First look: Porsche 911 Turbo flips its lid

PORSCHE has revealed the first 911 Turbo Cabriolet in 14 years – a model that will bring the number of 911 variants to a record 10 when it appears alongside the C4S Cabriolet at the Sydney motor show in October.

Powered by the same 309kW/560Nm twin-turbocharged six-cylinder boxer engine as the standard-setting coupe upon which it is based, the soft-top Turbo is differentiated from the garden variety 911 Carrera Cabriolet via 60mm-wider wheel arches, more aggressive bumper intake openings, intercooler scoops at the rear on both sides and a retractable rear spoiler.

Porsche’s new cabriolet flagship - which will be available here in strictly limited numbers, most of which are already accounted for - weighs a little more than the coupe and therefore realises slightly slower acceleration times. But the Turbo cab still blasts to 100km/h in a claimed 4.3 seconds in six-speed manual form (compared to the coupe’s 4.2-second dash).

Compared with the Turbo coupe, its open-top namesake features reinforced side sills, double-thickness body panels, additional junction plates and shaft reinforcements behind the B-pillar that are also bonded. It is claimed to be the first Porsche to use ultra-strong DP600 steel in the interests of structural rigidity.

Top speed, however, remains the same blisteringly fast 305km/h thanks to a fully retracting, integrated roof that is fully concealed beneath the roof compartment lid whenever opened.

Opening or closing electro-hydraulically in 20 seconds, the roof can actually be operated even at speeds of up to 50km/h, at which time closure takes an extra six seconds due to air resistance.

A wind deflector and hardtop also come standard, as are the Carrera Cabriolet’s twin rollover hoops that activate under spring pressure in split-seconds when a sway sensor determines imminent rollover.

Also standard will be metallic paint, leather trim, automatic air-conditioning, Bose sound system, power seats with memory, rain sensor, anti-dazzle mirrors, bi-Xenon headlights, remote central locking and an alarm with interior surveillance.

Of course, there’s also the Turbo coupe’s four-wheel drive system, which proportions up to 40 per cent of engine power to the front wheels, which measure 225/40 ZR18.

Porsche Stability Management is also included while the 911 Turbo Cabriolet will also offer the option of Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes over the standard braking system, which comprises four-piston monobloc callipers all round with cross-drilled and ventilated discs.

The 2004 911 Turbo Cabriolet returns after a 14-year absence from the Porsche model line-up.

Its predecessor, the 930-codenamed Turbo sold in Europe between 1987 and 1989, was the first open-top Turbo Cabriolet offered – its two-valve 3.3-litre engine produced 221kW and blasted it to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 260km/h.