38 991 Speedster road trip
39distractions. Just it, the potential for 9,000rpm andthe view ahead, as far as those headlights reach. Thetemptation to wring it out is just too much to resistwhere, of course, the road allows it.On its launch it sounded more exotic than any ofits 4.0-litre relations before it, the necessary exhaustfilters bringing more metallic, higher pitches to itsrepertoire, which are heightened here without anybackground noise to mute its tones. Make no mistake,the 4.0-litre sounds incredible. That it’s managed byone of, if not the, finestshifting six-speed manual“Rain. There’sno stoppingthough: the goalalways was toreach Edinburghroof down”transmissions to gracea 911 ever, only makesit more rewarding. I’mbusy with it, though notthrough necessity – the4.0-litre’s impressive urgesuch that you could leaveit in third all day – butbecause I want to. That,and it begs you to.There’s joyoussatisfaction in every gearselection, whether you’regoing up or down the ‘box. I’ll ignore Preuninger’sadvice to me on the launch event in Sardinia to havethe Auto Blip on. Yes, as the engineering boss said,“it’s better than me”, but I just don’t care. A huge partof the Speedster’s appeal is in perfecting heel-andtoedownshifts, however good, or not, you might beat it. It feels so natural managing every downshiftby rolling over from the brake pedal to blip theaccelerator, seeing, hearing and feeling the revs surgeenthusiastically while you dip the clutch at the sametime and snick the gearstick down a cog. To not do sois to deny yourself one of the most delightful aspectsof driving the Speedster.And the Speedster is, by definition, a driver’s car,one that’s singular in its purpose, unequivocal in itspurity, and yet uncompromised at the same time. Thesuspension copes with the often tortuous tarmacthat passes for roads in the UK, the body control, thefeel and feedback through the brakes, steering, andyour backside – even here with the lesser connectionbrought by the more cosseting comfort seats overthe more desirable Sports Buckets – such that youcan’t help but become completely immersed in it. I’lladmit I was tired when I arrived in Northumberlandto pick up the Speedster. A few busy days working,an eight-month-old boy who wakes frequently, anda 250-mile drive to get therewas not the best build up to anovernight drive. I’m wired nowthough, the Speedster a 503bhpstimulant that exhibits poiseand focus without vice, unless ofcourse you’ve got the roof down.I have, and upon approachingthe Scottish borders theinevitable happens. Rain. There’sno stopping though: the goalalways was to reach Edinburghroof down. It’s warm enough,just, with the heater on full andgloves on. The rain, when itcomes ever harder, does not reach the interior, evenwhen the velocities are necessarily low as we tricklesensibly and as quietly as possible though sleepyvillages and towns through the Scottish borders. Outof town the weather, combined with the autumnalmulch and countryside detritus on the tarmac,makes for sometimes treacherous conditions, butthe Speedster remains resolute in its composure. It’swearing Dunlop Sport Maxx Race 2 tyres, OEM fitand, some say, inferior to the headline Michelin PilotSport Cup 2s. With some heat in them though theDunlops are doing an admirable job in exceptionallytricky conditions, with huge traction on offer and finegrip, with only deep standing water causing themany issues – as they would any tyre of the size andwidth fitted to the Speedster.