Porsche Does Disco

The German automaker has written the book on creating SPECIAL-EDITION MODELS – and its latest masterclass is the 1970s- and early '80s-inspired PORSCHE 911 SPIRIT 70.

- STEVE SMITH

CARS DON'T GET BETTER THAN THE PORSCHE 911. They really don't. It's often described as the Best Car In The World, and if you've been lucky enough to drive one, you'll know that it thoroughly deserves those capital letters. Offer it a box and the 911 will tick it: timeless, understated design; impeccable build quality; snap-your-head-back performance (if you want it); comfortable drive-around-town docility (if you want that)...

Sure, it's the design element that first hooks you, with the silhouette of the very first Porsche 356 made back in 1948 still baked into this latest-generation 911 - but driving one confirms its title. Flick a couple of switches and it'll behave like a proper supercar; but with its relaxed and comfortable driving position and sophisticated manners, it can also contently pootle down to the shops. Put it this way: driving a 911 is the same "Oh, right; I get it now!" moment you experience seeing a Rothko painting in the flesh for the first time: it looks cool in photos, but actually seeing (or in the Porsche's case, driving) one is practically transcendental.