Porsche unveils 2009 911 Carrera 4 and 4S
by Alex Nunez on Jun 25th 2008 at 8:00AM 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Porsche 911 C4 and C4S
Well, you knew this was coming. Porsche has followed up the debut of its freshened 997 rear-wheel-drive range with the introductions of the all-wheel-drive 2009 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S. Visually, the C4 and C4S are immediately distinguishable from their 2WD counterparts via the red reflector strip spanning the width between the taillamps. That's a nice touch that brings back some fond memories of the 911s of our youth. The C4's rear bodywork is also wider than that of the 2WD cars. Up front, you'll find the same schnoz introduced a couple of weeks ago.
As with the Carrera and Carrera S, the C4 range also gets the new, direct-injected engines and the optional seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) twin-clutch gearbox. Power is up, and so is efficiency, while emissions output goes down. The Carrera 4's 3.6L flat six makes a stout 345 horses, and the step-up Carrera 4S pumps out 385 ponies from its 3.8. It's not just the engine and tranny that are new -- the previous car's all-wheel-drive system has now been replaced by Porsche Traction Management, which trickles down to the C4 from the mighty 911 Turbo. Want to scoff at lousy weather and still drive a 911? Come October (in Europe) your new ride will be waiting.
[Source: Porsche]
PRESS RELEASE:
Porsche Carrera 4 with Electronically Controlled All-Wheel Drive
Stuttgart. Showing the dynamic attitude typical of the brand, Dr. Ing. h.c.
F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, are continuing the generation change of the 911
model series. Just a few weeks after the new 911s with classic rear-wheel
drive, the all-wheel-drive versions Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S are now
entering the market in both Coupé and Cabriolet guise.
A whole range of new technologies surrounding the engine, the transmission
and drivetrain ensures an even higher standard of driving pleasure on much
lower fuel consumption. Particularly the precision and fast response of the
new, electronically controlled all-wheel drive offers an even more intense
driving experience, above all in interaction with the likewise new flat-six
engines with Direct Fuel Injection and the PDK Porsche
Doppelkupplungsgetriebe or double-clutch gearbox available as an option.
The features and characteristics of the new engines speak for themselves:
Depending on the model, the new all-wheel-drive Carrera offers up to 8.5
per cent more power, up to 12.9 per cent more fuel economy, and 15.4 per
cent lower CO2 emissions. Specifically, output of the 3.6-litre power unit
is up by 20 to 345 bhp (254 kW). At the same time a Carrera 4 Coupé with
PDK, to take just one example, consumes a mere 10.1 litres of fuel per 100
kilometres, equal to 28.0 mpg imp. The improvements on the 911 Carrera 4S
with its 3.8-litre power unit are equally significant, with maximum output
up by 30 to 385 bhp (283 kW) on overall fuel consumption down in the case
of Carrera 4S Cabriolet with PDK to 10.7 litres/100 km, equal to 26.4 mpg
imp.
In the new generation of the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S electronically
controlled PTM Porsche Traction Management replaces the former all-wheel
drive with its viscous multiple-plate clutch. This superior system
developed for the 911 Turbo and modified for the Carrera models combines
the driving pleasure so typical of Porsche with an even higher standard of
driving stability, traction and agile handling further enhanced by the
mechanical rear axle differential fitted as standard.
The new all-wheel-drive sports cars come with sporting manual transmission
featuring six gears. As an alternative the new models are available with
Porsche's new Doppelkupplungsgetriebe replacing the former Tiptronic S
automatic converter transmission and offering an even faster gearshift on
less fuel. The Doppelkupplungsgetriebe or double-clutch gearbox comes with
seven gears shifting electrohydraulically without the slightest
interruption of traction and pulling force.
The new generation of the 911 model series stands out clearly through the
discreet but striking modification of the front end and new lights
technology. The new Carrera models come in all cases with bi-xenon
headlights and new LED daytime driving lights.
The newly designed rear light clusters also feature LED technology and for
the first time Porsche offers Dynamic Bending Lights as an option. It
almost goes without saying that all Carrera 4 models come as before with
their muscular rear end 44 millimetres or 1.73" wider than on the
two-wheel-drive versions. And a new reflector trim bar between the LED rear
lights gives the typical rear end of the car even more dynamic character.
New PCM Porsche Communication Management with its touch-sensitive screen
improves operation of the in some cases optional navigation, information
and audio systems to an even higher standard. And a further important point
is that PCM is now compatible with Bluetooth, USB and iPod requirements.
All all-wheel-drive Carrera models will be at the dealership as of 25
October 2008.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ryandesign81782 8:10AM (6/25/2008)
At least the reflector section doesn't look out of place........ what a poor attempt at giving it "the look" of the 996 c4.
Reply
ryandesign81782 8:14AM (6/25/2008)
Now those reflector strips don't look out of place.......
Reply
Chris 9:26AM (6/25/2008)
seriously!! what the hell is that? why would they put that on there??
