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2004 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Tiptronic Road Test

Lessons in Domesticating a Predator

Porsches public relations department does a great job of getting its message out to its customers, starting with the automotive journalists that review its cars. While some automakers, like Ford Motor Company, do a fabulous job of writing and delivering press releases, Porsche does this and then backs up its words with the opportunity to test more press cars than the worlds number three car manufacturer.

Yeah, its bizarre really. Tiny Porsche with only three general models, Boxster, 911 and Cayenne, actually managed to get me into four press cars this year while Ford could only muster three so far, plus no Lincolns or Mercurys. The German brand even had another one that I wasnt able to book.

This is smart of Porsche, of course, as they not only create the opportunity to sell their harshest critics on the

Although it has a relatively small lineup of models, Porsche does a great job providing numerous press cars for journalists to drive. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

merits of the brand and the many variations of its three models, but the strategy also gets the Stuttgart company more press than if they hadnt offered us so many test cars. I spoke with a Ford PR rep about this recently, and the fact that after five years of asking I still havent been able to allocate a Taurus press car. To be fair to Ford she had a point, why put a press car on the road if they know theyre going to get a negative review.

Still, despite Porsche being close to delivering its completely revamped 911,

The near bone-stock 911 C2 Tiptronic was spruced up with lowered seats, Xenon headlamps, 18-inch alloy rims, a premium Bose audio system, and an electronically tuned Sport Exhaust. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

internally known as the 997, to dealers across the country, they saw fit to offer up a completely bone stock 911 C2 to their press fleet. Well, it wasnt exactly bone stock, as it included an automatic transmission, lowered seats, Xenon headlamps, 18-inch alloy rims, a premium Bose audio system, electronically tuned Sport Exhaust, that incidentally doesnt do a thing for performance but makes the note coming out of the tailpipe richer than the $2,400 the option costs.

I cant say Im a big fan of the base car, as its tactile quality inside is pretty substandard compared to anything

The base 911s tactile quality inside is pretty substandard compared to anything else in this class. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

else in this class. But its a good idea for Porsche to remind us about this fact, just before bringing out its 2005 model that has been reported to be an amazing improvement in this respect.

Currently its a monotone affair that hardly inspires any artistic leanings, with clearly identifiable, down to business gauges. A telescopic steering wheel is provided, allowing a better drivers, but I was disappointed there was no tilt option. I had to be satisfied being able to raise the drivers seat so that the steering wheel was where I like it, but then I felt a little out of place with the pedals. That drivers seat, however, is fabulous, holding the back and buttocks in place during aggressive side-to-side slalom testing.

And

Thanks in part to Porsches awe-inspiring stability control system, there are few cars that can out corner the 911. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

just how Porsche will improve on the current cars handling dynamics I cant imagine. Yes, there are cars available that will out corner a 911, but there arent many. The C2 is superb in this respect, managing twisting curves at high speed with absolute confidence thanks in part to a low centre of gravity, a lightweight fully-independent aluminum suspension, and Porsches awe-inspiring stability control system, dubbed PSM for Porsche Stability Management. The latter dials in just enough throttle-induced oversteer to make the sports car fun in corners but not anywhere near enough to bring its tail around - the bane of early 911s.

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