Porsche has finally revealed the 911 Carrera and the 4S models ahead of their debut at upcoming Paris Motors Show. What has been so special in these models is the availability of all wheel drive option, which has certainly help them increase traction, road-holding and dynamic performance over a wide variety of road surfaces and in all weather conditions.
A distinctive identifying feature of the 911 Carrera 4 and 4S remains the wider rear wheel arches: compared to the two-wheel drive 911 Carrera models, the rear wheel arches each extend further outwards by 22 mm, and house rear tyres that are ten millimetres wider. The signature red light band that connects the two taillights has also taken on a new form. The new all-wheel drive 911 is available in four versions; the 911 Carrera 4 and 911 Carrera 4S, and as a Coupé and Cabriolet. Each model shares identical characteristics to the rear-wheel drive versions, including lightweight body design, suspension, engine choices and gearbox options; the only exceptions are modifications related to the all-wheel drive.
The innovative aluminium-steel composite body construction of the 911 helps deliver a weight saving of up to 65kg versus the prior model; consequently, despite the higher level of performance, the new 911 Carrera 4 models also offer up to 16 per cent lower fuel consumption. All models have a seven-speed manual gearbox as standard, and the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) twin-clutch automatic transmission is available as an option.
The 911 Carrera 4 features a rear-mounted 3.4-litre flat-six engine developing 350bhp , and Porsche claims it to touch 0-100kmph in just 4.5 seconds (Cabriolet 4.7 seconds) and reach a top speed of up to 284kmph (Cabriolet 281kmph), depending on specification.
The 911 Carrera 4 S is powered by a 3.8-litre flat-six engine that produces 400bhp and delivers acceleration from 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds (Cabriolet 4.3 seconds) and a top speed of 299kmph (Cabriolet 296kmph). What New all-wheel drive indicator, Porsche Active Safe, sliding glass sunroof, extended Sport Chrono pack In the 911 Carrera 4 and 4S, a new menu in the instrument cluster informs the driver how the PTM all-wheel drive is currently distributing engine torque between the front and rear axles.
In addition, coincident with the launch of the 911 Carrera 4 models, Porsche is introducing the option of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) - which controls distance to traffic ahead and vehicle speed - across the 911 model range. When ordered with PDK, the ACC system adds the safety function Porsche Active Safe (PAS), which can help prevent front-end collisions.
In addition, a new sliding glass sunroof is now available as an optional feature for all 911 Coupé models; and driving a 911 with a manual gearbox in combination with the optional Sport Chrono pack now has added responsiveness. In Sport Plus mode, the system automatically double-declutches during downshifts.
