First look: Carrera 4 breaks cover

PORSCHE has rolled out the latest iterations of its awesome 997 series 911 sports cars – the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S all-wheel drive coupes.

Strikingly, the two German super cars are 44mm wider over the rear fenders, thereby allowing the rear wheels of the Carrera 4 to be fitted with 295/35 ZR 18 tyres and the 4S with massive 305/30 ZR19s.

Powered by Porsche’s 239kW 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine, the Carrera 4 accelerates from standstill to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 280km/h. The 261kW 3.8-litre 4S can reach 100km/h in 4.8sec, on its way to 288km/h.

This is the first time the Carrera 4 is available with two engine options, and in addition to the wider bodywork and larger rear tyres it features new Porsche Stability Management functions that improve braking performance.

As before, the all-wheel drive system has a multi-disc viscous coupling and transfers between five and 40 per cent of driving force permanently to the front wheels.

The cars, which are descendants of the original 959 series model released in 1988, are expected to reach Australia late in November, around a month after European deliveries commence. Pricing is still to be announced, though on the Continent the Carrera 4 will start from 71,100 Euros ($118,000) and the 4S from 79,900 Euros ($132,500).