Open-air duo with all-wheel technologyThe 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet and the Carrera 4S Cabriolet
Melbourne. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, presents a new generation of open-top 911 models with all-wheel drive.
The Carrera 4 Cabriolet is powered by the familiar 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine, which has an output of 239 kW (325 bhp). The open all-wheel-drive sports car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 280 km/h. The 4S model is powered by the equally well-proven 3.8-liter engine, which has an output of 261 kW (355 bhp). This model sprints to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of 288 km/h.
As is already the case with the Coupe version of the Carrera 4, power transmission in the Cabriolets is by all-wheel drive with a viscous multi-plate clutch, which consistently brings between five and 40 per cent of the driving power to the road via the front wheels.
The body shell of the new open-top sports car models is 44 millimeters wider than on the rear-wheel-drive 911 Cabriolet, and due to its high degree of stiffness it combines the joy of open-top driving with the dynamics and driving stability of all-wheel drive grip.
At the touch of a button, the soft top opens and closes automatically in only 20 seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h. At 42 kilograms, the soft top weighs barely half as much as a comparable Vario folding roof, thus providing a lower center of gravity and a higher degree of lateral dynamics.
The new Cabriolets' anti-rollover system consists of super high strength steel tubes in both A-pillars, and two automatically extending rollbars behind the rear seats. Two head airbags complement the passive safety system. These are located in the door panel in the form of flat cushions that inflate upwards in the event of a lateral collision. This means they provide a unique form of protection for the head, even when the top is down. Two chest airbags in the armrests and two front airbags complete the front occupant protection system.
To improve active safety, the standard Porsche Stability Management system (PSM) has two new functions. Pre-filling the brake mechanism ensures more spontaneous deceleration if required, and the hydraulic brake power support, which works like brake assistance, helps to build up full brake pressure in emergencies. The acclaimed Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) system is available as an option on both new versions of the Cabriolet.
The chassis design corresponds to that of the conventionally powered 911 models. The standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system in the 4S model provides a comfortably sporty basic suspension setting when set at Normal, but when the Sport button is pushed it triggers performance characteristics that are definitely more tightly tuned. In both positions, however, the setting is permanently geared to the appropriate driving style and the nature of the road. PASM is standard on the Carrera 4S Cabriolet and available as an option on the Carrera 4 Cabriolet.
The market launch of the new 911 Carrera 4 and 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolets in Europe takes place on October 22, 2005. In Australia, the Carrera 4 Cabriolet and Carrera 4S Cabriolet will be launched together with the Carrera 4 Coupe and Carrera 4S Coupe a short time later. Pricing and specification for these four new 911 models will be announced around this time.
4/7/2005