The 911 has been the world’s best-selling sports car for decades. Now a new generation of Porsche’s iconic models has arrived to further extend its dominance. With innovative turbo flat engines, an advanced chassis designed for optimum performance, as well as a new infotainment system, the new model is exceedingly well-equipped to continue the 911 Carrera’s reign as a segment leader.
Thanks to more than four decades of experience with turbo engines – in both motor racing and production sports cars – the new engines in the 911 Carrera set benchmarks in terms of performance, driving pleasure and efficiency. The rear-axle steering, available as an option for the Carrera models for the first time, further extends the range of driving dynamics. A range of exterior features have been refined, these include new headlights with four-point daytime running lights, a redesigned rear lid with vertical louvres and new rear lights, featuring the distinctive four-point brake lights. In the interior, the updated Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with a multi-touch display offers a considerably expanded range of functions and simplified operation.
The completely new engine generation with bi-turbo charging, raises the emotional driving pleasure in the 911 Carrera to an even more intense level, with 370 hp at the rear of the vehicle, waiting to be unleashed and converted into sporty propulsion. The engine in the new 911 Carrera S also now delivers more power, with 420 hp. Both derivatives now have a power increase of 20 hp, and a displacement of three litres. The significant power increase in the new Carrera S is a combination of turbochargers with modified compressors, enhanced exhaust system and tuned engine management. The new Porsche engines are characterized by significantly increased torque (60 Nm in each version) with maximum torque of 450 Nm and 500 Nm respectively, delivered constantly from a low 1,700 rpm up to 5,000 rpm, ensuring excellent driving performance. At the same time with a maximum level of 7,500 rpm, the new engines clearly exceed conventional turbo engines – underscored by the typical sonorous Porsche engine sound.
Every new 911 boasts performance and efficiency enhancements compared with predecessors. For example, depending on the model variant, the new engine generation is almost twelve percent more efficient: fuel consumption is reduced by up to a litre per 100 kilometres. The 911 Carrera with PorscheDoppelkupplung (PDK) transmission now consumes just 7.4 l/100 km (a reduction of 0.8l per 100 km), while the 911 Carrera S with PDK consumes 7.7 l/100 km (1.0 l less per 100 km). The new 911 also boasts impressive performance: the 911 Carrera Coupé with PDK and Sport Chrono Package sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds – making it two tenths of a second faster than its predecessor. The 911 Carrera S with PDK and Sport Chrono Package Performs its showcase discipline in just 3.9 seconds (also 0.2 s faster). This makes it the first 911 in the Carrera family to undercut the magic four second mark. Top speeds for both models have also increased further; the 911 Carrera now has a top speed of 295 km/h, while the 911 Carrera S now reaches an impressive 308 km/h.
In conjunction with the optional Sport Chrono Package, the 911 Carrera has a mode switch on the steering wheel for the first time, derived from the revolutionary 918 Spyder. The mode switch consists of a rotary ring with four positions for choosing a driving mode, this includes: “Normal”, “Sport”, “Sport Plus” and “Individual”. Depending on the equipment, the latter setting enables drivers to configure their own individual vehicle set-up, for example the PASM, active engine mounts, PDK shifting strategy and sports exhaust system. In combination with PDK transmission the mode switch has an additional button, the “Sport Response Button”. When this button is pressed the drivetrain is pre-conditioned for maximum acceleration for 20 seconds, for example before overtaking manoeuvres. For this, the optimum gear is engaged and the engine management adjusted to an even more spontaneous response for a short time.
The 911 Carrera is the benchmark for driving dynamics of all-around sports cars, with every new generation Porsche further offering a balance between everyday comfort and circuit performance. For the first time, the PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) chassis, which lowers the ride height by ten millimetres, is a standard feature on board all Carrera models. It improves stability during fast cornering even more. At the same time the new shock absorber generation, with its wider spread characteristics, enhances comfort, whilst also improving the body connection during dynamic driving. New standard wheels with five slim twin spokes feature tires with reduced rolling resistance and enhanced performance. Furthermore, on all variants the width of the rear rims has increased by 0.5 to 11.5 inches and the rear tyres of the 911 Carrera S now measure 305 instead of 295 millimetres.
The active rear-axle steering that is available as an option for the 911 Carrera S, is chassis technology adopted from the 911 Turbo and 911 GT3. It supports high driving stability when changing lanes at high speeds and ensures greater maneuverability in city traffic thanks to the reduction of the turning circle by 0.5 metres. The improved handling is transmitted to the driver via the new steering wheel generation design taken from the 918 Spyder. The basic steering wheel has a diameter of 375 millimetres, whereas the optional GT sports steering wheel measures 360 millimetres.
For unlimited everyday practicality Porsche offers a hydraulic lift system with integrated lifting cylinders in the struts of the front axle. Pressing a button increases the ground clearance at the front by 40 millimetres within 5 seconds and thus prevents the vehicle underbody from hitting the ground, for example on steep garage exits. A standard feature of the new 911 Carrera models is the enhanced PCM system, which includes online navigation module and voice control. PCM can be operated by performing multi-touch gestures on the seven-inch display, similar to operating a smartphone. For instance user inputs by handwriting are possible.
The 911 Carrera can now be customized even more, according to personal preferences with new and enhanced assistance systems: the optional automatic speed control can now also brake moderately when the pre-set speed is exceeded, for example when driving downhill. The optional Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) now 84 85 has a coasting function in conjunction with the PDK transmission. When driving behind a slower car, the clutches are disengaged, thus saving fuel with unpowered coasting. The optional Lane Change Assistant monitors traffic behind with radar and uses LED lamps in the left and right of the mirror triangle to warn the driver about approaching vehicles in the blind spot. In addition, Porsche increases the active safety of the sports car with the post-collision braking system as a standard feature.
The new Porsche 911 Carrera models are available for order as of now and will be officially launched in Kuwait, April 2016. Get in touch with the Porsche team to find out more at www.porsche.com/middle-east/kuwait, visit the showroom in Al Rai or call them on 1870 870.