Porsche C4 2006 review

Those original production AWDs may well have been "porkers" but a decade and a half on and no longer does the jibe carry any credence. The 997 C4S carries a $15,000 premium over the comparative rear-wheel-drive Carrera, but more to the point it has a weight impost of just 55kg.

Admittedly, that's not nothing but it is so well hidden in the dynamics of the car that you are not going to notice it.

The real joy of the latest generation of C4 is just how much of the drive enjoyment of a "common" 911 has been maintained while stretching the grip envelope to breaking point. The key to that enjoyment is the rear bias of the torque delivery and the lightning-fast variation in the torque split.

Operating through a viscous multiple-plate coupling to deliver a minimum of 5 per cent drive to the front wheels with up to 40 per cent transferred as surface grip falls, the system is one of the best around. From the driving seat the torque variation is all but seamless.

On the slickest of surfaces, particularly with the stability control turned off, the Carrera 4S has manners that are akin to a well-sorted rear-driver.

In common with the rear-drive 911 Carrera, the steering feels alive, a huge improvement over the earlier C4 models where weight and less elastic torque delivery robbed the car of the chance to share Porsche's stellar reputation for feedback to the driver.

The 997 generation C4s point, grip and go, all the while flattering the driver.

Drive in the test car was through a slick six-speed manual. The clutch is light enough not to require a Charles Atlas body-building program and the pedal placement for heel-toe operation is nigh-on perfect. The throws are short, the gates close and the whole thing reeks of precision.

That said, Porsche's five-speed Tiptronic automatic is one you can specify without having to slip on a wig and high heels. After all, there is nothing limp about paying $8000 for an auto and smiling about it.

Just because they can, Porsche's engineers have added a pair of new functions to the all-wheel-drive cars that will most probably find their way on to the 997 Turbo when it is launched later this year.

To shorten braking distances a sensor reads when a sudden lift on the accelerator occurs and assumes the following action will be a panic brake application.

Brake pressure is preloaded and the pads set to gently brush the discs in anticipation of braking. The second function is for brake pressure to be boosted to the ABS threshold and held for an emergency stop. And for the first time the all-wheel-drive cars are available with Porsche active suspension management (PASM), standard on the C4S.

Engine output is unchanged from the comparative rear-drive cars. The 3.8-litre flat-six in the C4S produces the same 261kW@6600rpm and 400Nm@4600rpm as the rear-driver with surprisingly similar performance levels.

Porsche-supplied figures have the rear-drive and all-wheel-drive S model sprinting to 100km/h neck-and-neck at 4.8 seconds.

That's in a straight line. It's when traction starts to slip away that the C4s come into their own. Apart from the AWD advantages, the extra 44mm across the rear houses grippy 305/30 ZR19s with 235/35 ZR19s on the front.

The coupe comes with a full suite of six airbags — just in case.

The standard-fit brakes are sensational but if you really want to spend your money Porsche is happy to help out with the optional composite ceramic brake package at $18,990.

Inside, the C4 is essentially the 911 with all the neat things in place. Great seats with grip and comfort, the classic Porsche dash display, easy to reach and simple to read, and a good sound system if you want to listen to any music other than the snarl of the flat six behind you.

The rear seat remains the province of little people or friends desperate for a ride in a Porsche. A minor issue, really, because a Porsche is for driving not riding in.

The rear seat will also make a handy luggage area as there is precious little in the "boot" tucked away under the bonnet.

Strictly a case of "suitcases need not apply".