|
|
|
|
After recently unveiling the seventh-generation 911 Carrera S coupe, Porsche is ready to roll out the red carpet for a new addition to the 911 family with the 2012 Carrera S Cabriolet. One neat aspect of the new convertible is a piece of hard composite that lies between the layers of cloth above the front seats to preserve the coupe’s roofline and cut down on wind noise. Eleven seconds is all that is required for the roof to open or close, which can be done at speeds of up to 37 mph.
The Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet’s performance figures are slightly off compared to those of the coupe because of the extra weight of the convertible mechanism. The 911 Carrera S Cabriolet comes with a 3.8-liter boxer six-cylinder engine also with direct fuel injection that produces 400 hp and comes standard with seven-speed manual transmission. In this configuration, the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet can reach 60 mph from a standstill in as little as 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 187 mph. With the optional PDK, it can accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 185 mph. The zero-to-60-mph times are a couple ticks faster than their predecessors, and both versions come very close to their former’s top speeds.
Besides the obvious convertible top, most of the other features are identical to the 2012 Carrera S coupe. Both the new cabriolet and coupe are 80 or so pounds lighter than their predecessors due to the use of aluminum, magnesium, and advanced high-strength steel. The loss in weight does help efficiency, although official statistics regarding the claim of better fuel efficiency have yet to be released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Changes to the chassis include a slight increase in the 911’s wheelbase, now extended by 3.9 inches and nearly two inches wider front track. Despite these extensions, the overall car length will only be one inch longer.
Overall, the longer wheelbase, wider front track, and various new features introduced on the Carrera S model offer customers better performance, more room, and increased fuel efficiency. The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet will go on sale in the beginning of spring 2012 for smidge more than $100,000.
By Tabitha Foss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vehicle Specs
|
|
Base Price
|
|
$108,000
|
|
Engine
|
|
3.8-liter F-6
|
|
Horsepower
|
|
400 hp @ 7,400 rpm
|
|
Torque
|
|
325 lb-ft @ 5,600 rpm (estimated)
|
|
Transmission
|
|
7-speed manual, 7-speed PDK
|
|
0–60 mph
|
|
4.4 seconds (manual), 4.3 seconds (PDK)
|
|
Top Speed
|
|
187 mph (manual), 185 mph (PDK)
|
|
Weight
|
|
3,230 lb (manual), 3,274 lb (PDK)
|
|
Length
|
|
177 inches
|
|
Tires
|
|
245/35ZR-20, Rear: 295/30ZR-20
|
|
FOR
|
|
991 premieres in convertible form
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
The onslaught of 991 variants begins
|
|
|
|
|
Pictures and Videos
|