The New Porsche 911

[Still-One]

Like most manufacturers Porsche has moved to a electronic shifter on the console. Not my preference but it is better than large dial types that pop up and are rotated on some vehicles. The electronic shifter is something I will have to deal with when I order a new Cayenne.

[Formerly YB-2]

The 911 is an amazing automobile. Its evolution since its inception has been amazing. Only other like it in either longevity or performance growth is the Corvette.
Like all 911s (and Corvettes), while I have my favorites, I'm good with the newest. Am also a fan of the pictured color scheme (a modern blue & yellow Sunoco?).

[ps7256]

Originally Posted by nicoff

I am not sure about the rear.
The rest I like!

Agreed, the rear seems a little off

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Like most manufacturers Porsche has moved to a electronic shifter on the console. Not my preference but it is better than large dial types that pop up and are rotated on some vehicles. The electronic shifter is something I will have to deal with when I order a new Cayenne.

What is an electronic shifter? Are you referring to the paddles?

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by nicoff

What is an electronic shifter? Are you referring to the paddles?

No not the paddle shifters. Like BMW, Audi, Land Rover, Mercedes the "automatic" transmission shifters no longer are gated mechanical devices. You push a button to put it into Park. You may move the lever a "small" amount on some cars to place the vehicle in drive or reverse but a electronic signal is sent to perform the task. The shifter is not mechanically attached to the transmission so they can make the smaller, or round or pop up, or on a stalk on the stearing column. I personally am not a fan of this put most vehicles are moving that way with each new iteration.

As a side note I was talking to the owner of the local Ferrari dealership a few weeks ago. I was surprised to find out that Ferrari offers no vehicles at all with gated shifters. All paddles. Yes, I know they are faster and more efficient.

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by Still-One

No not the paddle shifters. Like BMW, Audi, Land Rover, Mercedes the "automatic" transmission shifters no longer are gated mechanical devices. You push a button to put it into Park. You may move the lever a "small" amount on some cars to place the vehicle in drive or reverse but a electronic signal is sent to perform the task. The shifter is not mechanically attached to the transmission so they can make the smaller, or round or pop up, or on a stalk on the stearing column. I personally am not a fan of this put most vehicles are moving that way with each new iteration.

As a side note I was talking to the owner of the local Ferrari dealership a few weeks ago. I was surprised to find out that Ferrari offers no vehicles at all with gated shifters. All paddles. Yes, I know they are faster and more efficient.

Ah ok. Everything is going electronic. The accelerator for example. Also Power Steering. You name it. You will be lucky to find cars with manual transmission these days.

[doggiehowser]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLLN7f-a8xk

[tima]

Originally Posted by nicoff

Ah ok. Everything is going electronic. The accelerator for example. Also Power Steering. You name it. You will be lucky to find cars with manual transmission these days.

Drivers get closer and closer to being mere passengers. By virtualizing the driving experience and disconnecting the driver from the car, companies like BMW have lost their heritage. Traded their soul for broader market share. The German nanny state is not a friend to the driving enthusiast.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by tima

Drivers get closer and closer to being mere passengers. By virtualizing the driving experience and disconnecting the driver from the car, companies like BMW have lost their heritage. Traded their soul for broader market share. The German nanny state is not a friend to the driving enthusiast.

In my mind the "driving enthusiast" is a dying breed much like the audiophile community. Mainstream manufacturers cannot devote resources to vehicles that only sell to the declining few that care about being connected with their vehicles. Most vehicle owners want safety, they want reliability, and they want them to last for a long time. Much like audio you will pay thru the nose for one of the "enthusiast" vehicles.

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by tima

Drivers get closer and closer to being mere passengers. By virtualizing the driving experience and disconnecting the driver from the car, companies like BMW have lost their heritage. Traded their soul for broader market share. The German nanny state is not a friend to the driving enthusiast.

While I agree that many of today’s sport cars have many safety features that can disconnect the car and the driver it is also true that today’s cars are much more powerful than in the past. You now got a lot of cars that will output 500hp and do 0-60 in about 3 secs. Not much room for error! Even a few Porsches (the Carrera GT comes to mind) with built-in safety features are called widow makers.

Many of the safety features can be turned off so if one wants to experience it, that’s an option. I have done so with several of my cars in the past.

Talking about BMW, my wife drives an M2 with manual and it is a fantastic driving machine. And yes, you can disengage most of its safety/nanny features.