As some of you know, I decided to sell my gen2 C2S recently to try and keep my powder dry for the new 991. Trouble being that I had booked the SW Drive with the Register some weeks ago. I mentioned this in passing to my new friends at Dick Lovett Swindon OPC and they generously offered a demo car for the whole weekend. Result!
So last Friday we picked up a brand spanking 997 C4S Cabrio in black with turbo wheels "" she looked the business. I've never been a huge fan of the 4wd, preferring the (in my head) more nimble handling and lighter front end of the 2wd. My experience with 4s in the past has been at various Porsche events and track days in friends' cars where the difference is marked.
What a revelation our C4S was on this trip though. Our runs through Exmoor captured the beauty of the English countryside at it's best with challenging A and B roads, sinuous curves and some devilish switchbacks. In convoy with a gaggle of GT3's and Turbos this really put the handling of the car to the test. Particularly on tight, damp, poorly surfaced corners the extra feeling of security and bite at the front end was more than evident, so even this non-believer was becoming a convert.
Top down for a spell, with the Sport button and manual on the pdk selected, the throttle blipping happily on the downshifts really put a smile on our faces. As always the brakes were more than up to the job and with the standard suspension setting we had a very comfortable and controlled ride. With the convertible body there is still some scuttle shake over really bad surfaces but we avoided potholes as much as possible, apart from anything else this wasn't our car and those gorgeous turbo wheels need looking after.
With eleven cars threading nose to tail through some of the little market towns, a few heads were turned to say the least. We even had a local newspaper photographer waiting in one venue to catch the action. So, a hugely enjoyable four hundred miles and many thanks to Simon and Paul at Swindon "" you never know, I might be tempted by the 4, although I'd have to change my C2 numberplate.
So last Friday we picked up a brand spanking 997 C4S Cabrio in black with turbo wheels "" she looked the business. I've never been a huge fan of the 4wd, preferring the (in my head) more nimble handling and lighter front end of the 2wd. My experience with 4s in the past has been at various Porsche events and track days in friends' cars where the difference is marked.
What a revelation our C4S was on this trip though. Our runs through Exmoor captured the beauty of the English countryside at it's best with challenging A and B roads, sinuous curves and some devilish switchbacks. In convoy with a gaggle of GT3's and Turbos this really put the handling of the car to the test. Particularly on tight, damp, poorly surfaced corners the extra feeling of security and bite at the front end was more than evident, so even this non-believer was becoming a convert.
Top down for a spell, with the Sport button and manual on the pdk selected, the throttle blipping happily on the downshifts really put a smile on our faces. As always the brakes were more than up to the job and with the standard suspension setting we had a very comfortable and controlled ride. With the convertible body there is still some scuttle shake over really bad surfaces but we avoided potholes as much as possible, apart from anything else this wasn't our car and those gorgeous turbo wheels need looking after.
With eleven cars threading nose to tail through some of the little market towns, a few heads were turned to say the least. We even had a local newspaper photographer waiting in one venue to catch the action. So, a hugely enjoyable four hundred miles and many thanks to Simon and Paul at Swindon "" you never know, I might be tempted by the 4, although I'd have to change my C2 numberplate.
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