Porsche 991.1 technically inferior to the Porsche 991.2?

[mfschacht]

Disclaimer: I own a lightly optioned 2013 991.1 Carrera S, having PDF, Sport Exhaust as its only performance options. It does have sun roof delete, a $0 cost option and the $800 clear tail lights, and Agate Gray metallic paint, a $800 option. I did upgrade to the 991.1 Sport Steering wheel with paddle shifters. Coming from a 2015 Cayman GTS with paddle shifters, I just couldn’t get used to the feel and utility of the shifter buttons. The paddles are so simple, left side pull for down shift, right side pull for upshift, both in simultaneously for neutral, so they say, never tried it, can’t think of a reason why. The right upshift paddle doesn’t get much use, I confess.

Re. the info below, I bought my 2013 991.1 Carrera S in April, 2021. Never gave a thought to a 991.2, emotionally, I didn’t want to go back to a 3.0 motor, I had that in my 1980 SC, Weissach Coupe. Also, I was not looking for a turbo motor, love port injection and natural aspiration. In essence, I am perfectly happy with what I have, no regrets. Allow me to paraphrase, “Doth I protest too much?” Not on your life.

I took the car to the track (Willow Springs) in early June. What an experience…the car drove as if on rails, had it in the PDK Sport mode. I didn’t want to push it too hard and my times reflected this, a 1:36.XX, regardless, I was second fastest in PCA’s CC 12 class. All I need is a 5 second improvement to be #1!

My “Pit Neighbor” drove a 991.2 base Carrera, 3.0, 370 HP. It was equipped with PDK, and had the Sport Chrono package, confirmed as he mentioned having dynamic engine mounts, a feature unique Sport Chrono. For whatever reason(s), he was, at least 1.5 seconds quicker than me…I rationalized his success, he was a good driver, coupled with technical options X, Y and possibly Z. This stimulated my feeble thought processes, was the 991.2 somehow superior to my car? Well it should be….the 991.2 came on the scene in 2017 and ran through 2020, when the 992 came out. So I did a little digging as you will see below, and quite frankly I was dumbfounded when I realized the performance benefits of 991.2 Sport Chrono and PDCC.

First thing, is there a weight to HP advantage for the 991.2 over the 991.1:
• 991.1 Carrera S, average weight of 3,224/400 HP = Wt./Hp. of 8.06.
• 991.2 Carrera, average weight of 3,190/370 HP = Wt./Hp. of 8.62.
So there is no evidence the 991.2 has a HP advantage over my 991.1. So then it could only be:
• Better driver,
• Better tires,
• Technical advantages provided by Sports Chrono and PDCC, hmmmm, I think I am on to something.
So let’s drill down and examine if there are Porsche Corporate aka PAG documented technical advantages of the 991.2 over the 991.1? There clearly are.

Technical Advantage #1: 991.2 Sport Chrono Package Contains Model Specific Unique Features when compared to 991.1 Sport Chrono Package. Exclusive to 991.2, PAG confirms Sport Chrono Package with Mode Switch was optional on the 2016 – 2019 991.2 Carrera S cars. They state, “What’s new is the mode switch on the steering wheel, derived from the 918 Spyder to make you feel closer to the racetrack. Without your hand leaving the steering wheel, you can choose
any of four settings: Normal, SPORT, SPORT PLUS and Individual. Now you can adapt the vehicle even more to the way you want to drive.”

PAG adds, “In combination with PDK, the Sport Chrono Package on the 991.2 has a feature unique to its Sport Chrono Package, the motorsport-derived gearshift strategy. In this mode, PDK is geared up for extremely short shift times and optimum shift points for the maximum acceleration available. This combination of uncompromising and involving performance is ideal for the racetrack.” And then there is the – SPORT Response – function integrated into the Sport Chrono option package. From PAG, “Pressing the button in the centre of the mode switch primes the engine and transmission for the fastest possible unleashing of power. In other words, maximum responsiveness – for a period of approximately 20 seconds. A timer graphic in the instrument cluster tells you how long is left “ This feature is simply mind boggling…just imagine a car so equipped at the exit of Turn 9 at Willow Springs, press that button, and whoosh, gone. I have seen this personally as described below.

