The Porsche 911 has always been about evolution, yet it's the revolutions that take place under the skin of this instantly recognisable automotive icon that ensure it continues to be the ultimate pacesetter.
Amazingly this is a car that's been around in some form or other for half a century but the latest ‘991' generation model is a world away from the original quirky sportscar that set the ball rolling.
That 911 had a 2.0-litre engine that produced just 128bhp - the sort of performance that would be more on par with a souped-up supermini these days.
In contrast the current 3.8-litre Carrera S now boasts 395bhp, which shows just how far this car has come over time.
As far as the 911 range goes the Carrera S sits somewhere in the middle power-wise, with a 345bhp 3.4-litre Carrera serving as the entry level model and a breathtakingly swift 525bhp Turbo S at the top of the tree. It will whisk you from a standing start to 62mph in 3.3 seconds and on to a top speed approaching 200mph.
The 991, the seventh generation 911, represents quite a step up from its 997 predecessor in many ways.
The previous Carrera S engine remains but with a 15bhp power hike and 90 per cent of the components that make the car up are all new.
New features include an optional stop/start system (yes, even sporty Porsches do eco these days) and a first for a production car in the shape of a seven-speed gearbox. The seven-speed PDK automatic system has also been improved.
Other changes include electro-mechanical power steering, a stretched wheelbase which means the car itself is 70mm longer and a 45kg weight-shedding regime thanks in part to the use of aluminium.
Other innovations include altering the weight distribution to enhance the car's handling, particularly when cornering.
As with all new cars efficiency is to the fore, with lower emissions and improved fuel economy too.
On the inside the latest 911 feels impressively spacious, thanks to that stretched wheelbase, though you'd still struggle to transport four adults for anything other than a short hop.
The overall feel is sportier and more go-kart-like, due partly to the fact the roofline is 6mm lower.
It certainly feels far roomier up front though and some of the aircraft-inspired switches and styling touches pioneered on the Panamera give the car a very contemporary feel.
Leather, climate control, sat nav screen, MP3 and USB connectivity come as standard while the Carrera S features 20in wheels, adaptive dampers, torque vectoring and limited-slip diff set-up.
To drive the 911 feels as good as ever, with an added edge that's hard to quantify but ensures it really does retain the character of a thoroughbred sportscar.
Rather than softening the driver experience the electro-mechanical steering has a degree of flexibility that makes manoeuvring at low speeds easy but also has plenty of feel and feedback at higher speeds.
As ever it offers a driving experience characterised by a rugged hardness that takes a little getting used to. But once you're in the comfort zone it somehow encourages driver confidence in exploring the vehicle's impressive handling and performance capabilities. In doing so you will also discover it is remarkably assured and forgiving.
The whole experience is rounded off by a throaty engine note that warms the heart as soon as you're behind the wheel - and if that isn't enough you can avail of its Sound Symposer technology to make it sweeter still. Press a switch and an even deeper and throatier version of it is piped to the cabin.
It seemed like a bit of a novelty at first but it actually makes a real difference and I soon got to the point where it was the first switch I engaged after starting the engine.
Talking of switches there are two others that are likely to see frequent use in the Carrera S -in the shape of Sport and Sport Plus modes.
In Normal mode the car feels sprightly but both up the ante by noticeable degrees and unless you are of a nervous disposition when it comes to performance cars you'll be experimenting with both as soon as you're on an open stretch of winding B-road.
Not surprisingly the Sound Symposer engages automatically in the Sport and Sport Plus modes.
Overall the 991 represents the triumph of evolution when it comes to the 911.
While I don't have a crystal ball I'd be very surprised if it isn't around in some form or other in another 50 years, though by then it may well be an all-electric affair that will have dispensed with today's Sound Symposer to rely on a high-tech hi-fi system under the shell to create exciting noises.