Whenever a new Porsche 911 will, holds the automotive world held its breath. We have the 991 series, which debuts in September at the IAA official, accompanied by a prototype ride in South Africa.

Are the most important change is at the rear. Who wants to show friends and proud that his powerful boxer engine 911, takes the tube. For the heart of the Porsche can not be viewed publicly on the new series 991st Instead of a bonnet at the rear is only open to another service door, as it was known years ago as the Audi A2. The engine itself is located behind covers in secret. Basic aerodynamics and construct a new rear spoiler is fitted with a retractable, significantly wider than it previously knew from the penalty. Who sees the back of the 911 detects even elegant design parallels to Aston Martin. "The Porsche 991 is a really new 911s," says development manager Bernd Kanau, "the former 997-based to a great extent on the previous 996th This is completely different from the 991. "

More than three years, the new series of the Porsche flagship shield in Scandinavia, Germany, the United States and Africa was put under the microscope and tested for heart and kidney. As the European mid-February temperatures are anything but comforting, it took a team of eight test vehicles to South Africa this time. The grim-faced prototypes fall around here on little more than normal 911 models. Painted black and equipped with planking on the front and rear, it goes from Cape Town via Paarl and Wellington on the road 301 in direction R Wittebrug nature reserve and then further north into the mountains. Suspension and dampers in the full-day program also put under the microscope like air conditioners, trim, propulsion units, and wheel-tire combinations. Bernd Kanau it is the last project. His life is the Porsche 911 Since the G-series, he worked at Porsche's development team responsible. He succeeded his father, who was at the Zuffenhausen a similar job. In autumn, when the new Porsche 911 will on the market, his work is done and goes into the automotive Kanau retirement. He is happy in South Africa, where Porsche subjects for over ten years, new models of its toughest tests of torture.

"We're testing now much Weissach in the simulation," says the prospective retiree, "but the real test is of course no substitute. But we are today with cars in the real test, which we had previously made the market launch. "One doubts makes little to the words of Bernd Kanau, as the prototype of a 911 Carrera, he moved aside from the Tarnmatten in the interior and the lining from the characteristic light units outside a largely standard prepare impression. A few panels of gray leather interior fit yet so right, the wind noise are ignored and when driving over rough roads and bumps on it creaks yet powerful. At last, the big sunroof makes a few niceties. But exactly why the development team from Stuttgart and Weissach has come to the southernmost tip of Africa. Small mistakes here is to eradicate it.

Heinz Bernhard knows this region after many visits in recent years as his vest pocket. He is also part of Porsche's development team, ensures the secret test routes and the camouflage of the vehicles. "It is here in South Africa much easier for us unmolested to test prototypes than in other regions - particularly in Europe," says the father, "there is hardly Erlkönig hunters and we have just in the mountains of free travel for our tests." About half a year before production start of the new Porsche 911 is the 991 series is made, the coarsest work. Now it comes to the final testing of production parts and fine-tuning. In parallel, the new penalty of Porsche 50-60 in the final testing of prototypes. While some of the vehicles in South Africa is sweating, turn other component teams in Sweden, Finland, Namibia and the United States their laps. Every day, the new measurement data are transferred to Stuttgart and Weissach, parts adapted and partly filled with new software versions for engines, transmissions and avionics.

The new Porsche 911 is now 4.49 meters long is to set not only by its performance and dynamics, but also through its efficiency records. The Carrera base model with 3.4 liter displacement and 350 hp is already almost 290 km / h and will consume just 8.5 liters. A start-stop module is included as standard features like the sails of function when driving without a throttle. In addition, the new Porsche 911 is the first production vehicle with a seven-speed manual gearbox. Which was derived from the previous dual-clutch gearbox, which also has seven speed levels. About 80 percent of the eleven customers now opt for the PDK. This is the new model hardly be otherwise. In addition to the 911 Carrera with 350 hp is the launch of the 400-hp Carrera S with 3.8 liter engine will be available. He cracked the already 300-km/h-Marke and consumes no more than nine liters. Until next year, the Cabriolet will replace the current 997 series. "We also think a Targa after" Director August Achleitner series leaves open the future of a third body variant. The oversized sunroof made of glass since the introduction of the convertible in the early 80s, far from being a bestseller, but it has loyal customers.

Inside, the Porsche 991 is compared to its predecessor, almost unrecognizable. Instrument panel, switches and instruments show a close affinity with the Panamera and Cayenne. The wheelbase was lengthened by six inches is good for the inside good and the seats are much better than its predecessor. On the twisty mountain roads in the hinterland of Cape Town can be convinced by the qualities of the newly developed Wankkontrolle and the dynamic engine bearings, which are available in November in conjunction with the Sports Chrono Package. "Our best lap on the Nordschleife with the new Porsche 911 Carrera S was a 7:40 minutes," adds shines August Achleitner and Bernd Kanau: "This is 13 seconds less than before. Most of the time it took to win the dampers from Bilstein with Wankkontrolle. We just had to be something snappy again. This has been achieved. "He's right. Retirement can come.