Earlier this year I was at Willow Springs with the POC in my 2020 Mustang GT Deluxe (Since sold!) with Performance Package 1. This car is heavy at 3,700 Lbs., but it has 460 HP, and on numerous occasions, with me at the wheel, it has reached a speed of 143 MPH at Willow Springs, at the end of the front straight before Turn 1. This speed was logged on my Garmin Catalyst on numerous occasions over the course of weekend…it was no fluke. In one of the sessions, I was on the tail of what I think was a 991.2, maybe even a 992, with what I believe to have been optioned with Sport Chrono and the Sport Response feature. I had chased him through 7 and 8, and now the moment of truth, Turn 9. Being that I had been on his tail through 7 and 8 and into 9, I was confident I would be passing that Porsche before the Timing Tower, or at least staying with him. This was not to be the case. That car took off as if on Nitrous. I happened to meet the owner of that car later in the day at a gas station and asked him about the car. He assured me it was Bone Stock. That exposure down the front straight at Willow Springs made me wary of the performance of the 991.2 Carrera S compared to my 991.1 Carrera S.

As we see in www.flatsixes.com, “The little button in the middle of the mode switch is the Porsche Sport Response Button (PSRB), and it makes you a driving God for 20 seconds. All it takes is a little press of the button. Porsche has revealed how it works: When you press the PSRB button, the drivetrain is set up for maximum acceleration for a time period of 20 seconds. The PDK gearbox will automatically select the right gear for accelerating, and the turbochargers are allowed to overboost. Porsche makes no claims on horsepower or torque increases during the overboost period, but the car certainly feels faster in the ‘seat-of-the-pants’ sense. We had a chance to test the button out when passing slower traffic, and it works wonders. Kick down a few gears, boost the power, and you’re instantly past what was formerly a rolling roadblock.”

Technical Advantage #2: 991.2 can be optioned with a superior Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC). The updated optional version on the 991.2 is superior to PDCC on the 991.1, mainly as a result of being packaged with rear axle steering, as described below. From PAG, “PDCC – optional for all 991.2 S models in conjunction with rear-axle steering – is an active anti-roll system that suppresses lateral body movement during cornering manoeuvres. In addition, it minimises the lateral instability of the vehicle on uneven ground. The results are improved dynamic performance, even more neutral handling and increased ride comfort – whatever the speed. In simple terms, the tyres and vehicle hold the road better and you can steer through corners faster and in a more relaxed manner. Which is why PDCC sets standards for driving performance, ride comfort – and driving pleasure.”

Conclusion: From what I have discovered with some basic research, I have no choice but to conclude, the 991.2 is technically superior to the 991.1 for at least the following reasons:
• 991.2 Upgraded Sport Chrono with the Sport Response button, providing up to 20 seconds of controlled mayhem,
• Upgraded PDDC option on the 991.2 with rear axle steering,
• Having a turbo engine, the 991.2 and beyond: The engines can more readily and cheaply be modified for more power with an electronic tune.

Do the above upgrades make me want to sell my 991.1 and get a 991.2, or perhaps 992? That simply is not the case. I love my 991.1 and it loves me, I hope! I am so far from tapping the true potential of my 991.1 car and am nowhere near to 100%. Were it possible to ad an optimized Sport Chrono and PDDC to my car, would most likely (Hopefully!) make me faster, but it wouldn’t make me a better driver. And when a 991.2 blows by me on a straight coming off of a turn, I can surmise it will be due primarily to three (3) variables, or a combination thereof:
1. The 991.2 has a better driver in the seat,
2. The PDDC is facilitating a better exit out of the corners on to the straights,
3. That Sport Response button with the turbo over-boost is doing its job, wreaking mayhem!

