The time is ever drawing ever closer for the new 911 to be unleashed upon the world, and Porsche is leaving no stones unturned to make sure the new sports car is better than the outgoing one in every respect.
The eighth generation Porsche 911 will be launched in Europe at the beginning of 2019. Before that happens, however, the car must undergo rigorous torture testing in all sorts of weather imaginable over all sorts of roads imaginable. Test mules have been moving between climate zones with temperature differences of up to 85 degrees Celsius. Yet other test mules are being tested across varied terrain with a difference of elevation running close to four kilometres. But that's not enough for Porsche. Tes cars are also busy blazing new lap records on circuits around the world as well as sitting patiently in long traffic jams in major cities.
“In addition to its outstanding performance, it's the 911's suitability for daily use that has always put it in a class of its own,” comments Andreas Pr¶bstle, Project Manager for the Complete Vehicle of the 911. “That's why we test the vehicle under all conditions, and in every type of weather. The vehicles' drivetrain must function as flawlessly as the fluids, systems, operating processes and displays. It's the only way we can be certain that the car can be driven in all regions of the world without any issues,” he adds. Every component of the car must function as reliably as it did at the outset: that's the goal of the development team.
The testing focuses first on the company's traditional strengths, like the chassis and the engine, both of which have been enhanced for the next-generation 911. New functional checks and stress tests have been put in place for the entirely new operating concept in the cockpit as well as instrument displays. The rigorous testing schedule also encompasses the new driver assistance systems and connectivity options.
In hot regions such as the Middle East or Death Valley, USA, the air-conditioning, thermal management, and combustion behaviour are inspected for durability at temperatures sometimes exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. Under such harsh conditions, components must not expand or contract and make noises when exposed to heat. In a totally opposite part of the Earth, among Finland's snow-laden, subzero landscapes, testing focuses on cold starts, heating, traction, handling and braking behaviour, and the response speed of the control systems related to driving dynamics.
Porsche 911s on endurance runs on Chinese roads have also been proved reliable despite running on fuel of varied quality. The cars' fuelling, intake and turbocharger responses have also been ratified from Death Valley which lies 90m below sea level to Mount Evans which is situated at a height of 4,300m above sea level.
With so many aspects of testing covered by Porsche, it's no wonder the 911 is still the best sports car out there. Every single nut and bolt of the car has been tested to the extremes, and Porsche says the new 911 has already driven close to three million kilometres spread over its numerous mules. Little wonder then, that the new eighth-gen Porsche 911 will hold true to its tradition of being the best 911 of all time.