Keat 10:32AM (6/25/2008)
Looks like they went to ugly lincolns for that reflector thing.
Xcountryflyer 6:23PM (6/26/2008)
I see an option to get rid of them (hopefully).
jb 8:25AM (6/25/2008)
100hp per liter is the minimum expected from Porsche.
Fail.
BMW (Old) M3...3.2 liters/333 hp.
BME (new) M3...4.0 liters/414hp
Audi S4...4.2 liter/420hp.
What do not Porsche understand?
OTOH, perhaps the motor output is, ahem, understated. I've driven a couple of older 3.8 cars that seemed to have more than the rated 350hp....
Reply
mkM3 8:46AM (6/25/2008)
Since when have the base models ever made 100hp/L?
And also, the 3.8L now makes 383hp, so in fact it now does indeed hit the 100hp/L mark.
But really who cares? 80hp/L, 90hp/L, 100hp/L? It's going to be an amazing car either way. You don't hinge the decision to buy a car like this on how much power per liter it makes. You hinge it on how well it handles and how fast it is.
Mobius_1 8:55AM (6/25/2008)
By your logic, Corvettes, Vipers, AMG's, and most other US and Aus cars are fail, too.
Really, specific output is nowhere near as important as total output, don't be a statistician
Arsenal 9:04AM (6/25/2008)
"100hp per liter is the minimum expected from Porsche.
Fail."
Bench racing at its best.
Chris 9:25AM (6/25/2008)
If thats what you cars about so much then you should be looking into the S2000 (120hp/liter), not a porsche.
porschedevotee 9:55AM (6/25/2008)
Just get a bike and leave the Porsches for people who appreciate them then.
zmf001 10:04AM (6/25/2008)
Your note on the Audi is a little off the 4.2L Audi with 420 hp is the RS4 and R8 only. Audi makes many many more 4.2L engines with 330 to 350hp in the S4, A6, A8, and Q7.
I agree hp/liter is not a great measure of performance. Now, hp/kg that is something to compare.
HeyHuub 10:32AM (6/25/2008)
There are only a few atmsperic engines that have more torque per litre then the new 3.6 and 3.8 from Porsche. The 3.8 produces more torque then the 4.0 V8 from the M3.
And i think Porsche has proven more then once that they can get allot of power from atmposheric engines, just look at the 997 GT3, 415hp from a 3.6.
HeyHuub 10:32AM (6/25/2008)
There are only a few atmsperic engines that have more torque per litre then the new 3.6 and 3.8 from Porsche. The 3.8 produces more torque then the 4.0 V8 from the M3.
And i think Porsche has proven more then once that they can get allot of power from atmposheric engines, just look at the 997 GT3, 415hp from a 3.6.
MikeW 11:31AM (6/25/2008)
Porsche has VarioCam+, so you can conceivably upgrade the 3.6 from 340hp to 360hp. [The 3.8 already has the 'upgrade']
and torque / liter is damn good.
3.800- 310ft-lbs@4400 81.58 ft-lbs / litre (99.9hp / litre)
3.614- 288ft-lbs@4400 79.69 ft-lbs / litre (and only 94hp / litre)
Base3 engines-good
Direct injection & 12.5:1 compression ratio, also good.
DCragtop 8:46AM (6/25/2008)
I like it. It's purdee. But the reflector strip sorta makes the butt look like the Cayman in one of the pics. Not a bad thing mind you. Kudos to Porsche for sticking with the same shape all of this time. But I do think they are going to run out of bumper designs pretty soon.
Reply
Craig 9:01AM (6/25/2008)
I like the reflector strip. But I like the old 997 front end better.
Reply
mk 9:55AM (6/25/2008)
Agreed.
Seems like change for the sake of change. The new front end looks "soft" in the indicator/fog light area, and the new front bumper cover is 'meh'.
The tail lights are a bit 'meh', too. I'd have rather LED-ify the previous tail light design, and I actually like the look of the 996 C4S and Turbo tail lights better, with the C4S's cross-strip matching the tail lights better.
----
But Direct Injection, and PDK, with AWD? Sounds GREAT to me, especially with the 3.8 engine. As long as they don't go nuts and remove the 6-speed manual option, or add stop-idle just to appease the greenies. Let the greenies suck Porsche exhaust, and then go back to driving their Priuses.
Porsche is performance. There is no substitute.
It will be interesting to see what changes the Cayman/Boxster get. Too bad I can almost guarantee it won't be the 385hp 3.8 liter DI boxer, and PDK with limited slip to the rear wheels... That would make too much sense, and result in one of the most fantastic mid-engined sports cars EVER. (not supercar, but sports car, mind you...)
Ligor 9:08AM (6/25/2008)
ok, so not uch new here as expected, but somehow those headlights remiiiiinded me of a Mini when I first saw the pic of the front (white one)
Reply
Ersin 9:59AM (6/25/2008)
great rear ligts..
Reply