In the quest for automotive excellence, the work of Porsche and BMW is never done.
Witness their latest sports cars, the new 911 Carrera 4S and M850i xDrive.
Both big names, both big cars, and both with big personalities.
And while one may be the obvious choice for the sports car buyer, the other certainly
has plenty to interest if you're in the market for a $300,000 super sports car.
But as these cars move closer towards automotive perfection, is it going to be possible for
us to choose just one?
The BMW oozes drama with its elegant exterior design, while the Porsche is unmistakably
a modern 911 with a polished and high-tech finish.
Each car is all-wheel drive and each is ostensibly a two-seater, although they both do offer
rear seats for small or contortionist passengers.
But that's where the similarities end.
These cars may have a similar price point, but they're very different and very excellent
beasts.
The M850i xDrive is powered by a stonking 4.4L twin turbocharged V8 driven through an
eight-speed torque converter automatic, which propels the grand tourer to 100km/h in just
3.7 seconds.
And the Porsche favours its classic six-cylinder configuration.
The 3L engine also features twin turbos and is paired with a super sharp eight-speed PDK
dual-clutch transmission.
It beats the BMW off the line by just 0.1 seconds and is even quicker if you option
the Sport Chrono.
The M850i is longer than the 911 by over 300mm, and it's heavier by a whopping 400kg.
So it's no surprise that the 911 offers more sprightly performance.
But the new 992 is a large car too.
It's slimline but looks bulkier than earlier iterations.
Now the BMW is absolutely chock-full of technology and features.
Driver assistance aids, infotainment technology, wireless Apple CarPlay, absolutely seamless
integration, connected drive.
There's heated and chilled seats.
There's absolutely everything that a driver could ask for in this vehicle.
Now in direct comparison with the BMW, the 911 is definitely more of a sports car rather
than a grand tourer.
And as a result, you don’t get as much accommodation for your bits and bobs as you do in the BMW.
There's only one cup holder here.
The passenger's is right over here.
There's a small area for mobile phone.
And the door pockets, well they're pretty small.
So it is somewhat compromised on the cabin.
But in terms of technology, the 911 does have plenty to offer.
The screen's been updated so it's a little bit more functional than it has been in the
past.
And it's got this large driver information display.
But the edge of it is cut off by the steering wheel position.
So you actually have to move your head to see all of the array.
Practicalities, gloss, and glitter aside, the battle betwixt 911 and M850i is fought
on the road.
And as different as they are in size and engineering, the two cars offer similarly divergent personalities
once behind the wheel.
Both vehicles are supreme driver's cars.
The BMW offers a real wallop when the loud pedal is pressed.
But the Porsche's responsive engine and perky PDK shine too.
Where's a racetrack when you need one?
The 911 simply shines when it comes to its chassis too.
It feels alive and committed, compelling and spirited.
And as a driver's car, it's hard to criticise.
It's got balance, it's got roadholding, it's got presence.
The 911 Carrera 4S has got absolutely everything going for it.
If you've owned a 911 before, you're going to want to buy this car.
If you've never owned a 911 before, you're still going to want to buy this car.
It's just an absolute weapon.
There's just so much to love about the new Porsche 911.
Where do we start?
Well, it's got exceptional roadholding.
It's got amazing confidence-delivering ability as well, thanks to its all-wheel drive system.
Steering is super communicative too.
So when you combine all of those things, it's hard to see how Porsche can improve with the
future generation of this vehicle.
The M850i is a real revelation.
It certainly holds its own against the 911.
It's got just as much character but it's completely different.
Yes, the twin turbo V8 puts out a lot more power and torque.
It's a bigger, heavier car however.
So it's a bit of a challenge to drive, but that's why I like it so much.
No matter what vehicle you pitch against the Porsche 911, it's pretty hard to bet against
it.
But what we've seen in this back-to-back comparison is that BMW has certainly brought plenty to
the table in the form of the M850i xDrive.
In terms of performance, it stacks up really well against the 911.
It's got plenty of great driving characteristics, and the addition of that extra technology,
and more room, making it a more liveable vehicle.
In any other comparison with any other sport coupe, the BMW M850i xDrive would take the
win.
But this is the Porsche 911, and it's the stuff of legends for a reason.
Porsche continues to improve on this classic.
So it's the Carrera, for us, that takes the win.