May 15, 2003 4:49:48 PM
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Ron (Houston)
- Rennteam Moderator
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- Loc: Houston, TX , United States
- Posts: 8812, Gallery
- Registered on: Apr 10, 2002
Finally!! Turbo and C4 S Cab.
PORSCHE WILL REVEAL two open-top versions of the 911 over the next four months in a move aimed at wringing extra sales out of today's six-year-old model prior to the arrival of next year's heavily upgraded car.
First out of the blocks is the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet. Due at U.S. dealers in September, it mates the altered bodywork and four-wheel-drive underpinnings of the Carrera 4S with the soft-top and 320-hp, naturally aspirated 3.6-liter flat six-cylinder engine of the Carrera Cabriolet.
The highlight of Porsche's drop-top 911 push, however, is a new Turbo Cabriolet-the first since the original ceased production in 1989. Spied under-- going testing near Porsche's Zuffenhausen headquarters, the new car goes into production later this summer with U.S. sales beginning after its debut in Frankfurt in early September.
Power for the 911 Turbo Cabriolet comes from the same twin-turbocharged, 3.6-liter flat six-cylinder found in the hardtop. The engine's 420 hp will be channeled to all four wheels via either a six-speed manual or a five-speed Tiptronic gearbox. Packaging the fabric roof and stiffening the 911's floorpan will add 154 pounds to the vehicle's curb weight, but insiders say the convertible will still run 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and top out at about 180 mph-figures that should see the 911 Turbo Cabriolet in a close race with the Ferrari 360 Spider.
Extensive wind-tunnel testing ensures downforce created by the 911 Turbo Cabrio's rear wing is constant when running with the roof up or down.
The addition of the 4S Cabriolet and Turbo Cabriolet to the Porsche lineup brings to 11 the number of 911 derivatives-more than any time in the car's 39-year history. And there could be at least one more 911 model in store.
AutoWeek sources say Porsche has developed a successor to the 911 Speedster that is merely awaiting approval from Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking.
First out of the blocks is the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet. Due at U.S. dealers in September, it mates the altered bodywork and four-wheel-drive underpinnings of the Carrera 4S with the soft-top and 320-hp, naturally aspirated 3.6-liter flat six-cylinder engine of the Carrera Cabriolet.
The highlight of Porsche's drop-top 911 push, however, is a new Turbo Cabriolet-the first since the original ceased production in 1989. Spied under-- going testing near Porsche's Zuffenhausen headquarters, the new car goes into production later this summer with U.S. sales beginning after its debut in Frankfurt in early September.
Power for the 911 Turbo Cabriolet comes from the same twin-turbocharged, 3.6-liter flat six-cylinder found in the hardtop. The engine's 420 hp will be channeled to all four wheels via either a six-speed manual or a five-speed Tiptronic gearbox. Packaging the fabric roof and stiffening the 911's floorpan will add 154 pounds to the vehicle's curb weight, but insiders say the convertible will still run 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and top out at about 180 mph-figures that should see the 911 Turbo Cabriolet in a close race with the Ferrari 360 Spider.
Extensive wind-tunnel testing ensures downforce created by the 911 Turbo Cabrio's rear wing is constant when running with the roof up or down.
The addition of the 4S Cabriolet and Turbo Cabriolet to the Porsche lineup brings to 11 the number of 911 derivatives-more than any time in the car's 39-year history. And there could be at least one more 911 model in store.
AutoWeek sources say Porsche has developed a successor to the 911 Speedster that is merely awaiting approval from Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking.
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