but remains consistent enough to be predictable on track.
Professional driver Randy Pobst finds the power delivery smooth and linear, noting that it still behaves like a traditional 911. In lap testing, the base Carrera proves capable, beating a BMW M2 by 1.6 seconds. Ultimately, the turbocharged engine improves performance and efficiency without significantly compromising the classic 911 character.
Source: JasonCammisa
