Porsche's bread and butter sports car is better than ever.
Base versions are equipped with leather upholstery, automatic climate control, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, bi-xenon headlights, 235-watt AM/FM/CD stereo, cruise control, universal garage door opener, onboard computer, and staggered Z-rated 18-inch tires on alloy wheels. The S trims add Porsche's Active Suspension Managements system (PASM), a sunroof (coupe) and staggered 19-inch tires.
Mechanical options include Porsche's new seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) automated manual transmission, PASM, a limited-slip rear differential lock, the Sport Chrono Package Plus, and Porsche's Ceramic Composite Brakes. Interior options consist of heated seats, ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, a Bluetooth wireless cell phone link, XM Satellite Radio, a universal audio interface and a Bose sound system.
All 2009 Porsche 911 Carreras have dual front airbags and the Porsche Side Impact Protection system with dual front torso airbags that deploy from the seats, and dual front head airbags that deploy upward from the door panels. Other safety features include a tire-pressure monitor, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, traction control and electronic stability control. Cabriolets also have an auto-deploying roll bar system. Available as an option are dynamic cornering headlights that point in the direction the car is turning so drivers can see where they are going.
Under the Hood
The 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera offers two all-new boxer six-cylinder engines. Engineers have simplified the design with 40 percent fewer moving parts, which should translate to better reliability. Porsche's VarioPro variable valve timing returns, but both engines now have direct fuel injection, which helps increase power and fuel economy and reduce emissions.
Base trims have a 3.6-liter flat six that produces 345 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 288 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm — up from 325 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque in 2008. It is offered with a standard six-speed manual transmission or the new optional seven-speed PDK automated manual transmission. EPA fuel economy numbers are up 7 percent for the manual transmission at 18/25 mpg (city/highway) and up 15 percent for the PDK (compared to last year's Tiptronic five-speed automatic) at 19/27 mpg.
For 2009, the 3.8-liter flat six in the Carrera S produces 385 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm — up from 355 horses and 295 lb-ft of torque. Its fuel economy numbers are 18/25 mpg (city/highway) with the manual and 19/26 mpg with the PDK.
