PORSCHE 993RS

Extract from Performance Car Magazine
Stripped to its bare essentials, the 911RS offer a racecar feel for the road.

For £9.500 more than the basic 911 Carrera you get wind-up windows instead of push button electrics, smart webbing loop door pulls that weigh nothing, no air conditioning, no central locking, high sided lightweight front seats, thinner glass, an alloy front luggage lid and 300bhp instead of 285bhp...

On the face of it you pay more and get less. Some people won't understand all that. You can almost hear them saying: Wind-up windows? Hardly any quicker than the standard Carrera? And you pay more? But the RS isn't a Carrera with the bits taken off. It's built an RS from the ground up. Forced to choose one of these cars, this is probably the one I would go for. With the possible exception of air conditioning, I wouldn't miss the add-on luxury. At 1.270kg, the RS weighs 100kg less than the ordinary Carrera and that is significant. It translates into finer, faster responses. The difference isn't night or day but if you appreciate such things it is important. Porsche knows this: that's why the RS exists.

On another level, its enough to say that the RS has excellent power steering that on the move is light, positive and informative. Like the GT2 it has a hard rimmed steering wheel - beautiful to look at but you need gloves to cover any serious distance on twisty roads. The seats look spartan but in use they are great. I spent a whole day in a new RS at Donnington, giving rides to guests of the magazine. Even at the close of play I could not fault the seat. Or the car come to that. There were simply no signs of stress or strain. It might as well have been parked up for the duration. But that's typical of 911's.

As you would expect, there's a bit more noise inside and a bit more 'go' than you get with the standard car. But then that noise is very enjoyable and the ride is surprisingly good. Anyone who has done a bit of competition driving will find this an easy going, everyday road car which can respond instantly to a change in the drivers mood and deliver great satisfaction. It feels alive and responsive but doesn't dart about on bumpy roads like the RS models of only a few years ago.

My car, I think (wish!) Cost £68.495

Verdict - Less really is more. The leaner meaner RS is an enthusiasts dream. It has that rare but oh-so desirable lightweight feel and quicksilver responses. Although only slightly quicker than the standard Carrera in a straight line, its extra alertness is a defining factor. This is one serious driving machine. But a practical everyday car too.