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I was a big fan of Knight Rider back in the day. Who didn’t enjoy a weekly shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a man who does not exist in ‘the world’s most fantastic car?’

The highlight of most episodes was the moment David Hasselhoff aka Michael Knight would press Turbo Boost, often to escape the clutches of those who operate above the law.

It’s taken me many years to find such a button on any car, so you may imagine my excitement to discover one labelled ‘Turbo Boost’ in the new Porsche 911 Carrera S.

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It already does 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds, but if that’s not enough fun for you, you have the option to press a big red button which has all the hallmarks of ‘do not touch this unless in case of emergency’.

Unlike with K.I.T.T. however, pressing it does not launch you into the air. Instead it provides a short, 20-second burst of maximum acceleration and responsiveness perfect for overtaking most of the Iane hoggers I came across on my trip from London to Oxford without looking obnoxious.

That's the thing - there are some cars that whisper confidence but 911 Carrera doesn’t need to, it just acts like 'it knows it'.

We took ours (or rather, it took us) to Oxford to visit the new Radiohead art exhibition 'This Is What Your Get'. By the time I hit the M40 I had already realised this wasn’t just a drive, more a reminder of why the 911 has been the gold standard for decades. No fuss. No drama. Just devastating competence wrapped in one of the most recognisable shapes on the road.

Let’s start with that look. You could draw a 911 with your eyes shut and everyone would still know what it is. The Carrera S acted like it was already halfway to Oxford before I'd even adjusted my seating position.

Inside, Porsche does what Porsche does best. I say a similar thing in every Porsche review I write, their interiors ooze style and are up there with the best. And, as you'd expect, the driving position is spot on. You feel like part of the car rather than a passenger.

Press the starter and the engine fires up with a growl that instantly puts a smile on your face. It’s not smug, but it’s not shy either. It's the kind of sound that makes you turn the radio off and listen to it, rather than on to drown out the noise.

Heading out of London and onto faster roads, the Carrera S shows its real party trick - it’s ridiculously easy to drive quickly. You don’t need racing driver skills or nerves of steel. Put your foot down and it surges forward with effortless pace, overtaking other motorists in a blink.

The steering deserves special mention. It’s alive. You feel exactly what the front wheels are doing at all times, a feeling that builds confidence mile after mile. Through sweeping bends on the way to Oxford, the 911 felt utterly planted. There’s grip for days, but more importantly, there’s balance. It doesn’t fight you. It works with you.

And here’s the clever bit - it’s also comfortable. This is a 450-horsepower sports car that can sit happily at both motorway and busy city street speeds. Road noise is low, the ride surprisingly compliant, and the seats supportive enough that stepping out in Oxford didn’t feel like recovering from a gym session.

Indeed, Oxford proved the perfect backdrop for a bit of low-speed admiration. The 911 looks just as good crawling past its dreaming spires as it does flying down the M40. Pedestrians stop and stare. Cyclists double-take. Other drivers suddenly remember how indicators work and politely let you out. It’s amazing the respect a Porsche badge can command. Even if it costs you £103,700 plus extras.

The Porsche 911 Carrera S isn’t about showing off. It’s about driving pleasure, pure and simple. It turned a run of the mill trip to Oxford and back into something special, something to remember.

And that’s the magic of the 911. No matter how many times it’s reinvented, it still makes every journey feel like a great one. I can imagine Michael Knight driving one in his downtime.