Spent the last three days with the 997 Register on the South West Drive. At last a chance to stretch the legs of the car and get to know it a bit better over some of Devon's best roads. It's only when you start to get familiar with a new car that some of it's 'hidden features' emerge. The combination of sports exhaust and pdk in sport mode makes for a great combination on the twisty bits, and the paddles invite (incite?) you to play with the gears (and the noise!!!). Even restricting myself to a self imposed rev limit of 5000rpm, there was plenty of power for road work. The increased front track and wheelbase is definitely noticeable in the way the front end behaves, giving a solid feel and quite 'pointy' on turn in. I haven't had a 997 for a year, so I haven't been able to make a recent comparison with the steering 'feel' of the two systems. However, the flipside is that I've found that a less strong grip on the wheel pays dividends as I always felt that the 997 needed a firm hand. The messages are there with the electric version, just more subtle.
Powering out of corners continues to delight with no less traction than we've come to expect and the dynamic engine mounts seem to control weight transfer remarkably well. I didn't spec PDDC which everyone is raving about, but the standard S set up is still pretty impressive with excellent body control. The brakes are more powerful than I remember too.
Downsides? I've still to figure out some of the system set up menus, and my other half noticed the lack of seat belt height adjusters immediately. Stop/start in slow moving queues and at traffic lights can be irritating, but at least in Sport mode it doesn't intervene. The useful storage area for oil and cloths in the front bonnet compartment has gone and the electric handbrake takes a bit of getting used to. I shall be off this week to get nitrogen fills for the tyres as over the weekend the TPM was showing a significant change in pressures as the tyres warmed.
All in all the 500mile round trip was the perfect way to help the run in period "" if a little spirited. Can't wait to unleash the last few thousand revs though.
Powering out of corners continues to delight with no less traction than we've come to expect and the dynamic engine mounts seem to control weight transfer remarkably well. I didn't spec PDDC which everyone is raving about, but the standard S set up is still pretty impressive with excellent body control. The brakes are more powerful than I remember too.
Downsides? I've still to figure out some of the system set up menus, and my other half noticed the lack of seat belt height adjusters immediately. Stop/start in slow moving queues and at traffic lights can be irritating, but at least in Sport mode it doesn't intervene. The useful storage area for oil and cloths in the front bonnet compartment has gone and the electric handbrake takes a bit of getting used to. I shall be off this week to get nitrogen fills for the tyres as over the weekend the TPM was showing a significant change in pressures as the tyres warmed.
All in all the 500mile round trip was the perfect way to help the run in period "" if a little spirited. Can't wait to unleash the last few thousand revs though.
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