The new Porsche 911 has undergone its final stint of testing. The work saw the team visit climate zones with temperatures of up to 85°C; elevation changes spanning more than 4km; as well as city driving and driving on racetracks.
“In addition to its outstanding performance, it’s the 911’s suitability for daily use that has always put it in a class of its own,” commented Andreas Pröbstle, project manager for the 911.
“That’s why we test the vehicle under all conditions, and in every type of weather and region. The vehicle’s drivetrain must function as flawlessly as its fluids, systems, operating processes and displays – it’s the only way we can be certain that the vehicle is able to travel through all regions of the world without faults,” he added.
The testing first focused on the chassis and engine systems, which have been developed continually to improve both performance and everyday use. Next the team performed functional tests and stress testing of the new cockpit, instrument and display concept. The new driver assistance systems and connectivity were also put to the test – Porsche Connect differs from country to country, so testing its operation and functionality has been very resource-intensive.
The air-conditioning, thermal management and combustion systems were evaluated in hot regions including the Gulf States in the Middle East, to ensure their operation at temperatures up to 50°C. The interior components must not expand or contract, or make noises when exposed to the heat.
Test vehicles were truly pushed to the limit at Death Valley, which descends to around 90m below sea level; the thin air on Mount Evans, Colorado – which reaches 4,300m high – challenged the biturbo charging and fuel system.
In Finland, where temperatures get as low as -35°C, analysis focused on areas such as cold start, heating and air-conditioning, traction, vehicle handling and braking behavior, as well as the response speed of the vehicle dynamics control systems.
The winding roads found in the Arctic Circle are also perfect for testing a sports car, and China’s roads and racetracks are great for evaluating the car’s endurance.
The engine, transmission, brakes and chassis have been tested at the Nürburgring. At Nardò the team focused on top speed as well as cooling and handling.
By the time testing is complete, the cars will have driven around 3,000,000km.
A less spectacular element of testing, albeit no less important, is testing on public roads by customers in Germany. This portion of the program sees significant mileage being covered to ensure that the complete vehicle and its systems are durable and suitable for daily use.
More in the November issue of ATTI.