8th generation Porsche 911 sparkles at LA Auto Show

Porsche ambassadors Mark Webber and Maria Sharapova

What comes to mind at the mere mention of Porsche?

Definitely the numbers 911.

For more than five decades now, the 911 has represented the very essence of Porsche’s existence with such iconic qualities that make it one of the greatest automotive stories ever told.

From celebrities, to the filthy rich and even simple people whose lives are built around cars, driving the classic rear-engine 911 is more than just a dream. It is an obsession.

After launching the eighth generation 911 recently at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Porsche made the faithful salivating even more with a version that the top gun at the Zuffenhausen factory in Germany says is “even more powerful, more emotional, and even more efficient than its predecessor.”

Raising the level of design and technology generation after generation, it’s just amazing how the brains behind the latest 911 put in the changes that allowed Oliver Blume, CEO of Porsche AG, to walk the talk when his team finally unraveled the car before select motoring journos at the Porsche Experience Center in Carson, California.

Preceding the global reveal was a journey through time with sentimental highlights that evoked milestone memories as far back as the generation of the hippies when the 911 first made its debut, to the Carrera 3.0 during the so-called freedom 70s and the entry of a G Model that coincided with breaking of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

The star of the show—the new 911 codenamed 992—then made its grand entrance flashing a muscular look that complements the tremendous power under the hood.

The new 911 Carrera S boasts of 443 horsepower, an increase of 23 from the outgoing model. Engine power comes from a newly developed six-cylinder turbocharged engine mated with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Inside the cockpit, there’s a larger touchscreen of 10.9 inches with simplified functions for faster and easier use, plus an instrument cluster that its designers say shows a nice balance between analog and digital.

Throw in several innovative digital concepts in the mix, and you’ve got a brand new model that is going to further extend its time-tested legacy.

The author takes a selfie with Sharapova

Three apps developed by Porsche owners make their driving more enjoyable and well-planned, as well becoming more sensitive to the protection of environment.

The first is called Porsche Road Trip that will help driving enthusiasts plan road trips by selecting a scenic route, giving restaurant and hotel recommendations, and highlighting viewpoints along the way.

Porsche 360+, meanwhile, is a lifestyle assistant that “offers services that make everyday life easier for customers, and opens up access to exclusive experiences.”

Oliver Blume, CEO of Porsche AG

And Porsche Impact measures the amount of CO2 the 911 emits on a given trip, and lets owners offset it by making a financial donation to climate-related projects around the world.

As an added technology feature, Porsche has also developed Wet mode that detects water on the road, preconditions the control systems accordingly and warns the driver.

The camera-based warning and brake assist system, also fitted as standard, detects the risk of collisions with moving objects and initiates emergency braking if necessary.

Night Vision Assist with a thermal imaging camera is optionally available for the 911 for the first time.

There will never be a sportscar like the 911. Truly a Porsche icon.

For more information, contact Porsche Philippines at 7270381 to 85 or visit any Porsche showroom in Alabang, Global City, Greenhills and SM Seaside City Cebu.