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distractions. Just it, the potential for 9,000rpm and
the view ahead, as far as those headlights reach. The
temptation to wring it out is just too much to resist
where, of course, the road allows it.
On its launch it sounded more exotic than any of
its 4.0-litre relations before it, the necessary exhaust
filters bringing more metallic, higher pitches to its
repertoire, which are heightened here without any
background noise to mute its tones. Make no mistake,
the 4.0-litre sounds incredible. That it’s managed by
one of, if not the, finest
shifting six-speed manual
“Rain. There’s
no stopping
though: the goal
always was to
reach Edinburgh
roof down”
transmissions to grace
a 911 ever, only makes
it more rewarding. I’m
busy with it, though not
through necessity – the
4.0-litre’s impressive urge
such that you could leave
it in third all day – but
because I want to. That,
and it begs you to.
There’s joyous
satisfaction in every gear
selection, whether you’re
going up or down the ‘box. I’ll ignore Preuninger’s
advice to me on the launch event in Sardinia to have
the Auto Blip on. Yes, as the engineering boss said,
“it’s better than me”, but I just don’t care. A huge part
of the Speedster’s appeal is in perfecting heel-andtoe
downshifts, however good, or not, you might be
at it. It feels so natural managing every downshift
by rolling over from the brake pedal to blip the
accelerator, seeing, hearing and feeling the revs surge
enthusiastically while you dip the clutch at the same
time and snick the gearstick down a cog. To not do so
is to deny yourself one of the most delightful aspects
of driving the Speedster.
And the Speedster is, by definition, a driver’s car,
one that’s singular in its purpose, unequivocal in its
purity, and yet uncompromised at the same time. The
suspension copes with the often tortuous tarmac
that passes for roads in the UK, the body control, the
feel and feedback through the brakes, steering, and
your backside – even here with the lesser connection
brought by the more cosseting comfort seats over
the more desirable Sports Buckets – such that you
can’t help but become completely immersed in it. I’ll
admit I was tired when I arrived in Northumberland
to pick up the Speedster. A few busy days working,
an eight-month-old boy who wakes frequently, and
a 250-mile drive to get there
was not the best build up to an
overnight drive. I’m wired now
though, the Speedster a 503bhp
stimulant that exhibits poise
and focus without vice, unless of
course you’ve got the roof down.
I have, and upon approaching
the Scottish borders the
inevitable happens. Rain. There’s
no stopping though: the goal
always was to reach Edinburgh
roof down. It’s warm enough,
just, with the heater on full and
gloves on. The rain, when it
comes ever harder, does not reach the interior, even
when the velocities are necessarily low as we trickle
sensibly and as quietly as possible though sleepy
villages and towns through the Scottish borders. Out
of town the weather, combined with the autumnal
mulch and countryside detritus on the tarmac,
makes for sometimes treacherous conditions, but
the Speedster remains resolute in its composure. It’s
wearing Dunlop Sport Maxx Race 2 tyres, OEM fit
and, some say, inferior to the headline Michelin Pilot
Sport Cup 2s. With some heat in them though the
Dunlops are doing an admirable job in exceptionally
tricky conditions, with huge traction on offer and fine
grip, with only deep standing water causing them
any issues – as they would any tyre of the size and
width fitted to the Speedster.