Top five Porsche drives of 2015 – Josh’s picks
While last year saw me drive at least one iteration from every Porsche 911 generation, I’ve been more selective in 2015, focussing on getting behind the wheel of the rarest neunelfers around. That hasn’t made it any easier to pick this list, though; there are so many cars that could’ve made the cut. Here is my top five:
5) Porsche 964 Carrera RS
There was a lot of hype about Porsche 964 Carrera RSs in in 2014. Therefore, my expectations were high when I jumped behind the wheel of not one but two this year. Thankfully, on both occasions, the 964 RS never failed to live up to my expectations.
On the track it was easy-going and playful but it was on the road where I thought it excelled. For a trip to your favourite local roads, it is possibly the perfect Porsche 911 with a beautiful blend of agility and pace.
Read our Porsche 964 RS v Porsche 997.2 GT3 RS head-to-head in issue 128, available to download now.
4) Porsche 356A Speedster
Okay, so this one isn’t a Porsche 911 but it is the iconic car that inspired three separate 911 Speedster variations between the 1980s and the 2010s. It also happens to be the oldest car I’ve driven to date.
It’s undoubtedly the slowest car I’ve driven too but this Porsche 356A Speedster has unlimited levels of charms and is indisputably the coolest Porsche that I’ve ever had the pleasure of driving.
Read our Porsche Speedster group test in issue 129, available to download now.
3) Porsche 991 GT3 RS
My anticipation levels for the Porsche 991 GT3 RS have been at fever pitch since the start of the year when I added to the list of 911s I wanted to drive this year. When I finally got the chance to get into its 918-style bucket seats, I couldn’t believe what I was greeted with.
The latest 911 Rennsport is a technological marvel, capable of pulling 1.7G lateral loads on road legal tyres! My time on track in one at Le Mans was brutal, which is an oft-used word when describing any car from the 991 generation. Andreas Preuninger’s team have got it spot on again.
Read our first drive of the Porsche 991 GT3 RS in issue 128, available to download now.
2) Porsche 911 S-R 2.5
After driving Autofarm’s ST replica in 2014, I wanted to drive a real 911 ST this year. However, I managed to go one better and get behind the wheel of an original Porsche 911 S-R 2.5, the factory-built version of the ST (the latter being a kit of bits provided to privateers).
Like any pre-impact bumper 911, the steering and chassis was sublime but it was the engine that truly captivated with its bellowing, raucous, unsilenced howl. To borrow the words of factory racer Patrick Long, “it felt like I was watching a movie” when I was driving the 911 S-R. I still want another go…
Read our Porsche 911 S-R 2.5 test drive in issue 130, available to order now.
1) Porsche 964 Carrera 4 Lightweight
If the Porsche 964 Carrera RS was able to meet my expectations, the Porsche 964 Carrera 4 Lightweight blew them completely out the water. On track (where it is most at home), the adjustable differential was a revelation creating such a sweet handling car with pure thoroughbred competition intentions.
It’s such a special Porsche 911 too, created to stop job cuts within Porsche Motorsport. The Leichtbau’s backstory, like its driving experience, is perfect. The fact that I got a quick tutorial with the 964 Carrera 4 Leichtbau’s creator, Jürgen Barth simply added to the occasion. Easily my best drive of 2015.
Read our Porsche 964 Carrera 4 Lightweight versus 964 Carrera RS twin test in issue 131, available to order now.
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