CNET News (Enlarge photo)

As a car-maker, Porsche is unusual in that it usually seems to be driven more by engineering than by marketing. But, especially in the 911 line, that means a focus on traditional sports car core values --power balanced with handling, and driving characteristics that can be best utilized by skilled drivers.

The recently introduced 2009 911 Carrera and Carrera S models continue in that vein. They are still known by internal code 997, but it's Version 2.0. New engines boast more power, better fuel efficiency, and lower emissions. As with all 911s since the 1963 prototype, they are horizontally opposed sixes, and like all since the 996 version of 1998, they are liquid cooled. The engines have the same displacement as last year--3.6 liters for the Carrera and 3.8 for the Carrera S--but are... // CNET News

CNET News (Enlarge photo)

Some cars had the manual gearbox, others had PDK. The stick shifted quickly and smoothly, and the engine's wide torque band meant that third gear was used for 80 percent of the time, with shifts down to second for tight corners and up to fourth for the straights. I used PDK in both manual and automatic modes. Surprise--automatic was quicker. The transmission computer learns what the driver wants, and quickly, as in within the first half mile. There were no inappropriate shifts, like in the middle of a corner, which can seriously upset control of the car at speed. Only once was the car in too high a gear for a corner, and that was largely my fault, as I got in too hot and jammed on the brakes. Even then it was no big deal, given the wide torque band.

There is something satisfying about... // CNET News