The most booty-full 991 yet.
There’s always something special about a Porsche 911 no matter what variant it is. The 911 Carreras are composed rear-wheel drive sports cars, the GT3’s are track-day performers, the Targas have the perfect balance between coupe and cabriolet, and the GT2s are mind-bogglingly powerful. And then there are the all-wheel drive variants with their big, rear end that perfectly complements the classic, sexy design of the 911.
The new 991 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Coupe and Cabriolet models have just been unveiled by Porsche and sport the wide rear-end for the first time with the 991-generation. All of the sporty, efficient, and advanced technology that Porsche has recently developed is showcased in the new 911 Carrera 4 models making them even more fun, fast, and exciting.
The new 991 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Coupe and Cabriolet models mark the return of the big-butt, widebody rear-end and the iconic light bar that runs between the two taillights. The rear wheel arches have been extended by 22 mm and each wheel by 10 mm, giving the all-wheel drive sports car an athletic and sexy stance that makes you bite your bottom lip. The light bar takes a new, slimmer shape, mirroring the sleek overall design of the 991-generation 911 and its narrow LED taillights.
But, much of the new 991 Carrera 4 models are similar to their rear-wheel drive siblings, utilizing lightweight suspension, body components, engines, transmissions, and more. The one glaring difference however, is the advanced all-wheel drive system that is new for the 991-generation 911. The all-wheel drive PTS (Porsche Traction Management) system still features a rear-wheel bias and is connected to the instrument cluster where it displays how much power is being distributed to the wheels. All four models also consume up to 16 percent less fuel and have lower emissions thanks to the new technology and lower weight, with the Carrera 4 being 143 lbs. lighter than the previous version.
The same engines and transmission sit in the wider rear axle of the Carrera 4 models as the new 991 911 Carreras. All four variants will come standard with a seven-speed manual transmission that automatically double-clutches for quick and smooth downshifts in “Sport Plus” mode on models equipped with the Sport Chrono package. As an option, customers can also order the sevens-speed PDK mouthful of a dual-clutch transmission for even quicker acceleration times and slightly better fuel efficiency.
The new 991 Carrera 4 Coupe and Cabriolet models will be powered by the 3.4-liter, 350 horsepower/ 287 lb-ft. flat-six engine that can go from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds (4.9s Cabrio.) with the manual transmission and reach a top speed of 177 mph (175 mph Cabrio.), all while achieving 19 city/27 highway mpg (26 mpg Cabrio.). The new Carrera 4S models utilize the 3.8-liter flat-six with 400 horsepower and 325 lb-ft. of torque, giving them the ability to accelerate to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds (4.5s Cabrio.) with the manual and reach a top speed of 185 mph (183 mph Cabrio.) while still returning 18 city /26 highway mpg.
Much of the interior remains the same for the four new all-wheel drive models save for a few new technical tidbits. Along with the PTS all-wheel drive display integrated into the instrument cluster, Porsche has also added a new Active Cruise Control (ACC) system and Porsche Active Safe (PAS) that helps to prevent front-end collisions. A new sliding glass sunroof is also available as an option for all 911 Carrera 4 models.
The new range of Porsche 991 Carrera 4 models will be shown to the public during the 2012 Paris Motor Show starting September 29th, and go on sale at the end of 2012. Prices for all four of the models have not been released for the North American market.
Porsche 991 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Video
httpv://youtu.be/ziI92xYSRfY
Porsche 991 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Specifications
Engine (911 Carrera 4 Coupe and Cabriolet):
Displacement: 3.4 liters
Number of Cylinders: Flat-six
Aspiration: Naturally Aspirated
Maximum Horsepower: 350 at 7,400 RPM
Maximum Torque: 287 lb-ft. at 5,600 RPM
Compression Ratio: 12.5 : 1
Engine (911 Carrera 4S Coupe and Cabriolet):
Displacement: 4.0 liters
Number of Cylinders: Flat-six
Aspiration: Naturally Aspirated
Maximum Horsepower: 400 at 7,400 RPM
Maximum Torque: 325 at 5,600 RPM
Compression Ratio: 12.5 : 1
Transmission:
Drive: PTS variable all-wheel drive with rear-wheel bias
Type: Seven-speed manual (std.), Seven-speed PDK dual-clutch (opt.)
Performance (Carrera 4 Coupe and Cabriolet):
Acceleration 0-60 mph (Coupe): 4.7 s (manual)/4.5 s (PDK) or 4.3 s (PDK w/Sport Plus)
Acceleration 0-60 mph (Cabrio.): 4.9 s (manual)/4.7 s (PDK) or 4.5 s (PDK w/Sport Plus)
Acceleration 0-99 mph (Coupe): 10.6 s (manual)/ 10.2 s (PDK)
Acceleration 0-99 mph (Cabrio.): 11.0 s (manual)/ 10.6 s (PDK)
Top Speed (Coupe):177 mph (manual)/175 mph (PDK)
Top Speed (Cabrio.): 175 mph (manual) 173 mph (PDK)
Performance (Carrera 4S Coupe and Cabriolet):
Acceleration 0-60 mph (Coupe): 4.2 s (manual)/4.0 s (PDK) or 3.8 s (PDK w/Sport Plus)
Acceleration 0-60 mph (Cabrio.): 4.5 s (manual)/4.3 s (PDK) or 4.1 s (PDK w/Sport Plus)
Acceleration 0-99 mph (Coupe): 9.6 s (manual)/ 9.2 s (PDK)
Acceleration 0-99 mph (Cabrio.): 10.0 s (manual)/ 9.6 s (PDK)
Top Speed (Coupe):185 mph (manual)/184 mph (PDK)
Top Speed (Cabrio.): 183 mph (manual) 182 mph (PDK)
Porsche 991 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Gallery
[Source: Porsche]
Which all-wheel drive 911 Carrera is your favorite? Leave a comment and let us know!
