Porsche 911 news - A winning formula – 2008

Porsche has just unveiled its new 911, and the big news is that it's got front-wheel drive and a four-cylinder turbo engine. 

Oh, no, it hasn't.

You didn't honestly think Porsche would mess with its rear-engined, flat-six formula, did you? The new 911 is, unsurprisingly, a gentle evolution of Porsche's 45-year-old icon, but it does get a couple of New and Exciting technologies.

Direct injection, first up. Porsche introduced direct fuel injection (DFI) in the Cayenne last year, and now the 3.6- and 3.8-litre flat-sixes get it too. That means improved economy and emissions - 29.4mpg and 225g/km of CO2 on the 3.6-litre unit - and comes with an increase in power.

The smaller six now puts out 345bhp - up 20bhp on the previous-gen - while the bigger 'S' engine is up 30bhp to 385bhp. That means the Carrera S Coupe will now hit an impressive 188mph and, when linked to the double-clutch gearbox, hit 62mph in just 4.5 seconds.

Ah yes, the double-clutch gearbox. Did we not mention that? The 911 is the first car to the the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (or PDK, if you prefer. Which you do) - a seven-speed flappy-paddle gearbox in similar vein to Volkswagen's DSG.

Lighter than Porsche's old 'Tiptronic S' transmission, it shifts up to 60 per cent quicker than a standard auto 'box... but it'll set you back a not-inconsequential £2,338. Oh, and another £729 on top of that if you want Launch Control. Which, once again, you do.

In terms of visual enhancements, it's one for the Porsche-geeks only: new LED running lights front and rear, larger rear view mirrors and some fresh alloys. 

The new 911 goes on sale next month, with prices slightly more expensive than the equivalent current model. We'll tell you how it drives very very soon. We expect big things.