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Four-Wheel Drive Porsche 911 Cabriolets

Porsche is adding to its stable of 911 variants with the launch of two new four-wheel drive 911 Cabriolet models. The new 911 Carrera 4 and 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolets will be on sale in the UK from 22 October 2005.

The Carrera 4 Cabriolet is powered by the familiar 3.6-litre six-cylinder ‘boxer’ engine, which has an output of 325 bhp (239 kW). The cabriolet all-wheel drive sports car accelerates from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 175 mph (280 km/h). The Carrera 4S model is powered by the equally well-proven 3.8-litre engine, which has an output of 355 bhp (261 kW). This model sprints to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of 180 mph (288 km/h).

The bodyshell of the new models is 44 mm wider than the rear-wheel drive 911 Cabriolet. At the touch of a button, the fabric top opens and closes automatically in only 20 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph (50 km/h). At 42 kilograms, the convertible top weighs barely half as much as a comparable Vario folding roof, thus providing a lower centre of gravity and a higher degree of lateral dynamics.

The anti-roll-over system of the new Cabriolet models consists of super high-strength steel tubes in both A-pillars, and two automatically extending bars behind the rear seats.

The chassis design corresponds to that of the coupé 911 models. The Porsche Active Suspension Management system (PASM) fitted as standard in the Carrera 4S, 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. The active suspension system is available as an option on the Carrera 4 Cabriolet.

The 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet will be priced at £69,900 and the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet at £76,880.

Text/Photos: Porsche