Since its début in 1963, the 911 has inspired lust and desire in the hearts of gearheads the world over. Since then, the 911 has kept its basic Teutonic DNA intact -- rear-engine, nimble and small, a sports car meant to be flogged to the limits, yet ready for everyday driving. From the classic air-cooled era models -- 1963 to 1998 -- to the liquid-cooled versions from 1998 onward, the Porsche 911 has gotten better and better as the years progressed.

It was a scant few years ago that we were testing the brand new 911, codenamed 997. The 997 had more power, thanks to all-new direct-injection engines and a kick-ass dual-clutch transmission with the longest name in the history of transmissions -- the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, or, PDK for short. It was the ne plus ultra in the history of the model -- for a time.

That's all history, thanks to the brand-new and better than ever 2012 Porsche 911, designated the 991.

With the exception of some of the parts in the PDK, the piston, the crankshaft, the steering wheel, and a few other minor pieces here and there, the 2012 model is new from the ground up.

The engines are revamped -- the Carrera has a new, more powerful, more efficient, 350-horsepower, 3.4L flat six under the hood, and the Carrera S has a more powerful and efficient 3.8L 400 horsepower six cylinder engine too.