Officially Official: 2009 Porsche 911 gets direct injection and dual-clutch gearbox
by Alex Nunez on Jun 6th 2008 at 9:22AM 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Porsche 997 Carreras
The 2009 Porsche 911 has been formally unveiled, sporting lightly -tweaked styling, and important changes under the skin. The 3.6L and 3.8L engines to be found under the engine covers of Carrera and Carrera S models are new, featuring gasoline direct injection for the first time, and bringing more power and improved fuel economy in tow. The 3.6L engine now produces 345 horsepower (a 20-horse increase), while the 3.8 in Carrera S gets a 30-horsepower boost, coming in at a very healthy 385 HP. Both engines' fuel economy and emissions output levels are improved, with the Carrera Coupe boasting a 24 mpg (US) combined-cycle figure.
Also contributing to the cars' improved performance and fuel economy is the new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that arrives for 2009. Dubbed Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK), it replaces the Tiptronic S in the Carrera and Carrera S. Visually, the 2009 Porsche 997 is freshened with bi-Xenon headlamps, LED daytime running lights, and restyled taillamps that now use LED illumination. Also in back, you'll see that the Carreras get ovoid dual exhaust outlets, while the Carrera S cars get a pair of double-barreled tips. The cars arrive in Europe next month with a U.S. launch to follow later in this year.
[Source: Porsche]
PRESS RELEASE:
New Porsche 911 with Direct Fuel Injection and Double-Clutch Gearbox
Stuttgart. Starting on 5 July, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is introducing the next generation of the 911 model series. The four new models – two Coupés and two Cabriolets – with classic rear-wheel drive offer an even higher standard of dynamic performance thanks to their all-new flat-six power units displacing 3.6 and, re-spectively, 3.8 litres. And the introduction for the first time of direct fuel injection on a Porsche sports car, together with the optional double-clutch gearbox Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK), makes the new 911 even more sporting and dynamic.
At the same time these new technologies enhance the already outstanding efficiency of the 911 to an even higher level than before: Featuring PDK, the Carrera Coupé offers outstanding fuel economy of 9.8 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 28.8 mpg imp. And with all new Carreras remaining significantly below the fuel consumption benchmark of 11 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 25.7 mpg imp, CO2 emissions are down by up to 15 per cent.
Maximum output of the 911 Carrera with its 3.6-litre power unit is up by 20 bhp to 345 bhp (254 kW). Output on the 911 Carrera S with its 3.8-litre power unit is equally impressive, up by 30 bhp to 385 bhp (283 kW). With this extra power, the Carrera S Coupé now offers a top speed of slightly over 300 km/h or 186 mph.
The new generation of the 911 is available for the first time with the new Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK), Porsche's double-clutch gearbox. Offering no less than seven forward gears, the new gearbox combines the driving comfort of a converter automatic transmission with the dynamic gearshift of a sequential racing gearbox. And since PDK also boasts an automatic gearshift function, it replaces the former Porsche Tiptronic S automatic transmission on both the Carrera and Carrera S. Through its optimised and adaptive gearshift programs, PDK improves the car's acceleration and reduces fuel consumption to a level even lower than before.
Porsche developed this gearshift principle featuring two clutches to shift gears without the slightest interruption of traction and pulling power and without even the slightest break in between gears no less than 25 years ago for motorsport. Porsche works drivers benefiting from this technology were able to accelerate faster than their competitors and keep both hands on the steering wheel while shifting gears, thus avoiding even the slightest distraction while shifting. The pioneering achievement from back then now gives the new 911 Carrera even better performance: Equipped with seven-speed PDK, the Carrera Coupé accelerates in 4.5 seconds from 0-100 km/h, another 0.2 seconds faster than with a manual six-speed gearbox. And the customer in search of optimum driving dynamics even has the option to combine PDK with Porsche's optional Sport Chrono Plus including Launch Control. The result is high-speed acceleration free of slip from a standstill and a racing gearshift, with the car accelerating to 100 km/h in a truly outstanding 4.3 seconds.
The new generation of the 911 stands out clearly at first sight through innovations in design both front and rear as well as new lights with LED technology. LED daytime driving lights and bi-xenon headlights now standard on all new models in the Carrera range give the silhouette of the 911 even more distinctive style and a truly unique look, interacting with new LED rear lights to ensure an unmistakable and striking appearance also at the rear. And as a further safety option, Porsche now also offers Dynamic Bending Lights on all models.
Prices start at Euro 69,600.- for the Carrera (Euro base price). The Carrera Cabriolet and Carrera S both retail at Euro 78,000.- (Euro base price), and the Carrera S Cabriolet is entering the market at Euro 88,000.- (Euro base price).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
carsteve 9:27AM (6/06/2008)
No thanks for the tip? I guess you guys must have been on it too quick!
