Design

Taking a cue from earlier 911s, the restyled 2005 Porsche Carrera S returns to oval headlamps with separate turn signal indicators placed below and close to the bumper. The front air inlets not only provide cooling air for the engine, but direct fresh air to the front brakes.

The front fender design is more prominent than before. From the driver’s seat, they appear as bulging frames for the steeply sloped hood while allowing the eye to flow directly to the road ahead. The exterior side mirror design is derived directly from Porsche’s super car, the Carrera GT, shaped to reduce a major source of wind noise, which on the 911 is non-existent until you reach high speed.

The interior is refined with firm, supportive seats aiding in the reduction of fatigue. The layout of the dash and instrument panel is typically old-school German, making it easy to negotiate through the individual controls – unlike a modern BMW or Benz. The trademark five-gauge instrument panel has larger needles and dials that are easier to read. And the switches and controls are easily manipulated.

Seating is cozy without feeling confining, yet able to hold you firmly in place even during very aggressive cornering. This is what a sports car should be, with the added benefits of comfort and luxury.