THERE are not many cars that warrant dragging yourself out of bed at 5am, but the new Porsche 911 Carrera is one of the chosen few.

It was the computer read-out from my first rush-hour trip that suggested an early morning wake-up call would be the only way to experience what the new generation of Germany’s benchmark sports car had to offer.

Travelling 14.8 miles at an average speed of 18mph — a speed easily beaten by an enthusiastic cyclist — is hardly guaranteed to raise the pulse.

With a rear-mounted, six-cylinder, 3.4-litre engine and a potential 350 horsepower waiting to be used, only a run on relatively traffic-free roads could hope to give an insight into the new model’s heart and soul.

The 911 has exuded elegance and power since its launch in 1963 and the new model – with its lower roof line, shorter front and rear overhangs and wider front track – does not disappoint.

The new, lightweight body, with its aluminium-steel composite construction, is responsible for a significant proportion of the vehicle weight reduction. Porsche says the new body structure also delivers significantly greater rigidity, and a wider, variably extending rear spoiler has cut the lift generated.

The 100mm longer wheelbase delivers not only a noticeable increase in interior space, but improved stability.

But somehow the raw edge, verging on danger, which I have always associated with life at the wheel of a 911, appears to have been softened.

Perhaps that feeling is less a reality and more a result of the 21st-century focus on reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

The appearance of stop/start technology and a 4.6-inch colour touchscreen with satellite navigation, in a luxuriously-trimmed leather interior can’t help, but makes the new 911 feel more like a four-seater luxury coupe than an out-and-out sports car.

Standard equipment on all models ranges from automatic climate control, bi-xenon headlights, an audio system offering MP3 connectivity and a vehicle tracking system security package.

But despite the luxurious packaging, comfort and lack of road noise, this 911, as well as being the most refined yet, remains a serious sports car.

As ever, the handling is razor sharp and the steering is direct, nicely weighted with excellent feedback.

This 911 can be thrown through turns with a precision, and electronic assistance, that consistently flatters the driver, whatever their real ability.

Inside, the centre console rises up to the front, with the high-mounted shift lever for the seven-speed manual gearbox located close to the steering wheel, in typical motorsport fashion.

The instrument cluster has five round instruments, with the central dial naturally being the rev counter.

One button you do not need is the noise generator that adds more boom to the flat-six engine’s sports exhaust. One that you do need firms up the damping to cope with more enthusiastic driving.

For those who really want to explore the Carrera’s full-blown power potential, I suggest booking a day at a grand prix race circuit.

But then if you buy a Porsche even that’s not necessary, as a day’s course at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone, comes as part of the new car package.

Auto Facts

  • Price: £71,449
  • Insurance group: 49 (1-50)
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 31.4mpg
  • Top speed: 179mph
  • Length: 449.1cm/176.8in
  • Width: 180.8cm/71.1in
  • Luggage capacity: 4.7 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 14 gallons/64 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 212g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/unlimited mileage