Porsche 911 review - Interior, design and technology

Whereas the last three generations of 911 have focused on a vertical centre stack in the cabin, this 992 returns to its older ancestor’s roots with a more classic horizontal design.

That’s been made possible by a 10.9-inch landscape-format touchscreen infotainment system. It’s clearly been inspired by the setup in the firm’s Panamera and Cayenne models, although it’s not quite as large here.

It’s just as advanced and easy to use though. The touchscreen is nicely integrated and with most functions operated by the panel, it has allowed Porsche’s designers to de-clutter the cabin. There are fewer buttons on the transmission tunnel, and the climate controls have been simplified.

The main screen is joined by a pair of seven-inch high-definition units either side of the central rev counter – again, a 911 trademark. This is now the only analogue dial in the binnacle, even though there are digital representations of the other four dials on the pair of screens.

Quality has taken yet another step up too. The surfaces are cleaner, the dash lined with leather and there are plush-feeling materials on the centre console where the new shift lever is located, for example.

Along with the retro-inspired design, Porsche has revived some more classic interior trim combinations, with wood veneers now available. It sets the cabin off nicely, while you can of course choose cool metal finishers and all manner of different leather colours to tailor your car’s cabin to your tastes.

The interior has had a rather simple but effective rethink, and that extends to storage. The door bins have been modified slightly and will take phones and wallets, while the glovebox is a decent size. There’s enough storage for a car of this type, which helps make the 911 the usable package it is.

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Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment 

There’s even more in-car technology available – this is the most advanced and connected 911 ever. Online navigation fed by swarm data for traffic services is complimented by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, plus a host of other functions that make the 911 easier to live with. There’s even a free track telemetry app that’ll record your laps and overlay data if you fancy venturing onto the circuit to explore the 911’s performance.

The latest PCM system is easy to manipulate on the move, while the twin screens that flank the rev counter are controlled by button clusters on either side of the steering wheel. The menus are logical and you quickly get the hang of navigating around the system.

You can also use the display to alter the driving mode – there’s an updated rotary drive mode selector on the steering wheel, allowing you to move the car between the new Wet mode, Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual (the later coming as part of the Sport Chrono pack). Using the touchscreen you can also toggle the sports exhaust, if it’s fitted, and the dampers.