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Porsche 911 4S - Boxster 2010



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Porsche 911 4S - Boxster 2010

AllCarCentral.com's Test Drive
Porsche North America is making every effort to showcase the performance of their cars.

In what appears to be a well planed operation started out with an invitation for me to drive one of several new models. Naturally I again accepted, having previously driven the Porsche 2010 911 Carrera 4S and 2011 Porsche Cayman S, I wanted more.

Porsche Boxster 2010

Our cars for the drive
Michael Stead Porsche
Walnut Creek, California 2010

The day started by meeting Kees Nierop, Porsche's certified driving instructor and famed Porsche race car pilot at our local Porsche dealership, of Michael Stead Porsche, in Walnut Creek, California. Kees gathered up the waiting group and moved us to the line of shiny new Porsches in the side lot, where he explained some of the more obscure features of the individual cars. When I was speaking with a Porsche Factory rep in Carmel Valley this last August I was told to try to get the chance to test the new 'Porsche Launch-control function', I brought this up to Kees. "Not today" was the answer.

Porsche Boxster 2010

Porsche 911 Carrera 4S 2010
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Michael Stead Porsche
Walnut Creek, California 2010


We were paired off with the cars of our choice. I again chose the 911 Carrera 4S, this time in red. In the previous 4S, I had experienced an interesting turn-in of the front wheels when in a turn at medium speeds with a throttle lift. As this was the only indication of the fact that I was in an all wheel drive car I wanted a second experience.

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Porsche Boxster 2010

Porsche Boxster 2010
Michael Stead Porsche
Walnut Creek, California 2010

Kees was the passenger in the lead Boxster and my passenger was Ken Pardini from the Stead dealership. The route was over streets and a short bit of a full freeway. I did get to test the acceleration of the 4S on the short on-ramp. The rest of the drive was on medium speed roads where the traffic and the request to stay in line, made the challenge of keeping in-line my focus over the 4S's road performance. However I did not experience the previous front end turn-in. The 4S does give the driver the power to do what he wants with just using the right foot in most situations. I liked that part.

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Porsche Boxster 2010

Porsche Boxster 2010 and Kees Nierop
Michael Stead Porsche
Walnut Creek, California 2010

At about half way through the route, the group made a stop and I switched with the driver of the Boxster. As the Boxsters top was down and I did not have a hat for the sun, I requested the top be in place, which Kees did with a push of button. The Boxster with the top up was as quiet as a coupe. However in the 4S coupe I had stored my large SLR camera behind the drivers seat. Entering the Boxster, the camera became a small problem, which Kees resolved by hand holding it until we reached the dealership.

The Boxster moved off with smooth grace and felt comfortable on the city streets in light traffic. To test the power in short burst when the opportunity was presented, I found that pre-selecting the proper gear ratio with the steering wheel paddle was necessary. This was the normal Boxster not the S, Kees reminded me.

Porsche has always made cars for driving and fitting in with the needs of peoples lives starting with the first cars to today's showroom specimens. The present line-up is an extension of that goal. Porsche cars are not just for special days or trips to the Club but for everyday driving. With today's Porsches all the one has to do is pick the power package and seating arrangement desired and enjoy.

Launch-control? Next time!

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