And as far as driving goes, as we heard Clint Eastwood say in the closing lines of Magnum Force, “A man has got to know his limitations.” And I would take the liberty to add, once you know them, do whatever is necessary to address them, be all that you can be.

[Tom]

I can't speak to the 991.1 vs. 991.2 debate, but I went from a 991.2 Turbo S to a 992 Turbo S (991.3?) and I have to say its better in every way. They bumped the power up, which is great, but the ride is better, the exhaust note is way better, the grip is better -- the whole thing is just more visceral than the 991 Turbo. I'm guessing that was very much by design...

[RAD911]

I had a 13 991.1 C4S and loved it. I never thought I would let that one go, as it was the 3.8 etc. I actually had to let it go for certain unforeseen reasons. Then when I got the 911 bug again, I test drove a base 991.2 and was blown away. The 3.0 turbo is an amazing engine. So I think the 991.2 Base is even better than my 991.1 C4S. They are always improving them. I am sure the 992 is better yet.

[mfschacht]

991.2 base is a beast. Put a DSC V3 (Suspension) Controller on to optimize the suspension, add a center radiator. 370 HP is beastly. If you want 400 + HP, this is easily attained with a sport tune....consider adding the 991,2 Carrera S 6. piston calipers.

When looking for a Porsche car last Spring, I didn't consider the 991.2.....I wanted the rasp and bark of a 991.1 3.8 with Sport Exhaust..I will be adding the DSC V3 controller in the Fall and hopefully a 3rd center radiator.

[atlrhino]

When or what option on 991.2 will include PDCC or must that be a separate option ?

[SignalY_GT3]

I have not driven any 911s besides 992s yet. You sir just made me want to try.

[fdonato911t]

Good post, I’ve been debating the difference between these 2 models. I’ve been leaning towards the 991.1 mainly because of the NA engine.

[911-Purist]

Good post, I’ve been debating the difference between these 2 models. I’ve been leaning towards the 991.1 mainly because of the NA engine.

Martin has some good articles that he might want to share.

Back in 2018, when I decided to add another 911, all that was available was a 991.2 or a GT3. Well I did not want a turbo engined 991.2 and GT3s were going for far more than new, so no thanks.

At the time I was sorry I didn't go for a 991.1 GTS that I was looking at when they came out. I wanted the NA 3.8L engine and a manual transmission. I lucked into a used 2015 911 Carrera 4 GTS with tons of mostly performance factory options and with only 98 miles, so basically it was new...in 2018.

Now that I have owned it for over 5 years, I'm glad I am not putting up with 991.2 coolant pump issues that Porsche extended the warranty on till 10 years (what exactly is supposed to happen after that).

[Nashvegas]

EDIT: I just realized you're comparing a non S 991.2 ! Nevermind the below.

Great post! One thing. I think you are perhaps operating with incorrect information on the weight - I thought the 991.1 S was the lighter of the 2 cars, and generally speaking the 991.2 S is about 100 lb heavier similarly optioned.

991.1 - 2013 Carrera S curb weight = 3,075 to 3,230 lbs
991.2 - 2017 Carrera S curb weight - 3,175 to 3,329 lbs

(all from google so who knows if accurate)

[blueline]

EDIT: I just realized you're comparing a non S 991.2 ! Nevermind the below.

Great post! One thing. I think you are perhaps operating with incorrect information on the weight - I thought the 991.1 S was the lighter of the 2 cars, and generally speaking the 991.2 S is about 100 lb heavier similarly optioned.

991.1 - 2013 Carrera S curb weight = 3,075 to 3,230 lbs
991.2 - 2017 Carrera S curb weight - 3,175 to 3,329 lbs

(all from google so who knows if accurate)

Welcome to Carpokes Nashvegas!