There’s Something Special About Driving a Porsche in the Rain

I’m an enthusiastic touring driver by anyone’s measure, and I actually enjoy driving in heavy rain as much as I do on a sunny day.

So when the forecast calls for a downpour—not just a passing shower—I sometimes get an irresistible urge to head out somewhere. Why do I like driving in heavy rain? I can’t quite explain it myself, but I love the atmosphere of a rainy drive: the water hitting the wipers, the rain drumming on the roof, and all the sensations that come with it. I also enjoy the contrast between the harsh conditions outside and the comfort inside the car. (Sorry if that sounds a little eccentric!)

Many owners of high-end cars like Porsches prefer to leave them at home on rainy days. I completely understand that feeling.

Rain won’t damage a car overnight, of course, but I also understand wanting to keep it in pristine condition and preserve its value.

But the more I love a car, the more I want to drive it in the rain—and put miles on it. When I’m attached to a car, I have no plans to sell it anytime soon.

That means I’d rather make the most of the car and experience everything it has to offer than focus on its value or keeping it showroom-fresh. And if something does wear out, replacing the part brings the car closer to new again—which is almost something to look forward to.

So, with the forecast in hand, I pointed the 911 toward the rain clouds.

From the “Sanda Burgring” to Prefectural Route 77

I headed for Sanda City in Hyogo Prefecture. My plan was to start with a fast-driving route I’ve nicknamed the “Sanda Burgring” and then continue north.

First, I took Prefectural Route 33 from Takarazuka toward Sanda. With little traffic, Route 33 is a wonderfully engaging winding road. By chance, there was no one ahead to hold me up that day, so I had the road to myself. The surface was wet as I climbed the steep grades, mostly in second and third gear.

The Carrera 4’s superb all-wheel-drive traction meant I could get on the throttle with confidence—a quality unique to the Carrera 4.

After enjoying a fast stretch beneath the elevated Shin-Meishin Expressway, I joined Prefectural Route 323, then headed north on Route 37, a quiet road that’s a pleasure to drive. From Route 309, I continued onto Route 308, savoring the rain-soaked curves. I stopped for a short break at Moji Oike along the way.

The pond has the feel of an old European lake, and it’s one of my favorite spots.

From there, I headed north on the Inagawa Keikoku Line, Prefectural Route 12. The road is especially rewarding around the pass, making it one of my favorite routes. After crossing the pass and passing through a village surrounded by fields, I followed Route 372 west.

I skirted Tamba-Sasayama City and joined Prefectural Route 77, another excellent driving road. The area is also home to Route 77, a café popular as a stop for motorcycle touring. The route offers everything from riverside curves to more open, wider stretches. From Hikami, I headed out in the 911 along Prefectural Route 78, known as the “Koharu Road.”

From Prefectural Route 78 to Route 427

The rain grew much heavier, and visibility was poor. On the climb toward the pass, Route 78 had turned into a stream. I switched the PDK to manual mode and applied a little throttle to keep the car under power rather than coasting, encouraging the system to send torque to the front wheels. The 911 charged up the pass as if the rain weren’t there.

The 3.8-liter engine’s power is reassuring.

There’s power to spare in every situation. Where the Boxster GTS’s 3.4-liter engine might feel a little short of breath, this engine keeps pulling hard. The 100-hp difference is very real.

Beyond the pass, a long, straight descent opened up ahead. I took it easy in the rain, but the road was wide, straight, and wonderfully inviting. I couldn’t help imagining how much fun it would be to charge up this road in a GT3 someday. Then I joined Route 427 and continued north.

After a short break at the roadside station in Taka, I turned around and retraced my route.

The 911 Carrera 4 GTS on a Motorway in Heavy Rain

I raced along the Koharu Road on Prefectural Route 78, then decided to take the motorway home. I’d normally stick to the local roads, but with the rain coming down so hard, I got on the motorway to see how stable the car felt at speed.

The rain was intense. I drove normally in Normal mode and settled into seventh gear. Watching the PTM torque-distribution display on the instrument panel, I noticed that almost all the torque was going to the rear, with the front wheels receiving no more than about 10 percent.

At a gentle cruising pace, then, the car doesn’t feel all that different from a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive (RR) 911. In these conditions, I think the Wet mode in a rear-wheel-drive 992 may actually feel more reassuring.

Next, I downshifted with the PDK and tried accelerating in Sport mode. Torque shifted to the front wheels quickly, with the distribution reaching roughly 40:60 front to rear. In Sport mode, it also seemed that a little more torque went to the front wheels while cruising than in Normal mode.

After experimenting with different settings, my takeaway was this: on a motorway in heavy rain, a four-wheel-drive 911 doesn’t feel that different from an RR model while cruising. But when accelerating or driving more assertively, torque is sent to the front wheels, bringing out the stability you’d expect from a Carrera 4.

That said, please don’t take this as a reason to drive fast in the rain. Be especially careful when your tires have little tread left. Even tires with plenty of tread can lose their effectiveness once the water gets deep enough. I learned that firsthand driving at Fuji Speedway in heavy rain.

After leaving the motorway, I took a few more winding roads before hurrying home. This was an ultra-short, half-day tour close to home, but I’d love to take the Carrera 4 GTS on a longer trip when I get the chance.

The total distance was 250.0 km, the average speed was 46 km/h, and fuel economy was 9.1 km/L.

Route Map