"If anyone ever asks you how much car $100,000 can buy, tell them to look no further than the 2020 Porsche 911. Objectively a strong performer and subjectively a joy to drive, it's worth every last penny." -Car and Driver
Engine and Transmission
2020 Porsche 911 Carrera makes use of a Twin-Turbocharged 3.0L Boxer 6-Cylinder engine. The drivetrain in all Porsche 911 Carrera trims is Rear-Wheel Drive. The power and torque delivered by the engine are different for Carrera base trims and Carrera S trims. For the former, the power and torque are 370 hp and 331 lb.-ft. While for the latter, the engine delivers 420 hp and 368 lb.-ft. of torque.
Models
|
Porsche 911 Carrera
|
Mercedes-Benz AMG-GT
|
Audi TT RS
|
MSRP
|
$91,100
|
$124,400
|
$64,900
|
Engine
|
Twin-Turbocharged 3.0L Boxer-6
|
Handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 Biturbo
|
2.5 TFSI inline-5
|
Drive Train
|
RWD
|
RWD
|
RWD
|
Transmission
|
7-Speed PDK Manual
|
7-Speed AMG SpeedShift Automatic
|
7-speed S-Tronic Automatic
|
Power
|
370 hp
|
469 hp @
|
400 hp
|
Torque
|
331 lb-ft
|
465 lb-ft
|
354 lb-ft
|
Almost all the cars for this price range offer higher power figures. For about $40,000 less you can get the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. It has a behemoth 797-horsepower V8, making it the most powerful production road-legal car currently available in the US. However, as the 911 Carrera goes on to prove, brute force is not everything.
Acceleration
Having a 4.2-second acceleration time for hitting the 60 mph mark is impressive. However, it is the slowest among the competition, led by Nissan GT-R with 2.9 seconds. The same feat is 3.5 seconds and 3.9 seconds for Audi TT RS and Mercedes-Benz AMG-GT, respectively.
Models
|
Porsche 911 Carrera
|
Mercedes-Benz AMG-GT
|
Audi TT RS
|
0-60 MPH
|
4.4 sec
|
3.9 sec
|
3.6 sec
|
Quarter mile
|
12.7 sec |
11.4 sec
|
13.6 sec
|
Engine Displacement
|
3.0L
|
4.0L
|
2.5L
|
Emission(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/year)
|
7.7
|
9.8
|
8.0
|
Even though the Porsche 911 marginally underperforms when compared to its rivals in this segment, it would save you a lot of money long term as far as EPA taxes are concerned. Its tiny engine has lower emissions than other sports cars in this segment, which translates well into good mpg numbers as well. This makes the Porsche 911 Carrera the perfect combination of a comfortable cruiser and an exciting speedster.
Ride and Handling
Riding the Porsche 911 Carrera has always been a joy for the lovers of speed. Officially known as the Porsche Active Suspension Management, driver-adjustable adaptive dampers are available in all 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera trims. It offers two modes, Normal and Sport.
Moreover, Carrera offers brake-based torque vectoring and rear-wheel steering. These are excellent agility-enhancing options without losing control, even to the slightest. The one-of-its-kind power-steering system in 911 Carrera delivers a steady road feel. Also, the driver gets precise info on the situation of the front tires.
Braking
Porsche 911 Carrera features a well-balanced braking system. Both the front and the rear brakes are 13 inches. This is the smallest brake size in the competition but it is the 911's weight, or lack of it, that gets it the advantage. It stops dead from 60 mph within 96 feet, way before any other car in this segment. The brakes also have just the right travel and the compact dimensions of the car help greatly to keep it on a leash at all times.
Model
|
Porsche 911 Carrera
|
Mercedes-Benz AMG-GT
|
Audi TT RS
|
Brake Front(in)
|
13.0
|
14.2
|
14.6
|
Brake Rear(in)
|
13.0
|
14.2
|
12.2
|
Curb weight(lbs)
|
3153
|
3682
|
3306
|
60-0 MPH (ft.)
|
96 |
99
|
106
|
The Merc and Audi might feature bigger brakes, but their immense weight spread over a long wheelbase diminish their braking performance. Even the mighty Godzilla fails to match up to the 911's braking performance, despite the fact that it is a track-bred supercar-killer with excellent AWD.