Porsche in the Rain is Also Great

I’m well known as a touring enthusiast, but I actually enjoy driving not only on sunny days but also in heavy rain.

So, when I see a forecast for heavy rain rather than just a drizzle, I sometimes get an irresistible urge to go somewhere. Why do I like driving in heavy rain? I can’t quite explain it well myself, but I love the atmosphere—the rain hitting the wipers, the sound of raindrops on the roof, the vibe that stimulates all five senses. Also, I enjoy the contrast between the harsh conditions outside and the comfortable environment inside the car. (Sorry if that sounds a bit niche.)

Many owners of high-end cars like Porsche tend to avoid driving on rainy days, and I completely understand that feeling.

Getting wet doesn’t immediately damage the car, but I also want to keep it in pristine condition and maintain its value.

However, in my case, the cars I like the most are the ones I drive in the rain and rack up mileage on. That’s because I love them and have no plans to sell anytime soon.

So, I’m more focused on fully enjoying and using the car rather than preserving its value or condition. And if something wears out, I’m happy to replace the parts and restore it close to new condition.

With that in mind, I set off in the 911 toward the rain clouds while watching the weather forecast.

From Sanda-Burgring to K77

I headed to Sanda City in Hyogo Prefecture. I started with the fast-flowing course I’ve nicknamed the Sanda-Burgring and then headed north.

First, I drove from Takarazuka City toward Sanda on Prefectural Route 33 (K33). K33 is a very rewarding winding road to drive if traffic is light. Luckily, there were no cars ahead this time, so I had a clear lap. The road was wet, and I climbed steep slopes mainly in 2nd and 3rd gear.

Thanks to the amazing traction of the all-wheel drive, I could confidently push the throttle—that’s the unique advantage of the Carrera 4.

I sped through the fast section under the Shin-Meishin Expressway viaduct and onto K323. From there, I headed north on the lightly trafficked and enjoyable K37. I passed from K309 to K308, fully enjoying the rainy winding roads. I stopped briefly at Moko-Oike Pond for a break.

This pond has a vibe reminiscent of an old European lake, making it one of my favorite spots.

After that, I headed north on Prefectural Route 12 (K12), the Inagawa Gorge Line. The section near the pass is very rewarding to drive and one of my favorite roads. After crossing the pass, I passed through a rural village and headed west on Route 372 (R372).

I skirted Tamba Sasayama City and entered K77. K77 is also a famous road. There’s a well-known café called Route 77, a popular stop for motorcycle tours. From the winding roads along the river to the slightly wider open stretches, it’s a joy to drive. From Hikami Town, I took K78, known as “Koharu Road,” in the 911.

From K78 to R427

The rain grew heavier, and visibility worsened. The climb on K78 toward the pass was like a river due to the rain. I switched the PDK to manual mode and gently applied throttle to actively send torque to the front wheels. The 911 climbed the pass as if there was no rain at all.

The power of the 3.8L engine is truly reassuring.

It has plenty of reserve in any situation, and where the 3.4L in the Boxster GTS feels a bit strained, this one accelerates effortlessly. The 100 horsepower difference is definitely noticeable.

After the pass, a long downhill straight followed. Since it was raining, I took it easy, but it was a wonderfully wide and straight road. I thought how much fun it would be to climb this road someday in a GT3 or similar. Then I joined R427 and headed north.

I took a short break at the Taka Roadside Station and then drove back the way I came.

Heavy Rain on the Highway

After speeding through K78 “Koharu Road,” I decided to return via the highway. Normally, I’d take back roads, but since it was pouring, I wanted to test the stability on the highway and got on the expressway.

The rain was intense. I drove normally in Normal mode, cruising in 7th gear. Watching the PTM torque distribution on the meter panel, almost all the torque was sent to the rear, with the front getting barely 10% or less.

So, at a relaxed cruising pace, the feel isn’t much different from a rear-wheel-drive (RR) 911. In this case, I think the WET mode on the rear-wheel-drive 992 might actually feel more reassuring.

Next, I downshifted the PDK and switched to Sport mode to accelerate. Suddenly, torque shifted to the front, reaching about a 40:60 front-to-rear distribution. Also, even when cruising in Sport mode, it seemed the front wheels got slightly more torque than in Normal mode.

After trying various things, my conclusion is that on a highway in heavy rain, even with all-wheel drive, the feel during cruising isn’t much different from RR, but when accelerating or driving actively, torque is sent to the front wheels, giving the Carrera 4 its characteristic stability.

That said, I still recommend not driving too fast in the rain. Especially when tire tread is low, be very careful. Even with good tread, beyond a certain water depth, it won’t help much. I learned this firsthand driving at Fuji Speedway in heavy rain.

After exiting the highway, I enjoyed more winding roads on the way home. This was a very short half-day tour, so just nearby, but I look forward to taking the Carrera 4 GTS on a longer trip again sometime.

Total distance was 250.0 km, average speed 46 km/h, and fuel efficiency 9.1 km/L.

Route Map for This Trip