Porsche’s new Carrera 4 is to feature the electronic traction management system that was first developed for the 911 Turbo. In the new generation 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S, the all-wheel drive is now provided via electronically-controlled Porsche Traction Management (PTM), which replaces the former all-wheel drive with its viscous multiple-plate clutch.
Combined with the mechanical limited slip differential now fitted as standard to the rear axle Porsche says the new system will give the car better traction and stability. PTM works by feeding the right amount of engine torque in each situation through an electronically-controlled multiple-plate clutch to the front wheels, which in turn supplements the flow of power to the rear wheels.
With the previous viscous clutch, up to 40% of torque could be directed to the front axle. The new electronically-controlled PTM system delivers an infinitely variable torque split, and is able to distribute up to 100% of traction to the front or rear wheels.
The new 911 Carrera 4 models will get the same all-new flat-six engines with Direct Fuel Injection as the two-wheel drive Carrera 2 and Carrera 2S. Porsche claims this improves power in its 3.8-litre engine by 30bhp (20bhp for the 3.6-litre), while improving fuel consumption.
The new Carrera 4 will also be available with Porsche PDK double-clutch gearbox as a £2,338 option. The second generation Porsche 911 Carrera 4 models go on sale in Great Britain on October 25.
The Carrera 4 Coupe 3.6-litre is priced from £67,430, and the Carrera 4S Coupe 3.8-litre is priced from £74,720. The 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet is priced from £74,720, and the Carrera Cabriolet 4S from £82,010.
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