Page 23 - Motor Trend (February 2020)

REAR VIEW

From the MotorTrend
Archive ...

Hardship assignment. Pilgrim endured
Mediterranean sun and air in the call of duty.

compared to this 911. In this applica- responses are almost certainly down to
tion, I expect to find the brakes have the the combination of the wider front track,
was largely credited
capacity to turn the poor car inside out. suspension improvements, and wider
to the model’s
The Turbo S’ rear end and stance front tires, which should all work to allow bandwidth—the
serves as an attention-sucking tractor better manipulation of the car’s front and Torino Cobra and
beam. The rear haunches seem to go on rear, from turn-in to corner exit. FEBRUARY 1970 GT were “about as
for yards, and I joked to Frank Walliser, A brief stint in the Cabriolet version PRICE: $0.50 much race car as
We awarded the first you’d be willing to
vice president of the 911 and 718 model with the top down revealed a surprising,
Car of the Year of the drive on the street,”
lines, that this might be the first 911 with almost complete lack of wind noise.
’70s to the Ford Torino. while the standard
a track width greater than its wheelbase. Otherwise, I sensed no measurable The Torino beat out Torino’s comfort as
He chuckled and confirmed the car is difference to the coupes. That said, on seven other cars to a family car really
0.8 inch wider than the previous 991 a racetrack the Cabriolet’s additional earn the title. Its win impressed us.
version—and 1.7 inch wider than the weight might more readily make its
992 Carrera S, itself already boasting presence felt. Speaking of tops, the new
some “widebody” 911 treatment. He also Turbo S Coupe also offers a sunroofless
mentioned he does not believe the 911 carbon option.
should get any bigger, but that’s a topic With my experience of testing various
for another day. 911 Turbo S models during the past
As we cruised along, I noticed the several years, my seat-of-the-pants gauge
Auto Stop feature, a first for a Turbo confirms already that this new one will
S. Thankfully, Porsche also provides a deliver a measurable performance leap
conveniently placed Off button. Other forward, as nutty as that might be. But
than that, the more I rode in the new with its backbreaking power, refined
car, the more I liked the difference in suspension, eight-speed PDK gearbox,
feel. Relative to the 991 Turbo S, and as and daily driving comfort, it’s all adding
I discovered when I drove the Carrera S up to a remarkably special result.
earlier this year, its improved grip and Andy Pilgrim FEBRUARY 1990 FEBRUARY 2010
PRICE: $2.75 PRICE: $4.99
Although our cover February 2010 was
featured the new Lotus our first taste of the
Elan (“Beyond Miata!: Ferrari 458 Italia,
we exclaimed), the real which would go on to
big story in this issue beat the Mercedes-
was our pick of the Benz SLS AMG and
1990 Car of the Year. Audi R8 V10 (both
Our teeny field—espe- also featured in the
cially compared to issue) and win Best
the modern award— Driver’s Car in 2011.
included just seven We also crowned
cars, with the Lincoln our 2010 Truck of the
Town Car coming out Year, the Dodge Ram
on top due to its comfy Heavy Duty.
cabin, aerodynamic
design, and safety
features.

FEBRUARY 2020 MOTORTREND.COM 23