Porsche 992 Carrera v Carrera S head to head review 2020

Over a year after the Porsche 992 rolled off the Zuffenhausen production line in Carrera S and 4S specification, the new generation 911 has at last grown – albeit downwards, with the introduction of the base Carrera.

The 992 Carrera S may have won awards in the motoring press in 2019 (sports car of the year in both the US and UK), but some owners have commented the 450hp car might just be too much car for roads in the real world.

The entry-level 992 Carrera may just have the answer to that criticism: it has less power, less tech, less weight, and costs £10,000 less. The question is, which of these rear-wheel-drive 992 models makes for the best 911 driving experience on the public road? I find out with a head-to-head test of the C2 and C2S on greasy, wintry British B-roads…

[bryancopca]

If you can afford you base 911, you’re already winning in life!

[adlethoong]

Anyone notice the running time for the video is exactly 9.11 checky checky HAHAHA

[ronstopfer]

I have driven my 992 C4S since Oct 15, and have put over 5, 000 miles on it. This car is a beast! I have the rear steering option, PASM, front camera, etc. I have driven it in a rain storm from hell, and in heavy snow, and ice covered roads. I have snow/ice dedicated tires and nothing disrupts this car. Best car I’ve ever owned, and I’ve been driving 911 cars since 1984 (that was with my ‘72 T).

[adamp]

Just bought the base Carrera Cabriolet 3 days ago. Slowest car I’ve had on 7 years. It’s perfect. It’s fast through the corners and revs beautifully and I don’t find myself constantly hitting brakes right after acceleration that you get with the sub 4 second cars that I’ve had. I think it’s either the base or the turbo S if you want the top of the line or you track your car.

[cmburns]

Besides not getting the option of a manual, you also can’t get the LSD for the base Carrera, which is a shame! That’s what made the 991 Carrera T so appealing - base engine, little bit less sound insulation, a proper manual and your good old LSD.

[Kira-qcqi]

I've been watching a lot of UK car reviews lately, and I've discovered something about your country: it's perpetually bloody raining.

[PeterJUren]

Thanks Lee. I've never seen a back-to-back comparison of a Carrera and a Carrera S before, well done. I'd also choose the manual trannie, but I'm not sure about 7 speeds. Cheers Peter

[drcaw]

Great review and comparison. Absolutely agree about the factory fit Pirellis - really poor tyre choice for the 911... even in the dry. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S deliver vastly superior all round performance.

[mblondon]

never seen this guy before. he could quite possibly be one of the better cars guys out there. SUBSCRIBED !

[oneeleven]

Litchfield will remap the Carrera from 380bhp to 503bhp & the Carrera S from 444bhp to 572bhp for £1200....bloody amazing👍

[jirace]

I'm sure the Carrera could be easily tuned for more power than any reasonable person needs for the street.

[Beefy-Tech]

Bought a carrera 4 for like 15k less then the equivalent S model, tuned it for 1000 euro to 515hp. Drives like a damn dream! Edit: that includes transmission tuning too.

[BobbyDazzler]

ty for this. you are the first for comparison

[alizainuddin]

Before even starting to watch the video I like how it's length is 9 Minutes 11 Seconds 9:11 :)

[lollypop]

You really improved the vidéo quality and content. Thank You.

[davidcollett]

Very nice comparison lee. Was behind one yesterday and they do have a big old rump shaker!
Maybe a 992t will be the sweet spot?
As is, i will hold my 981 spyder . 4 years in and nothing has turned my head to replace it yet...

[WahabGoldsmith]

I'm sorry but I disagree with your consensus of "Because its the entry-level spec don't spec anything on it" mentality. Sport Chrono is a must-have on any Porsche. Let alone a 911.

[reaver]

I've been postponing decision to get 992 because I wanted to check out the base model, and it turned out all that I wanted it to be it. Less powerful and high tech, maybe not raw but more down to earth. Got a silver one without any performance enhancing options and a few leather upgrades - the last time I was that happy with a car was 911.1.
With 991.2 S I felt the car was a bit too far from what 911 have been so far, too close to a precise track machine and Turbo.

[RobinSingh-lfiq]

Very nice and detailed review. I am in the market for a 992. I think I will go with the carrera s. I test drove the base carerra but it's exactly what the reviewer described it as relating to throttle input. Thanks man!

[davidjack]

Great review, im deciding between a base 4wd and an s