Monday 23rd September 2013

Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet revealed

More powerful, more high-tech and more expensive than ever, the 911 Turbo Cabriolet makes its return

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Whilst we've been getting ourselves all hot and bothered about the marvellous new 991 GT3, Porsche has been finalising the car that is probably its direct antithesis as 911s go: the Turbo Cabriolet.

You thought the standard cab had a big bum...

Revealed today ahead of its LA debut, the 991 Turbo Cabriolet follows basically the same approach as previous models because, well, why would Porsche change it? We can preach to the hills about the virtues of small wheels, three pedals and a roof but its money that does the real talking and Porsche has to build what its customers want. So let's put our prejudices to one side and see what's what with the latest 911 Turbo Cab shall we?

The 'panel bow top' roof with its magnesium frames is the same used on other open 991s, and that's good news; it means the 911 cabriolet finally looks good with the roof up or down. Similarly also, it can be operated at up to 31mph and takes 13 seconds to be raised or lowered. The standard 991 Cabriolet carries an extra 70kg over the coupe, so we'd expect this to be identical for the Turbo and would push it to 1,675kg. Eek.

Looks good stationary, but how will it drive?

Despite this, that combination of a rear-engined traction, 4WD, PDK, lots of clever electronics and even more power make the 911 Turbo Cab astonishingly fast. Porsche claims the standard 520hp Turbo is capable of a 3.5-second sprint to 62, with the 560hp Turbo S another three tenths quicker. Top speed for both cars is 198mph.

There are marginal penalties as far as CO2 and economy are concerned if you want a 911 Turbo without a roof. The coupe's 227g/km and 29mpg become 231g/km and 28.5mpg for the cabriolet.

The coupe's rear-wheel steering and active aero are also carried over. And in case the badges, exhausts and wheels don't give the Turbo away, those suggestively swollen rear arches (28mm wider than the C4) should do the job.

As per the coupe inside, with more sunshine

Following the LA debut (seems like an appropriate debut location, no?), the 991 Turbo Cabriolet will go on sale in December. Porsche has so far only German prices; the standard Turbo will cost 174,431 euros and the Turbo S 207,989 euros, the loss of the roof costing you 10,376 euros or 12,733 euros respectively. Take the £118,349 for the Turbo coupe and £140,852 Turbo S coupe charged in the UK and extrapolate/speculate accordingly...

Suffice to say it won't be cheap but there can be little doubt the 911 Turbo Cabriolet will sell to certain customers regardless of the price. It's always been hugely fast, but can it really push the buttons of 911 enthusiasts? Should it even attempt to? The floor is yours...

 

 

[P4ROT]

Its getting dangerously close to 1700 kg...

[anonymous-user]

Over 200,000 Euros for a standard Turbo S.

Dreamworld.

[[AJ]]

The pretty Boxster's fat, ugly, older sister on testosterone supplements.

[gofasterrosssco]

[AJ] said:

The pretty Boxster's fat, ugly, older sister on testosterone supplements.

With a bit of stuble going by that front splitter...

[framerateuk]

Would much rather a Boxster.

Pretty impressive on paper though!

[E38Ross]

P4ROT said:

Its getting dangerously close to 1700 kg...

and? is that an issue when it suddenly hits 1700kgs? well, as soon as you put some fuel and a driver in it it'll be over 1700kgs but i'm pretty sure it'll still be very good at what it's for.

[moskvich427]

I'd never have the soft-top over the standard 911... but can totally understand why those living in hotter climates might.

Also, 3.2 secs to 60 for the Turbo S. Insane!

[David87]

Nice for those who want this type of thing, but it sure is getting very expensive! I'm not sure I could stomach splashing out £150k on a 911 when, despite its performance, it's still just a 911 (albeit a very fast one).

[LaurasOtherHalf]

moskvich427 said:

I'd never have the soft-top over the standard 911... but can totally understand why those living in hotter climates might.

isn't it a fact that the hotter the climate the fewer cabs they sell?

has its advantages for posing though

[Radish]

As with other 911 Cabs with the lid off it puts me in mind of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame".

[SrMoreno]

Radish said:

As with other 911 Cabs with the lid off it puts me in mind of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame".

Agreed. Still looks better than with the lid on, though.

[GranCab]

Mmmm Grey with Grey ...



... should match the new owners' hair nicely.

[Carnnoisseur]

More striking in the cobalt blue.

[Prawnboy]

GranCab said:

Mmmm Grey with Grey ...



... should match the new owners' hair nicely.

[Adam B]

framerateuk said:

Would much rather a Boxster.

Pretty impressive on paper though!

and a 911 GT3 with the change!

however are these things are for those reverse wallet/petrolhead ratio to most on here

cobalt/those wheels looks much more special, there again I think a standard C2/4 cab looks better, the turbo wing makes the turbo cab look like a big pram

[Wills2]

Wow so approx 155k in the UK for the TurboS, my my these things are getting pricey.

[MycroftWard]

GranCab said:

Mmmm Grey with Grey ...



... should match the new owners' hair nicely.

If they've got hair, a good number of rag top performance car drivers I see are bald/balding.

[MycroftWard]

I can't say these get me particularly excited, for me the 911 seems too ubiquitous these days. It's a very capable car indeed but that's a lot of money isn't it, I'd rather a secondhand Coxster and a bigger house thanks.

[GTEYE]

They just seem to get less interesting with every generation.

Which might seem a strange thing to say about a 560hp sports car.

Perhaps less is actually more.

The Boxster looks the best car Porsche makes to my eyes, but obviously not expensive enough for all tastes...

[ellisd82]

I do like Porsche's, but paying that much for one just seems silly!