Dual Performer: New Porsche 911 Carrera S stays superfast, adds comforts for driving around town

The stereotypical image of a high-tuned sports car is a sleek, low slung model that zooms around a track but is reduced to lurching in traffic, since the gearing can’t handle slow speeds.

While that wasn’t exactly the case with the Porsche 911 Carrera, the performance car was hardly considered a daily driver.

Somehow, the carmaker has solved the conundrum, building a model that can gear down to a city crawl while continuing to maximize speed and agility on the open road.

Meet the seventh-generation 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S.

Pushing out 400 horsepower from its 3.8-liter six-cylinder rear engine, the coupe when fitted with a sport chrono package can hit 0-60 mph in a supersonic 3.9 seconds (4.1 seconds without the special sport mode). Yet the subtly curved showpiece vehicle can ease along at lower speeds: credit the fine-tuned seven-speed automatic gearbox.

The Porsche 911 is a list-topper for any sports car enthusiast, said Lee Claggett, sales and leasing consultant at Baker Porsche west of the Ashley. Without dimming its pure performance capabilities, the carmaker has modified the model as a “grand touring sports car,” he said.

“Porsche wants people to know it’s an everyday driver. You can buy a cup of coffee (and drink it on the way to work, for instance).” That’s not something you “see on an exotic sports car,” he said.

The 1511 Savannah Highway dealership received its first Carrera S models for sale on Feb. 4. The price tag is $112,000.

Available as of spring is a somewhat less powerful Carrera with 3.4-liter engine churning out 350 hp and the Carrera S Cabriolet convertible. For sports car purists, a Carrera S with manual transmission is on tap.

While the new model is geared to broadening its motoring scope, the car hasn’t lost its exotic quality. Highlighting this, U.S. dealers including Baker Porsche general manager Jake Miller put the car through its paces for two hours on Killarney Race Track in vivid Cape Town, South Africa, a couple of months ago.

Baker Motor Company owner Tommy Baker is excited about the new model.

“Whether this will be a customer’s first or their latest Porsche 911, it’s going to be the most exhilarating driving and ownership experience yet,” he said.

“The 911 Carrera S is the ultimate choice for drivers who want a true benchmark-setting sports car that they can put through its paces and enjoy all week long, not just for show or on weekends,” he said.

According to Baker, 90 percent of the Carrera S components are either new or fundamentally revised. The vehicle is longer, lower, wider, 100 pounds lighter, faster and more efficient than previous models, he said. The 400 hp engine is up 15 horses from before.

High-tech features include engine and transmission thermal management, electrical system recuperation and the world’s first seven-speed manual transmission, he said. The new electro-mechanical power steering offers the typical Porsche precision and helps to increase efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.

“This car has been completely redesigned from the ground up, making it the best version yet. It is destined to remain every bit the icon it has been since its 1964 debut,” Baker said.

In an hour long drive earlier this month, the thought “dream car” kept popping up when handling the new 911 Carrera S.

The model passes its test as a daily drivers, gliding around West Ashley throughfares with ease. A bit sluggish at lower speeds, the sports car nonetheless handled traffic admirably. The ride on leather seats was comfortable, and the automatic transmission was smooth.

A built-in navigation and communications system offers handy features, such as displaying the speed limit of the road you’re on. Driver and front passenger seats are roomy, with plenty of headroom. There’s space for conveniences such as cup holders.

While solid at slow speeds, the 911 Carrera S has in no way abandoned its sports car heritage. The model proves that a car can travel at less than breakneck speed and still be exhilarating. Handling is lightning quick when necessary, and there’s no sway on turns. Brakes are attentive. Acceleration is smooth, yet the engine emits a pleasing throaty growl. Call it, “Honey, I Shrunk the Muscle Car.”

The Carrera S gives drivers two performance choices, clutchless gear shifts with paddles on the steering wheel and a “sport” mode. Both provide the thrust needed to shotgun the car into higher speeds. A well-designed sunroof brings in a comfortable amount of air and keeps down glare.

There’s a few quibbles, mostly tied to Porsche vagaries. The key slot is on the left of the steering wheel: no big deal but something to get used to. Another Porsche trait is gears asend and descend as you push the paddles away from yourself or pull them toward you. Attention buyers. Make sure you know that.

Meanwhile, the car has the barest of trunks, able to hold maybe two pieces of luggage. And rear seats are fitting only for contortionists, sitting in the lotus position or for children — unless the front seats are yanked all the way forward.

Remember, however, the Carrera S is first and foremost a sports car. What’s so exciting is it’s not only a sports car.

How can you not enjoy a car that maneuvers you through traffic on the way home from work, then takes you on a fun cruise into the country, the next county or parts unknown.