"There's nothing this car won't do with me, or for me," road test editor Chris Walton raved after a storming run up and down Route 198. "The controls fall away from my consciousness, and I'm simply in motion, passing through the environment, watching the scenery go by through my sheer will."

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S rear three quarter in motion 1

Already at the top of most judges' lists after the drive up from Los Angeles on some of California's most challenging back roads, the fast, poised, approachable Carrera S cemented its place as the car to beat in this year's shootout on the lumpy curves and jittery kinks of Route 198. "If this car doesn't win, I'll eat my shoe," features editor Scott Evans said as we prepared to head to Laguna Seca for Randy's hot lap session. Nobody passed him the ketchup.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca can always be relied upon to throw a surprise during Best Driver's Car. First time out, the 992 Carrera S was two-tenths of a second slower than the 2017 model we tested three years ago. There were puzzled frowns among the Porsche technicians and surprise from Randy, who thought the car felt very quick: "I don't know the time, but I think it's going to overachieve," he said as he pulled off his helmet. "The power-down traction was fantastic."

Turn 4 was the problem. Randy acknowledged that the quick right-hander felt slipperier than usual. Next time out, he took a tighter line, where he found more grip and more midcorner speed. On a fresh set of tires, the Carrera S ran a 1:35.52 lap, nearly a second quicker than its predecessor, more than 0.6 second quicker than the next fastest car, the 630-hp Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S, and a time bested only by the mighty million-dollar McLaren Senna.

"The handling balance was beautiful on street tires," Randy said. "It has 911 character in that it has this little bit of entry oversteer, but it's never, never threatening. I'm amazed at how it could attack a corner. It was perfect."

As much as Randy loved it on the track, what makes the Carrera S special is that you don't have to have the racer's edge to experience it at its best. Two days earlier, on Route 198, features editor Christian Seabaugh climbed from behind the wheel and exclaimed: "This is a car that pushes you to be at your limits, and just when you reach that limit, it reveals a new layer for you to conquer— a new limit level." And with that, he'd nailed the essence of this 911.

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S front three quarter in motion 2

Is the 992 perfect? Not entirely. The flat-six's engine note is, well, a bit flat. The stubby gearshift feels more suited to gaming. Certain interior bits carry a cost-down feel. And the piano-black center console reflects sunlight harshly. Just remember, this is all part of the progression of Porsche's soul.

A car that allows any driver to comfortably and confidently approach their own limits and invites them to explore the edges of its dynamic envelope is the very definition of aMotorTrendBest Driver's Car. Such is the 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S.

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S
DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT	Rear-engine, RWD
ENGINE TYPE	Twin-turbo flat-6, alum block/heads
VALVETRAIN	DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
DISPLACEMENT	181.9 cu in/2,981cc
COMPRESSION RATIO	10.2:1
POWER (SAE NET)	443 hp @ 6,500 rpm
TORQUE (SAE NET)	390 lb-ft @ 2,300 rpm
REDLINE	7,400 rpm
WEIGHT TO POWER	7.7 lb/hp
TRANSMISSION	8-speed twin-clutch auto
AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO	3.39:1/2.07:1
SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR	Struts, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar
STEERING RATIO	12.3-14.1:1
TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK	2.4
BRAKES, F; R	16.1-in vented, drilled, 2-pc carbon-ceramic disc; 15.4-in vented, drilled, 2-pc carbon-ceramic disc, ABS
WHEELS, F;R	8.5 x 20-in; 11.5 x 21-in, forged aluminum
TIRES, F;R	245/35R20 91Y; 305/30R21 100Y Pirelli P Zero NA1
DIMENSIONS
WHEELBASE	96.5 in
TRACK, F/R	62.5/61.2 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	178.4 x 72.9 x 50.8 in
TURNING CIRCLE	35.8 ft
CURB WEIGHT	3,413 lb
WEIGHT DIST, F/R	36/64%
SEATING CAPACITY	4
HEADROOM, F/R	37.9/32.5 in
LEGROOM, F/R	42.2/27.2 in
SHOULDER ROOM, F/R	52.6/47.9 in
CARGO VOLUME	4.7 (trunk)/9.3 (rear parcel) cu ft
TEST DATA
ACCELERATION TO MPH
0-30	1.1 sec
0-40	1.6
0-50	2.2
0-60	3.0
0-70	3.8
0-80	4.8
0-90	5.9
0-100	7.3
0-100-0	10.9
PASSING, 45-65 MPH	1.4
QUARTER MILE	11.2 sec @ 123.8 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	94 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	1.07 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	23.2 sec @ 0.89 g (avg)
2.2-MI ROAD COURSE LAP	95.52 sec
TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH	1,250 rpm
CONSUMER INFO
BASE PRICE	$114,650
PRICE AS TESTED	$143,350
STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL	Yes/Yes
AIRBAGS	8: Dual front, front side, f/r curtain, front knee
BASIC WARRANTY	4 years/50,000 miles
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY	4 years/50,000 miles
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE	4 years/50,000 miles
FUEL CAPACITY	16.9 gal
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON	18/24/20 mpg
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY	187/140 kW-hr/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	0.96 lb/mile
RECOMMENDED FUEL	Unleaded premium