New Porsche 911 Cabriolet revealed
997 Cab to enter showrooms in April 2005
Just a few months after the launch of the new 911 Carrera Coupé, Porsche is introducing the new 911 Cabriolet. As with the Coupé, open-top sports car enthusiasts can choose between either the 325bhp, 3.6-litre flat-six engine or the Carrera S model with its 3.8-litre power unit developing 355 bhp. The new convertibles will feature a choice of 18-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels, PSM Porsche Stability Management and PCM Porsche Communication Management including Porsche Sound Package Plus (CD radio with nine loudspeakers) and a wind deflector.
Using the same underpinnings as the Coupé, the basic version weighs 1,480Kg and the Carrera S 1,505Kg; both Cabriolets weigh 85 kilos more than their respective Coupé counterparts.
The soft roof opens and closes fully automatically at the touch of a button in just 20 seconds, collapsing in Z-configuration within the roof compartment, with the outer side of the roof facing to the top for optimum protection of the heated glass rear window. The roof can be opened and closed while driving at speeds of up to 31 mph. New guide ducts above the doors reduce the amount of rainwater dripping down, directing water into a specially developed door seal duct in the windscreen A-pillar. The Porsche press release says that, "In combination with the wind deflector featured as standard, both Cabriolets offer superior driving comfort with the roof lowered."
The Carrera S Cabriolet comes as standard with PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management, while it's optional on the 3.6-litre Carrera. Both models have exactly the same top speed as their Coupé counterparts – 177mph and 182mph respectively, which Porsche says is testament to their "outstanding aerodynamic qualities". Both versions of the Cabriolet have a drag coefficient of 0.29, which Porsche reckons ranks them at the top of their respective market segments. One of the features specific to the Cabriolet is the rear spoiler extending 20mm (approx 0.8-inch) further than on the Coupé to minimise lift forces on both the front and rear axle, particularly at high speeds.
The Coupé versions of the new 911 outperform the Cabriolet models by a few tenths of a second only in terms of their acceleration. The 3.6-litre version of the open-air Carrera (with manual gearbox) accelerates to 62mph in 5.2 seconds, the Carrera S Cabriolet manages it in 4.9 seconds.
The new 911 Carrera Cabriolet comes as standard with the Porsche Side Impact Protection (POSIP) system comprising, in particular, two head airbags. Shaped like a flat cushion, these airbags are concealed in the doors along the bottom edge of the windows, and almost instantaneously inflate upwards in a collision from the side to ensure maximum head protection.
A thorax airbag on the outer side of the front seat backrests, two full-size frontal airbags and three-point seat belts with belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters for the front seats round off the high standard of occupant safety. In addition, the rollover safety system in the new Carrera Cabriolet is made up of two ultra-strong steel tubes in the windscreen A-pillars and two safety bars that move up automatically behind the rear seats, in an emergency situation.
The Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet will be priced at £65,260 and the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet at £72,230 and will be available in the UK from 9 April 2005.
RichB said:
Porsche said "The roof can be opened and closed while driving at speeds of up to 31 mph"...
Now that'll come in really handyRich...
Actually I'd really like that feature. You can get a 'chip' for the 986 Boxster which allows it.
Classic situation: Waiting at a red light. Raindrops fall. You start raising the roof. It doesn't quite finish prior to the green light. Blast! Everyone behind is now cheesed as you stay stationary...handbrake on to raise the roof.
But now instead your passenger can complete the job as you pull away...
I agree there will be the temptation to operate it whilst driving which should not be encouraged on safety grounds...but I reckon this will be damn useful.
You'll be used to the Griff roof, Rich. What speed can you operate that at?
Having a Chimaera myself I am well aware...
RichB said:
Porsche said "The roof can be opened and closed while driving at speeds of up to 31 mph"...
Now that'll come in really handy
agreed, it wuld be better if you had to get out of the car and skin you knuckles working out which way round the targa panel fits in to the boot whilst its pissing down with rain!!
bennno
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