Currently reading: Autocar's most popular reviews of the week
The new Porsche 911 Carrera S is the most popular review on autocar.co.uk this week

The Porsche 911 Carrera S has taken top spot for the most-viewed reviews on Autocar for the week ending 13 November. Read below to find out what joined it in the top five.

1 – Porsche 911 Carrera S

Taking top spot this week is the 2016 Porsche 911 Carerra S, which signals the beginning of a new era for the famous rear-engined sports car, as Porsche drops its naturally aspirated engines in favour of a new turbocharged unit that gives the popular Carrera and Carrera S models more power and better fuel economy.

The 414bhp six-cylinder 911 Carrera S receives some mild styling updates to differentiate it from its naturally aspirated siblings and comes with Porsche’s new Communication Management system, which includes Google Earth and Google streetview.

However, the engine is the star of the show. See if this new turbocharged unit can win over the 911 purists.

2 – Porsche Macan GTS

The new Porsche Macan GTS, unveiled at the Tokyo motor show, takes the second spot in our most-viewed reviews this week, as the latest addition to the baby SUV range is put to the test.

This version sees its bi-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 355bhp, 20bhp more than the S, allowing the 1.9-tonne small SUV reach 62mph in a mere 5.2sec. The GTS also receives the same brakes as the Turbo, Porsche’s active chassis system and the new infotainment system that made its debut on the 911 featured above.

But one question remains: is the new Macan worthy of the GTS badge adorned on the rest of Porsche’s range?

3 – Porsche 911 Carrera

Completing a Porsche top three is the entry-level 911 Carrera, which, along with the Carrera S, will form the bulk of new 911 sales. As with the Carrera S, this 911 also comes with Porsche’s new turbocharged engine.

This version we tested comes with a bi-turbo 3.0-litre flat six engine producing 369bhp, helping to propel it to 62mph in 4.6sec. Unlike the S, the Carrera is mated to a seven-speed manual gearbox, but it also receives the same styling tweaks, including new LED daytime running lights and infotainment system.

The 911 Carrera comes with a new clutch and longer gearing designed to be easier on the left leg when putting the new Porsche through its paces.

Find out if this new ‘entry-level’ 911 is a match for the Jaguar F-Type R Coupe or the Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

4 – Ferrari F12tdf

Ferrari loves a bit of nolstalgia, and that is the case with its F12tdf, which is in reference to the old Tour de France road race. But there is nothing pedestrian about this limited-run F12, which receives an extra 40bhp over the standard car, taking its output to 770bhp, all through allowing the V12 engine to breath easier and using racing-derived mechanicals.

Back to top

Ferrari hasn’t stopped there, as it put the F12 on a diet. As a result, the F12tdf weighs 110kg less than the standard car through the Alcantara rather than leather and carbonfibre in place of aluminium. Read how we got on with the £339,000 F12tdf on Maranello’s roads.

5 – Volvo XC90 T8

Taking the final spot this week is the sensible, family-orientated Volvo XC90, except this version is the Swedish manufacturer’s hybrid version, with an 81bhp electric motor attached to a turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 314bhp.

The batteries for the electric motor are stored in the transmission tunnel, meaning that the XC90 is still capable of being a seven-seat SUV and capable of travelling up to 24 miles on electric power, which is useful on short journeys. 

We have already tried a version of the T8, which Volvo acknowledged needed more work, but in this review we have driven a production version of the hybrid SUV. Find out whether Volvo’s adjustments have made the difference.

Read more Autocar reviews here.

Get the latest car news, reviews and galleries from Autocar direct to your inbox every week. Enter your email address below:

 

Add a comment…