2016 Porsche 911 Carrera manual first drive

It's the cheapest way into Porsche's revamped Porsche 911 - if its now-higher £76,412 entry price can ever be determined 'cheap'. It's also the slowest 911, that is, if the now more powerful 369bhp Carrera's 0-62mph time of 4.6secs should be labelled as such.

Like the faster 414bhp S, which gets modified turbocharger compressors, a unique exhaust system and different engine management tuning in order to achieve its greater outputs, the standard Carrera sports a bi-turbo 2981cc flat-six petrol engine in order to meet stricter emissions regulations. Cue the wincing and sharp intakes of breath.

Carrera models don't, unlike the S, get the option of rear-wheel steer, but Porsche has given its seven-speed manual gearbox a new clutch, designed to be easier on the left leg during spirited driving and over long journeys. It also has longer gearing from third onwards owing to the engine's extra torque, while opting for the least amount of power brings the advantage of range-best official fuel economy figures of 34.0mpg, although the PDK ’box brings with it lower CO2 emissions. 

So what else do you get for your £76k? Well, new daytime running lights and redesigned tail-lights, a different bonnet design, clever front air intakes that automatically open and close and standard PASM adjustable dampers with a 10mm lowered ride height. Inside sits Porsche's brand new PCM infotainment system, too. 

I've often found the entry-level versions of Porsche's sports cars to be my preferred choice. The Boxster and Cayman for instance; I'd opt for the lesser 2.7 engine with a sports exhaust and be entirely content with that. Okay, so the Cayman GT4 is sensational, but I'm being financially realistic - which journalism often demands.

It could be argued that buying a 911 is slightly different, because the extra financial commitment between a Carrera and more potent S poses less significance when you start talking about price tags that have five figures and start with a seven. 

Importantly, though, after six hours behind the wheel, I don't think you'll ever be sitting in your Carrera and get a sinking feeling at the sight of an S gliding past. The basic Carrera offers far too much to the driver for the S's greater pub ammo to ever really matter.

The new turbocharged engine is thoroughly impressive. Yes, it doesn't have quite the long-legged revs of the old naturally aspirated car that constantly begged for a lower ratio and a long slug of throttle, and it lacks the old model’s hard-edged flat-six sound. It does, however, still rev to a heady 7500rpm, and long before that its noise (especially with the £1773 sports exhaust fitted) will still be making you smile.

It's more flexible, too, allowing you to be lazier out of slow corners and ultimately faster across undulating B-roads. Objectively it's better in just about every way, and works well with the new, lighter clutch, longer gearing and super-slick lever action, but subjectively it may take some time getting used to its wholly different character and spooling-turbo whoosh.

With the ability to change damper stiffness in a split-second now standard, as well as its 10mm lower ride height, it's impossible to feel shortchanged in terms of handling, either. The Carrera still offers as bewitching a blend of ride and handling as ever.