Glad to see Porsche making these upgrades, and I assume that all of these upgrades will find their way to the Cayman in time for my two year upgrade (I suspect they won't see the Cayman until MY 2010)
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Hike15 9:29AM (6/06/2008)
cant wait to see the new gt3 with the additional power
but these cars needed the update to keep up with the r8 and gt-r and even the evo x
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Tool 9:37AM (6/06/2008)
The Carrera S looks terrific in royal blue in those pics.
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DCragtop 2:45PM (6/06/2008)
My thoughts exactly. Void of any excessive spoilers, ducts, carbon fiber this-carbon fiber that, and so on, this car really is an iconic work of art.
yacoub 9:39AM (6/06/2008)
So awesome.
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JZeke 9:46AM (6/06/2008)
The pundits may rave about how the GTR is a faster, more exacting speed tool but damn if these updated 911s arent simply gorgeous. I'll happily take a base-spec Carrera with 2wd and no options over a GTR... who needs to go that fast anyway?
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carsteve 9:49AM (6/06/2008)
Answer. No one.
Looks and elegance of 911 are great.
The GTR looks awesome, too.
Peter 9:50AM (6/06/2008)
JZeke: Agreed.
Mike 9:50AM (6/06/2008)
I tend to agree. As impressive as Godzilla is at pummelling lap times into submission, I'm more attracted by the 911's classic simplicity honed by decades of refinement. I'll take mine with a manual, please.
Alex 12:24PM (6/06/2008)
I like how the fog lamps are integrated into the front bumper.
Looks very elegant and provides uninterrupted flow of air to the brakes. Brilliant.
RG 9:49AM (6/06/2008)
Is it me or do the headrests in the coupe photos look GIGANTIC?
Also, lovin the updates, 385-hp in the relatively lightweight 911 is no joke.
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carsteve 9:57AM (6/06/2008)
I'm really looking forward to the PDK transmission. Since it will be making its way into all models, I'll have some healthy choices come a few years when it's time to upgrade (that's if, internal combustion engines are still legal by then......)
I've driven a manual transmission for most of my automotive life, and it is the purest way to drive. However, I think this PDK transmission will be the first car that I get with an automated manual for a few reasons. One being, it will probably be one of the best versions of an automated manual on the market. Second, 7 speeds is just cool. Third, driving a manual every day (done it for years), can get a little annoying once in a while. If I can get my hands on a car that has manual-transmission-responsiveness (or better) and an option to just put it in drive and cruise, in a car that handles like a 911, or better yet, a Cayman, after my years of driving experience and paying my dues, where do I sign?
Though Porsche is late to this dual-clutch party, it's better late than never, and not to mention, there's a reason why Porsche is slow on the take with its upgrades -- they're always top-notch in engineering and quality.
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Noah 11:43AM (6/06/2008)
I've been thinking about the whole MT vs. AT thing for a while lately. I thought, "Sure, the dual-clutch autos are so good now that they are faster around the track, but sticks are just fun. Why would anyone dump it?"
Your post helped clear it up. Porsches are often commuter cars, daily drivers (like in your instance). Yeah, in bad traffic over the years you can get tired of the manual. Have fun in your future Porsche!
Wally 9:57AM (6/06/2008)
Timeless.
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pmiddle5 10:01AM (6/06/2008)
Until it gets roughly 28mpg I'm disappointed. Make the change to MPG wars not HP wars. When cars from the 70's get the same gas mileage as current Iam bummed.
Looks pretty though and also about damn time.
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Pacman 11:17AM (6/06/2008)
Dude, its a freaking 911 not a commuter car. Buy a Prius. The 911 is supposed to be about HP. Im not saying MPG is not important but its not really relevent to this car.
pmiddle5 10:44AM (6/06/2008)
...... The original had similar gas mileage. It called progress. and isnt a 911 suppose to be an extremely high performance commuter car?......
pmiddle5 10:57AM (6/06/2008)
p.s. 24mpg combined might actually be near 28 mpg. I hope it gets atleast that is has no reason to not
LloydChiro 7:03PM (6/06/2008)
The base Porsche 987 gets like 31 mpg on the highway.
Steve 8:54PM (6/06/2008)
You'll be disappointed for a long time... because once Porsche gets to 28mpg, gas will cost more and you'll be asking for 32mpg.
Expensive cars get good performance and with that generally comes worse MPG. If a Porsche 911 had the same MPG as a Prius, it probably would be just as slow.