Over the weekend, we brought you the first official images of the all-wheel drive versions of Porsche’s new 911 series, code-named 991.
The new model will be available in both coupe and cabriolet flavors in 345HP (350PS) Carrera 4 and 394HP (400PS) Carrera 4S guises, which brings the total number of all-wheel drive 911 variants to four.
Although the Carrera 4 looks identical to its two-wheel drive sibling, its rear wheel arches are wider by 22 mm (0.87 inches) on each side and just in case you miss that, there’s also a red strip between the taillights to tell the two models apart.
Despite being bigger than its predecessor, the new Carrera 4 is up to 65 kg (143 pounds) lighter than the all-wheel drive 997. Likewise, the hike in performance is accompanied by a drop in fuel consumption that has improved by as much as 16 percent.
As with the previous model, which accounted for 34 percent of total 997 facelift sales, the new Carrera 4 employs the electronically controlled Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive system. The driver can monitor its operation via a new menu in the instrument binnacle.
Buyers of the 911 Carrera 4 can choose between two seven-speed transmissions, the standard manual or the optional PDK double-clutch gearboxes.
As far as performance is concerned, the Carrera 4 Coupe, depending on equipment levels, accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in as little as 4.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of up to 285 km/h (177 mph). The Cabriolet is marginally slower, with 4.7 seconds and 282 km/h (175 mph) respectively.
Fuel consumption with the PDK gearbox is 8.6 lt/100 km (27.3 mpg) for the Coupe and 8.7 lt/100 km (27.0 mpg) for the Cabriolet, while CO2 emissions are 203 and 205 g/km for the fixed- and open-top versions respectively.
The Carrera 4S Coupe posts a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 4.1 seconds and maxes out at 299 km/h (185 mph), while the Cabriolet trails it by 0.2 seconds and 3 km/h (1.8 mph). Porsche’s official figures suggest an average consumption of just 9.1 lt/100 km (25.8 mpg) and CO2 emissions of 215 g/km for the Coupe and 9.2 lt/100 (25.5 mpg) / 217 g/km for the Cabriolet.
Coupe models can be optionally equipped with a new, sliding glass roof, which reminds us of the 993 Targa. Moreover, the Sport Chrono pack that is available for all versions is even sportier in the manual transmission models, as when the Sport Plus mode is selected, it automatically double-declutches during downshifts.
The new Porsche 911 Carrera 4 will make its world premiere at the 2012 Paris Motor Show next month and will go on sale in Europe before the end of the year.
Prices in Germany start from €97,557 for the 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and €110,290 for the Cabriolet. The Carrera 4S costs €112,313 in Coupe and €125,046 in Cabriolet guise.
In the U.S., the all-wheel drive models will reach dealers in the first quarter of 2013 with prices to start from $91,980 for the Carrera 4 Coupe and $103,880 for the Carrera 4 Convertible, including destination charges.
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