It also includes a ZF 8 - speed automatic with Quickshift, Block Shifting and wheel - mounted paddleshift, carbon ceramic brakes with enhanced cooling, 420 mm (17 in) front and 356 mm (14 in) rear carbon silicon carbide brake discs, 21 - inch forged alloy wheels, optional titanium exhaust system, updated version of the torque vectoring system from Continental GT3 - R, dynamic system brakes, lowered and stiffened dynamic suspension set - up, front and rear bumper designs incorporating a carbon - fibre splitter and diffuser respectively, new side sill extensions and bonnet vents in carbon - fibre, gloss - black front wing vents, rifled exhaust tailpipe in gloss - black, dark - tint headlamps and tail - lamps, black - finished brightware at front grilles, lights, rear bumper, door handles and window surrounds; optional aerodynamically balanced rear spoiler and front splitter combination for coupe, new Supersports badging, 21 - inch forged alloy wheels in black and bright - machined finish, optional side decals optional carbon - fibre engine cover in gloss - finish with Supersports branding, multi-layer hood for convertible, neck warmer for convertible, tri-tone interior option, new diamond - quilted design at seats and door side panels with Alcantara upholstery, a choice of 11 veneers and technical finishes (including chequered Supersports carbon - fibre fascia panels), new Supersports emblem stitching, bespoke Supersports steering wheel and unique
gearlever with Alcantara accents.
There's space behind
the gearlever with two rubberised cup holders and all the doors get bottle holders too.
I'm enjoying the easy driving position, an interior of great clarity and good quality and a raised
gearlever with an MX -5-esque shift.
Not exact matches
All 956s were right - hand drive, the
gearlever mounted on the right - hand sill,
with access to the cockpit via a door and side window one - piece assembly that hinged up and forwards from the front.
Mid-range torque is respectable enough to enable you to be fairly lazy
with the
gearlever, but find yourself up against any modern diesel repmobile (and its vast reserves of torque) and you'll likely need to drop a cog or two to keep up.
Inside, it's the typical fast Ford makeover,
with a pair of heavily bolstered and hugely comfortable Recaro seats for the driver and passenger, a thickly padded three - spoke steering wheel and metal - topped
gearlever.
There's less of the exaggerated roll and pitch found
with Mazda's roadster, and while the stubby
gearlever has the same delicious shift action, the engine it is connected to gives the car as a whole a distinctly different character.
The steering is reasonably light,
with the whole car feeling delicate to the touch: whether moving the
gearlever around the gate or turning into a corner, the F355 is a car you tend to drive using just your fingertips once familiarity sets in.
The interior is the stuff of vintage Ferrari dreams,
with a classic, black crackle - finish dashboard, a large - diameter wooden steering wheel, and a tall
gearlever topped
with a metal knob the size of an eight - ball rising from the leather - wrapped center transmission tunnel.
Interior details also allude to the machine's sporting credentials,
with a carbon fibre dashboard, sports seats and aluminum
gearlever.
The weight is lost via shed bodywork and a host of weight - saving materials in the slightly more spartan cabin, although you do get a
gearlever surround that's engraved
with Stirling Moss's signature...
Even without the TracKey's race mapping, the Boss engine is significantly modified over a standard Mustang GT's 5 - litre V8,
with a new intake and new camshafts helping lift power from 412bhp to 444bhp, although curiously the torque drops by 10 lb ft to 380 lb ft.. It's the only car in the test
with a manual gearbox and it's a really good one,
with the pool ball - topped
gearlever sitting perfectly in the palm of your hand and movement around the gate feeling tight and precise.
The spacious, driver - focused cabin,
with its clear instruments, high - set centre console, stubby
gearlever and high - quality materials, is also a highlight.
Doors slam, first gears are engaged
with everything from a clutch pedal and a
gearlever to a rotating knob, and one by one the cavalcade begins to crunch across the gravel and out onto the road.
The sight of a
gearlever sprouting from the transmission tunnel is frankly bizarre in a car like this, but it's great that Porsche GB has ordered a car
with such a quirk.
Brake pad wear sensors, Electric engine and trunk lid release, Multi function display, On board computer, Outside temperature gauge, Variable power assisted steering, 2 speed front wipers + intermittent wipe, Aspherical driver's exterior mirror, Automatically extending rear spoiler, Body colour bumpers, Body colour door handles, Body colour electric / heated door mirrors, Coming home function, Electric heated rear glass window, Electric windows one touch open / close, Electrical soft - top actuation
with comfort window lowering and closing of side windows, Front air dam
with integrated air inlets, Front fog lights, Green tinted glass, Heated washer nozzles,Under - carriage cover, Water repellent side windows, Windscreen
with grey top tint, Active carbon filter, Coat hook integrated into back seat, Continuously variable dimming interior light, Electrically adjustable backrest, Footwell illumination, Front centre console storage box, Front headrests, Front passenger seat isofix location point, Height / reach adjust steering wheel, Integrated double cupholders, Interior orientation lighting, Interior roof lining, Leather covered handbrake /
gearlever / door pulls, Lockable glovebox, Luggage compartment lid front and rear in aluminium, Rear centre console + storage compartment, Sports pedals, Storage compartments in doors, Sunvisors
with illuminated vanity mirrors, 3 point automatic seatbelts,Anti - lock Brake System + ABD,Anti - slip regulation, Driver and passenger airbags, Front seatbelt pretensioners + load limiters, Head airbags, Motor Slip Regulation - Engine Drag Torque Control, Passenger airbag deactivate switch, Side (thorax) airbags, Alarm, Locking wheel bolts, Remote control central locking, Transponder engine immobiliser, Porsche stability management (PSM), Tyre repair kit; including sealant foam
The high mounted
gearlever, along
with the adjustable steering wheel are both designed to reduce fatigue when in the driving seat for hours at a time.
The
gearlever, quite short and conveniently positioned just a hand's span away from the steering wheel, has a superb action,
with a heavily spring - loaded feel in both the horizontal and vertical planes.
Storage in the passenger compartment is dealt
with by a pair of reasonable door bins up front, a shelf in front of the
gearlever, a pair of cupholders and a storage box under the front armrest.
The new dashboard has a classy look and feel, but it's further enhanced by the addition of bespoke VXR dials, a flat - bottomed three - spoke steering wheel
with perforated leather rim and a chunky, square - edged
gearlever, which looks distinctive but is uncomfortable to hold.
Top spec Inscription (from # 30,405) comes
with full leather, an electric tailgate, wood detailing and even a crystal glass
gearlever.
It features diamond quilted hide seats
with embroidered Bentley emblems, knurled chrome and hide
gearlever and a three - spoke multi-function steering wheel
with brushed aluminum switch surround.
The
gearlever is quite short of throw and substantial in feel, and it engages ratios
with good positivity.
The interior can also be clearly seen,
with details including a fully - digital instrument display, slim air vents
with silver inserts and a new
gearlever console.
Minor detail changes includes a new
gearlever for the CVT
with a side - mounted release switch.